The Ex-Bestfriend

Chapter 11 Perfect. Just perfect. (Edited)

Chase's P.O.V (before the party)

Aidan and I stood outside of his door. Aidan leant against the wall tossing and catching a stone he had found on the ground. The door creaked open and a head poked out. It was like looking at Josh. Only female and older. It's Mrs Collins. Her eyes drifted from Aidan and me. It felt like we were two strangers standing on her front porch. The warm smile that is always on her face is gone. Her eyes are dull. The glow that radiated from her had disappeared. I'm even starting to question if this is Mrs Collins at all.

"Hi boys." She pressed on a weak smile. "Josh will be out in a minute." She informed before disappearing into the depths of her house. Aidan and I glanced at each other. Knowing. The door creaked open and Josh stepped out. He greeted us with a warm smile. It even reached his eyes. They twinkled. I knew all too well it was fake.

"Josh is everything o-"

"Let's go." Josh cut me off. "The party awaits." He announced in a chipper tone and headed towards his car.

"Josh." Aidan called out. His voice soft yet firm. "How was it? How was meeting your dad." He asked the question. The question that bubbled and boiled inside of us. Josh froze. His hands collapsed by his side and clenched into tight fists. Shaking. His knuckles turned painfully white. He turned around and pressed on a smile.

"Fine." He responded. It couldn't be easy. Seeing the man who abandoned him when he was only twelve. The man who started a new family with the woman he ran away with. I can't begin to comprehend the pain that would cause to the one that was left behind. I stared at Josh's back. It's a side I was used to seeing five years ago. Five years ago when it all happened. "Let's go." Josh called out, blasting the honk twice. Aidan and I got into the car. The car ride is not awkwardly silent. Josh made sure of it. He talked about the weather. School. Anything. Anything to evade the topic. I played along. I didn't want to but I knew for now, it's what he wanted.

"Excited to see Crystal?" Aidan asked. The question put an end to Josh's babbling.

"Yeah." He responded. "I am." It didn't sound convincing. His words sound detached. I thought at least seeing her would put him in a good mood. Josh pulled into Violet's driveway almost too comfortably. It was as if the driveway had its own place for him. I suppose he would have come here when they were friends. I peered out of the window and my jaw hit the ground. Is this a mansion? No a palace? The driveway could fit at least ten cars. The walls seem as if they were painted by baby cupids. There's even a fountain in the middle. Aidan pulled out his phone and tapped away. Unfazed by this palace. Ping. The light flashed from his screen. "Crystal says she's coming down." He announced.

"And Violet?" Josh queried.

"We can only hope not." Aidan replied. "She'll ruin everything." Josh remained silent and stared out of the window. The front door open. The light leaked from the house and into the night. Two silhouettes appeared. The first a head taller than the second. It's easy to distinguish the two. She stepped outside. Crystal. As she did it was as if all the moonlight directed its attention onto her. Her jet black dress with silver droplets mimicked the night sky. It accentuated her blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. She strutted towards the car with such grace. Behind her followed Violet. Almost seeming as if she deliberately hid behind the shadow of her friend. She hugged tightly to herself as the chilly wind blew over her. I couldn't tell if she's more scared of being blown away or turned into ice. From inside the car I heard Aidan's muffled voice as he poked his head out of the window and spoke to Crystal.

It had all been planned by Aidan the mastermind. And tonight he put that plan into motion. As instructed I sat in the back with Aidan so Crystal could take the front seat next to Josh. Josh neither opposed or approved of this plan. He just seemed to go with it. I can only assume that this is what he wants. No words needed.  He did want to date Crystal after all. The car door opened. Both of the girls came in. Crystal took her seat beside Josh. I looked at them sitting side by side. I knew my hope of asking her to be my partner for the talent show is unattainable. Impossible. I stared out of the window most of the ride. The only conversations being held is between Crystal, Josh and Aidan. Their voices turned into white noise. I was drowned into the scenery of the outside world as we swished right past it. Something unusual appeared in this world. A white spec in the middle of the road. As we approached closer and closer it grew furrier. I squinted my eyes.

"Hey what's that on the road?" I pointed. The conversations came to a halt and so did my heart. The fluffiest cat I have ever seen is in the middle of the road. In front of our gigantic tires. Josh slammed on the breaks and the tires screeched agonisingly. My head crashed into the front seat. We stopped. My face feels like it's been smacked with a brick and my heart is pounding against my chest like a drum. I snapped my head to the side to check on Violet. If my big head is throbbing from the incident imagine what it did to hers. Thankfully a barrier stood between her and the front seat. That barrier is Aidan's arm. My eyes widened.

"Woah Aidan, you saved Violet?!" I exclaimed.

Aidan. Violet. Violet. Aidan. I'd never thought it was possible to witness Aidan express any kindness towards her. But here I am tonight. Witnessing with my own two eyes. Aidan protecting Violet. This is most definitely is older brother instincts kicking in. He has three other younger siblings. In a moment of panic his older brother protective skills must have activated. Aidan's eyes widened and his lips parted I pressed my palm over my mouth. It's hard not to at least stifle a laugh. Aidan removed his arm faster than the speed of light. "This is Josh's new car. Do you know how much damage she would cause if her makeup rubbed off onto the passenger seat?" He huffed. Lies. I've seen this guy ruthlessly place his cheesy hands on these seats after finishing a bag of Cheetos. I noticed in the rear view mirror a second pair of eyes staring at Aidan and Violet. Josh's mouth opened and closed. Almost as if he refused to utter a word.

"Are you okay Crystal?" He asked, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine." She assured with a soft smile. My heart squeezed. Stop it. I warned. I won't allow it. I won't allow those kinds of feelings. Josh parked the car and we stepped out. It was nice to take a break for a change. Life began to feel like it was permanently filled with test papers, homework and... failed ideas for the talent show. I groaned internally. Josh walked in ahead with Crystal, while Aidan didn't lag too far behind. He took his role as wingman very seriously. I just hope Brent and James come quickly. Their relatives are visiting for the weekend so they'll be late. It's not like they would have made it on time anyway. Those twins don't understand the concept of time. I noticed the absence of one person. Violet. I turned around. It's like the house is toxic to her. She repelled away from anything that came at least a meter in proximity to her. I chuckled. I remember that feeling. "Don't worry." I reassured her. "It's not all that bad. You just have to mix in with the right crowd."  She smiled. It's the first time I've seen her smile. It's warm. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out. It's a message from Brent and James.

'Sorry can't make it tonight. Relatives won't let us leave.'

Perfect. Just perfect.

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Hi Pri here!

I hope everyone is well and safe during this difficult time.

Thank you for reading this chapter of BBEB