"Oh wow you're basic. That's two times in a row."

"At least I don't wear simple shirts on dates." I shoot back. The waitress looks at us, amused. I give her an apologetic frown. She's probably really confused as to why we are arguing while on a date. Aiden ignores me though, and orders a bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake. The waitress nods and turns away from our table. I take my phone out and absentmindedly go to the lovey-dovey couple photos that we clicked. A few selfies and us making the heart with our hands. It was so weird clicking those photos. 

I was grossed out the whole time. 

Like, me clicking photos with Aiden voluntarily? That shit only happened on picture days in fourth grade. I posted them on a social media platform I was certain Brandon was on. I just hope my mom doesn't end up looking at them. It would be hard to explain without mentioning Brandon, which I should have done a long time ago. 

"Whatchya looking at?" Aiden asks. I show him the photos we clicked. 

"You ruined the photo just by being in it." I tease. He raises his eyebrows.

"What other option did you have, you idiot? To take them by yourself?" He quips. "Besides, they aren't that bad, y'know."

"The fuck you mean by that?"

"See, I'm hot; you're... also a little hot. We could make a pretty good couple, ya know?" He says, smirking.

What the- since when?! 

"You're right. Except for the you-looking-hot part." I snap, trying to hide the blush creeping up my face and the fact that he said I was hot. I'm not even going to acknowledge that part.

"Hey, take it or leave it." Aiden smirks.

"I'll certainly leave it." 

-----

Our orders arrive, and I practically inhale that hamburger. 

"Chill out, the food ain't going anywhere."

"Shut uup." I say between bites. I'm about to say something else when I spot a familiar guy sitting a few tables ahead of us. Oh no.

He is alone this time though, perusing through the menu card. The blood drains from my face, and adreneline flows through my body, initiaiting fight or flight. Thank God Aiden has his back to him and is unknowingly shielding me from Brandon. Maybe its apparent from my expression that something is wrong because Aiden suddenly frowns and asks me what the matter is. 

"Ash, this is the second time you've acted like this. Are you seriously okay?" He asks, somewhat annoyed. I feel like I should tell him. 

Here goes nothing.

"So... the thing is, Brandon is here." I mutter, shuffling the fries around with a nearby fork. I look at him, but he shows no sign of surprise, not even annoyance. He just sighs. 

Why am I not surprised? 

But I spoke too soon, because what he says next surprises me.

"We're leaving." He puts down his milkshake, and gets up to leave. 

"W-wait, what?" I exclaim, "We can't just get up and leave!"

"We can, and we are."

"He's literally sitting behind you, what if he sees us?" I hiss. I don't know why I said 'us' and not 'me'. 

Aiden pauses for a moment before saying, "My point exactly. I'll cover you." 

He takes a few dollar bills out of his pocket and puts them on the table. He takes the burger with him, which is still packed, by the way. This isn't like him. I had expected him to shrug it off. Scoff at me, even. Him telling me to leave was the last thing that came to mind. He is not wrong, though. The last time I met Brandon... 

I don't even want to think about it.

I get up as well, and put some dollar bills of my own on the table.