Doesn't A Guy Know The Definition Of Sorry?

I munched on my donuts with my earphones plugged in my ears, blocking the words out. I'd been ignoring Aiden's eyes on me the entire time. When a girl blocks you out with her music, doesn't he know that meant she wanted him to stay away? He clearly doesn't get the memo.

Yes, he's been following me around all day. He even followed me to the girl's bathroom during Spanish class. Weird, right? But I didn't listen to any of his pleas and am still very pissed off.

Ash and Ari are uncomfortable too, and I feel a little bad that they had to endure all of the tension between us, but I guess some things have to happen.

"Hazel! I didn't mean what I said." He pulled my earphones out, making me turn my head to him in a quick snap.

"Then why did you say it?" He ran his hands through his hair, making it messier than it already looks.

"Because I'm honest." He said. I shook my head slightly, laughing under my breath. Is he for real right now?

"So you meant it?"

"Yes, I did. In a different way." I nodded my head in understanding.

"That's all I need to know. Now, stop talking to me." I

"Athena!" I looked up to see Gabe standing beside me with a smile on my face.

"Oh, hey."

"You thought about it already?" I looked at him in confusion before turning to Ari, who mouthed 'date' to me.

"The party? Yeah. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to cancel. I have some important pending issues to attend to." His face showed his disappointment, but he smiled nonetheless.

"That's alright. I'll see you around." He said before walking away. Ari passed me a sad smile. She understood. They both do.

Aiden grabbed my chin and gently turned my head to face him. "Hazel,"

He paused, a look of confusion in his eyes as they washed over me before he walked away.

**~**~**

I straightened my hair in its ponytail, making sure that it is high enough not to get in my face. Putting on my cheer uniform since it's an impromptu practice, my phone dinged with a notification.

~You mind stepping out for a bit? It's Nolan, by the way.

"Why is Nolan texting you?" Ari said from behind. Have I mentioned that she's a really jealous person? She doesn't like sharing anything or anyone she's in love with.

I rolled my eyes before turning to her. "Calm down, ninja. He's all yours." I scrunched my brows in confusion. "I don't know why he's texting me, though."

~How did you get my number?

~I have my ways. So, what is it? Are you coming out, or you want me to come in there?

"I knew there has to be a reason I like him." I rolled my eyes.

~I'll be there in two minutes.

I walked out of the changing room to find Nolan waiting for me in front of the girl's locker room. Lenny had called for another practice, and my hips were a tad bit sore from the game.

I pointed inside. "You realize you can't go inside, right?"

I noticed he had a book in his hand that looked like a journal, but it was really thick. Also, he was wearing narrow reading glasses perched on his nose. If it weren't for his bad-boy vibes, he would actually look like a typical nerd. Nolan bit his lip, eyeing the door. "What's going to stop me?"

I rolled my eyes, putting a hand on his chest. "Something called decency and emptiness. Besides, the cheerleaders have practice in fifteen minutes or so."

He focused on my exposed legs. "I guess you'll put on my show then." He wiggled his eyebrows, letting me know that he was teasing me.

"Are you always so cocky?" He shrugged, making me roll my eyes. "What do you want, Nolan?"

"I only want to say Aiden would like to apologize. He didn't realize how his words would actually hurt anyone. Although, he calls me a douchebag every other day. But who's counting?"

"Well, if he wants to apologize, why doesn't he just come to say it to my face?"

Nolan leaned against the wall. "Because Aiden is a guy that can't say sorry unless he knows it's necessary. The last time he said sorry was a long time ago."

"It doesn't matter, Nolan. If whatever it was that we had together meant anything to him, he'd be standing in front of me right now. It's not like he's a big part of my life anyway. I've only known him for three weeks."

"He needs you, Athena. I know it. You'll know that too. Just try to figure him out by not pushing him away. You're the first girl who hasn't tried to ask him out that isn't related to him. Wait, I think his cousin, Selena tried to once."

I had three minutes to get to the field before Lenny catches me here. I sighed, my hand on the door to leave. "It doesn't matter. Tell him to get some guts, put away some of that ego of his and say sorry. And even if he doesn't, I don't care."

"I know you do," Nolan said as I entered the room, closing the door behind me.

**~**~**

I jump from my bed, sweat soaking my body and damp strands of hair stuck to my face. My heart is pounding vigorously in my chest, fighting to escape. I gasp for air, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. My stomach churns, and I run from my bed, completely ignoring the pain that shot up my head.

I get sick, the acid burning my throat. As I lay on the cold tile in the bathroom, not bothering to get back up, I allow myself to come to reality. These nightmares will never stop.

Today is my dad's birthday. The second birthday he's missed since he was gone. Two years of missed birthdays, food fights, first days of school, and music concerts that he'll never get to experience. Two years since I heard his voice and felt my father's lip pressed against my forehead. It's been two years since I heard him tell me he loved me.

I realize now that I never really told him I loved him and that he was my hero.

'Dad, I would do anything to hear your voice one more time.'

I don't know what I'm supposed to feel. Anger? Sadness? Grief? All I feel is empty like someone popped me open and poured me out. For some reason, his birthday hurts more than his death anniversary. Staring at my phone, wanting to call him to wish him a happy birthday but also knowing he won't be there to talk to me hurts.

My phone rang from the bedroom. I forced myself to stand up to my feet and slowly walk over to the phone lying on my bed.

"Hello," I answered with a cracked voice, not bothering to check the caller's ID.

"Angel, How are you holding up? I'm sorry I'm not there yet. The plane was delayed, but I'll be there before the sun rises."

I smiled sadly. Levi knew just how much my father means to me, and he has never tried to make me feel crazy about it. "Thanks, Levi."

"Take care, okay? Love you, Angel."

"Love you too." I won't let history repeat itself. Till my father died, I never told him I loved him enough. But with Levi, I'm going to say it as much as I can. He's the next thing to a father for me, after all.

I walked to my desk drawer, pulling the key that I hid in my jewelry box, and used it to open the lock at the bottom of the desk. I pulled out the tapes and the old, dusty notebook and closed the drawer, not bothering to lock it.

Blowing the dust off the book, I opened it. My eyes scanned through the words slowly, a sad smile on my lips. My dad's handwriting is still as clear as day. A tear rolled down my cheek to the book, making me read the words inscribed on that line.

'No matter where I am, I'll always be your moon. And you, my universe.'

I scoffed, my tears muffled with the tears. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a knock sounds at the door. Martha promised to come to check up on me to make sure I don't die in the room.

I pass my closet mirror on my way to the door, pausing to see how I look. My hair is a wild mess still from the day's braids. My face is red, blotchy, and swollen, snot dried on my cheeks and sweatshirt.

I'm a mess, but I'm okay with it.

I sluggishly open the door, shielding my eyes from the harsh light in the hallway. "Hey, Mar-"

I stop short as my eyes adjust to the light, taking in Aiden as he stares at me, his breathing ragged and a tub of my favorite ice cream in his hand.

"Someone ordered ice cream?"