Crossing Paths

CHAPTER 15

[Aiden's POV]

That Friday evening I have decided to ask for help. I may have received at least three punches from Clementine before Mark pulled his girlfriend away from me.

"I deserved that," I said, licking my now cut lips and fixing my disoriented hair.

"You bet you do! I could have killed you right now if this dork didn't stop me."

Mark just laughed, raising his hand in surrender while Clementine was glaring at us. After she settled down on the couch with Mark, I sat across them and started explaining.

"She just saw us at a very awful time. Rachelle sat beside me while I was finishing the lyrics for our project. She said she has follow-up questions for the school paper interview but now I know that it's all bull because Daina told me she isn't part of the press. While we were talking, she just suddenly grabbed and kissed me."

"But my best friend called BS. She said she saw you kissing that bitch back." Clem hissed.

"What? No! I would never do that."

"She said you grabbed Rachelle's shoulders..." she said calmly like she was thinking deeply.

"That I did."

Her eyes shot daggers and I hurriedly explained before she hit me with something. "What she probably saw is me grabbing Rachelle's shoulders because I was about to push her away... Think of it this way. If someone kissed you without your consent, how will you push that person away?"

"I will more or less hit his crown jewels."

Mark laughed, obviously proud of her girlfriend's answer but Clem continued, "but I'll push him by his chest."

"Right. But Rachelle is a girl. I don't think I can do what you'll do, so I went for her shoulders instead."

Both of them nodded, realizing the logic behind my reason. I hope they understand where I am coming from.

"You know, Ada has been through a lot. I thought she won't be dating again after Gian, her first and last boyfriend before you. What he did to her is horribly disgusting." Her face contorted and her eyes were full of anger, she clenched her fist.

"We caught that bastard in the act. He was banging some lower year chick at the back of the gymnasium. When they had a confrontation, he told her that he won't be cheating in the first place if she just did it with him."

"That piece of shit!"

The words came out of my mouth, Clem looked at me as if to say 'I know right?'

"Unlike most of us, Ada is still a virgin. She would be angry at me every time I asked her but she keeps on giving me the same answer. She wants to save herself for the man whom she will marry. That good-for-nothing ex of her knew it and still said those words to Ada. He can't wait and it just proved that he doesn't deserve my best friend."

She put her elbows on her knees and she palmed her face. I thought she was about to cry because her voice was rattled when she spoke again, "She just recently found it in her heart to forgive her dad who also cheated on her mom. You see, she has a history; her dad then her ex, now you."

"But I didn't cheat on her! That's kind of unfair." I slumped back on my chair, letting out a sad sigh.

"Maybe you're telling the truth."

"I am!" I interjected, she ignored me, giving me a look that says, 'shut up and listen'. Message received!

"But you gotta understand where she's coming from. She probably knew by now that you didn't cheat on her but she still feels that way. She has been on an emotional roller coaster for the past weeks. History is hard to break. If you really love my best friend, you have to be patient."