Waking up in the morning was easy this time. I had my alarm set, and ready to go. I had told my parents that Grace was gonna come get me so I didn't have to wake up to early. George had been glaring daggers at me last night while we ate. Honestly I have no idea why, I hadn't talked to him since I got home.
It was 7:15am when I got the text message.
Hey Alie sorry have to take my brother to school. Cant pick you up. I'm so so sorry make it up to you later. - Grace
Great, just fucking great. My parents had both just left and George was already in his car leaving I ran outside so I could catch him but he just pull off. Ugh what am I gonna do? Looking down at my phone I contemplated, well I could take the bus but I would be late again. It was better then nothing really. Grabbing my bag I locked the door and started walking. It was 65^ out and yea it was cold but I could handle it. Thinking about the time, I would probably be half an hour late, which would then mean my mother would get a phone call. Ugh whatever. My phone vibrated in my pocket, when I took it out to look I was already half way to the bus stop by now.
Did Grace pick you up? - Stalker
Stalker? Oh right, Aries. Wait... how did he get my number if he only put his number in my phone. He must have called his phone using mine.
Who is this? I knew who I was talking to but wanted to drag it out as much as possible. - Me
Don't play games with me Alie. - Aries
Don't call me that, its Alexandria or Alex not Alie. Only those really close to me call me that. I frowned down at my phone.
He sent a gif of a dog begging, Thought we were getting closer? - Aries
I rolled my eyes an sent him the exact emoji of me doing so.
Don't think so, your my brothers friend not mine. - Me
Looking up from my phone I checked my surroundings and thought I saw a flash from a blue car turning the corner. Prancing in place to keep warm, I breathed on my hands so they wouldn't get numb. My phone buzzed in my hands again.
I can be your friend too. - Aries
I don't even know you. - Me
Well start asking questions and get to know me. - Aries
Weirdo, what was I suppose to ask? The bus pulled up and I got on, using my tap card and sat behind the driver. Just as the bus was about to close its doors someone yelled "Hold the door!" The bus drive opened the doors and spoke to the person as he walked in. He wore dark clothing, and a hood that covered him so you couldn't see his face. What you could see though, was his height. He must have been six foot the least and whatever he said made the bus driver stand up and get off. I watched the bus driver walk around the bus scratching his head confused, concern written on his face. Great what now? My phone continued to vibrate in my pocket but I ignored it. The bus driver came back, he looked upset as he spoke. "Sorry people, but you are all going to have to get off the bus. Seems we have 2 flat tires." I frowned, great just my damn luck. I got off the bus and pulled my phone out. Guess I'm just gonna have to walk it, which would make me an hour and half late. Pulling my phone out because it wouldn't stop vibrating and looked down, Aries was calling me.
"Hello?"
"Did you make it to school?" His voice sounded breathy like we was exercising or something...please don't let it be or something. Thinking about him with out a shirt on made my core tingle and I crossed my legs again. No No No, no dirty thoughts. For all I knew he could have called me while he was doing something else any number of things...yea like yoga, or just finished hokey practice...or...fucking someone. There was that.
"Um...not exactly." Hesitating I looked around, maybe I could hitch hike or something.
"Where are you?" I heard what sounded like a car engine in the back ground as he spoke. "Never mind look for my car."
"Wait! What car? How do you even know where I am?" But he just hung up on me, leaving me looking stupid at my phone. What is with him? I started heading in the same direction the bus would have taken. I wasn't going to sit around and wait for him when I could keep walking, and if he found me good, I guess, if not I could walk my ass to school. I rubbed my arms and started to walk, I hadn't got more then a block when a deep blue Tacoma pulled up next to me. The driver window rolled down and he smirked.
"Hey there, want a ride?" He still sounded breathy, and steam was coming out of the car from it being so warm. I looked at him, then the street, and then his car. He pulled a mug out of his car and held it out to me. "Want some coffee?"
I was cold, my legs were barley covered because of the skirt and my knee high socks didn't offer up any more protection from the cold. "You know, you sound like one of those creepy guys with the white vans." I gave my best impression of what I thought one might sound like. "Come on little kid, I got some rad candy in my car for ya. If ya get in I'll let you have some."
He huffed out what sounded like a chuckle "But this is coffee and I don't have a white van." I rolled my eyes. No fun. I stepped closer and grabbed the coffee from him, and our fingers brushed against each others as I took it. His finger tips were so warm it was like he just pulled them from the fire. I brought the cup up to my nose and inhaled deeply before groaning with anticipated pleasure as I slowly brought it to my lips sipping it. Sweet heaven above it was sweet cream and chocolate, my favorite. I walked around to the other side and got in, having a little trouble with the height but I managed.
"Cold?" I felt the heat turn up as I leaned into the dash to get more warmth.
I nodded my head, holding the coffee to my nose again and inhaled. It startled me when he leaned over in front of me. His body hovered over my lap and his face an inch from mine. I could feel his breath fan my face, he smelt like mint and chocolate, no wait...was that...coffee? Looking down at the mug in my hand then at the center console, there wasn't another coffee cup. I looked back at the mug in my hand then up at him.
