VI

The day went on as usual and before I could realize, school ended and it was time for detention.

I make my way over to the library and sit next to the window. The bio teacher walks in with three more students and they take their seats near one another whilst the teacher puts his bag on his table. "Alright. hand over your phones," he demands. Just perfect. The other kids and I hand over our phones and put them in a box and head back to our places and take out our books. An hour later, he gets up and leaves. The three people start talking among themselves and start giggling. I let out a sigh and continue with my studies when I hear a soft knock on the window and I see Eddie. He waves at me and signals me to look towards the door. I, with a foggy countenance, look to the door and notice Aiden motioning me to follow him. I shake my head, not wanting to create more trouble for myself and for others. I look back at my books and try to study again and suddenly, the door bursts open. I look over and see Aiden rushing to me. He takes my books, shoves them in my bag, carries it and with his hand around mine, pulls me outside.

"Aiden, what is going on?" I ask. "You are not going to sit out on today's plans," he answers. "The Aiden I knew was never interested in social events and always liked sitting out." He turns around and I bump onto his chest and I look up as he towers me. "Yes well, the Lorelai I knew was a carefree ugly brat who ruined everything she could find, but look at you now; pretty and lady-like who is gentle and well taught. People change Peaches." He winks at me and smirks and turns around and walks, this time faster.

We reach his car and I see Eddie in the back seat. Aiden opens the door to the passenger's seat and helps me get inside. "Where's Emily?" Eddie asks. "On her way. She said she'll take her time," Aiden responds. Right after, we see Emily running towards the car, waving her arms vivaciously. Aiden starts the engine whilst Emily gets in and drives away. "What took you so long?" Aiden asks. "Seducing a teacher to make him grant a student from detention takes time and patience. it is an art one must finesse in order to succeed," Emily replies. "You did what?!" Eddie freaks out, as do I and Aiden. "Kidding!" She yells out. "I told him there was an urgent family matter."

"And he believed you?" Aiden asks.

"It's amazing how soft people get when you mention a dying grandfather," she responds. I look at her, confused. "But my grandfather is already dead," I remind her. She winks at me and says, "Exactly." I laugh and Aiden drives faster. On our way, I immediately remember. "My phone!" I scream out. Emily hands it right in front of my face and says, "Already got you covered honey." Relief oozes in. "I already called your parents too. I told them you'll be staying at my place for the night because we have a presentation tomorrow."

"What would I ever do without you?"

"You would die, now let's go have fun."

Half an hour later, we reach a diner. "The rest are waiting inside. Everyone is dying to see you," Aiden tells me. We get out of the car and walk inside the diner. Aiden opens the door and Emily and I walk in and the entire group sees us and goes wild. The boys get out of their seats to make room for us and Eddie and Aiden join us shortly. Aiden sits next to me and asks me, "What will you have?"

"Must you ask? I thought by now, it would come naturally." He smiles and as do I. He calls the waitress and orders me a grilled cheese sandwich with coffee and a burger for himself. "So Dawson, what's the deal between you and Lorelai? Are you two dating?" Jamie asks. Corbyn lets out a soft scoff. "No. We've just been best friends since we were four," Aiden answers. "So, you two don't like each other at all?" Tyler asks. "Nope. Our friendship is strictly platonic," I answer and Aiden nods. "So can we hit on her then?" Eddie's teammate asks jokingly, I think. Aiden laughs and instantly says, "no," so sternly, it sends chills down my spine. "Chill dude, I wasn't serious," he defends himself. Aiden goes silent.

A few minutes later, our food arrives and Aiden and I dig in. When we finish, I take out my bag to pay but Aiden stops me by paying instead. By the time we were done, the sun was already setting. All of us walk out and head to our cars. "Aiden, I'm going to go sit with Clara. I'll meet you at the beach," informs Eddie. Aiden nods. I turn to him and ask, "Who's Clara?"

"A girl he's been seeing for a while now." Suddenly, Emily starts running towards us. "I'm sitting with Tyler and the rest so you guys can go on without me," she says, and leaves. Aiden turns to me and says, "Well then, I guess it's just you and me." I smile and get in his car. The instant his door shuts, I turn to him and request him, "Let me drive." He looks at me, shocked. He shakes his head and asks me, "Do you even know how to drive?" I stay silent and he laughs. "There's no way I'm handing my baby to someone who can't, not only drive, but can't reach the peddles either." Compared to most girls, I've always been short, no matter what I'd do.

I huff. "Firstly, that was uncalled for and even you know that, and secondly, I can always learn."

"Maybe next time Peaches." I pout and he laughs and drives us to the beach.

On our way, Aiden turns on the radio. Our favourite song comes on and we both look at each other and smile widely. He and I start singing our verses and synchronize during the chorus and towards the ending of the song, Aiden sings the last part in a high pitch leaving me laughing my lungs out. "You like that didn't you?" He asks, smiling. I laugh and nod.

A few miles later, we reach our destination and get out of the car and see everyone settled on the sand. Everyone had laid their own matts and were already stargazing. I walk up ahead while Aiden is taking some things out from his car and I notice Corbyn waiting for me up ahead. "I didn't exactly get to talk to you properly earlier since you and Emily ran off somewhere."

