Chapter 26: Wednesday's
Song Chapter: Into you by Ariana Grande 🌙
Excuse the mistakes.
****
Aria Evans
"You owe me."
His act for taking the blame of the baby situation was still fresh in my mind as I observed him. His dark black hair was slicked back today, a dark shirt and black jeans accompanying it.
Pouting my lip, I reluctantly got in the car, his cologne instantly wafting around my body. His whole car smelled like him and I was shamefully loving it.
"Fine, just as long as you bring me back by eight."
Closing the door, I made sure to put on my seat belt, safety always coming first.
It took me a minute to process that we were still not moving, looking next to me, Zander gave me a hesitant look.
"What's happening at eight?"
Smiling innocently, I made no attempt in telling him the truth as I came up with a lie.
"Parents gave me a curfew."
I didn't know why I felt the need to lie to Zander, I honestly had nothing to hide.
So why did I feel so guilty?
Zander looked like he didn't believe me as he slowly nodded, getting in the driver's seat to start the engine, exiting the school's Parking lot.
We drove for a while as silence consumed us, each second calming my nerves.
The last time I was in his car, I was handcuffed to him. It seemed like forever ago when it really had been only a few days.
"So are we ever going to stop kidding ourselves and actually start looking for the key?"
He was silent for a moment as I awaited his answer, turn signals clicking repeatedly as he made a right turn.
"What makes you think I haven't been looking?"
The sun was blazing warmly today, contrary to the cold weather we've been having all week.
My eyes were glued to the window as we passed by our small city.
"I don't know, maybe the fact that we're both still wearing police handcuffs."
"Please don't remind me."
I took my eyes off the window to eye his right hand that was steering the wheel. He probably had it more tough than I did, I didn't really use my left hand.
"Your dad hasn't said anything?"
He turned his head to catch me staring, a sly smile spreading on his smooth face. Clearing my throat with a blush, I look out towards the window once again.
"About the handcuff, I mean."
"He still thinks it's that social experiment crap or whatever."
Smiling at the fond memory of coming up with that lie, I humphed in acknowledgment, finding nothing else to say.
"What about your parents?"
I grew tensed, a frown forming on my face. I haven't spoken to either of them since the night of the party, they didn't even take some time to reply to one of the hundred messages I left in their email.
"Haven't gotten back yet."
My reply was short and low, a tense silence following after that.
Soon after, Zander parked the car, shops lined up outside on the busy street.
Saying nothing, he got out of the car.
I slowly followed in pursuit, looking around at all the different choices of shops.
"What are we doing here?"
Looking back at me over the hood of the car he smiled wide, almost catching me off guard.
Almost.
"Just a quick stop, don't worry we'll be back on the road."
Raising my eyebrow high, I glared.
"You mean to tell me that this isn't even the place?"
Rolling his eyes, he ignored me, walking away towards one of the many shops.
Did I mention there were a lot of shops?
It took me a minute but I reluctantly followed him once again, walking in step with him.
The city's street was packed with people shopping and walking by. I almost had to stop to squeal over an owner walking the cutest dog ever.
But of course Zander had scoffed, grabbing my hand to pull me away.
After a few more steps, he walked forward, opening a door.
Looking up at the name, I couldn't help but smile, my curiosity rising.
"YoYo's Froyo?"
Still holding the door open, he nodded in excitement, gesturing for me to go inside.
The smell of sweets was the first thing that caught my attention when I entered, my sweet tooth heart swelling.
Examining the shop, I instantly fell in love, it was so cute.
They greeted us with samples as I took a few little cups.
Zander then with a huge smile, led us to the yogurt machines, grabbing the biggest size cup there.
My eyes widened, I've never seen a cup so big.
Noticing my wide eyed look, Zander had laughed examining his own cup as well, before shrugging.
Shrugging as well, I proceeded to get one of the smaller sized cups, ready to fill it up.
"Oh come on, really princess?"
Zander gave me a credulous look as he examined my cup with disappointment.
"What?"
"I take you to the best Frozen Yogurt store in the city and you get the smallest cup here?"
He tutted to himself lightly as he yanked my cup out of my hand.
"Zander!"
"Here."
He had grabbed the humungous cup sized one as he handed it to me.
"Now you better fill that cup up all the way to the top with anything you want because it's on me."
He gave me a pointed look, challenging me to argue with him.
I wasn't complaining though, a girl like me would never decline an offer involving food. So with an amused smile, I nodded.
"Fine."
He humphed in accomplishment as he resumed filling up his cup, yogurt flavor after yogurt flavor.
Examining all the different yogurt flavors, I honestly couldn't choose. They all sounded so good.
Grabbing any flavor that my little heart desired, I filled up the cup.
Nodding to myself in triumph, I headed over to the topping section where a happy Zander was, stuffing his cup with anything he liked.
He was going mad.
I examined all the toppings, finding one that almost made me squeal and pee my pants.
Right there, smack dab in the middle were marshmallows. They looked so beautiful, I wanted them all.
So doing just that, I scooped them all up, leaving none of them behind. And as I decided my yogurt didn't need anymore toppings, Zander had also finished, paying the frozen treats to go.
After exciting the store with a heavy bag holding heaven, we were back on the road.
Soft music was heard playing in the background as I witnessed the sun going down.
It was already six, two hours before my date with Chuck.
Two hours of hanging out with Zander before I had to leave to go on a date with his best friend.
The guiltiness I felt was indescribable. I just didn't know for who or why.
