4. Why Me?

The following day, the doorbell rang, and there were some roses at the doorstep. It must be another one of Liliana's admirers.

I took them inside and set them down on the table. I didn't bother to check the card because who else would it be for?

"Liliana! You got some flowers again!" I yelled.

She ran downstairs excitedly. Her face twisted into a frown when she read the note.

"It's for you," she said and handed me the card.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"These are for you, Jane. Just read the note," she said, annoyed.

To Jane,

You are beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Please go out with me.

Love

Aaron

I didn't know how to feel the first few minutes. Is he making fun of me? Whatever it was, it's nice to be complimented for once. And these roses are beautiful.

"Who is Aaron? I thought you didn't have a boyfriend?" Liliana asked. I knew this came as a shock to her that I am getting flowers from a guy of all people.

"Aaron Morris," I said.

Her face turned dark then she looked downright angry. What was her deal?

"You mean, THE Aaron Morris? Jake's brother Aaron Morris?" she asked again.

"Yes, him. Why do you look like that?" I asked.

"This can't be right," she snatched the card out of hand and read it again. "Why would Aaron Morris ask you out?"

"Why not? Why do you care?" I was curious about her reaction now.

"I've had a crush on him since ninth grade!" she squealed.

"What! No shit," I laughed out loud. "I thought you said you weren't into bad boy jerks?"

"Aaron is not a bad boy jerk. He was just misunderstood. And he clearly changed after graduation," she said and pointed at the flowers.

"I suppose," I said.

"You can't go out with him!" she cried.

Excuse me? She can't tell me what to do! Who does she think she is?

"I am sorry Lili, but Aaron clearly prefers me over you. Just deal with it," I smirked. Even though I have no desire to go out with Aaron, I could still mess with Liliana.

"Maybe it's a prank. He is just playing you. Or maybe he meant to send these flowers to me and got out names mixed up," Liliana insisted.

Wow, I can't believe how self-centered she is.

"I don't think so," I said nonchalantly. "Besides, his brother likes you. Why don't you go out with Jake instead? He is just as good-looking. They almost look alike, and he already likes you, so all you have to do is say yes to him," I offered.

"No way! Jake is just a pure jerk and so immature," Liliana said.

"Oh, you don't know that! Maybe he is just misunderstood," I said mockingly. I was starting to get tired of this argument.

"Just do this for me and reject Aaron," Liliana said.

Bitch please....after the way she treated me, I will date the hell out of Aaron just to spite her. Just watch me. Whether it is a prank or not, this was my chance to get back at Liliana.

"Well, too bad. It looks like I'll be going out with Aaron after all," I said and left the room.

Jake cornered me at school the next day. What else is new?

"I told you I wasn't done with you, Janey," he said. His dark eyes bored into my soul.

"It's Jane," I corrected him.

"Whatever, I need to ask you, what the hell was that about at the party?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked innocently.

"With my brother! Since when did you two become buddies? Are you fucking him?" he cried.

"Eww, gross. No," I made a face. "I am still as pure as the driven snow, thank you very much," I declared.

"Huh?" Jake looked at me questioningly.

"VIRGIN! I am a virgin," I blurted out without thinking. My face turned red as I embarrassed myself. Why did I tell him that?

"Oh," he said and went quiet. "Then why was he making googly eyes at you?" he asked.

"Fuck if I know, Jakey boy. I've never even talked to him before the party. It's my life goal to avoid the Morris brothers at all costs, which you are totally ruining for me right now," I replied.

"Well, stay away from him. The last thing I need is some loser hanging around my house," Jake said.

"Not a problem. Is that all?" I asked.

"Yes. Why did Liliana treat me like I am a cockroach?" he sounded almost desperate.

"Why don't you ask her? You do realize we go to the same school, right? Go harass her instead," I said. I looked around to see if an administrator was walking by somewhere so I can escape this situation.

"I don't know...I don't want to scare her," Jake said.

But scaring me is okay? What a piece of cow excrement!

"There's literally nothing I can do, Jake. She does not like you. In fact, she told me yesterday that she has a huuuge crush on your brother. So I guess there's that. None of us get to win. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go and mourn my heartbreak over her stealing my future husband. Bye now," I said quickly and tried to leave, but Jake caught my arm again.

"What the fuck did you just say! She likes Aaron!?" Jake shouted so loud that his voice echoed through the walls. Some students looked at our direction in confusion but kept walking past us.

"Calm down, jeez. No need to yell at me. I have no control over this, K?" I exclaimed.

Jake looked like he was deep in thoughts. "This is not good. This is all wrong. She can't like Aaron. She belongs to ME!" he said.

"I know, right! Totally. Now can I go, please? I am going to be late for class," I said. I don't know why he is still holding me hostage. He should go interrogate his brother for being better-looking and stealing his future wife.

Jake didn't release me and just stared at me intently. I could tell he was cooking up some other plan in his evil little brain. I hoped it didn't involve me in any way.

"I know how you can help me, Janey," he said and smirked.

"H..help you?" I asked. What was he planning?

"I changed my mind about you dating my brother. You are going to date him and keep him away from Liliana so she will forget about him and date me instead," he declared.

Jake, you stupid shithead, that's not how life works!