Never say forever (Never series Book 1) (5 page)

Aiden has a habit of texting me in the morning. It is a nice gesture and
always makes me smile in the morning. Maybe that’s his intention. Regardless, I love it. I haven’t had anyone text me every morning before. This is unfamiliar territory for me. He’s not trying to swoon me or anything like that. It’s just the simple texts that say good morning or a smiley face. I can’t help but smile back, it’s contagious.

“
Serena Jayne, we are waiting for your answer.”

The teacher looked at me with a face full of scorn. This is the first time I have not answered the question the first time it was asked. My mind got the best of me.

“
I’m sorry Mrs. Henderson, can you repeat the question?” I ask pleading with my eyes.

“
I only ask questions once. If you weren’t playing around in your head, you have heard it the first time,” she snided at me.

Wow I can’t believe this. I have never felt so embarrassed in class and this is all due to my own stupidity. Why must I overthink and cloud my brain with useless things? I need to focus.

The bell rings and I leave and go to my English Lit class. This class is one of my favorite, although two of my favorite people aren’t there, it will have to do. On my way to English lit, I feel a hand smack my
ass hard. My cheeks were stinging and possibly red. I yelped and turned around and I am face to face with Jeremy. He winked at me like this was acceptable.

“
Don’t you ever touch me again or I will tell the head of the school that you are harassing me.” I threatened.

He probably laughed in his head that I’m some puny girl threatening a quarterback who has muscles.

“
You know you liked that, Babygirl. You like it rough in bed don’t you? I guess I’ll find out soon. I’ll be seeing you later.”

He moved his hands up and down as if he was caressing and massaging my body. I felt sick to my stomach. Who the hell does this guy think he is? He must know that he has no chance especially when I feel my gag reflexes go off around him. I can feel the vomit rise just by looking at him.

Lunchtime comes around and this is my favorite time because I have
Larissa and Aiden there and we can talk the whole time. I sit in between the two. I feel sandwiched between them.

“
Rena, there’s this party going on Friday night. We should go. It sounds super cool. Nick Tago is throwing it at his parent’s beach house. They are out of town and he’s throwing this huge party,” Larissa said excitedly.

I am not a fan of parties. As long as I’m just hanging with Aiden and Lar, I’m perfectly content.

“
Lar, you know I don’t really like the party scene.”

“
C’mon, it’ll be fun. Don’t be a party pooper. I will drag you there if I have to.”

“
Is Jeremy going to be there?” I asked and I knew I probably shouldn’t have asked because Aiden’s head shot up and I can see the jealousy displayed on his face. I can tell he is fuming.

“
Why do you want to know if Jeremy is going to be there? Are you seeing him?”

I knew I hit a nerve with that question. I probably should have waited until me and Larissa were alone but I honestly didn’t think I would see him react like this. We aren’t even dating but maybe he’s just protective because we are friends.

“
No, I don’t want to see him at all. I had an incident in the hallway today with him and he really creeped me out. It’s nothing really though.”

I didn’t want to get too far into it because I can see the reaction on his face and I don’t want him to act out impulsively on my behalf.

“
I’ll come to the party, too, that way if he is there, maybe he’ll steer clear of you if he sees me.”

I like when he becomes a gentleman like that. He puts my needs and securities before his own.

“
Okay, as long as both of you are there, I will go. I don’t really want to associate with anyone else.”

“
I may be a little late though. I have to help my dad with something. But I promise you I will be there,” he said just as the bell rang.

We gathered our things and went our separate ways to finish up our day.

When I got home from school, I went upstairs to do my homework. I heard my phone go off. I have a new text message.

Aiden: I’m sorry to pry but I need to know what happened with Jeremy. I need to know that you’re
alright. Please put my mind at ease and tell me.

Me: He slapped my ass. I told him that I would tell the school board if it happens again and tell them that he’s harassing me.

Aiden: Did he say anything else?

As much as I hate lying, I don’t think I should tell him the things he said. I still don’t fully know Aiden and I don’t want him to fly off the handle and really get himself in trouble. I don’t need that on my conscience.

Me: No, I think I really got to him.

I feel like smacking my head. Why did I just do that? I don’t lie. I hope this doesn’t backfire.

Aiden: Okay. As long as you’re okay. I don’t trust that guy and I don’t think you should either.

Me: I don’t. I try to stay away from him. He creeps me out. Well I’m off to the dreamland. Goodnight

Aiden: Goodnight, I’ll see you in the morning. :)

He always puts a smiley face at the end of the sentence. It always makes me feel happy. His smiles are infectious. I lie in bed unable to sleep. I can’t stop thinking about this damn party that I do not want to attend. I’ll do it for my friends but I will not have a good time. I hope Jeremy doesn’t show but that’s a hopeful wish that will not come true since he’s the quarterback of the team. Thoughts of my sister are filling my head. I wonder what she’s doing and what’s happened and where she’s at. She still hasn’t come around. I miss her but I’m also pissed at her for deserting me. It’s not long when my brain gets so exhausted that I fall into a deep sleep.