After a couple minutes we turned on to a familiar rode, turning into a driveway of a very familiar yellow house.
Zander turned the ignition off as I turned to face him with a deadpanned look.
"Zander?"
"Yeah?"
"This is your house."
"Yeah, I know."
"I've seen your house already."
"Yeah, so?"
"Why would you want to show me your house if I've already seen your house?"
He examined me for a while before he chuckled to himself, grabbing our frozen yogurts as he mumbling a quick,
"just come on."
I followed him into his house, noticing how quiet it was.
"Is no one home?"
Zander seemed to avoid my eyes as he nodded, walking straight towards the kitchen as I followed him, not before closing the door.
"My dad's off on Wednesdays so he and Zoey always go out."
Another family tradition, how cute. I just wondered why Zander wasn't with them.
He had led me outside the kitchen, towards to what I assume was the backyard.
And as I stepped outside, I stopped, frozen in my spot by amazement.
Right in the middle of the backyard was the most amazing tree house I have ever seen.
I couldn't describe it even if I wanted to, it was just this big amazement surrounded by sparkly lights.
"Oh, wow."
"It's amazing isn't it?"
I looked up from where the voice came from, finding Zander already up in the tree house.
I nodded, agreeing.
"My dad and I built it for Zoey but she decided it was too boyish so she gave it to me."
I smiled at the thought of Zoey shaking her head in disapproval, crossing her little arms.
"Are you going to come up or what?"
Not saying a word, I made my way over and climbed up the steps. If I thought the outside was amazing, I was so not ready for the inside.
"Oh my god."
Ignoring an amused Zander, I ran towards a bean bag on the floor, dumping all my weight on its plushness, subsuming into calmness.
"Oh my god."
And as I laid my head back I couldn't help but examine the ceiling, a gorgeous night sky painted on it.
I sat straight up, dazzled.
"Did you paint that?"
Zander, who I guess was watching me the whole time had curtly nodded, my amazement growing.
"You can paint?"
Leaning on the doorway, he had crossed his arms, a slight tint in his cheeks.
"I dabble a little."
Standing all the way up, I walked around the whole tree house, examining the painted night sky.
"A little?"
Turning around fast to face him, I put my hands up in emphasize.
"Zander, this is amazing!"
"Thanks princess."
I laughed at his embarrassed red cheeks as I made my way back to the bean bag, Zander plopping down on the one next to it.
"So are you going to give me my frozen yogurt or do I have to fight you for it?"
***
Two cup fills of frozen yogurt and a bruise on Zander's arm later, I was laughing my butt off.
Zander was telling me about one of the never ending family trips he had gone on and all I could say was wow.
"Yeah, my dad never got his hat back."
Giggling to myself, I heaved a huge sigh. My sides were hurting from laughing so much and my stomach was so full from all the frozen yogurt.
Overall I was having an awesome time.
"What about you? Any family trip fiascos?"
My big smile turned into a bitter sweet one as I shook my head.
"The last time I went on a family trip was when I was three and the only reason I know that is because my grandma has pictures."
Sighing as I traced the stitchings on the bean bag, I looked down.
"So no, no family trip fiascos. Unless you take out the trip part then you have a fiasco but that's basically it."
I didn't mean to blabber all that stuff out, I was just upset at the moment. Zander seemed to notice my sour mood as silence consumed us.
I bit my lip to stop the unwanted tears from coming as I couldn't stop thinking about my messed up family.
"My mom died."
Quickly looking up, I met the sad eyes of Zander. Surprised, I found myself quickly shaking my head to stop him.
He didn't have to make me feel better by telling me a personal thing like that.
"No Zander you don't have to say anything."
He smiled sadly, shaking his head.
"I want to."
I stayed silent, watching as he looked down.
"My mom died giving birth to Zoey. There was some sort of complication and some severe blood loss. The doctors had time to save Zoey but my mom had passed before they could do anything."
My heart clenched hearing Zander's voice sound lifeless.
"At the beginning, I blamed Zoey, I hated her even."
He looked up to connect our eyes, all his pain visible in them.
"I was eleven at that time so I didn't understand that it wasn't Zoey's fault. My dad tried to make me understand that but I wouldn't have it, in my mind she murdered my mom."
"I wouldn't touch her, I wouldn't help my dad take care of her. He had just lost his wife and I was there being an asshole like always!"
He shook his head, scoffing at himself.
"After a while I realized that I shouldn't be blaming her. It took me a while but I finally got it. Sometimes bad things happen to good people."
My lip quivered as I held on tightly to his hand.
"It's sometimes hard though, I see little pieces of mom in Zoey everyday. She looks so much like her Aria and it kills me."
I smiled softly as I rubbed his hand soothingly with my thumb. I wasn't letting go and it looked like neither was he.
"My dad and Zoey go visit her every Wednesday, that's where they are now."
Furrowing my eyebrows, I gave him a questioning look.
"Why aren't you with them?"
"I haven't been there since the funeral."
My eyes widened at his words, my heart dropping seeing Zander actually break down.
He didn't deserve all this pain.
I squeezed his hand reassuringly, standing up to join him on his bean bag chair.
"What was your mom like?"
He needed to stop thinking about all the negative stuff, he needed a distraction.
Zander had looked at the clock beside us before looking back at me.
"Don't you have curfew?"
I looked down at the time seeing it was seven thirty.
I had a date with Chuck in thirty minutes.
Looking at Zander, I slowly shook my head, a small smile growing as I said the next words with a sincere meaning.
"Curfew could wait."