SPENCER’S P.O.V.

School. School is…the same. I’m in the hallway going to class, when some idiot bumps into me, causing me to drop my books, and keeps going. I bend down to pick up my books, then I see another hand on one of my books handing it to me. I look at the hand, it’s big, masculine. I follow the hand up the arm and my eyes finally meet with their face.

Spencer: “Aiden…” I whisper, unintentionally out loud.

Aiden: “Yea, that’s what they call me. Only certain people tend to call me Crayola.” he says with a forced grin.

He still looks hurt. I take my books in my hand and hold them to my chest. All I can think of to say is…

Spencer: “Where’ve you been?” I ask, full of curiosity.

Aiden: “Yea, it’s nice to see you too.” he says with a small chuckle.

Spencer: “I’m sorry.” I say shaking my head.

Aiden: “It’s fine, I’m just glad you at least thought about me, noticed I wasn’t here.”

Spencer: “I’m really sorry about what happened. With us.” I could see his whole face drop. He looked at me with broken eyes.

Aiden: “So am I.” he says sadly.

Spencer: “I-I should get going. You know…before the bell rings.”

Aiden: “Yea well…see you at lunch?” he asked, full of hope. It was like he was begging me with his eyes.

Spencer: “Yeah.” I nodded with a small smile then walked away.

I went to class, thinking about my encounter with Aiden. I feel really bad about him. He looks like he’s been through a lot, so broken, worn out. I know how that feels. The bell rings and my next two classes fly by. I go to lunch and I see Aiden sitting alone. I walk up to the table he’s at and sit down.

Spencer: “So…where’s that jackass friend of yours, Mack?”

Aiden: “I haven’t seen him yet.” he says, still sounding depressed.

Spencer: “You know, that jerk harassed me while you were gone.”

Aiden: “I had no idea.” we’re quiet for a while.

Spencer: “So where were you?” I ask in a serious tone. He sighs and looks away. He’s quiet. It looks like there’s a lot on his mind.

Aiden: “I uh…” he gulped. “…I took the break up, pretty hard. I just stayed home the first week after it…” he looks up at me. “Don’t laugh at what I’m about to tell you. I don’t think I could take it.”

Spencer: “I won’t.” I say looking at him with all seriousness.

Aiden: “Those first four days…I wouldn’t come out of my room. I hadn’t eaten. I just…stayed in my room and cried, and wrote. I wrote how I felt. How I just wished I could get over you. My parents found it. They thought I was suicidal. I didn’t write anything about hurting myself, or anyone. Nothing self mutilating at all. But it was all just…depressing. I think they were scared, mostly because I wasn’t eating or coming out of my room. So…they sent me to one of those…they called it a hospital. But it was an asylum. I was there for two weeks.”

Spencer: “But, it’s almost been a year.”

Aiden: “I was…home schooled for the rest. I just recently decided to come back.” I just feel this…this incredible guilt.

Spencer: “Aiden. I am so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

Aiden: “I know. It’s in the past. I can’t undo it, you can’t undo it, I just want to forget it.” I nod. We’re quiet for a while.

Aiden: “So…you’re…gay.” I inhale and bite the corner of my mouth.

Spencer: “Bi.” He looks a little happy.

Aiden: “You and Ashley…?” I point behind him. He looks back at Ashley and Emily then turns back to me. “I thought for sure you two would be together.”

Spencer: “I guess only in my dreams.”

Aiden: “So you’re single?!” he asks happily. I look at him feeling pity.

Spencer: “Aiden…I am. But you, and I…we shouldn’t go there again. I’d only end up hurting you again because…” I sigh. He looks at me and understands.

Aiden: “You’re still in love with her.” he says looking down. “I get it. I can’t make you love me.”

Spencer: “But I would love to be your friend.” I say trying to sound as sincere as I can, smiling softly. He looks at me, smiles softly and nods.