***

Aiden

I woke up drenched in sweat because of a dream I had. It involved Serena and Jeremy. He tried to fight me because I wouldn’t let him touch her. He tried groping her right in front me. I know this is my subconscious telling me that I need to do something about this. I wish I would have talked to her about that in person. My gut is telling me there is more to what she relayed to me. I possibly could have spotted a lie if I saw the reaction to her face. If I would have waited, I may not have slept at all. I could be a walking zombie, but it drove me insane to think someone hurt her. She has become my best friend over the past few weeks. I have been noticing all the little things that she does and says that really make her stand out. They are the cutest things, too. For instance, she tried to bake cookies when me and Larissa came over to play video games. Well she ended up burning the cookies and setting off the fire alarm. She intentionally blamed the instructions on the recipe because it said to bake for twenty minutes. She failed to read bake at twenty minutes on 350 degrees. She decided she wanted to have the cookies done faster so she jacked the nozzle to 400 degrees and still baked for twenty minutes. I didn’t see a need to do that. If she wanted faster, why bake for the same amount of time? As cute as she is, I don’t think I’ll ever let her cook for me. I think I may have to take culinary in school since there’s no way in hell she will make it on her own with her cooking skills. She may have to live on ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese. The whole baking fiasco is something Larissa and I reflect on at times and laugh about it. I’ve also noticed that she twitches her nose when she is anxious, nervous, or possibly lying about something. Which is why I should have asked her about Jeremy in person. As much as I would love to have her as mine, she is still my best friend. I will do whatever it takes to protect her. She is a big part of my life now and I refuse let her go. Its bad enough I had to let my mother go. The anniversary of her death is coming up in a few days. In fact, it’s the day of the party. A year since my mother was tragically taken from my life. It seems like yesterday I got that devastating phone call that completely shattered my heart into a million pieces. Friday is a day that I’m not looking forward to. If only I could see my mother again.

I dress and get ready for school, but first I have to send my morning text to Serena.

Aiden: Good Morning Serena. Good luck at school! Knock them out of the park! :)

Serena has a speech today that she is very nervous about. She doesn’t have the charisma that some people are born with. She likes to keep everything to herself so she feels as if doing a speech is invading in her personal space, letting herself out there when all she wants to do is stay hidden. I like to give her happy, inspirational texts or texts just because. I like to imagine that she has a huge smile on her face when she sees it. That’s one thing I live day to day for. Her smile. What really makes my heart melt is when her irresistible eyes smile. I see it in her eyes when the joy is displayed on her face. It’s something I only dream to see forever. I stop daydreaming before I wind up home all day just thinking. I dress and grab my books and head to school.

***

Gym class today was a real workout. The teacher had us playing football. I used everything I knew about football and played at
the best of my expectations. I got three touchdowns and intercepted two balls. In the end, my side of the team won. It was a lot of fun, although it did come with some memories of the past. I take off my helmet and grab a towel. My face and head is soaked in sweat. I’m drying my face as I’m trying to collect my breath when the teacher which also happened to be the football coach approaches me.

“
Aiden, you did amazing out there. Have you ever thought of a football career?” he asked.

What do I say to him? I can’t ever play football. I don’t think I can make it. Without really delving into everything, I let him down easy.

“
No, I plan to go to school in culinary arts. I just play this for fun,” I stumbled my words out.

“
Seriously Aiden, you really need to think about this. With your talent you can get a full scholarship. You have enough talent and drive to be a quarterback. Don’t let this get out, but you’re even better than Jeremy, and he’s our star quarterback. Positions have been set for the season already but I’ll let it slide if you want to try out. I can find a position for you, and if all works out as planned, next year you will be named star quarterback since Jeremy graduates this year,” he implied.

“
I don’t think I’m that interested.”

I don’t want to be rude. He keeps pressuring me. I know my talent and I know this is where I need to be. This was my passion. But I just can’t! I have a new passion to override it and that’s Serena. I am far more passionate about her than I ever was about football.

“
Just think about it. Come to me when you’re ready. I know you would do great.”

He shook my hand. I know he just gave me a compliment but I just can’t help but feel jostled with my crazy thoughts. I run my fingers threw my hair out of frustration and feel the wetness on my hair. I really need to shower. I shower at school and collect my stuff from my locker. I go home and before I retreated straight to my room, I saw my dad as I was passing through the garage to get into the house. It appeared as if he was wood-working. This is a hobby he took up when Mom died. It helps him cope, and take his mind off painful memories that haunt us every day.

“
Hey Dad! What are you working on?” I sat down next to him.

“
It’s funny that you ask. I’m not really sure!” he said with a laugh. My dad never knows what he’s working on. That’s what makes his work so special. He works from the heart and his finished piece is always very artistic.

“
I heard you broke up with Serena’s Mom.”

I know this could be a sore subject but I also know if the roles were reversed, he would do the same.

“
Yeah. She’s very nice but I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to end it before I wind up hurting her. Every time I looked in her eyes, I saw your mother. I don’t want her to fall for me knowing the only reason I could fall for her is by blindly seeing the love of my life. I just can’t let go of your mother just yet. We had vows. Even though she’s gone, she still has a permanent residence in my heart, and I can’t let that go.”