Wish You'd Met Me First (boyxboy)

Chapter 9: It's Jealousy

"Yeah, well, people can think what they want. Blaine's a great guy."

Lexi's smile becomes even more forced, but she doesn't back down. 

"Of course. It's just... surprising, that's all. I mean, someone like you, with someone like him... it's unexpected."

Before Brett can respond, the door to the backyard opens, and Blaine steps out, holding a drink and looking around for Brett. When he spots Lexi standing so close to Brett, his smile falters, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

Brett's entire demeanor softens when he sees Blaine, and he stands up from the lounge chair, moving away from Lexi without a second thought. He walks over to Blaine, leaving Lexi standing there, clearly irritated.

"Hey, you okay?" Brett asks Blaine, his voice low and gentle.

Blaine nods, but I can see the tension in his posture. Lexi is watching them with a look of barely hidden disdain, and I can tell she's about to say something to escalate the situation.

"Blaine," Lexi says, her voice dripping with faux sweetness, 

"I was just telling Brett how... surprising it is to see you two together. It's really... brave of you."

Blaine flinches at her words, and I can feel my own anger rising. But it's not just anger anymore, it's jealousy, sharp and bitter, twisting in my gut as I watch Brett step in to defend Blaine.

"Lexi, that's enough," Brett says, his tone colder than I've ever heard it. 

"Blaine and I are together, and if you can't deal with that, then maybe you should leave."

Lexi blinks, clearly not expecting Brett to stand up to her like that. For a moment, she looks taken aback, but then she recovers, her smile turning icy.

"Of course, Brett," she says, her tone clipped. 

"I didn't mean to overstep. I just... wanted to make sure you knew what people are saying."

Brett doesn't back down, his expression resolute. 

"I don't care what people are saying, I told you that. What matters is what I think, and I think Blaine is incredible. So, if you've got a problem with that, then that's on you."

It's clear that Blaine means more to him than I realized. I try to push this shitty feeling down, but it's like trying to hold back a tidal wave. 

The tension is thick in the air, and I can see Lexi's frustration building. She's not used to being put in her place, especially not by Brett. But she knows she's lost this one, and with one last sharp look at Blaine, she turns on her heel and stalks back inside, her entourage following closely behind.

As soon as she's gone, the tension in the air dissipates slightly, but I can see that Blaine is still shaken. Brett turns to him, his expression softening again.

"Hey, don't listen to her," Brett says, his voice gentle. 

"She's just trying to start trouble."

Blaine nods, but I can see the doubt lingering in his eyes. I step forward then, feeling the need to say something, to show that Blaine's got more support than just Brett's.

"Blaine," I say, catching his attention. 

"She's not worth it. Anyone who knows you, can see how good you are together. Don't let her get to you."

Blaine looks at me, surprised by the sincerity in my voice. For a moment, he just stares, and then he nods, a small, grateful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Thanks, Aiden," he says quietly. 

"That... means a lot."

Brett gives me a nod of appreciation, but instead of feeling good about it, I feel bitter. I force a smile, but it feels like it's cracking at the edges. I'm trying to be the bigger person, trying to support Brett and Blaine, but it's becoming harder and harder to ignore the ache in my chest.

As the night goes on, the party continues around us, but I feel more and more like an outsider. Every time I see Brett and Blaine together, every time I hear Brett laugh at something Blaine says and every time they make out, it's like a reminder of everything I'm not, everything I can't have. I feel like I'm suffocating.

I make out with random people just to put my mind out of everything but my fucking mind won't let me.

Eventually, I can't take it anymore. I need to get out of here, need to clear my head before I do something I'll regret. I make my way toward the door, trying to slip out unnoticed, but Brett spots me as I'm leaving.

"Aiden, you heading out?" he calls after me, his voice full of genuine concern.

I stop, forcing a smile as I turn back to him. 

"Yeah, I'm just... tired. I think I'm gonna call it a night."

Brett frowns, clearly not convinced. 

"You sure? You don't have to leave. We're just getting started."

The way he says 'we' sends another pang of weird feeling through me, and I have to force myself to keep my tone light. 

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll see you guys at school."

Brett hesitates, looking like he wants to say more, but then Blaine pulls him back into the conversation with the others, and I take the opportunity to slip out the door, the cool night air hitting me like a slap in the face.

Outside, the world feels quieter, the noise from the party muffled by the walls of the house. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the jealousy is still there, gnawing at me, making it hard to think straight.

I know I should be happy for Brett and Blaine, they clearly make each other happy but all I can think about is how much I wish I were in Blaine's shoes, how much I wish Brett looked at me the way he looks at Blaine.

Now, I'm completely sure, this is not just admiration towards him as football player but something else more like a... crush, I'm attracted to Brett romantically.

As I walk to my car, I glance back at the house, the lights from the party glowing warmly in the windows. I can see silhouettes moving inside, hear the distant sound of laughter, and it all feels like it's happening in a different world.

I get into my car, closing the door and leaning my head back against the seat. The jealousy is suffocating, a constant reminder of everything I can't have, and I don't know how to make it stop.

Fuck, just please get over it, I tell myself, gripping the steering wheel.

But as I start the car and pull out of the driveway, I know it's not that simple. The jealousy is still there, festering, and I don't know how to make it go away.

A/N: Actually Aiden knows that what he is feeling is not just friendship about Brett even way before if you notice the uncertainty on what he's thinking in every chapter, he just won't accept it and instead just mop on the corner.