My Best Friend Brother

Episode 12

I feel relieved that Ariel and I are back friends again. It feels good that I’ll be able to be close to her again and smell her sweet vanilla scent. I also feel an emotion that I have no name for but I push the feeling back. Although I’m happy that we talked out out issues, I feel…. less manly that she was the one who had to relieve the tension between us. I shouldn’t, but I do.
I guess it’s a guy thing.

Knock Knock.

I’m brutally ripped from my thoughts by a knock at my door.
“Enter.” I speak.
“You a—–e!” Libby shouts while entering my room.

“Nice to see you too sis.” I say sarcastically while playing a game on my phone.
“What’s going on between you and Ariel? And why hasn’t my ship left the port yet?” She ask angrily.

“You heard her, we’re just friends. Everything’s back to the way it was. ” I say quoting part of her words. I couldn’t help the distasteful way the words felt on my tongue.
“That’s just something girls say.” She says aggravated.

“Look, Libby, can’t you just drop it?”
“No. I can’t ‘just drop it’. She states sourly.
“I don’t see what’s wrong.” I say not looking at her.

“What’s wrong? It’s the fact that you both like each other and are in denial.”
“Aren’t you supposed to to be in your room with Ariel painting your nails or something?”
“No she’s on the phone with her mother.” Libby says now taking a seat on my bed.
“Hm.”

After about three minutes, she speaks.
“You know, I haven’t seen you brought someone in this room for a very very long time.” She says smirking and rubbing her index finger over my bedside table.

“Your point?”
“No point.” She says sending me an evil smile.
“Are you done?”
“For now.” She says and walks through the door.

————————–

“This is the only thing I didn’t miss.” Ariel chuckles as we walk into school and girls send her glares.

“Hey Ariel! Wait up.” I scowl as Landon runs towards Ariel and smile while she smiles back.
“Hey.” She says sweetly and tilts her head sending an even more beautiful smile.
“So, I was wondering if I could-”
“No.” I cut him off.

Libby looks at Landon distastefully and I internally smile at her. Ariel gives me a confused look while Landon rolls his eyes.

“I was just going to ask for her Biology notes a—–e.”

I’m getting ready to jump at him when Ariel stops me.

“Heyyy….. just cool down.” She whispers.
I draw back sending daggers at Landon. A flash of fear goes through his eyes but he quickly covers it with a smirk.

“Here you go Landon.”She reaches on her bag and hands him a notebook.

“Thanks, I’ll see you later.” He turns around and leaves…………. “I seriously don’t like him.” Libby mumbles.

“That makes both of us.” I say still staring in the direction he went.

“Oh come on guys. He’s just-”
The bell interrupts Ariel.

“I’ll see you guys later.” I say kissing both of them on the cheek. I take in note that Ariel blushed.

I was walking when Elle stopped in front of me. I roll my eyes and look at her emotionless.
“Why haven’t you called me?”
“I never call you.” I reply blankly.
“Well, you should.”
“Why should I?”
“Because baby… that’s what boyfriends do.” She touches my arm.
“All the reason why I shouldn’t do it.” I throw her hand off of me.
She scoffs. “Look, I know you’ve been tense lately….” She traces my abs through my shirt. “…you know I can fix that.”
I throw her hand off of me again and walk away leaving her there.

——————

“Mr. Haynes, stop texting in my class.” The teacher states sternly.

“Yeah, just hold that thought.” I say not being able to stop the smile of the picture Ariel sent me of herself in her classroom.

She has her hand propped up at the left side of her face with her eyes looking off into the distance. Her soft lips protruding out as the shows a bored face.

We’ve been talking in class for about ten minutes now talking about random stuff since her teachers sleeping in class.

“Detention!” S–t. I forgot he was even here.
“Not today. Maybe tomorrow?”

The teachers sighs ignoring my comment and goes back to teaching the class.
I roll my eyes and go back to texting Ariel.

Me: What class are you in?

Ariel: Math ?

Me: Wanna ditch next?

Ariel: I’m not a ‘rebel’ like you Mr. Haynes. I never skip.

Me: Boring ?

Ariel: ?
I laugh at her and go back to doing nothing in class.

The bell rings 10 minutes later and I head to the cafeteria where I see Libby.
“Hey what’s up.” She says as I sit down.
“Where’s Ariel.” I ignore her previous question.

“I still don’t see how you guys aren’t together. You want to know everything about her. Where she is, how she dresses, all of her class, when she-” she starts, counting her on her fingers as she goes down her non existent list before I cut her off.
“Okay Libby. I get it. Although none of that is true.”

“Whatever…” She takes a bite of her crispy fry. “She’s in the library, with some boy she’s tutoring.”
“Oh.” Is all I say ignoring my emotions.
“You’re jealous.”
“Why would I be?”
“Because you have feelings for Ariel. Always have.”

“Okay, Libby. Whatever floats your boat.”
“Actually. It’s my ship… and the passengers are slowly boarding it but I’m not gonna rush ’em. Just let them take their time before it sails off.” She says smirking while slurping her drink.

“I’m going home I’ll pick you up later.” I murmur while standing up.

“Don’t you have classes?”
“Yeah, I do.” I say walking off……..