Chapter Four

As Ally walked through the hallways she couldn't help but smile in wonder at all the bright and beautiful multicolored posters advertising the upcoming Homecoming dance. The theme was Blast to the Past and even though Ally knew she wouldn't be able to go she still admired the theme, posters, and people who were going. 

Ally had never been to Homecoming and in years prior she hadn't even wanted to go. Why? She and Frank always made plans to do other things like have movie marathons or raid the supermarkets for junk food for videogame madness. 

But now? She was seriously contemplating going, but first she had to be asked. In the past she'd been asked a few times and turned each person down. Now she was known as the girl who turned guys down and so she was scared she wouldn't even be asked at all.

Besides, there was only one guy she wanted to ask her at this point: Aidan. 

It was Thursday, October fifth; which meant another school week would soon be coming to a close. School had started on August twenty-fifth, and so far she and Aidan had been getting along well. 

After their first study session Aidan had been over a few more times. He'd even met her parents. 

Her mom had seemed to warm up to him immediately whereas her dad was leaning toward the more skeptical side and she guessed the reason was because he was so used to seeing Frank all the time.

But recently Frank hadn't really come over as much. And in first and last period he was more withdrawn. 

Ally tried asking him what was wrong, she tried talking to him, but each and every time it was like he was set in his resolve not to talk to her. So what else could she do? She just decided to leave it to him, figuring he'd tell her when he was ready. 

So far a lot of the girls in school had gotten asked to go to Homecoming and from what Ally heard over the announcements, tickets were going fast. 

Even if she couldn't go, she could appreciate all the effort the guys put into asking the girls. It was really sweet, the way they displayed it. Some with craziness, some with elegance, some with sizeable objects, and others with smaller, flashy objects.

There were also the gorgeous bouquets of flowers. Most were roses. Ally had never received flowers in her life except for when she graduated middle school and everyone in class got one from their teacher. But that was very different. 

Right now Ally was enjoying the empty hallways while she could during lunch before actually heading to the lunchroom. She knew Frank usually hated school functions so she chose to wander on her own before she joined him.

When she got to the cafeteria several heads turned in her direction and whispers and murmurs started up after a brief pause of silence which confused her a bit since that never happened in all the time she had been attending this school.

Ally had only taken several steps past a few tables when she saw something curious and out of the norm in the center of the cafeteria. 

Aidan was standing on top of his usual table with a microphone in his hand, an amp behind him, and some of his friends were holding up posters with a spelled out 'Ally, please say yes.' 

She gazed up at Aidan and saw a wide smile on his face. "Hey, Ally," he said and his voice rang out in the entire cafeteria. "You're probably wondering what I'm doing up here and I figured I'd do it differently so you'd remember it forever." 

Ally raised her eyebrows and tried to ignore every other person's gaze on her except for the one person's gaze whose mattered: Aidan. 

Her heart was pounding so fast she could hear it in her ears. Time seemed to stand still as she gazed at Aidan, waiting for him to say what he wanted to say to her.

Aidan's smile was radiant and after a moment of anticipation one of his friends brought out a guitar and started playing while Aidan sang "More Than A Feeling" by Boston.

I woke up this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

It's more than a feeling
More than a feeling
When I hear that old song they used to play
More than a feeling
And I begin dreaming
More than a feeling
'Til I see Allyson walk away
I see my Allyson walkin' away

So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky

It's more than a feeling
More than a feeling
When I hear that old song they used to play
More than a feeling
And I begin dreaming
More than a feeling
'Til I see Allyson walk away
I see my Allyson walkin' away

When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
She slipped away

It's more than a feeling
More than a feeling
When I hear that old song they used to play
More than a feeling
And I begin dreaming
More than a feeling
'Til I see Allyson walk away

Everyone in the cafeteria applauded and Ally was excitedly overwhelmed as well as speechless. He had nailed the song with a small group of people on instruments.

"It's more than a feeling I have of just asking you to homecoming. It's fate," Aidan stated. "And considering your taste in music I figured this song would be perfect. So, the question is, are you going to deny me and furthermore fate?" 

Everyone was holding their breath. Ally was both shocked and thrilled. She had waited for Aidan to ask her and now he finally was. 

