That Summer | Aaron Carpenter

twenty six

Another three weeks later and it was my first year of senior year. I pulled the top half of my hair up and tied it with a hair tie. I put a red bandanna on, which matched with my Magcon t-shirt. I put mascara on and then slipped my red vans on.

I took another look in the mirror before I slid on a jacket. I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder and grabbed my phone. I walked down the stairs and saw Taylor sitting on the couch with coffee.

"Are you excited?" Taylor asked.

"Nervous." I replied.

"You'll be okay." He said.

"I have to go so I can talk to the counselor." I said. "See you later Taylor."

"Bye Hal."

I walked out of the house and to my car. I saw Eli across the street, walking down the driveway.

"Hey Eli!" I smiled.

"Hallie! Hey!" He said.

"You want a ride?"

"Hell yes I want a ride."

I chuckled as he ran over. We climbed in my car as I threw my stuff in the backseat.

"How long have you been back?" He asked me.

"Three weeks." I replied.

"Why haven't I seen you?" He asked as I pulled out of the driveway.

"I barricaded myself in my bedroom."

"Because of school starting?"

"Because of Magcon ending."

"Right, VIP."

"I'm not a VIP." I said.

"You have a song out." He said. "You have more on the way."

"How do you know that?"

"I maybe watched all the YouTube videos of the tour from fans." He chuckled.

"All of them?"

"Well, most." He said. "I watched one with all the guys saying their farewells."

I smiled at the thought, "Why?"

"If we're going to be friends, I need to know what you're like."

"Friends?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"Unless you'd like to be more."

"I have a boyfriend."

"Damn, I kind of hoped you forgot."

"Forgot about my boyfriend?" I laughed.

"I'm just joking." He said. "I'm a sarcastic cunt."

"I like you already." I smiled.

"Oh really?" He asked.

I chuckled and looked at this boy I barely knew, sitting in the front seat of my car smiling. His blonde hair fell slightly in front of his bright blue eyes. I smiled at him.

-------------------

After school I drove home and went inside. My phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out as I dropped my keys in the dish.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey." I heard Aaron's voice.

"Aaron!" I chuckled nervously as I ran upstairs.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I just got home." I stated.

"Oh." He replied.

"Yeah, so how was your day?"

"Pretty good considering."

"Considering what?" I smiled, dropping my stuff.

"Not seeing you."

I smiled, "Cheesy."

"How was your day?"

"It was really good." I laughed, wanting to tell him all about Eli but I didn't want to share it for some reason.

"How so?"

"Just met some nice people." I said which technically a lie wasn't. I did meet Ashley, who was really funny.

"Anyone special?"

"Nope." I said, playing with a strand of hair.

"You see out of it, are you okay?"

"I'm fine Aaron." I said, sitting on my bed.

"Alright." He said. "Call Jacob."

"I will." I stated.

"I love you." Aaron said.

"I love you too." I smiled, but it felt different.

He hung up and I called Jacob. I kicked off my shoes as he answered.

"Hallie!" He said.

"Hey kid." I replied.

"School is a living hell." He said.

"I know it."

"Do people ask you about tour?"

"That's all I got asked, and if I could get them signed to a record label."

"Damn." He said. "You win."

"Nobody wins chipmunk, other people are just stupid." I said. "Did you see your friends?"

"Yeah and I missed them a lot."

"I'm glad you're having fun." I smiled as I said on the edge of my bed.

"Are you okay Hallie? You seem different."

"It's nothing." I said. "Just... nothing."

"Well, I'm going to play basketball." He said. "I'll talk to you later."

"Be safe." I said before he hung up.

I looked up and saw Taylor in my doorway.

"How was school?"

"Good." I said, nodding.

"Are you sure about that?"

I stopped my feet as I started confessing everything to him.

"So you like this Eli boy."

"Maybe." I said. "He's a nice guy."

"So is Aaron."

"I know and I love Aaron but long distance is not what I want to be doing."

"Just give it some more time Hal."

"I will." I smiled at him.