I Am Unpredictable (Book 3)

Chapter Thirteen: M is for Mistakes and Missed Opportunities

My heart races in an unbearable speed as I approach the entrance to the school. I already know this day will be a living hell, but I'm being forced to come to school by both my parents and Alia. If I didn't come to school today, I bet you any money that Alia would kick my ass the next day I'd show up.

To avoid all of that from happening, I just sucked it up and disguised my internal frustration as I got ready for school this morning.

The second I walk through the doors of the high school, I see Aaron sitting on one of the many staircases, this one leading up to the fourth floor only. His attention is focused into his little Samsung Galaxy as he hits the screen repeatedly, most likely texting someone.

I try to walk away without him noticing, but of course, with the luck I have, he decides to look up from his phone at the split second I try to escape his view.

"Hey, Richard!" Aaron yells obnoxiously loud, standing up and shoving his phone into his back pocket. He jumps up and pushes through the crowds of people to catch up to me, only to shower me with these old insults that he claims are original but really aren't. "So, did you and Brandon have fun last night?"

Oh yeah, we had a BLAST...

...trying to figure out ways to get even with you.

True story: Brandon and I were on the phone talking about Aaron and his stupidity. During the conversation, however, Brandon didn't seem like himself, most likely because his mother is pulling off more bullshit with that guy. He was kind of quiet, even when I said that I would strangle Aaron with the trail of broken hearts he has left from all of his many exes.

I know that's not nice, but hey, he kind of deserves it.

"Leave me alone," I utter, still trying to avoid eye contact even though he's to my left.

Aaron manages to flash an obviously fake smile, which I can see from the corner of my eye. "Richard, you shouldn't be ashamed of being gay."

I swear, this kid is going to get smacked sooner or later.

"Jesus Christ, I'm not gay!" I holler, feeling anger boiling over me. "Why the hell are you even doing this to me?! It's so goddamn sickening!" I turn around, walking the complete opposite direction from Aaron. He still heads in the same direction I initially was, seeming completely unaffected by me ditching him.

He deserves to be ditched, and I don't deserve to listen to his bullshit.

I head to my first period class, which of course, is Portuguese. No one else is in the classroom when I get in, except for Alia, who is peacefully sitting in her usual desk in the corner with her head down.

Hmm.

I stroll over to the back of the room and fill the empty seat to her right. I place my hand on her back and rub it gently. "What's wrong?"

Alia slowly lifts her head up, revealing something I have never seen before in my entire life—tears falling from her eyes. Her eyes are a prettier blue than I have ever seen them before, except this time, they're reflecting sadness instead of the usual happiness.

"Alia—why are you crying?" Just looking at her crying breaks my heart and makes me feel weird inside. Alia is extremely tough for a teenage girl. If she's crying, then something must really be bothering her.

She wipes her teary eyes with her gray sleeve, only to produce more tears. "Richard, that kid—"

"Aaron?" I interrupt.

Alia nods, crying even harder. "He was sitting on the stairs this morning when I walked into school. He approached me and started telling me all of this shit about you..." She stops talking, but the tears keep on falling.