"Of course I'll go to homecoming with you," she said with a wide smile on her face. Aidan looked so overjoyed and relieved as he walked up and took her in his arms.

He sure did have a way of asking a girl out and making her feel special. It was elaborate and spectacular. She just wanted to bask in his warmth and cherish this moment forever.

Shortly after Ally accepted Aidan's proposal everyone went back to their own stuff but the place was now buzzing and never in her life had she felt more in the spotlight. And it made her more than a bit nervous, which Aidan noticed.

"Hey, do you want to go outside?" he asked sweetly.

She nodded and they both headed toward the cafeteria's back doors and outside to the shelter of trees.

There she was able to take deep breaths and smiled. She then looked at Aidan and asked, "Did you just want to ask me to homecoming? Or was there something else on your mind?"

He smiled and blushed a light shade of pink. "I actually have more than just homecoming and friendship on my mind. Ally, I like you. I like you a lot and I know it's only been a short time since we've known each other but it feels much longer to me. Anyway, I don't want to rush things but when you say 'okay' I'd like you to become my girlfriend."

Ally wasn't sure this was real life. She had dreamed of hearing him say those words to her, not in the same way but in the general sense of the words. Aidan liked her and she liked him and was sure it could become more in a very short time the way things were going now.

"I'd like that very much," she admitted with a shy smile. "I like you too."

And just as she hoped and expected Aidan smiled and slowly leaned in to kiss her. She met him halfway and let their lips collide and their tongues mingle.

Moments later she was gasping for air and gripping his shirt. "Maybe we should stop," she managed to breathe.

"I think you're right," he murmured as he leaned his forehead against hers. "Maybe we should head to class?"

She nodded and pushed off of the tree they had chosen to lean against. Aidan trailed after her and slickly placed his hand over hears, entwining their fingers together. She let him and together they walked back through the cafeteria and headed toward their next class.

When they reached their Physics class Aidan leaned Ally against a row of lockers and smiled sweetly.

"There's something I want to try again," he murmured before leaning in and kissing her. 

As each second rolled by she could feel butterflies building up and tingles running up and down her arms and legs.

Aidan made her feel like she was floating when she was with him. It felt nice to be wanted. 

"So, um, we should probably head inside," Aidan murmured as he leaned his forehead against hers. 

She nodded and within a few moments they were both in their seats and holding hands beneath the table. Most of the class was abuzz with what happened over lunch and Ally couldn't help but blush and feel special. 

As she thought about what had taken place during lunch, something nagged at her conscience. Frank. She hadn't seen him once throughout lunch but she knew there was no way he'd be able to not hear about it by the end of the day. 

She bit down on her lip in nervousness, unsure how she was going to break the news to him. She knew Frank didn't like Aidan and she wasn't sure why. Aidan was nice, he tried including Frank whenever they were all around each other but Frank just grumbled. Ally had even tried spending time alone like they used to but it wasn't the same. They were both distracted by other occurrences.

But now, Ally had no choice but to tell him. She was now Aidan's girlfriend and if Frank was going to remain her best friend he'd have to accept that.

She imagined that confrontation in her head and immediately felt on edge, her stomach churning. There was no way he'd take the news well, but there was no way she'd stop seeing Aidan, and absolutely no way she'd ever stop being Frankie's friend. So it was going to be an all-around tough predicament. 

After Physics, Aidan walked Ally to her last class, English, and she knew she'd have no choice but to confront Frank now about what Aidan was to her now.

She took a few deep breaths and stopped near the door to her class.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later," Aidan replied before leaning in to give her a kiss once more.

She let him and kissed him back, hoping Frank couldn't see her. After their kiss, she gave Aidan a hug and promised to see him after school. Then she strode into her classroom and found a seat near the back where Frank was already seated.

Ally gave him a wide smile and said, "Hey, Frankie boy."

Frank met her gaze and a spark of light touched his eyes before he looked away.

"Hey, we need to talk after school, okay?" 

Frank met her gaze once more and nodded. "Or you could just quickly tell me now since you have that impatient, nervous look on your face. What is it?" 

Ally shook her head and replied, "I got asked to homecoming. I know we've never been before but I'd really like to go."

