Finally, his guard broke. For the first time in my life, I could read Aaron. I could almost read his thoughts with my gift. He looked so hurt and regretful. I could feel that his muscles wanted to scream; he tried to run. The more and more I looked deep into him, the more I could read. Then I found it. He had his suspension about the abuse my father inflicted on me for years, but he could never be sure. He never wanted to get involved or make something up. That's when I knew I had found one of his secrets; he is now living with guilt. But he hates himself now, knowing he could have stopped it.

 

Then it happened. I saw it for the first time. Aaron was crying in front of me. The kid I called weak years ago but never cried was crying. And now that I know he's always been strong, here he is crying. I couldn't hold back seeing him so pitiful and valuable. We all were victims in some way. So, I did the only thing anyone would do. I hugged him and screamed for him to hug me back. Can you feel my feelings, right, Aaron? It doesn't matter how you treated me; I understand. Please, just one time, just accept this.

 

I couldn't hold the tears back. I knew something was going on, but I was never sure. How was I supposed to know? Even if I was sure, what was a kid supposed to do? I wasn't strong back then. I wasn't vital to protect her, and that's all I ever wanted to do for my best friend. But this hug you're giving to me, I don't deserve it at all, Erica. Not for the way I treated you. I tried to muster up the courage to talk, but all I could say.

 

"You got all that, right? You've finally read me when I'm at my lowest. You were right all those years ago when we got into a fight. I am weak, I try to be tough, but I'm always scared. Especially for those, I care about."

 

"I don't think you're weak, Aaron. I said all that years ago because my father wanted me to, which broke the way I treated you and used you. And my father going to court to sue because we ate that chemical base cupcake was the worst thing we could have done. On top of that, he even went as far as to take it to national news. I'm at fault because I should have told my mother and been honest with you."

 

"It's not your fault, and I can't imagine what it's like to be abused for years and forced to do things against your will. You should blame me for not being strong enough to reach you..."

 

"But you did reach to me, Aaron. You taught me what it was like to have a real friendship and what it's supposed to be like. Even when I was pretending, there were some days when I would pretend it was real. And it felt good. You never maltreated me, not once. Well, I can't say anything about now, which is understandable..."

 

"Still doesn't make it right..."

 

"Shut up, and let me finish.

 

"Ok."

 

"Like I was saying. No matter what background I came from, you never looked down on me like those rich assholes. You, Aaron, truly took after your parents. Your sister was something else, but even she was just as gentle. And even after all was said and done. You inspired me to be better. You know, I bet you were shocked I was smart, huh? Well, I promised myself in the ninth grade that I'd work hard to become on the same level as you. I kept seeing your name in sports, spelling bees, and chess. You destroyed everyone. To me, you were untouchable. That made me happy that you were still there with me even though we were no longer friends. I kept pretending you were there with me along my journeys. I heard about you through the school papers. I even got jealous at my school because all the girls said how cute and handsome you were. I got jealous of the relationship your sister and you had. I know it's natural for some siblings to be close. I don't have anyone to be close to; I am an only child. And that showed. That day I was spying on both of you when you met by the lockers. And when I saw how grown-up you were, I almost fainted, haha." 

 

"I don't know what to say, Erica."

 

"You don't need to say anything. I know it's about my father, but he and my mom have been trying to get a divorce for years. I saw him not too long ago, which was rough. So, is there anything you wanted to ask more?"

 

"I think that's enough for one day. I can't seem to look at you anymore. I want to go to bed; I'm tired. If you want to sleep here, we have a guest room on the other side of the house, and I'm pretty sure my parents won't mind."

 

"What about you? Do you mind?"

 

Ugh, this girl, can't she just accept my kindness? I feel like we're back to square one already.

 

"That was very nice of you to think that about me."

 

Crap, I still have my guard down, and she can still read me. I'm shutting you out.

 

"Hey, why'd you shut me out. I can't read you just like before."

 

"Oh, I wonder why?"

 

I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I've never felt this way before. Mom was right; it's good to approach things differently.

 

"Fine. You know I found out some secrets about you."

 

"Yeah, so what? It's not like you found anything interesting."

 

"I wanted her to be my girlfriend."

 

I almost threw up when she said that. How the heck does she know? Did it come out when I was crying as well? No, it couldn't have. Unless. No way. I probably had my guard down, and when I didn't realize it was her that day, she probably read me then.

 

"You know if you were white, Aaron, you'd be red as a tomato."

