“I thought so too, but its clear now that you’re the only one” He said finally. I could hear him trying to mask the sadness in his voice. There was a long silence after that statement. For some reason, I didn’t feel comfortable making eye contact with him. If I looked him in the eyes I’d probably have to acknowledge that his feelings for her were real – and I certainly didn’t want to pity him. I fixed my eyes on my shoes, studying the texture of my shoelaces. We stood in silence for what seemed like an hour, but was probably only a minute.

“Why are you telling me this, Aiden?” I suddenly burst out. I was a little surprised at myself. It wasn’t even as if thoughts had been bubbling to the surface and begging to break free. My mind and my mouth seemed to be one, now. My filter was currently defective. He looked almost as surprised.

“Because I need you to be careful with her” He said quietly. Be careful with her? Why was he acting as if Ashley was a porcelain knick-knack? She was a person, and could very well take care of herself. I’d seen it myself.

“What do you mean?” I said, beginning to sound annoyed.

“She’s… she’s just not quite as indestructible as she looks. She’s more fragile than she’ll acknowledge right now” Since when had Aiden become the sensitive Dr. Phil?

“Aiden, what I mean is, I don’t get what you’re telling me this. Ashley and I aren’t together. We haven’t been for a while. We’re not even friends. She’s not my responsibility.” I said each of the words with a little more fervor, feeling an increasing sting with each one. I longed for what I said not to be true. For the first time, Aiden looked annoyed. He rolled his eyes then stared at me incredulously.

“Spencer, why don’t you get it?” He said almost maliciously. If this was his plan on winning me over, he was fighting a losing battle. “I wouldn’t be saying this to you at all if I didn’t mean it. Do you really think I want to have this conversation with you?” I opened my mouth to speak, but then closed it again. He was right.