Frank nodded simply. "That's great. Who's the lucky guy?"

"Aidan," she responded simply, knowing he wouldn't take the news too well.

"Figured," he mumbled. "So is that all? I've been hearing whispers here and there. He went all out, didn't he?"

She found herself blushing but nodded profusely, unable to contain her joy. "You should have seen it, Frankie! It was amazing. He pretty much serenaded me with a classic song from an awesome band. Then he just asked and I said yes."

"I'm glad you're so happy."

She met his gaze and could hear the sincerity in his voice. Her heart tugged as she gazed into his beautiful hazel eyes. "Thank you, Frankie. That means a lot to me. I am happy. With that said, I feel you should hear this from me before anyone else. Aidan and I... we've decided to become a couple. He really likes me and I like him."

As Ally said the words Frank's heart broke in two. He had one day longed to hear Ally say those words to him, more along the lines of something more but he felt his hopes die once the words were out.

He wanted to support Ally, he did, but he felt so broken inside, so sad. He cared about this girl and he didn't want to see her hurt. He didn't want her with Aidan at all. 

And because he didn't want to show Ally how hurt he was, he chose to show her anger instead, not caring at the moment if she'd be hurt because she'd hurt him far worse than he ever could've imagined. 

"Are you serious right now, Ally?" he asked angrily. "You barely know the guy! He's a player. He's using you. How many girls has he had over the years? Plenty. And now he wants you and you're falling for him? What the hell is wrong with you? How can you not see that this guy is wrong for you?"

Ally just stared at Frank uncomprehendingly. He had never raised his voice or gotten this mad at her before. It was unnerving and she didn't have a comeback. Her eyes simply watered and she quickly switched desks to one nearer the front before class began. 

Frank immediately regretted his words. He did care that he hurt her and now he couldn't take it back. The way Ally had looked at him tore another piece of his heart out. 

After class he'd made his resolve to go after her and apologize. 

But he never got the chance. Ally had left class a few minutes early to go to the restroom and never came back before the final bell. 

He tried her at her locker but she wasn't there. He even waited for her a few minutes, hoping she'd show or that he'd catch a glimpse of her down the hall, but instead he soon came face to face with Aidan.

He offered a cynical smile before he shook his head at Frank. "You have a lot of nerve, Frank," he stated.

Instantly, Frank knew where this conversation was heading and it was too late to back out now.

"I don't know what you mean," he feigned simply.

"Sure you don't. Ally just came to me crying. Look, for whatever reason you don't want us to get along. That's fine, I guess. I've tried to get along with you but you know what? There's a limit. I respect you because you're Ally's best friend and you've known each other for years. I never meant to come between that. I care about her too, Frank. She wants us both in her life but if you don't want to work out whatever is going on between the two of us, you're going to push her away. I'm not going anywhere despite what you may think." Aidan took an offensive stance against Frank and stared him down. "So I'm done trying to be nice to you and get along for Ally's sake. If it comes to a choice I hope she makes the right one. You're a good friend but you're not her boyfriend. Don't make her feel bad about being with me when it makes her happy. If you make her cry again for any reason I'll make you regret it. From here on out, we're just putting up with each other for her sake. We're not friends and we never will be. I won't keep her from you just remember she's my girlfriend now and try not to get in the way of that." With that Aidan walked away and left Frank alone.

A few students had witnessed their heated conversation, or more like Aidan's long speech. Frank didn't know which emotion toward Aidan was stronger: hate or annoyance. A little of both maybe. 

Ally was with Aidan now. 

Frank felt like crap. 

If she had Aidan what did she need him for anymore?

As far back as Frank could remember, since he became a part of Ally's life, he'd always been protective of her. He helped her in whatever way he could. They had been friends for years. And all of a sudden his role in her life was being taken away and redefined. He couldn't take it. He couldn't take just being her friend. Not this way, not with someone else filling in his role as protector. 

So he was left with only two options: Opt out now and distance himself from Ally or pretend they were okay and wait to see if her relationship with Aidan lasted. And since he wasn't strong enough to give Ally up completely, he chose the latter, hoping he wouldn't regret it later on.