The ghost of him

Chapter 17

Michael is at school today so he can't hang out. Which is good because we've been spending lots of time together, and I need a break. Not that I don't like hanging out with him, it's just every time we are both free we hang out.

I haven't hung out with my friends in a while, and I would love to see them again. They've been texting, but haven't been making plans. I guess they're still mad at me about the whole Michael looking like Aaron thing. I'm still mad at them a little too, for not being supportive, but I'll get over it in no time.

I ask them if they want to hang out, since they have off today, and they both agree. There's just one problem: I'm grounded. Can't go out. I ask them if they're willing to come over here, and they don't mind. Now I got to go ask my mom.

I head downstairs to her office and she's hunched over her keyboard with her glasses on, staring intently at the screen.

I wonder if I should ask if she thought about it or not. What I said. She might get mad with me, and I need her to say yes.

"Mom?"

She swivels around in her chair. "What? Can't you see I'm working?" She snaps at me. Maybe she's mad about what I said.

"I know. I was just going to ask if my friends could come over."

"Here?" She says surprised.

"That's what I just said isn't it?" I say snarky, imitating her attitude. "Mom we'll be right upstairs, just talking. Pleassseee?"

"What about your school work?"

Damn it. Forgot about that. "I promise I'll do it after."

"Alright Fine. Now get out of my office."

I storm out of there and text them that they can come.

***

They get here a while later and we're now in a circle on my bed, ready to rant to each other. They were awesome and got themselves and I Starbucks, and I praise them for that because I haven't had it in a while.

"So Rose," Abby says, getting the conversation started. "Are you still seeing Aaron 2.0?" She laughs when she says his nickname. So does Ava.

"Yes, actually I am." I say matter-of-factly.

They both stop laughing and stare at me like I'm crazy. "Seriously?" They say in unison.

"Yes, seriously. We're dating." I smile at the thought of him, of us dating. He makes me happy, makes me forget.

"Oh." Abby says.

"Have you two, you know." Ava mischievously smiles at me.

"No. All we do is make out." And then I realize. "Oh my god. All we do is make out!" Have I been so caught up with the fact that he looks and reminds me of Aaron that I forgot to get to know him? Maybe I already thought I knew him, because he's Aaron, and I know Aaron already.

I don't know anything about him, besides what he told me at the mall that day. I don't know what his hobbies or interests are, what are his dreams? His dream college? What's his dream job? Oh god. I'm dating a stranger.

"I don't know anything about him," I admit. "He's a stranger." How did I not realize? I was too blinded by love.

"Well, you just got to talk to him. No matter how irresistible he looks, lay down the law." Abby smacks her fists against her palm like a gabble. "Just have a nice conversation."

"Make sure he's not a creep,"  Ava says as she laughs.

"Yeah, thanks, guys. I'll definitely do that."