Unexpected Love

Crash!

On Monday Amber and Luke sat with us again. I was surprised to find myself searching for Aiden, but as usual I couldn't find him.

"Looking for Aiden?" Luke teased.

"No," I lied looking at the ground then quickly back at him. It was no use hiding my face, that just gave away my embarrassment. "Why would I be?"

"Sure sure," Luke chuckled. "I know you like him."

"I don't," I snapped. "I hardly even know him."

"Oh come on," Amber punched my arm lightly. "We were only joking. No need to get mad."

"She's very defensive though," Luke whispered loud enough fir me to hear. "Must mean she does like-"

"Luke!" Amber silenced him.

"Why are you all teasing me about Aiden?" I asked calmly. I looked from Amber to Luke because they were the main culprits of the teasing.

"Because, he treats you differently to any other girl," Amber shrugged. "There's something about you that's special to him." I tried to hide my surprise at this comment but I'd never been good at hiding my feelings.

"As if," I snorted. "He helped me, that's all. All he wanted to do was change into a better person."

"Oh," Luke sighed. "I thought it was different. I know Aiden, it seemed like he was interested in you."

I couldn't stop the small blush that was coming. I stared at the ground and picked at the grass around me, trying to distract myself, but in the end I was smiling slightly.

"What was that?" Amber teased poking a finger at me.

"Nothing," I looked away but couldn't hide my face so I stood up excusing myself so that I could get a drink but ended up bumping into someone. I looked up to see Aiden.

"Sorry Alana," he apologised, grabbing my waste to keep me from falling down. I stepped back quickly and he let go.

"I'll be right back" I murmured and walked in the opposite direction embarrassed. In an instant Amber was by my side.

"I'm so sorry," she said quietly so that the boys wouldn't hear her. "We really didn't realise you had feelings for him. Well I found out on the weekend but I promise I didn't tell Luke."

"It was that obvious?" I gulped. "Don't tell anyone please. I never asked for this-"

"Alana," Amber silenced me cautiously.

"Are you sure you're okay," I heard Aiden say behind me. Amber was giving me a reassuring look to tell me he hadn't heard anything. I turned to face him.

"I'm fine," I replied smiling. "I just need to go get a drink. Don't worry about me."

Aiden walked back to Luke while Amber and I walked to the taps and I continued to tell her about how I didn't want to get hurt.

"Love isn't a bad thing," Amber said. "It's only bad when you fall for the wrong person and get hurt. I mean, of course you'll get hurt at times but you have to take chances. When you find the right guy it's great, and if I'm honest I think Aiden is perfect for you."

"How do I know that he's the right person?" I asked worried.

"Even if he wasn't the right person he would never hurt you," Amber replied. "He's not like that."

It sounded true. I couldn't picture Aiden hurting a fly. He was way too sweet and caring.

***

Aiden sat next to me in English that afternoon. I looked up at him as he took his seat and smiled while he returned it. I fiddled with my pen and jumped when the teacher walked in with his booming voice. I heard Aiden quietly chuckle and I rolled my eyes.