Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Aaron's POV

"What did you do?!"

"She literally didn't say a word to me after she came back!"

"Fix this, Ron. Fix it and fix it quick."

Peyton's words echo in my head as I watch Ava look for a seat in the bleachers. I had barely had a chance to have a conversation with her all week and it was killing me.

With prom in a few days, it was getting tough to think of anything else but her.

How do I fix this?

What did I do?

Was I too forward? Too intimate? Did I give her the wrong idea?

Our gazes meet and before I can read her eyes, I'm distracted by the loud ringing from coach's whistle.

Time to start the game.

For the entire 30 minutes of the game, I'm in full participation but I couldn't stop myself from turning to Ava every five minutes.

I needed to make sure she was still there.

I needed to remind myself to fix whatever I did.

And I needed her to know that I hadn't forgotten, no matter how many times she ignored my greetings or how many times she walked away from me.

I'm not graduating until Ava Jeanne Simmons goes to prom with me.

The court is being flooded with jubilating students as the buzzer sounds after our big win and I see Ava heading out of the room.

Going with impulse, I rush after her, ignoring everything else.

"Ava!" I call out her name as I jog behind her, trying to meet up with her in the hallway.

"Ava!"

My sneakers squeak against the floor as I catch up with her and she tries to side step out of my way.

"Whoa, whoa."

Sighing in defeat, she crosses her arms but maintains her gaze on the floor.

"Ava....."

Nothing.

I take deep breath...

"Ava, will you at least look at me?"

No reaction.

Did I really hurt her that bad?

"Ava,.... I'm sorry. I really, really am. I don't know what I did but it must have been really shitty for you to stop talking to me. I was probably too intimate, I probably took it too far--"

"Why did you ask me to prom, Aaron?" She finally looks up at me and her eyes are filled with sadness.

Prom?

For a few seconds, I'm speechless and Ava's expression becomes even sadder.

"Why?!" She insists and I see tears flooding her eyes.

"Because...Because I enjoy your company, I think it will be a nice experience and--"

"And you read my journal?!" She insists and I'm suddenly taken aback.

"What? No, I didn't--"

"That's the only way you could have learnt all those personal things."

"Ava--"

"Why did you hold me like that? Why did you look at me like that?" She looks more hurt than I thought and I suddenly wish I never showed her that journal.

I should have just given it to Peyton like I planned.

"Because I wanted to."

"Bullshit." She says and tries to walk past me.

"But I really did." I say, gently holding her back and she yanks her hands away.

"No, you didn't. You just wanted to see if it will work. There's no way that was a coincidence!" She says and tries heading other way, but I rush to her front.

"Ava,--"

"Just leave me alone. I'm already embarrassed enough." She says tearfully.

"I will never invade your privacy like that." I persuade, unwilling to give up as I tilt her chin to look at me,

"Ever."

"Then how do you know that I've always wanted all that?" She says softly and I can't help but chuckle out of relief.

"Because, coincidentally, I've always wanted it too."

"So, you...didn't read it?" She says, eyes searching mine.

"Of course not. Why is it so hard to believe that I like you?" I blurt out, surprising myself and even more, Ava. But I keep going,

"I wanted to do all those things, Ava. I still want you to be my date to prom." At this point, we're getting sideways glances and suspenseful stares.

"But I'm...a junior. Plus we've never had a real conver--"

"-sation. I know. But I promise to make up for it on the day of prom. And being a junior doesn't change anything." I assure her and she stares at me, hesitating.

Please say yes.

Please say yes.

Please say yes.

"Okay, sure." She says in a nervous giggle and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Finally!" A guy yells from behind me and I turn around to see my teammates, hooting and howling and making jungle noises while Ava laughs.

"You were ready to make him pee his pants, huh Ava?" Damon asks and I watch her turn red.

"I'll pick you up by 7?" I ask her and she nods,

"Okay. Seven." She says smiling, showing her perfect dentition and braces and I can feel my smile broadening in response.

"Okay." I say and watch her walk away.

****

Ava's POV

"Okay, now you just have to wear this!" Peyton exclaims when I come out of the dressing room in a long, silky red gown with spaghetti straps, a low 'v' neckline and a high slit on the right that exposes my leg.

"It's perfect. My brother won't be able to keep his eyes, or hands off you." She teases as I walk to the mirror and observe my reflection.

"Stop saying that." I glance at Peyton through the mirror, trying to look serious but a blush invades my expression and I'm smiling sheepishly.

It really is perfect.

"You really think he won't be able to keep his eyes off me?" I turn to her, and she raises a brow.

"Not even if he got paid." She says easily and I can't help but giggle.

"I still can't believe I wasn't there when he asked you! And to think I was right there cheerleading for the game!" She says as she picks a dress and enters a dressing room.