"Yes, I'm sorry. She just had something to tell me."

"No worries." He shakes his head and smiles. "Hi princess." I smirk. "Hi Corbyn." He grabs my hand and pulls me to an area he had already arranged. "Whoa Harper!" Aiden calls out from behind us as he runs towards us carrying a basket. He grabs my hand as well and gently pulls me. "Get your own girl," he says, playfully, but with a hint of seriousness to it. Corbyn laughs. "You've had her all day. I think it's time other people, meaning me, get to spend time with her too."

"No I don't trust your kinky ass. I have to protect her from you wild boars." Aiden smiles while giving off an aggressive vibe. Okay, what is happening right now?

A blonde girl makes her way towards us and wraps her arms around Aiden. "Hey baby," she says in a low tone. Aiden's body stiffens. "Steffanie," he calls out, coldly. "I'm lonely. Come give me company." She takes his hand and pulls him away. He turns his head to us and Corbyn spitefully waves him goodbye with a grin on his face. I turn to Corbyn and ask him, "Who is she?"

"Aiden's go to chick. He used to go around with her last year. She's friends with Rebecca but they all backbite one another so I don't know what to say."

"Wait, does that mean Rebecca and the rest are here too?"

"Yes they are, but they're sitting far away so you don't have to worry."

"Oh, okay. Well, what about now? Are they still going around?"

"No. He recently called it quits. It was on the day you first came to school, but apparently she still hasn't gotten the idea yet."

"So they weren't a couple?"

"Aiden doesn't do relationships. He just has flings every now and then, and why are you asking me anyway? I thought you said you're best friends."

"I think you've forgotten but, I was away for five years." He laughs. "Ahh, yes. anyway, let's go sit down already." He walks to his spot, not letting me out of his grip and we lay down and stare at the stars. Corbyn and I then talk about our lives. We share our childhood and interests and everything else. He would make me laugh from time to time but he knows exactly when to be serious.

While we go on with our talks, we hear a girl scream. It came from behind me. Corbyn and I quickly run over to check on everything and we find Aiden and Sean, Rebecca's boyfriend in a heated fight. Eddie and the boys join in and try to stop the fight but even that was futile as he joins the fight too. Emily, Corbyn and I then try to stop the fight. Corbyn pushes Sean away while I hold on to Aiden as he wipes his mouth. "You better watch your back Dawson!" Sean threatens. I pull Aiden away and ask him what had happened but he's still fuming in rage. I run over to where I last sat and grab my things and pull Aiden to the car. "Let's go back to home," I command. He stays silent and drives us to his place. When we get there, he stops the engine and sighs. I look inside and I see the lights were all turned off. He gets out of the car and I follow him.

He opens the door and turns on the kitchen lights. Everything is just how I remember it. Aiden looks at me and touches my arm gently, breaking me from my reminiscing. "You okay?" I look at him and nod. I walk over to the kitchen, grab a bowl and a towel, and filled the bowl up with water while Aiden sits on the counter. I sit down and soak the towel in the water and wipe his knuckles. He lets out a soft groan, seeming frustrated. "Is your mom home?" I ask, trying to create small talk. "Yes. She's probably asleep. She has work early morning," he answers. I nod and dip the towel in the bowl again and lean over to him to wipe his bleeding mouth. "It hurts," he remarks. I chuckle. "Well, we wouldn't be here if the fight didn't happen."

"I'm sorry you had to see that." His apology comes off more gentle than usual.

"It's okay. At least you know how to fight. I wouldn't be able to live with the embarrassment off having a best friend who can't throw hands." He smiles. "Aren't you going to ask me why we fought?"

"No. There's no need. You can tell me when you're ready."

"He said I'm just like my father." I stop wiping his face. "Exactly," he says. I sit back down. "You don't believe him, do you?" I ask him. He shrugs. "I haven't exactly been the best son either so I can't say." I shake my head. "No. I refuse to let you think that way. You are not your father and you know that." I stand up and walk to the door. "Drive me back there so I can give him a beating too." I could feel my blood boiling. Ever since Aiden was a child, his father would beat his mother and especially him to release his anger and frustrations. That traumatized Aiden, so hearing someone call him a replica of his father angered me to my bones.

Aiden laughs and stands up and walks over to me. He rests his head on my shoulder and hugs me tightly. "I'm so grateful to have you as a best friend," he says. I hug him back. After a minute or so, I push him away. "Let's watch TV like used to," I suggest. He nods. "I'll go get the blankets. you prepare the couch and pick something to watch. There's a bag of chips in the cupboard. If you want something to eat, you can get that."

I smile nervously. "Yeah, I think that might be a problem. Your cupboards are a little too high." He laughs and takes it out for me. "Short stuff," he says and he walks away. Few minutes later, he comes back downstairs and throws a blanket over my head. He plops down next to me, takes away the bag of chips from my hand and he starts the movie. Not a word was uttered before and during the movie, hence one of the reasons why I love watching movies with him; he's always silent. Halfway into the movie, my eyes grow heavier and heavier and before I knew it, I passed out on the couch along with Aiden.