For Forever

8. The Project + Jesse's Lament

After roughly two hours, Aiden and Lukas were halfway done with their biology project. The time flew by, and to Lukas' surprise, Aiden actually did a pretty good job on the project. The boys were both too tired to continue, so they decided to finish the it tomorrow.

"Ugh, what time is it?" Aiden groaned tiredly. He glanced over at Lukas, who was too busy with his laptop to notice anything around him. "My phone is on my desk, you can check the time if you want." Lukas commented, typing something down that still held his attention. Aiden slowly stood up, walking over to the desk to grab Lukas' phone. "5.30."

"Really? It feels like 3 am." Lukas softly chuckled, still occupied with was on his screen. Just then, a text message popped up at the top of the phone screen. Aiden clicked on it and read it.

Jesse: So uh

Jesse: We're having some people over this weekend

Jesse: Like Petra and Cassie and stuff

Jesse: Wanna come?

Aiden didn't seem to care about the texts until he read Cassie's name. Cassie was coming to the nerd's (I mean, Jesse's) house.. An idea popped up in his head. He didn't bother to show Lukas the texts, but instead, he texted a response back himself.

Lukas: Sure thing

Lukas: Hey, is it okay if Aiden comes too?

Lukas: He's the coolest, smartest, most amazing person I have ever met in my entire life

"Uh, what are you doing?" Lukas asked, finally looking up from his laptop. Aiden threw him his phone and he barely catched it. "We're going to the nerd's house this weekend."

"Why would you type that?" Lukas groaned, reading the texts.

"I was just trying to tell the truth."

Lukas rolled his eyes and started typing something on his phone until he got interrupted by Aiden. "Wait! I can still come, right?" he said with a tone of desperation in his voice. Lukas merely chuckled. "Oh, of course! Not."

Aiden scoffed. "Why not? We're friends, right?" he asked, even though he knew it wasn't true.

"Never have I ever in my life considered you as my friend. All you do is annoy me." Lukas answered stern, giving Aiden a severe glare. Aiden knew what Lukas said was true, he just didn't want to admit it. Just because he was right didn't mean he got to rub it in his face. "Come on, please? Cassie's going to be there and I'd really appreciate it if you'd just let me come with." Aiden begged.

"Well than it sucks to suck I guess." Lukas argued, and he continued to type things down on his laptop, getting a groan out of Aiden. "Why don't you trust me? I don't see why you have to make it such a problem?"

Lukas was stunned, his eyes wide. "Me? I'm the problem? Sorry Aiden, but why would you even care? You literally don't give a crap about anything! If you want me to trust you, you have to trust me too, Aiden. That's how trust works. I don't even know where you are half the time! Maybe you're skipping class, or maybe you're smoking in some dark corner, or maybe you're making out with Cassie Rose, no one knows. So don't even start about how I make it such a problem when the only problem is you!"

Aidens face went red, and he sat there silently, in shock for a moment. "I-I... we're just friends." he managed to stammer out. That was strange. Aiden never stuttered. The last time he stuttered was, well, never. He took a shaky breath and continued. "I'm not making out with Cassie Rose, we're just friends. I think..? She barely ever notices me, even if we're in the same room together. But I think we're friends..? Or at least to her we are.."

Lukas was quiet for a while, and then sighed reluctantly. "Look, Aiden, I can't believe I'm saying this, but if it really means that much to you.. than I guess you can come along. But only if you won't cause any trouble." Aiden smiled at Lukas, for the first time in a while. This was probably one if the nicest things Lukas had ever done for him, if not the nicest thing. And Aiden appreciated it.

Lukas decided that he should text Jesse. What would he say though? "I'm sorry about that last text but can the person who annoyed you for as long as you can remember still come?" As if. Lukas stared at his phone, thinking of something decent to say. And then he sent it.

Lukas: Hey dude! Sorry about that last text.. Aiden typed that..

Lukas: But I gave it some thought and would really appreciate it if he could come over too. Thanks, you're the best!

Lukas saw Jesse typing, but he must've deleted it, because nothing ever sent. He hoped Jesse didn't take it to hard. He knew that Jesse cared for him and he cared for Jesse too. He just didn't want this to get between them. But maybe it already had.

—

Lukas: But I gave it some thought and would really appreciate it if he could come over too. Thanks, you're the best!

What was that supposed to mean? Jesse couldn't seem to figure it out. Apparently Lukas cared more about his bully than about him. But that couldn't be true, could it? Lukas was his best friend, his player two, and those people don't just give up on you. Right? The last thing Jesse wanted was for Lukas to give him up. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm down. He should probably make some homework. That's what he was trying to do! But he was too busy thinking.

It's not that Lukas wasn't allowed to have other friends. Jesse just was afraid that Lukas would replace him with someone cooler than him, in this case Aiden. And with a personality like his, he probably could've done so already. But he didn't. And that's what Jesse liked about Lukas. While Lukas could easily become one of the popular kids, he'd rather be a loser with Jesse and play video games in his basement. But that also made Jesse feel like he was dragging Lukas down.

Jesse decided to text Lukas back. If he really trusted Aiden, than maybe Jesse should give him a chance too.

Jesse: Sure, Aiden can come

Jesse: But if he pulls out a gun and shoots us, I'm gonna say "I told you so"

Jesse sighed in relief. It was going to be one heck of a weekend.