"It's no big deal."

"Yes, it is! You have no idea what I'd give to see my brother being all mushy and romantic and having actual feelings." Peyton says as I go through the shoe rack and I can't help but laugh.

"I guess I see your point there. I never thought he could be so sweet." My mind wanders back to how he told me he liked me and the way he assured me that he didn't read the diary.

"Oh my God, AJ, you've literally been blushing uncontrollably!" Peyton's teasing words snap me back to the present as she comes out of the dressing room in a beautiful, flowing peach gown with cold shoulder sleeves.

"No I'm not!" I defend as I watch her observe her ass in the gown.

"Yeah, and I'm not totally kicking ass in this gown." She says and I burst into laughter.

"Jordan is not going to what hit him." I say to her, referring to her boyfriend and she turns to me.

"I know tonight is a special one for the two of us, but I'm really hoping you have a genuinely, amazing time with Aaron. He's been preparing all week for tonight and I want you to enjoy every second of it. No being shy or stuttering or holding back, okay?" She says, taking my hands in hers and I take a deep breath and let it out.

"Okay. Thank you so much, Pey." And she pulls me into a tight hug.

"It's gonna be worth it."

*****

"It's gonna be worth it."

Peyton's words echo in my mind as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The slit on the right side exposed my leg right up to mid-thigh and the low 'v' cut in front gave a teasing exposure of my cleavage. Coupled with my transparent heels, it was a killer combination.

With my hair moisturized and packed up high, leaving a little fringe on my forehead; the full, thick curls bounced atop my head with every move.

I had done my brows, applied a little mascara and liner, then some highlight and lipgloss.

"Well, well, well. Someone has really prepared for their date tonight." My dad teases as I come down the stairs and I giggle.

"Dad, cut it out. It's just prom." I say as I take his outstretched hand and he helps me down the rest of the stairs before twirling me around.

"Yeah, 'just prom'" he adds air quotes, "with a guy I've never met." He says with a raise of his brow and I roll my eyes.

"Daaddd, come on. We've been through this. It's Peyton's brother and he is going to be here anytime soon. So be nice." I say to him and he raises his hands as if he is being attacked.

"Okay, Okay! Nice guy, right here." And he points to himself with both thumbs, making me laugh.

Sure my dad could be nice, no argument there. It was his intimidating, height and bulky stature that didn't exactly seem nice, even though Aaron was unarguably taller.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of a car door shutting and before I can look, my dad beats me to the window and looks outside.

"So, this is Peyton's brother. Easy on the eyes." He teases and wiggles his brows at me.

Immediately the doorbell rings and my dad opens it a little, covering the door space with his stature.

"Evening, Mr. Simmons. It's nice to meet you." I can hear Aaron say and I watch my dad shake hands with him.

"Nice to meet you too. Aaron Knight, right?"

"Yes sir. I'm Peyton's brother. I'm here to pick Ava for prom tonight." Aaron says, surprisingly sounding calm as ever.

"I know Peyton, and I know she has a brother. I just don't know if you're as reliable as she is." My dad says and I roll my eyes.

Of all the times to play the protective father role.

"I assure you sir, I am. I'll have Ava home by 11." Aaron says and I observe my dad, imagining the small smile that must have formed on his face.

"And not a second after." And he finally gives way as he opens the door to it's full capacity.

Aaron's gaze shifts to me and his eyebrows shoot up.

"Wow." He says as I walk towards him and he helps me out the door.

"You are so beautiful." He says to me and I blush openly.

"Thanks, but I'm pretty sure you're the one that brought it tonight." I say to him, observing his 3 piece, navy blue suit and he smiles.

"This is for you." Aaron says as he opens the box of corsage he was holding and wears it on my wrist.

"I got white because I didn't know what colour your gown would be." He says and I look up at him.

"It's perfect."

Aaron takes my hand and leads me to the white limo waiting and I briefly turn to wave my dad goodbye and he winks at me.

"I really hope I'm able to make tonight worth your while." Aaron says when we're already seated in the car and I smile, enchanted by his intense gaze.

"I was thinking we could head to prom first, then have dinner at Roberto's Specials, and a little surprise after." He says and I'm still speechless, but I force myself to nod.

"Sure. I love Roberto's." I say, unable to stop smiling. It was amazing the lengths he went because I had only been to Roberto's twice with my dad and those were on very special occasions.

I'm really going to prom and dinner with the one guy I've been crushing on since I was a freshman.

If only 14 year old me could see this.

"What is the surprise?" I manage to ask and Aaron gives me a charming side smile.

"It's the perfect way to end tonight."

