01

OLIVIA

"Fuck, she moans loudly. She really does. I just had to shut her up with a kiss," Aiden rambles, chuckling. "I know I am good in bed, but I didn't want her to put me in trouble by moaning so loudly."

"And yet, she used to pretend to be the holiest girl in the whole college. What a crazy hypocrite!" My sister, Sarah laughs.

I clench my fist. Is this what I get by agreeing to come to school with my sister and her jerk of a best friend who can't stop talking about his sex escapades?

I almost let out a hiss. All they've been doing since we left my house is talk about sex. Can't they talk about books? Can't they talk about sci-fi movies? Can't they talk about animes?

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I should not blame them. They're not like me. It's my car I should be annoyed with. If it had not broken down this morning, I wouldn't be in this crazy situation.

"Get a grip on yourself, Olivia. I'll survive this ride," I mutter under my breath.

For a moment, the car is silent. I heave a sigh of relief, and glance up at my sister. She's busy with her phone, not bothering to look up from the screen. I guess that's what is keeping them so quiet this time around. I hope they'll stay silent like this until we reach our college.

I can feel a pair of eyes on me as I cross my legs. I look in the rearview mirror, and meet the gaze of two warm brown eyes, like a flame burning low and slow. He gazes at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes intense. Then he looks away to focus on the road, but I can feel his eyes returning to me a moment later.

A knot of butterflies twists in my stomach. I bite my bottom lip, turning my gaze out the window. What's happening to me? Why does my heart flutter and my stomach twist everytime our eyes lock?

Aiden Blacksmith. Handsome face. Biggest player I've ever met. He plays with girls' hearts like football. Always having new flings every week.

He is my sister's best friend since high school, whom I haven't really interacted with. Whenever he comes over, I've always been in my room. Whenever I run into him by chance, all we do is to exchange quick glances.

"Oh shit!" Sarah blurts out, jolting me out of my train of thoughts.

I turn my eyes to my sister.

"What's the matter?"

The words come out of my mouth in unison with Aiden's. I glance into the rearview mirror, and his eyes are piercing into mine. I feel a rush of heat rising to my cheeks, turning away from him. What the hell is wrong with me?

Sarah begins to gather her things. "I have to catch the next bus. I have to meet with my best friend – her dumb boyfriend just broke her heart," She utters.

A line appears between my brows. "Wait, you are going to skip your classes because of that?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Damn, that's insensitive. I should not have said that. It's too late. I can't take it back.

My sister spins around to face me, I know I have upset her.

"You've never had a boyfriend before, so you wouldn't understand how it feels to have your heartbroken," Sarah bursts out. "My best friend's heart just got broken, and you're worried about missing boring class. Really? You can tell our dad I skipped if you like."

I swallow hard. "I'm sorry," I murmur, biting my lip to keep from breaking down.

"That is all you say after messing up," Sarah retorts.

I feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I know I mess up a lot, but did she have to bring it up now?

The cars pull to a stop, and Sarah gets out, giving Aiden a quick hug before closing the door behind her.

Now that my sister is gone, I'm left alone in the car with Aiden. I know the ride to school is going to be as silent as a graveyard, and I like that. I stare out the window, as the car begins moving.

I squeeze my eyes shut, enjoying the warm breeze blowing my hair gently. It feels like peace. It feels like the old days before my mom left my dad.

I missed her so much.

"When did you cut your hair shorter? And, why?"

A husky voice jolts me from my reverie.

I swallow a gulp down my throat. It was Aiden.

"I wanted something shorter," I reply, tucking a lock of my blond hair behind my ear.

"I liked your hair better when it was longer," He mutters under his breath.

My brows furrow. "How did you even notice I cut my hair?" I ask him.

It dawns on me. How would someone who had barely even glanced at me notice the change in my hair?

"You think I only know the length of your hair? " Aiden says, his voice low and gentle. "I know far more than you think."

I find myself locking eyes with Aiden in the rearview mirror, and he doesn't look away. His gaze is piercing, as if he can see right through me. I find myself breaking eye contact, looking away from him. He would surely get us killed if he keeps looking at me like that.

None of us speak until we reach our school. I can feel his eyes on me even when I'm not looking. I keep avoiding his gaze, until he stops looking in the rearview mirror.

I can't seem to get his words out of my head. What else does he know about me?

The car rolls to a stop in the parking lot, and I let out a long, shaky breath. I'm relieved. But now, I know I have to face the curious stares and whispers from my school mates. I know this would happen though. After all, I'm with the most popular guy in college.

Attention. I despise it. I hate being the center of attention.

I mutter a quick "thank you" and start to leave, but a firm hand on my arm stops me. Aiden pulls me closer so that I am standing just inches from him. I have the strangest urge to step even closer, and I hate myself for it. My breasts are pressed against his chest, and I can't even decide if I like it or not.

His brown eyes meet mine. "I will give you a ride home after your lectures," He says.

I can feel his breath on my cheek, sending shivers down my spine.

"No. I… I mean, thank you, but I don't need a ride," I stammers.

"It is not a request. I will be here when you're done, whether you like it or not,"

Aiden chuckles softly, releasing my arm from his grip.