He smirked "Sharing is caring." I heard a click and the seat under me started to warm up.
My cheeks heated at his words, as I clutched the coffee cup to my chest leaning back further into the seat and further away from him. "If I end up sick its your fault."
He faked being hurt as he sat back, his hand to his chest "I'm not sick, you'll be fine." Fastening his belt he pulled out onto the road and started to drive.
"I don't know, you could have mono. I don't know who your mouth has tangled with." I quirked an eyebrow at him.
"And yet your still drank out of the same cup." I Stopped myself from going back for a second sip of his cup and looked at him. Smartass. "Don't worry, I've never gotten sick before in my life, my family doesn't get sick." What did that mean? I placed the cup back in the cupholder, but just as I did, he tangled his hand with mine intertwining our fingers as he held my hand. His hand was warm and larger than mine. It felt rough against my palm, as if he had calluses on them. My stomach flip flopped, and I looked up at him.
"Um...excuse me?"
He looked down at our hands and then up at me. "I noticed your hands looked a little pale, so I thought I'd help." He shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing. I tried half hearted, to pull my hand from his but he didn't budge, so I just gave up. He was so nonchalant about it, and here I was, panicking. This was getting out of hand...pun intended.
My chest felt strange while he held my hand, it was tight and warm. Not to mention he was already warm. "Question?"
He glanced at me then back at the road.
I took that as an ok to ask. "Are you hot?"
He had the audacity to look smug, as he chuckled at my question
"Ugh, Vain much? I meant your temperature. You're seriously warm, almost like a fever." I lifted our hands for emphases.
I saw him flinch when I asked the question. "Hey you said it not me, and no its normal. I run a little hotter then most." He let my hand go finally, and honestly I was starting to like him holding my hand. Only for the warmth though. I sat on my hands to keep them warm since I wasn't going to hold his hand again.
"Yea I noticed yesterday your brother felt warm also when we shook hands." The car came to a sudden stop, I practically got whip lash.
"Sorry didn't see the car." He started to drive once again, while I just looked at him. What car? There was no other car in front of us. Crazy bastard. But then I felt the car stop again and he pulled the keys out of the engine. "Yea its a genetic thing, my whole family runs a little warm. Hey we are here."
The conversation was cut short, he was deflecting but why? I looked around, sure enough we were a block from my school. I couldn't help looking back at him with a lifted brow. "Hey you said you did want all that drama like yesterday." He lifted his hands in defense. So he had been listening earlier.
"I appreciate that, really." My cheeks reddened, maybe he wasn't so bad after all. I took my phone out of my pocket to check the time. 7:45am. I still had some time. "Thank you Aries, I appreciate you coming to get me even though I don't remember telling you where I was." I gave him a pointed look.
His hand came up and rubbed the back of his neck while he looked out the windshield as if he was caught steeling candy. "I just know these things, I figured you would start walking."
Was he blushing? No he couldn't be. Grabbing my bag I opened the door and slid out. It was starting to get warm in the car, and I'm not sure if it was from him, or just my feelings, or maybe I was just having hot flashes. "Thanks again."
"Alie! I...Ugh." He look so flustered and confused. Who was this? Was this the same person I met yesterday morning. That Aries seemed so sure of himself, this one in front or me looked like a lost puppy. Why do I keep comparing him to a dog? "I'll pick you up after school."
Should I let him pick me up after school? What was the harm really. He seems nice enough, alright I guess he could pick me up again. "Fine, but you have to promise to meet me back here. No picking me up in front of the school or the parking lot. I don't have practice today so just pick me back up here. And don't call me Alie...it's weird and we aren't there yet." I pointed down at the ground where I was standing.
His face brightened just a tad and was that an actual smile? "Sure I'll meet you here at 3. Oh ugh, your bag." he leaned back over the seat and pulled out my gym bag from yesterday. Grimacing I took the bag from him, can't believe I left it in his car yesterday, this thing probably stunk.
"Sorry about that. Thanks for giving it back to me. See you later."
"No worries, I'll see you." Was I suppose to do something? It felt awkward just saying goodbye. Closing the door carefully because I have a tendency to slam doors. I started to walk away and couldn't help but look back. He was still there, his arms were extended and crossed over the steering wheel his head was down as if he were almost praying. When he lifted his head, he looked straight at me. But his eyes, oh god his eyes weren't green they were gold and shinning. They lit up the dark space in his car. I blinked and took a step back, he blinked and they were back to their normal green, as he gave me a warm smile. I turned back quickly and walked straight to school. What the hell did I just see? It had to be a trick of the light right?
Getting into class was a breeze no one saw me, and Grace wasn't even in class. That had me concerned because she never missed school. I sent her a quick text during break, but didn't get a response back from her. What was up with today. I went through the rest of day reliving what had happened this morning. So many questions with no answers it was frustrating, and why was Aries acting so nice?