Between Two

Chapter 9

"I honestly think this is stupid." I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest while Chris and Jonah pulled me between them.

Tara was busy trailing behind us like a zombie, her steps slow, "No, we're on her territory and we're confronting her." Tara groaned behind us, pulling me away from them.

"Correction, you two are having Aviana confront her. Aviana has no idea who she is." I nodded in agreement, happy to have someone on my side.

Chris patted my head, looking towards Tara, "It doesn't matter, having a girl-"

"An attractive one." I rolled my eyes at Jonah, tucking strands of hair behind my ear that had come loose from my ponytail.

Chris nodded, continuing, "Well, an attractive girl, will show her to back off. She's annoying and irritating, so, Avi, you know what to do." Chris gently shoved me forward towards a blonde girl who was busy looking through clothes.

I didn't make a move to do anything so Chris nonchalantly wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tapped her shoulder. She turned around, narrowing her eyes then smiled when she looked at Chris.

"Chris, I didn't know you'd be here." Jonah walked up to us, standing on my other side.

"You texted him you'd be here." Her eyes slightly widened and her cheeks turned a faint pink while she looked between the two.

"Yeah, and our good friend, Aviana, has something to say to you." I licked my lips, shrinking down a bit as her light green eyes narrowed in my direction.

"Um... I... Please leave Chris and Jonah alone..." I shrugged, not really sure what they wanted me to say. I don't even know what the problem was.

"I'm not doing anything to them, I don't know what the problem is." I sighed in relief, glaring at the two boys.

"Yeah, I don't know what the problem is either." I raised an eyebrow at Chris but he just smiled, nudging me forward.

"She keeps being a bitch, messing with my life and trying to fuck my best friend. Seriously, Emma, leave me and Chris alone. We're not stupid, you're going to get us in trouble." I blinked, looking back and forth. I looked at Chris for help on what was going on except he looked just as confused as I was.

"Maybe if you weren't dumb enough to land Chris in jail then none of this would be happening." Jonah glanced my way and I stayed quiet, not knowing what was going on.

Chris clenched his jaw, grabbing my hand before pulling me away, "What is she talking about?" I knew Chris took the blame for Jonah but I didn't know for what. He didn't go into detail.

"I honestly don't know, where's your friend?" I pointed to where the sunglasses were and directed us to where Tara was trying on a pair of sunglasses, making faces in the mirror.

"Tara, we're leaving." Tara put the sunglasses back, giving us a slight shrug.

"I kind of want to stay and look around. You two can go though." I frowned, not wanting to leave her at the mall alone.

"You sure, Tara? I can stay with you a-" She shook her head, a small smile lighting up her face.

"I'm fine, I'll just call my sister to pick me. Have fun you two." She winked making me roll my eyes.

I waved goodbye while Chris pulled me after him, "Are you okay? You seem a bit... tense." Chris sighed, straightening his shoulders as he walked towards the entrance of the mall to leave.

"It's nothing, Emma just bothers me and Jonah... I don't know what the fuck is going, but that's between those two. I thought if maybe she saw that..." He didn't finish, walking out of the mall.

"She saw what?" I pressed, needing to know what was going on. I was confused and I didn't like being confused; I wanted to know.

"That maybe if she saw you with me, she'd back off and leave me alone. Emma is the type of girl to get jealous easily, but she'd leave it alone if you're with someone." I pulled my hand out of his grasp, crossing my arms.

"So, you were basically using me?" He shook his head, leading me to his car.

"No, maybe, I'm sorry... it's just, I slept with her when she was with Jonah-"

"That's really fucked up-"

"I know, I just didn't know they were together. I didn't know he was dating her, I didn't even know he knew her. It was a mistake and I apologized. They broke up." He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"I would never do that to Jonah. I wouldn't let anything get between my best friend and I. Not even a girl." I nodded, quietly thanking him as he opened the passenger side door for me.

He shut the door and walked over to the driver's side while I buckled myself up.

"Emma doesn't even go to our school, she goes to some private school." I listened, biting my lip when he pulled out of the parking spot.

"What about the whole jail thing? What did he do?" Chris glanced my way, not bothering to answer me.

I sighed, looking out the window. I wanted to know what was going on, but it was obvious neither Chris or Jonah was going to tell me.

Chris hesitated, reaching to turn on the radio, "Jonah was selling shit to Emma's friends. I don't know what happened... I just know someone told the cops. Jonah couldn't have his parents find out because then he'd be in more trouble so I told them it was me." I stared forward, not knowing exactly what to say. I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn't find the words.

"Why'd you take the blame? How come you didn't let him deal with the consequences himself?" Chris shrugged, pulling into a parking lot.

"Because he's my best friend, he'd do the same..." He seemed unsure if Jonah would do the same, but I didn't question it. If he believed that Jonah would do the same for him then maybe he would.

"Come on, let's go." He got out of the car and I furrowed my eyebrows, quickly unbuckling my seatbelt.

He opened the door for me and I stepped out, looking around at the few shops in front of us, "First, I was thinking we could get something to eat in the diner, then get some ice cream at the small parlor over there." I smiled, following him as he led me to the 50s looking diner.

"We ate in the morning, Chris." He chuckled, nudging me in the side.

"That was like five hours ago, it's two in the afternoon now." I shook my head at him, watching as he opened up the door for me.

"You're such a gentleman." He smiled, a tint of pink lighting up his cheeks and I couldn't contain my smile as he stayed holding the door open as a mother and her daughter exited.

The little girl dropped her bear and Chris was quick to pick it up, handing it back to her, "Well, aren't you just a little sweetheart?" I commented, enjoying the way he was blushing.

"Shh, don't tell Jonah. He's supposed to be the nice one." He winked, walking in next to me.

"Ready for our first date?" I furrowed my eyebrows, following him as he led me to a booth.

"I never agreed to a date." He only smirked, sitting me down in the booth.

"You never said no either." I rolled my eyes then stared at him in amusement.

"You didn't even ask me." He sat down in front of me and leaned in.

"Aviana Presley, do you want to go on a date with me?"