Something's Gotta Give

*Flashback* "Mom," I called as I came running through the house from the back door. "Whoa where's the fire, Aideen," my mom chuckled as she came to find me in the kitchen. "I made a new friend," I told her, "his name is Alex Gaskarth and he has a funny voice h calls an accent and he just moved here with his parents and half brother. He's already my best friend." "I'm glad you made a new friend, sweetheart," she smiled and kissed my forehead, "I'm sure Alex could use a friend like you to help him get used to his new home." *End Flashback* The time had come. I had a shoot with All Time Low during their sound check. This was going to be my first time seeing Alex in nearly nine years. I was getting my camera set up, minding my own business when I heard a loud voice behind me. "I know that red hair anywhere," the familiar voice called out, "The Barakat-Foster is complete once again!" "Hi Jack," I chuckled at my goofball of a friend as he came running to hug me, "yeah it's me. It's nice be able to finally work with you guys." "We're excited its you too," Rian replied as he hugged me too once Jack let me go, "now we can get up to the same antics we did when we were seniors." "Totally," Zack added as he got his hug in. Damn did he bulk up. Once he let me go, my eyes fell on my "former" best friend. He was just standing there, awkwardly playing with his shirt hem as he avoided eye contact with me. "Are you even going to say anything to me," I asked him, slightly irritated with him, "or am I not good enough to hear your voice." "Hi Aideen," he finally spoke up, "I missed you." "If really missed me," I glared at him, "then you would have been a better friend and stayed in touch." "I was busy," he replied simply, now returning my glare. "Bullshit," I retorted, "the rest of the guys, Flyzik included, found time. As your oldest friend do I not matter like Jack does." I stomped over to him and I slapped him across the face as I felt tears well up in my eyes. I was sick and tired of him hurting my. Now was my turn to hurt him. "Aideen," Rian grabbed me and pulled me away from Alex. "He deserved that for not talking to me in nine years," I shouted as my tears of anger and pain streaked down my cheeks, "we've been friends since he moved in down the street from me. How fucking dare him for neglecting me and tossing me to the side once you guys left tour!" "I had shit going on, Aideen," Alex yelled at me. "Like banging Lisa," I snapped at him, "or the girls you hooked up with over the years. You are a moron for not talking to me. You've lost a friend, Gaskarth. You might even have an enemy now. You have no idea how badly I've needed my best friend and had no way of getting in touch with you. I wanted to tell you about the amazing guy I'm with thanks to Jack. Shit, he's a way better best friend than you ever were." I broke out of Rian's arms and stormed off. I needed space before I'd do the shoot. I needed to cool off and get control over myself. I never should have let him get to me like that. Alex My cheek still stung and my heart hurt over the words the spilled out of her lips. My first American friend, the friend I made my first day in my new home, could be gone from my life. All because I'm an idiot. I could feel an anxiety attack coming on. I walked off after Aideen had and found a quiet place to sit and think, trying everything I could to get back into control. It was Lisa's fault that I stopped talking to Aideen after high school. She found out about my feelings for her, and told me to never talk to her. Those feelings are gone now, I only love her like a sister. But thanks my stupid decisions, I may have lost her. It was unfair of me to neglect our friendship because of a girl. But what Aideen didn't know was that I knew about her and Tyler. It was my idea to get them together. Jack was the one to make it happen, but I played a part in it. I knew Tyler would make her happy. "Alex," I looked up from my lap to find Tyler standing in the doorway, "I heard Bout what happened. I should have been there to help keep her relaxed and calm." "It's no worries, man" I replied with my best fake smile, "I deserved that slap. I fucked up when it came to her." "Give her time to heal now that she's seen you again. She'll come to forgive you," he replied, being sincere with his pep talk, "I'll do what I can to help lift her spirits so she'll try to be your friend again." "I doubt she'll want to be my friend again," I told him as raked my fingers through my hair, "not after all these years of being left behind and ignored. I was a dick to her." "Don't be so hard on yourself, Alex," he grabbed onto my shoulders, "she needs her best friend in her life. Especially in the near future." "Why," I asked, puzzled by his statement. "This is why," Tyler fished out a dark blue velvet ring box and opened it, showing me a simple yet elegant and beautiful engagement ring, "I want to marry her, Alex. You were right about her. She is the perfect girl for me. And I want your blessing to propose. I'm thinking at the Baltimore show. I already got her parents' blessing. I just needed yours before I went for it." "You have my blessing," I told him, "but propose when she and I get back on good terms. I want us to be friends before she gets engaged. Okay?" "That is perfectly fine," Tyler agreed and his the ring in his pocket again, "it may work out better that way so you can help me surprise her."

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