Mixed Signals

Chapter 5:

"So the reason I told you to go with me Ari and talk is because I have feelings for you. And hopefully you feel the same way I do." "Um Zane, what are you doing?" "I'm confessing my love that I have for you. Do you love me Ari?" "Omg. Yes Zane I do. I even had a dream like this and it's like a dream come true. I have been waiting a long time for you to say that." "Then let's go! Let's go live a life of our own." "Yes Zane... I would love that...."

"Ari?...Aria!" "Huh. Sorry." "I thought I lost you there. You okay?" "Yeah, sorry just thinking." "Bout what?" "Trust me wouldn't want to know (laughs)." "Okay, so we are going to this one hangout I love to go to." "Okay...." "It's okay it will be fun, trust me." THAT WORD. TRUST. WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT ZANE. We arrive at a place called The Funcade Arcade. Zane gets out of the car and opens the door for me. "Thank you." "Sure, anytime. Welcome to my second home." SECOND HOME? "An arcade? Wait...are you a gamer? YOU PLAY GAMES!?" (laughs) "Well, I wouldn't say I'm a gamer. Okay I kind of am when I just want to get things off my mind. I play many genres of games but I mostly play shooting, car and other genres. Also please don't tell anyone I do this okay. A secret between you and me." "Why? You don't want to be labeled as a game nerd or freak or something?" "(laughs) Yeah, something like that." "Hey word of advice. Be you. I never seen you as a game type of person but you are and I think that's cool. Don't let other people's comments get to you even if you are popular. It's okay to be a normal person once in a while." "Thanks Ari." "But, your secret is safe with me." "Pinky promise?," he says with his pinky out. "Pinky promise." "Okay, Let's go inside." When we are inside all I see are games. Lots and lots of games but no sign of people. "Why aren't there any people? Isn't this an arcade?" "Yes, but it's like a secret hangout not so much of a public thing. Come on. I want you to meet some people."

"Hey guys." "What's up Zane. Well, well, well. Who's the pretty girl?" "Hey and this here is Aria. She's a good friend of mines. Aria this Liam." "Hey!" "Mikey." "Sup." "And right over there playing the game is...." " Jacob." "Nice to meet you Jacob." "Yeah, you too." "Don't worry bout him. He's just always serious about those video games. Hates when he loses. Anyways let's get out of here. Bye y'all." "See you later dude and goodbye Queen Aria," Liam says while kissing my hand. "Goodbye Liam," I say with a smile. "Okay, that's enough. Let's go Aria," Zane says while taking my hand to go outside. Once outside he opened the car door for me. Instead of going in the car I asked him, "Were you jealous that he kissed my hand...hmmm? You didn't like that he was being really nice to me," I say with a grin. "No it's just that he's always trying to impress girls and likes to be flirtatious so just be careful with him." " (laughs) Okay. Whatever you say." Then I get in the car and Zane shuts the door. Then we are off to wherever we are going to next. I check the time and it read 6:30 pm. "Where are we going next?" "Somewhere, just relax and enjoy the ride." "Do you know that my car is still at school?" "Yes and don't worry this is our last stop, okay?" "Okay." "This place will be really nice okay?" "Okay Zane." "Are you mad?" "No." "Ari please don't be mad. I'm having a nice time with you." "Really Zane? Because I didn't come with you to just ride around with you wherever. You wanted to talk remember? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ZANE?" "Oh look we're here." Zane gets out but I get out of the car myself this time. "Hey I was gonna open the door for you." "I don't need your help with anything Zane. I'm capable of doing things myself! And what are we doing at the beach? You know what this whole thing was bullshit. I should have listened to my friends. I'm leaving." I started to cry and started walking back to school for my car even though I had a long way to go but I didn't care. I just wanted to be alone. Away from Zane. "Ari... ARIA!!" I stop when I hear he yelled my name madly. Then I turn around. "What Zane? Can't you just leave me alone. You did enough already!" "Look. I know I told you we were going to talk. After I talk to you I'll drive you back to you car and you can go home after okay? But please... Ari... don't leave me... (sighs) please." I look at Zane. Should I talk to him and sees what he has to say? For some reason I believe him and kind of want to see what he has to say. Then I start walking towards him. "Okay. Talk." "Okay, here sit down."

"Look Aria... I just want to start off by saying how sorry I am for today. I just really wanted to hang out and see how you are as a person. In the hallway you were brave to say what you said to Crystal. She can be irritating to a lot of people. I know." "Then why are you with her Zane? Knowing she doesn't care about anyone but herself and just trying to be popular. From being with you today, you don't deserve her. You are too kind and nice for that trash." "I know Ari... and I just think it's time for some new friends and new people to hangout with... like you. People can think I am this popular, cute kid but in reality I'm not. I'm this nerd gamer that just wants a normal life. To one day go to school and not get pinned on by girls or girls staring at me. Sometimes I just want to be alone and have time to myself but I can't." Me? Zane Andrews wants to hangout with me? Nah...not me. Omg. It's like a dream come true. Okay focus Aria, focus. "Want some advice? Be yourself. If that's who you truly want to be then do it. There's nothing more better than being yourself. Look Zane, I'm glad you are thinking that way because no matter what you do Zane I'll be there to support you. Plus, you can always join my little friend group." "Yeah. Thanks Aria for listening to me and giving me a second chance because as of right now my life is a mess, I have no friends and I don't know what to do. That's why I wanted to hang out with you today Aria. To get things off my mind you know. Like a distraction." "No problem Zane I'm always here for you remember that and just know you are not alone in this. Just be careful Zane. I know you are better than that." "I know. But thanks to you I really understand it." "Wait...why are you even talking to me about this stuff and not no one else? Why trust me with your feelings and confess them to me? I could be someone like Crystal." "You're not Aria. Deep down I know you aren't and I know I can really trust you and I hope one day when I'm out of this kind of lifestyle you will learn to trust me too. As we stare in each others eyes we start getting closer and then... That's my bestfriend, bestfriend. My phone. It's Mikala. "Sorry, I need to take this." "Sure." 

"Heyy Arrii!! Where are you girl. I didn't see you after school." "I know Mikala. I'll talk to you when I get home, k?" "Alright sis, see ya, byye." "It was Mikala. Sorry bout that." "It's fine. It's getting late. But one more thing." "What?" "Come here." I go toward Zane as he is sitting on the sand. Then he lies back. "Sit." I sit down and lie back. "Phone?" I give him my phone and then he pulls up the camera. "SMILE! Send that to me would ya?" Then I look at my phone and see Zane and me. I'm not gonna lie it was a pretty picture. "Cute! Now you have a memory of me. Ready to go now?" "Yeah."