 

"Quit stealing my line...wait, how do you know?

 

"Well, on the day I came, I saw you were talking to Jasmine in the hallway as one of the teachers walked me to class. I happened to see you and overheard a bit of your conversation. Blah."

 

"Don't stick your tongue at me. So, I assume you also took that window seat on purpose?"

 

"Well, wouldn't that be a coincidence?"

 

→ Aaron → Present

 

After that, Erica decided she wanted to go home. She admitted she only brought her bag to the sleepover just in case I became "difficult" to talk to. I don't know what she means by that, but I'm pretty sure it was an insult to how I usually handle situations. We found my mother and father sitting at our dining room table when we walked out of the basement. They didn't bother looking at us, but something tells me they listened to the whole or part of the conversations. Later that night, after our lengthy discussion, we became quiet for some reason. It might have been because we were in the car together. After all, you can't let a lady walk home alone. Yeah, I drive, but I'm not a fan. I would've walked no matter the distance if it weren't dark.

 

Since that night, I've been trying to figure everything out by processing it. I wanted to ask my mother and father how much of this they knew about this. But now, thinking about it, I think they knew the truth. I assume they never told me because I wouldn't have believed them. So, I guess hearing it from the horse's mouth was enough. Still, I wished things didn't go on like this for so long. My only question is now, what do I feel for Erica? Do I want a friendship, or is it something more? Maybe that's why I'm running away. Perhaps I'm afraid of what the answer is and that it might hurt me down the road. Whatever it is, I hope I can continue to be friends with her.

 

"I'm still surprised that all this happened in such a short amount of time. Almost as if someone planned everything. If my speculations are correct, I'm assuming our mothers came up with it. After all, they were always close."

 

"Well, you would be correct about everything."

 

"Farting Jesus! Erica, what are you doing here?"

 

"Haha, you still say that line when you get scared, huh?"

 

"..."

 

"Yeah, our mothers had something to do with it. I don't know the details, but I overheard a phone call before transferring here. Your mother's name is Victoria, right?"

 

"Yeah, it is, and my father's name is David."

 

"Then that confirms it."

 

"Wait, what about the classes? I'm talking about us having the same classes."

 

"Oh, that. It happened all on its own, I promise."

 

"I see. How did you know I'd be here?"

 

"Come on. We may have drifted apart for a couple of years, but did you think I'd forget this place? It used to be our base of operations. Plus, I remember when your parents went on a long business trip, and you'd always come here with Andrea or alone when you felt lonely." 

 

"Hehe, you manage to remember that too." 

 

"Hey, Aaron."

 

"Yes, Erica." 

 

"I've given a lot of thought now, and now that we've talked about things. I wanted to, well, you know..."

 

"Ask if I remember that promise I made to you?"

 

"Yeah."

 

I got up from the tractor and walked over to her. I patted her head.

 

"Yeah, of course, I remember. What type of friend would I be if I didn't remember a promise like that?"

 

→ Seven Years Ago, → Farm→ Erica

 

"Hey, Aaron, we'll always be friends, right?"

 

"Why are you asking that? Of course, we will be. You always ask weird questions, Erica. Feels like to me there is something you're not telling me?"

 

"Um, what do you mean? Of course not. I'm not hiding anything. You're right; friends don't need to ask silly things like that."

 

"Hehe, yeah. You know Erica, if you ever have a problem or something you feel you need to talk about, I'm here for you. Because that's what friends do, no matter what it is. I'll try my hardest to understand where you're coming from. Cause we can get through it together."

 

We used to lay on the farm field and watch the stars that day. That's when I should have told him everything that was going on. I remembered that day; I had tears rolling down my eyes. I knew I didn't deserve someone like him as a friend. But I couldn't bring myself to tell him; how could I when I loved him. I never wanted to lose that light of mine.

 

"You promise we'll always be together?"

 

"Of course, I promise."

 

"Then, one day, will you take me by your side, Aaron?"   

 

"Didn't I say already that I promise we'll always be together? Hehe."

 

→ Present → Aaron

 

"Hey, do you want to visit that old pond where we used to feed the fish? I still have some bread left from my sub."

 

"I still wanted you to..."

 

"Come on; we don't have time for all that chatting, and we can save that for another time. Well, I'll see you there."

 

"Hey, no fair, you're on the track team. Running for you is cheating!"

 

"Hehe, then you better hurry up."

End of Season 1