Afraid

Chapter 18

It was the afternoon and I was walking out the school gates with Natasha. "Hey wanna go to the shops?" she asked.

I was about to respond by telling her that I had to check with Luke but instead I replied with a, "sure." Since Luke had been so secretive lately and hadn't told me where he had been going I figured I didn't have to tell him if I was gonna be home late.

"Leah!" I heard someone call from behind me.

I turned to see Aiden standing there. "Hey Aiden," I smiled and he smiled back.

"Um I was just uh wondering if you..." He trailed off, nervously.

"If I what?" I asked curiously.

"Uh I was just wondering if you wanted to um go to the movies on Saturday night?" He asked.

For some reason my heart didn't beat faster like I thought it would if Aiden ever asked me to go to the movies.

I smiled. "Sure, I'd love to."

He grinned "okay cool. I'll pick you up at 6," he said and I watched him leave. Why didn't I feel anything when he asked me?

"Oh my god!" Natasha squealed. I had forgotten that she had been listening.

"I didn't feel excited or anything when he asked me," I told her.

"So you don't wanna go?" She asked.

"No, I do. It's just I'm starting to think I don't like him anymore," I said and she frowned.

"What? I thought you liked him a lot. And what about that kiss?"

"Natasha I know how much you want Aiden and I to get together, but I just don't think it's gonna happen."

"Aw but you guys would be so cute together! It's so obvious he likes you and I know you still like him," she said.

I decided to just drop the conversation. I didn't know if I still liked Aiden or not, I was confused about my feelings. And talking to Natasha about it would not help me.

We arrived at the shops soon after and started walking around, looking for any good shop.

"Oh my gosh Ryder just texted me!" Natasha practically screamed.

"What did he say?" I asked and leaned over to look at her phone.

"He said there's a party on Saturday night and asked if I was going."

"Are you gonna go?" I asked.

"Obviously! And you're coming with me!"

"No thanks, I think I'll pass," I told her.

"Come on Leah! It will be so fun!" I shook my head.

"Well I can't go alone! Please Leah," she pleaded.

Parties were definitely not my thing but I needed a break from everything that was happening. And a party really sounded good at the moment.

"Fine, I'll go," I said and Natasha squealed.

"It's gonna be so fun!" She said as she quickly typed a reply to Ryder.

We continued walking until I realised something and stopped.

"Wait, I can't go," I said and Natasha frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I already told Aiden I'd go to the movies with him Saturday night." I was kind of disappointed that I couldn't go to the party, I was getting excited.

"Aw that sucks! Well you can just tell Aiden that you're busy if you want," she suggested.

"But I don't wanna lie to him! He's so sweet." I honestly would hate to lie to Aiden.

"Okay well it's your decision," Natasha shrugged.

We walked into a shop and Natasha started looking at everything. But I wasn't concentrating. I was thinking about what I should do.

Should I lie to Aiden and tell him that I'm busy so I can go to the party?

"Hey I'm just gonna go to the bathroom. I'll be back in a sec," I told Natasha.

"Want me to come?"

"Nah it's okay. I'll be quick."

I walked out of the store and found my way to the bathroom. I didn't actually need to go, I just wanted to call Aiden.

I quickly dialled Aiden's number and pressed my phone to my ear.

"Hello," he picked up. My heart picked up and I began feeling guilty. I'm about to lie to Aiden, who's always there for me and is so sweet.

"Um hey it's Leah?" It came out more like a question.

"Are you okay? You sound worried," he asked and I felt even more guilty. Why did he have to be so nice?

"Yeah I'm fine."

There was a brief moment of silence before he spoke up. "Are you looking forward to Saturday?"

"Um that's what I was calling about. I'm sorry but I can't make it. I um have a um...family dinner," I lied.

"Oh," he said and I could hear the disappointment in his voice.

"I'm so sorry Aiden, maybe another time?"

"Yeah," he replied but his tone was flat.

I was about to say something else but heard a beep meaning he had hung up.

I sighed and quickly walked out of the bathroom. I felt so bad.

I found the store I had left Natasha in and she was still there. She looked up as I entered.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah" But I felt so bad for lying to Aiden. I would have loved to go to the movies with him it's just I needed a party right now to get my mind off things.

It better be one hell of a party.