Hello Stranger

Chapter 6

It was dark when I walked home swaying back and forth on the sidewalk. My heels were in my hand rather than on my feet. I stumbled a couple of steps as I was trying to wipe away the tears that flooded my eyes. Maybe I could pull myself together before I made it home. Maybe I didn't have to tell Asher.

I almost fell, but I caught myself on a tree in front of my house. I winced in pain when the tree made contact with the large gash on my palm. There was no way Asher wouldn't see me like this. I went up to the door and struggled with my key to unlock and open it. By the time I got the door open, I had woken up Asher and he was downstairs. I slowly stepped inside to make sure I wouldn't fall, but I also watched Asher. I wanted to see how he would react once I was in the light and he could see me.

I could see the hurt, sadness, pity, and anger flash through his eyes. He quickly went to my side looking me open and down. "Who the hell did this to you?" I shook my head trying not to answer. I didn't want him to do anything and it hurt to move. "You're covered head to toe in cuts and bruises. There is no way in hell that I'm going to believe nothing happened."

"I'm fine," I stutter. I grab my ribs in pain.

"Who did it?" Asher practically growls at me. I started to fall but he caught me and began carrying me in his arms.

"Drew," I whispered as I finally succumbed to the darkness. I wasn't dreaming, it was as if I was standing in an empty, black void and the only thing I could hear was a slow and loud heart beat.

"Andrea?" A worried voice said pulling back to the present moment. I look to see Aaron standing in front of me eyeing me closely. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I answer. But without my consent, a tear escapes my eye trailing down. Aaron immediately embraced me into a tight hug. I tried my best to push him off but he just tightened his hold on me. I kept fighting it but he didn't budge. Then, before I knew it, I found myself crying in Aaron's arm in the middle of the hall of the empty school building. He didn't even seem to mind. He just rubbed my back and softly shushed me. He didn't know the first thing about me, yet here he was comforting me. He didn't have to be here, but he was.

When my crying finally stopped, he slowly released me and looked down at me with sympathetic eyes. "You okay now?"

I nod. I didn't trust that speaking wouldn't make me cry again.

"What happened?" You asked. He didn't push, but his eyes were pleading me to answer him.

"It's Drew," I admitted.

His face went dark, "What did he do to you?"

"Nothing," I say seeing as he was getting angry. "Well, nothing recently. I just remembered when we were together and how awful he was to me."

"What did he do to you?" Aaron asked sternly.

I chuckled, "Better question. What didn't he do?" Aaron looked at me waiting for me to continue. "He cheated. He abused me. He used me. He destroyed me."

I could see how angry Aaron got it. He started to walk toward the door back to the football again, but I knew it wouldn't be to watch the game. I grabbed him by his arm. First, he pulled away. So, I reached again and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to face me. "No one deserves that," He says looking me in my eyes.

"Don't say anything to anyone yet. Don't do anything," I begged. But he was still angry. I knew he wasn't going to leave it be. I knew the second I let his hand go, he would go out there. "Please, don't leave me right now."

Aaron's face softened. He sighed, "Okay." I smiled thankfully at him. "Do you want to get out of here?" I nod eagerly wanting to get out of this building. It felt like the walls were sufforcating me now. Without letting my hand go, he went out the door opposite of the field that led to the parking lot. He led me to his silver Lamborghini. He lifted me like I weighed nothing and set me on the hood of his car. I sat with my legs slightly spread with him standing between them. He had his hands on either side of my legs as he faced me. I was leaned back slightly so our faces weren't so close.

"Thank you," I say breaking our silence.

"What are friends for?" Aaron responded.

"Why were you in the building?" I whisper as we looked into each other's eyes.

"I knew you'd need a friend. It was obvious you weren't okay," He answers.

I turned my head to the side a little to further examine him. His jawline was to die for. He had slight stubble on his chin and pearly white teeth. But that wasn't what got my attention. What got my attention was the scar that was on hs neck. It looked like a stab or a small cut. "But you barely know me," we were the only ones in the parking lot, but I was still whispering.

"I know more about you then you think," He answers in a whisper as well.

We heard the crowd cheering loudly, meaning the game was over. The cheers were getting closer, meaning everyone was going to be leaving soon. "Take me home?"

"Sure, but it better be to change for the party," Aaron says with a smile. I had forgotten all about the party. Normally, I'd change my mind about going, but I needed the distraction tonight. Aaron stepped back and took my hand in his helping me off the car. He opened the passenger side door for me, and closed it behind me like a gentleman. Then, he circled around to the driver's side and got in. Just as the crowd started pouring out to the parking lot, Aaron sped away. He was not a slow driver. But the sped didn't bother me. I knew Aaron would keep me safe.

When we got to my house, I invited Aaron in. Then, we went upstair to my room. Normally, I probably wouldn't have let a guy in my room while I was getting ready, but I had no idea what to wear to this party. So, I let Aaron choose. He chose out a lacey black dress that hugged my curves. I went into my bathroom to change while Aaron waited in the room.

"Your brother is calling," Aaron calls out. I quickly pull the dress on and leave the bathroom. I grabbed my phone and motioned for Aaron to help zip the dress while I talked to Asher.

"hey, Ash," I answer the phone. Aaron gently moved my wavy brown hair from my back to my shoulders.

"Where are you?" Asher asked. He sounded panicked. He must've been looking for me after the game and couldn't find me.

"Oh, sorry. I went home. I had Aaron take me. I didn't want to risk running into Drew," I lied. I didn't know why I was lying to my brother, but I was.

"Aaron? Why Aaron?" Asher questioned.

"He was just outside when I went to the parking lot. I practically had to beg him to take me home," I continue to lie. That was the complete opposite of what really happened. I felt Aaron zip of the dress slowly making sure not to catch any hair or skin in the zipper. 

It took a moment for Asher to finally say anything. "Okay, well, I'm going to stop at the store so I probably won't see you until the party. Is that okay? Or do you need me?"

"I'll be okay Ash. I love you," I say smiling at my phone. He couldn't see my smile, but I smiled anyways.

"I love you too," Asher says before hanging up the phone.

I turn to face Aaron who was staring at me intensely. "What?" I ask.

"You look beautiful," He answers.

"Thank you," I turn away before he sees me blushing. I pair black strappy heels, my gold charm bracelet and gold hoops with the outfit. I took my capsule necklace in. I haven't taken it off since I got it. It was a gift for my birthday that I got in the mail. 

I felt Aaron step behind me. He bent down and whispered in my ear, "Let's go." I nod and we head downstairs.

"Andrea," A female voice says when we reach the bottom of the steps. I jump when I realize who the voice came from. I followed where the voice came from to see her sitting on a stool in the kitchen. Mom.