Aaron
I leaned back on the couch, the guilt suddenly overwhelming me. How could Bella Davis say no? The same girl who had always been so crazy about me and had even given me love letters. Had I really made her feel that bad after I said those things?
I should just forget about her. This was a blessing; she was gone, and now I didn't have to worry about it anymore. But at the same time, I felt an emptiness inside of me, a void that only she could fill. No... I didn't like this. I hated it-hated myself for hurting her in such a way.
Deep down, I wanted her back. I couldn't ignore the feeling that she was only pretending not to like me anymore. That's right. She had to be pretending, I told myself.
I started to think about what to do. I needed to win her back somehow. Maybe I should ask her out again. But what if she keeps rejecting me over and over again? How humiliating would that be? Aaron Morris didn't chase after a girl. It is usually the other way around.
Okay, I know I sound like a self-absorbed prick, but that's just what I was used to. And Bella didn't help by stalking me in the beginning. I have been spoiled.
I went back to my apartment, which felt quieter than usual. Tomorrow is a new day, I thought. I am going to try to do something about this tomorrow.
The next day, I called Jane and asked her to meet me. I decided to throw a party and invite Bella. It would give me an excuse to see her.
"Hey, what's the big emergency?" Jane asked as she sat down in front of me.
"I am throwing a party at my apartment with a bunch of my college buddies," I said. "And you and Jake are invited."
"Oh, cool! I can't wait," Jane said excitedly.
"And...um...bring Bella," I said hesitantly.
Jane looked at me with surprise. "You are inviting Bella? How come?" she asked.
"Be...because...well...I just want her to be there, okay?" I said, feeling frustrated. Why do I have to explain myself?
"I am only asking because you said you couldn't stand her. Now you want her because she is rejecting you, isn't she? Well, in that case, I am not getting involved. Convince her to come by yourself," Jane declared.
"Jane, please!" I pleaded.
"No way! You will only hurt her more. She told me about the things you said. You really hurt her, you know," Jane said.
"I know, so I feel really bad. I want to make it up to her. So bring her to the party. Please?" I pleaded again.
Jane sighed. "Fine. Just don't go overboard. I know how intense you can act," she said.
I released a sigh. I get to see Bella. She can't avoid me forever.
"I will be good, I promise. I just want to apologize to her, that's all," I said. I wasn't entirely lying. I did want to apologize to her more. Then convince her to go out with me.
The night of the party arrived, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. I made sure I looked perfect. Bella couldn't resist me forever. She was in love with me, after all. It was time to take advantage of her old feelings for me and make her love me again.
Most of my friends already arrived, so I spent time hanging out with them, playing drinking games while waiting for Bella. I kept looking at the door, expecting Jane and her to walk in at any time. I finally saw her coming in alongside Jake. Behind them was none other than Bella.
I stood up abruptly and put my drink down, then strode toward them. She was wearing an emerald green dress that complemented her red hair. She looked beautiful. Has she always been this beautiful?
"Jane! Jake! Thanks for coming. Oh, hey Bella," I tried to act casual. My heart raced, and I tried to ignore it.
"You didn't tell me Aaron was going to be here!" Bella exclaimed and looked at Jane accusingly.
"Sorry, Bella, he made me promise not to tell you," Jane said apologetically.
"It's actually my party," I cleared my throat.
"I am leaving," Bella declared and tried to walk out the door, but I grabbed her arm.
"Behave yourself, bro," Jake smirked.
"Let go of me," Bella said. She looked upset.
"You are coming with me," I said and started to pull her away.
"Aaron! Be nice to her!" Jane called after me.
"I'll just borrow her for ten minutes," I said and dragged her away despite her protests.
I dragged her inside an empty room and slammed the door shut.
"Aaron! What..."
"Why are you doing this?" I demanded to know.
"Doing what?" she asked. Her eyes were big with surprise.
"Avoiding me, running away from me," I said.
"You wanted this! You told me to leave you alone, remember? That's exactly what I am doing. You got your wish. So leave me alone!" she said and tried to leave, but I pushed her against the wall.
"You can't leave until you tell me the truth," I said.
"I AM telling the truth. I listened to what you told me and decided not to love you anymore," she said quietly.
"You decided not to love me? You can't just decide not to love someone. That's not possible," I said.
"Well, it is now. If that's all you wanted to know, I would like to leave now," she said. Her face was dark, like she was angry at me.
"Bella. I am sorry for being mean to you that day. I didn't mean to be so harsh. I was just in a bad mood, and I took it out on you. It is true that I didn't like you following me around so much, but I am not annoyed by you anymore. I appreciated you bringing me food every day, and those love letters made me feel loved. And now, you don't even smile at me anymore. I miss you," I blurted out everything I've been thinking about this past couple of weeks. Maybe pouring my heart out will bring her back to me.
Or so I hoped.
Bella looked at me with her eyes full of sadness. "No, Aaron, I was wrong for obsessing over you. It was almost like a sickness. I stayed up all night thinking about you and wrote those silly love letters. I was so stupid. I don't want to be that girl anymore. I only did it because you reminded me of someone, but you are not him. I am done."
"Remind you of who? Who are you talking about?" I asked. I was surprised.
Bella looked shocked like she blurted out some secret by accident. "No one! Forget I said that. I need to go," she said and pushed me off, then ran out of the door before I could stop her again.
Dammit. This is not how I imagined things would go down. But who was she talking about? I wondered. I will have to recruit Jane to find out more about this unknown guy who was supposedly the origin of her obsession.
"So, You pissed her off even more, huh?" Jane asked. Bella ran off on her own, so Jane called me over to scold me and tell me how horrible I was.
"I didn't mean to. I just wanted her back," I said.
"She was never yours to begin with. She wanted to be, but you pushed her away!" Jane exclaimed.
"I know that," I sighed. "I need to find out more about her past," I told Jane.
"What? But why?" she looked at me curiously.
"She kind of slipped and told me about some guy. She said she was obsessing over me because I reminded her of him," I said.
"Interesting," Jane said.
"I want to know what it's about. And I want her to forget about him and go back to liking me. Only me," I declared.
"You are acting like a jerk again. What is wrong with you!" Jane exclaimed. "Maybe she doesn't want to like you anymore? Why can't you leave her alone, you bully?"
It was true. I was slowly going back to my old self. The possessive asshole Aaron who always got his way. But I didn't care at this point. I felt a strong desire toward my silly little stalker girl. It was as if we were switching roles. I was the one who was stalking her now. Oh, how the table has turned.