****

The night goes on blissfully, from arriving to the school where the gymnastics court has been transformed to fit the theme of the night, 'Starry nights and Snowflakes', giving it a charming and romantic look.

Aaron introduces me to some of his friends before leading me to a table.

"Why are they calling me evasive Ava?" I ask after we are seated and he chuckles.

"Well, because--"

"Because he's been trying to talk to you ever since you were new here, and it never worked out." Brad says, returning with punch for himself and his date and I turn to Aaron.

"Really?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter anymore. You're here with me now, so they can stop." Aaron stresses the last word, staring pointedly at his friends and they all laugh.

I can't help but laugh as well.

"So, I'm going to get us some punch. You want anything else?" He asks as he gets up.

"I'd like a cupcake." I admit shyly and he winks at me.

"You got it."

After he returns, we spend the next few minutes talking about everything and anything. He tells me about his games, his hobbies, vacation trips and hilarious childhood stories with Peyton. And I tell him about my childhood experience with just my dad and the fun things we did together.

"He used to take me to soccer practice, to watch baseball and basketball games, and we even did manicures and pedicures every Saturday." I say and Aaron chuckles, his eyes focused on me.

"No kidding? So you like sports?" He asks and I shrug.

"Yeah I do. I think it's fun and interesting."

Aaron doesn't say anything for while, then he sits up and says,

"I am really enjoying learning so much about you." He says and I openly blush.

"Thank you. You're just so easy to talk--" I pause now as I listen to the current slow song playing.

"Oh my God, I love this song." I say in awe, listening to Natalie Taylor's 'Surrender'.

Aaron looks around at the people dancing, then turns to me.

"You know, we haven't danced all night." He says, and I blink in realisation of what he is trying to do.

"Oh, no, you really don't want to dance with me. I'm a terrible dancer." I say but he is already up and reaches out a hand for me.

"I'll be the judge of that. Plus, I don't want to remember this day and regret not dancing with you." And with those words, he gently holds my hand and pulls me up.

On the dancefloor, he holds my right hand with his left and sweeps his right hand along my waist.

"I'm going to pull you closer now. Just tell me when to stop." He says softly and begins pulling me gently.

I remain silent, unable to interrupt this beautiful process as Aaron swiftly pulls me firm against him.

This is really happening.

"And then we sway." He says and leads me swiftly and slowly along the dancefloor.

In this beautiful, rare moment, I allow myself to be swept off my feet by Aaron as we dance.

We keep dancing for another song, Taylor Swift's 'Enchanted', with Aaron adding a few dancing tricks like dipping me, twirling me, and holding me from the back.

Then he spins me around and holds me from the front again.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted this moment." He says to me with his unwavering gaze.

"Me too. My heart is racing." I admit and he laughs.

"Mine too." Then he whispers mischievously, "That's dangerous you know. Two hearts racing. We won't be able to help each other." And I can't help but giggle.

"Don't worry. I'll control mine." I say and he looks at me.

"Good. Cause I don't think I can control mine." He says and I smile sincerely, unable to hold it. As we keep dancing, I feel more comfortable with Aaron and I sweep my arms around his neck and rest my head on his chest, moving to the music.

We stay like that for a moment and then he whispers,

"How about we dance for a little while, then we go have that dinner. And then I then I show you that surp--"

"What the hell is going on here?" The shrill, angry female voice makes me snap my head back as Aaron and I turn to Madeline.

Her hair is still packed but her mascara is running from crying and she is dressed in her prom gown.

"Aaron, how could you?!" She yells and I turn to him.

"What's happening?" I ask and Madeline looks at me with angry eyes, then back at Aaron.

"Do you care to explain to her how you asked me to prom and had me waiting for you?!"

At those words, I instantly let go of Aaron, like being caught doing something I shouldn't have been doing.

Like I had made a terrible mistake.

"What?" I say as I back away and he shakes his head frantically.

"No, it's not what it looks like. I cancelled! I cancelled with her." He says and Madeline wacks her purse at him!

"Yeah, you left a shitty voicemail an hour ago, you jerk! And I'm just hearing it after hours of waiting!" She shrieks and I just turn around, heading for our table as the crowd of students part way.

"Ava!" He calls after me as I grab my purse and I just keep walking.

"Ava wait!" I can hear him moving towards me and the instant he touches me, I shrug away from him, holding my hands up.

"Don't touch me." I say and he takes a deep breath.

"I can explain." He persuades.

"I would be ashamed of myself if I ever listened to you again, Aaron. Goodbye." I say and walk out of the hall.

That was the day I swore to never feel anything for Aaron Knight ever again.

The rest of summer is spent with me avoiding Peyton's house, and basically anything that might lead me to see Aaron.

But on the day he left Boston for Harvard University, I cried my eyes out.