Arianna's POV
Someone tapped my shoulder as I finished my slice of cake. I turned and saw Aaron standing there shyly.
"Uhm.. Can I talk to you in private?" he asked.
I turned to Nico who nodded.
I turned back to Aaron and nodded. He led me to a man made waterfall that had lights at the back of the water, making it look so blue and pretty since it was past midnight.
"I'm sorry. For everything. For leaving you. For breaking your trust. For cheating on you. For being the jackass I am. For not treating you the way you should've been treated. For not deserving you. For not showing you how much I love you." he said, whispering the last part.
I was shocked, but I manage to say something. "I forgive you. And thank you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have realized how much I love Nico."
He looked at me with saddened eyes. "I still love you, you know. I don't know why I did what I did."
I shook my head and smiled. "Fate." I said quietly, but he heard me.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"It was fate. Fate is what made you do that. Trust me. You don't love me. You just think you do. One day, Aaron. One day, you'll find her. Just wait." I said, patting his shoulder comfortingly.
He nodded. "Be happy. You deserve it. He deserves you. I don't. I'm not gonna get in you're way, but always remember, you were my first love and always will be."
Tears suddenly leaked from my eyes. "Same here."
He brushed the tears off with his thumb. "We're still best friends right?"
I smiled through my tears. "Of course. Nothing will change that."
"Promise?" he asked, offering his pinky.
"If you promise to not break it, then I promise." I said, looping my pinky through his.
"I'm not gonna." he assured me.
I took my pinky out of his and took something from my pocket, dropping it in his open palm. "Here."
He shook his head, took my palm, dropped it, and closed it tightly.
"A promise is forever, A. I mean it. When I bought this, that saying meant that I'll be back for you, but that's changed. You're still keeping this ring, but now, it has a different meaning. I promise you'll always be my best friend and first love. Promise." he said.
I nodded and threw my arms around him. He hugged me back and we went back to the others, arms around each other's necks. When they saw us, they smiled. Even Nico smiled.
"Good to see you guys friends again. I can't have you fighting." mom said.
"Yup. Especially when you're gonna be at my wedding." Jessica said.
My eyes widened. Woah. Back up. Wedding?
Jessica's eyes widened as if she just realized what she just did. I saw Nate blushing deep red beside her.
"Woah! When did this happened?! Why am I not aware of all this?! Somebody better have a good excuse cus I'm about to pull your heads off." I said.
Aaron stiffened beside me. "Oh shit. I forgot I was supposed to tell you." he said.
"Big mistake of telling me now, little boy." I said, my grip on his neck tightening.
"Best wishes, Aaron. Your death has come. And yet you still haven't found the right girl. Tsk tsk." Nate said.
I grinned deviously. "You better shut up, Natey boy, cus you're next." I threatened as I watched his eyes widen.
"So, care to explain now?" I asked, letting go of Aaron who turned red from lack of air.
"Well, we started going out not long after you left for college. And then it's three years just a few days ago and it was our aniversary when he proposed." Jessica explained.
I groaned. "You never told me you guys were dating!" I complained.
They smiled sheepishly. "Oops?" she said, but it was more of a qestion.
I just shook my head and let it go. "When's the wedding? And I better be a bridesmaid!" I said.
The other girls in the group raised their hands. "Us too!"
She laughed. "Of course. All of you are invited."
"I'm still deciding if Nico or Aaron should be my best man."
"Hey! We're buddies! Of course it should be me!" Aaron said.
"Yeah. Well, you annoy me. So I'll pick Nico." he said, grinning.
He pouted.
"Aww! Don't worry! You can be the flower girl or the ring bearer!" I suggested, pinching his cheeks.
His face brightened. "Oh! Can I be the flower girl?!" he asked. We all laughed. "I was actually being serious." he added, and that made us laugh harder.
"The image of you in a dress is seriously stuck in my head! And your unshaved legs! Oh my God. I'm gonna die laughing." I said, laughing harder and harder.
Yup. Life was good. Definitely good.
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A/N:
2 more chapters left. A time skip and an epilogue! So sad! DONT FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT!!!! Inspirational song is I Promise by Stacie Oricco.
-Claire <3
