April
I tell Aden everything. At first it's hard to get out but once the words start flowing it's impossible to stop them. Aden listens to every part, never once stoping to interrupt.
At several points I start to tear up but he squeezes my hand and I find it easier to keep going. I don't know if it's ever been this easy to talk to someone who wasn't my family.
"I'm sorry, April" Aden says at then end of the story.
I look over at him and I see in his eyes that he means it.
"You don't have to be sorry. It's not like you did anything. I know that after what Jamal did to you-"
"That doesn't matter." Aden says, "He's your brother and your allowed to worry about him while still being friends with me."
I look at Aden again. Our eyes lock and I feel deep need to be closer to him. I hug him again. I hold onto him because he feels so right in my arms. If I could I would never let go but that would be creepy.
I pull away instantly missing the warmth of his skin against mine.
"How is it possible that your this amazing and no one else seems to notice it." I say.
Aden reaches over and brushes my hair back. I remember the time Jamal had done the same thing. With Jamal it felt awkward and wrong but Aden made the movement seem so natural.
Aden thumb caresses my cheek and I want to lean into his hand.
"I was just wondering the same thing." Aden whispered looking into my eyes.
My eyes drop to his soft pink lips. I look back up at his eyes and feel my heart skip a beat.
No.
I pull back from him. This isn't right. Now isn't the time to be having these types of feelings. My brother is in a hospital bed fighting for his life. After all Aden is just here to help me because he's worried about his friend. I don't want to mess up this friendship by doing something stupid just because I'm emotional.
"Are you okay?" Aden asked sensing the change.
"Yeah, I'm fine just-"
My stomach growled coming up with an excuse for me. My hands quickly covered it as I looked away with embarrassment.
"Are you hungry?" Aden asked.
"My mind has been so focused on other thing food didn't seem important. Now it seems my stomach is punishing me for neglecting it."
Aden chuckled. "Well why don't you ride with me and we'll pick up something to eat."
I bit my lip and looked at the door. The call about Jamal could come at anytime.
"Bring your cellphone. If anything happens I'll turn the car around and drive you straight to the hospital. Besides it'll probably be good for you to step out and get some air." Aden said.
I still hesitated.
"Plus you kind of owe me for the cancelled lunch." Aden added.
I almost forgot that we'd made plans for lunch. I felt bad thinking about Aden siting all alone again at lunch. Maybe Regina sat with him. For some reason that thought is just as unsettling.
"Alright but some place close." I say.
Aden smiles and stands up. He holds out his hand for me. I take it and stand up with him. He still holds on to my hand even after I'm up.
He leads me down stairs. I stop to tell my parents I'm going to get food and to call me if anything happens. I ask if anyone wants anything but they all say no. Grief and worry has ebbed their appetite away.
Aden drives to the nearest food joint and we order. I try to pull out my money but he stops me.
"I got this one." Aden says pulling out his wallet.
"Aden you don't-"
"Too late."
Aden hands the money to the woman. She smiles and a few minutes later returns with our food.
"Here you go." The woman says.
"Thank you." Aden says taking the food.
"You're welcome. You and your girlfriend have a nice night."
The woman closes the window before either of us can correct her. Aden looks over at me and smiles. I awkwardly smile back and take one of the bags.
I open the bag and the smell of warm fresh food greets me. I missed breakfast this morning so that means this will be my first time having food all day.
"Want to go some where with me." Aden asked.
I look back up at him.
"It isn't far." He added.
"Okay." I say feeling a bit unsure.
Aden pulls out. After a five minute ride he pulls up on a dirt road. I look at the forest around us and then back at Aden.
"This isn't going to end with me having to run from a mass murder, is it?" I asked only half joking.
"No."
I relax a little.
"Then again..." Aden says with a smirk. I reach over and slap his arm. I remember only afterwords that he is still injured.
"Ouch." Aden says rubbing his arm.
"Sorry."
I feel so guilty. I'm so use to ruff housing with my brothers that I sometimes forget that's not acceptable with other people.
Aden smiles. "I'm just kidding April. I'm not as fragile as I look."
"I didn't-"
"It's okay."
I frown. I don't think that he's fragile. In fact I think he's strong for being able to put up with all the crap that gets sent his way. I don't want him to think I look down at him for not being able to take on my brothers and his friends.
"And as far as mass murders go, I'll protect you from anything that goes bump in the night." Aden say. He pulls into a clearing and stops the car.
"Here we are." He says.
Aden unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car. "Come on." He said to me.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and followed him out of the car.
Aden sat on top of his hood. "Take a seat. It's a much better view here."
"A better view of wha-"
I stare up at the full orange moon with my mouth agape. It looks so beautiful and close. Atomically I pull out my phone to snap a photo.
"So does that mean you like the view?" Aden asked looking over at me.
"It's beautiful. I've never seen it like this before."
"It's a harvest moon."
I look back at Aden.
"This is so cool. How did you know about it."
Aden shrugged. "Not having a social group leaves a lot of free time. I use it to do weird stuff like find prefect places to look at the moon."
"I don't think that's weird at all." I say.
Aden smiles. I'm glad he chose to show this to me. Everything I learn about him only seems to make me like him more.
Aden leans back against his window shield. I try to do the same but I end up bumping into his arm.
"Sorry." I say sitting up. Most people don't like when bigger people almost lay on them.
"No it's okay. You can lay back. It's a better view this way." Aden says unfolding his arm.
I swallow before slowly lowering myself back down. My head rest on his chest. The only thing that makes me feel better about my racing heart is the sound of his. It's pounding just as face as mine is.
"See?..." Aden voice cracks giving away his nervousness. He clears his throat. "Isn't this nice?"
I nod not trusting myself to form word. My face feels so warm. I look up at the moon. My restless hand shifts on top of his stomach. It's surprisingly firm. There might even be hidden abs underneath the graphic tee. I snatched my hand back.
We lay there for a while. After a few minutes I start to relax and drift off to sleep.
Sometime later I'm waken from the best sleep I've had in year by Aden shaking my arm.
"Hmm?" I say looking up at him.
"Your phone is ringing."
I sit up and quickly answer my phone.
"Hello?" I say, panic setting in.
"April, he's awake. Jamal woke up." Keith said at the other end.
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Author's Note: so Jamal lived. Kind of flipped a coin on that one. So whether or not you like him he's baaaack! ð
More from April and Aden as soon as I write more...