CHAPTER 5: Progression

As I closed my eyes, Aria slowly began to lean in for the kiss. All my thoughts raced around my mind at once, the thought that I would be making a grave mistake in going through with this. Another ten seconds later, and I’m yet to feel her lips on mine. I opened my eyes to see her slumped over my shoulder already asleep. I let out a sigh of relief, though there was something in me disappointed that she didn’t go through with the kiss.

I slowly lifted her up and placed her into bed. The moonlight leaking through my curtains reflected onto her sleeping face.

“You’re so beautiful...” I whispered under my breath.

Present

“Lay are you even listening to what I’m telling you?” asked a dejected Aria.

“No, no, I am. I’m sorry I just got a bit lost in some old memories.”

“Really? Is it about me?”

“Oh, how self-centred.”

“I know, I’m just so sexy and amazing you can’t help but think about me.” Said Aria as they both chuckled at their sarcastic humour.

“So, what were you thinking about?” asks Aria.

“Remember the night you got wasted and came over to my house?”

“You have to be more specific Lay, that happens basically every weekend. Hahaha.” Aria laughed.

“Okay. It happened when we were fifteen. You came over to my house drunk and made me drink some vodka. Remember that?”

“Oh, I remember that. It was the day you had your first drink.”

“Right, that night, do you remember anything else happening?”

“Um, I remember us thinking back to old stories, I think I blacked out after that.”

“Are you sure that’s all?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. Is there something you want me to remember?”

“No... no it’s nothing.” Disappointed that Aria lacks memories from that night, she sought to change the subject.

“Oh, I’ve been dying to ask the whole night! What is the deal between you and Nelle?” though I would love to talk about the night from two years ago, I would much rather focus on the present. This whole Nelle situation has been very vague.

“I told you, she’s no one.” Aria said irritably.

“I mean yeah, but you haven’t given me all the tea. You haven’t gotten into the gist of it you know?”

“Sigh. Fine.” Aria sighed.

“Yay!!!”

“Don’t get all excited it’s not even that interesting. We just met at a party and talked for a bit.”

“Right, as if she would call you her girlfriend after talking for ‘a bit’. Just tell me dude.”

“Okay, we did talk at the party.... kind of, maybe, kissed her too....”

“OH. You guys KISSED?”

“Yeah, then we swapped socials, and we’ve kind of been texting for like two weeks now.” Aria said rapidly.

“T-TWO WEEKS?! Why didn’t you tell me anything? I would’ve acted differently towards her if you did.” Layla said disappointedly.

“I mean it’s not like I have to tell you everything.”

“Do Lisa guys know?” Layla asked hesitantly.

“I mean... yeah, but that’s only cause’ I see them more often.”

“And I’M supposed to be your best friend? What happened to telling each other everything?”

“I just didn’t want to jinx anything with her that’s all.”

“So, I’m the one that would’ve jinxed it?” Layla said sadly.

“What happened to it not being anything, what was that whole show you pulled in front of everyone?” Layla said with a hint of anger in her voice.

“No Lay, you know that’s not what I’m saying. And about today evening, I just didn’t know what to say. She was moving so fast so I glitched. I don’t get why you’re so mad about it in the first place, you’re just a friend.” Aria paused.

“No, wait, Lay I didn’t mean that.” Aria said panicked.

“I agree, clearly, I’m just your friend. Have a good-night Aria.” I quickly hung up the call. I let my delusions get ahead of me, all those things she told me before, how I’m special, how we’d be best friends forever. Who am I kidding, I never wanted to be her friend, I never wanted to just be on the sidelines of her life... I wanted to be her everything. After laughing at all those girls that found themselves crying over her, here I am, a new name added to the list of heartbreaks.