After school, I take my time at my locker. The fifth year Business class is running late and when I walked past the classroom and glanced in, I saw Jared staring out the window with a vacant look in his eyes. Even with the ache in my heart, I still smile because he is so very boyishly handsome.
Aaron joins me and I am hoping he will move on fast, but not too fast. I did not want Jared to think I am waiting for him.
Aaron interrupts my thoughts and asks cautiously, "Are you okay?"
" Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
" Did Jane tell you about Sarah?"
" Yes. She told me at break."
" When Jared got home last night, he went straight to his room without talking to anyone and listened to music. I wanted to speak to him about … Well, about you, but he ignored me when I knocked on his door. He has not locked himself in his room since the day he caught Sarah and Dermot together on the beach."
I look at him shocked. "I thought they just broke up. Jane didn't tell me Sarah cheated on him."
" Not many people know the whole story. He was devastated because she cheated on him. I think, it's not because he still cares for her that he has avoided girls." He pauses, looking at me searchingly. "He is not the type of person to have shallow relationships. He needs to feel a connection if you know what I mean?"
I smile at him sadly. Jared obviously did not feel a connection with me.
Aaron leans into me and I am sure I imagined a smug smile shadow his face briefly. "Come I'll give you a hug. You look totally miserable." He pulls me into him and holds me close, but as fate would have it, at just that moment, Jared comes walking around the corner.
I see Jared's smile fade and his eyes harden, turning dark green, as he becomes aware of Aaron and me hugging. He walks past us hurriedly, out of the main door.
I push Aaron away from me. All of this is happening too fast, faster than the blink of an eye. I still have to lock my locker, get my bag and I want to run after Jared, so many things all at once. I have this urgent compulsion to tell Jared the hug between Aaron and me was nothing. I start rushing toward the door.
Aaron holds me back. "Let him go."
I pull my arm out of his grip and run out the door, just in time to see the Jeep drive out the school gate.