OLIVIA“Whatever happened last night should be forgotten. It was useless,”Aiden's words echo in my head, over and over again. I can't get them out of my head, no matter how hard I try.His words stings like a slap in the face. Does he know how much they hurt me? Does he know that they cut deeper than any knife ever could?I should have shouted at him. I should have ranted and let him know how much his words hurt me. But, I didn't do anything. I said nothing. I let him call the cab and I left his house. Now, I sit in the cab and regret my reaction to what he said. I wish I could go back and tell him I don't like what he said. I wish I could tell him that he hurt me with his words. I wish I could tell him that I love the moment we shared last night and I hate the fact that he tagged it as “useless”.I look in the rearview mirror. My eyes are already brimming with tears. I hate how easily things affect me. I wish I were not so sensitive, but I know I can't help how I feel. Aiden is t
OLIVIA"I know my man is so hot, but you don't have to stare at him like he is a damn pizza. You are just a waitress," The blonde blurts out. Of course, she is not just a baddie. She seems to think of herself as a queen bee. Aiden is definitely her arm candy.She referred to Aiden as “her man”. Does that mean they are dating? I thought Aiden is a playboy who is not interested in serious relationships. I force a smile and my palms are already getting sweaty. I try to shrug off the thoughts in my head. As a waitress, I should maintain a professional demeanor. "I am sorry, ma'am,” I apologize. “What can I get for you today?” The blonde throws me a deadly glare, before turning to face Aiden. I try not to let that get to me. It seems like she already has something against me. I can't blame her for getting mad because I was staring at her so-called man. I mean if I had a boyfriend as hot as Aiden, I would not want another woman to look at him. Oh God, why am I even thinking about how h
OLIVIA"And, won't you say anything?" Sarah's voice resounds in my head. I take a deep breath, and release it slowly. Since I am already in trouble, I can as well get myself out of it. I clear my throat."Would you just calm down and give me a chance to talk this through with you?" I ask calmly. Sarah throws me a deadly glare. “Are you seriously asking me to stay calm when you have completely ignored everything I have told you?” “I don't know what the fuck is going on with you. I have told you over and over again not to mess with Aiden. He is my best friend. He is off limits. You should be hanging out with freshmen like you, not my friends.” She adds.“Relax, will you?” I retort, my frustration getting the better of me. “I am not hanging out with your friends. And, nothing is going on between me and Aiden.”“I found Aiden's shirt in your room, which leads me to believe that you wore it home from his house this morning,” Sarah rambles, folding her arms over my chest. “How the heck d
OLIVIA "I wonder who had the guts to paint the building. I mean, talk about nerves! The person must be one tough cookie."Ashley's words drift in one ear and out the other. I am not listening to her anymore. A corner of my mouth curls upwards, giving a lopsided grin. I should not be smiling, but I can't help it. I guess I am proud of myself. For what reasons? For breaking the school rules and painting the art building. Why should I not be proud of myself? I violated the rules and made a spectacle.A crowd is gathered around the art building, gawking and gossiping about the splashes of blue and red paint. They are in awe of the person who had the nerve to do this. Some praise the boldness of the individual who did this, while others criticize them for violating school rules and vandalizing the art building.The girls standing beside Ashley and I jolt me out of my thoughts. “Wait, look at the letters,” The first girl tells her partner. “I think that should be the person's initials,
OLIVIAI am at a loss for words. I can't even breathe. I don't know how to act.How am I supposed to act normal when Aiden is walking towards me? How can someone move in such a sensual way?His hands are tucked into the pockets of his hoodie. Each step he takes makes my heart pound faster."If I were given the chance, I would let Blacksmith have his way with me," Ashley whispers into my ear, her voice heavy with longing. “I would spread my legs for him.”I let out a hiss."I can't believe I am friends with someone who talks like this," I tease her, rolling my eyes.“Whatever, bitch,” Ashley whines.I pretend like my mind is not racing with similar thoughts. I know I am not much better, but I just keep my stupid fantasies to myself. Can never be Ashley. She does not hold back. She says whatever comes to her mind without a second thought. I bet the other girls in our vicinity are thinking the same thing, though none of them will admit it.The female freshmen in my department all look l
OLIVIAAiden approaches me, his every step bringing him closer until he is standing right in front of me. My heart pounds in my chest, and I grip the book even more tightly in my trembling hands.He leans against my desk, crossing his arms and legs in a casual pose, looking every bit the model on the front of a fashion magazine."What are you doing?" He asks in a low voice, smooth and calm.I shake my head, mute. "Nothing," I manage to say.Why am I not angry yet? I can't summon the anger I know I should feel. I should be livid that he kept me waiting, but instead I feel frozen and tongue-tied. I can't let him see the book I am reading. He might mock me. And yet, I can't help the way my stomach flutters when he looks at my breasts. His gaze is like a caress, making me feel like my boobs are treasures he has finally found."I don't think so," He mutters, his eyes not leaving me for a second.His eyes wander around the room, sweeping over my desk, the curtains, and the neatly-made bed.
I summon all my strength to push myself away from Aiden, and pull myself to my feet. I smooth out my gown as I try to regain my composure.I look toward the door, half-expecting to see Sarah on the other side, but she does not appear. I hear the sound of the door across the hall creaking open. Sarah heads to her own room without stepping foot into mine.I let out a sigh of relief. I nearly dodged a bullet there.Lesson learned: no more messing around with Aiden, or any guy for that matter, when Sarah is in the house. That is way too close for comfort.I am never trying that again. I can't risk jeopardizing my already messed up relationship with Sarah, not over a guy - especially not Aiden, her best friend. The thought of what might have happened if she had caught us like that makes my skin crawl. I don't even want to think about it.One wrong move, and I would have lost the trust I have been working so hard to earn from her. I am not willing to risk it.I turn my attention to the bed
OLIVIAThere are some people you should avoid with all that is in you. You should avoid them at all costs. You must make sure they don't cross your path, and you don't cross theirs.Now, this blonde is one of those people. One of the people you should stay away from. Because I don't see any reason why someone should hate me for no reason. I have heard people say they have haters. Even my sister, Sarah, has people who hate her. But I thought it should be for just popular people. I don't understand why this dumb blonde should be hating on me, and trying to get on my nerves. I don't even do anything to her. Aiden canceled his date, but I had nothing to do with his decision. He did it because he wanted to.I don't understand why this blonde woman is trying to shift the blame onto me. What did I do to deserve this? "Hey, who are you?" Ashley blurts out, pulling me out of my thoughts.The blonde tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a knowing smirk on her face. What is she playing
AIDEN Three months later… “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you, Aiden!" I wish I could block my ears so I wouldn't have to hear them singing this birthday song. I think it's really cringe. I don't even know what to do, how to act while they sing. I just stand there, my eyes locked on my girl. She's the only one whose singing doesn't make me cringe. Olivia has a big smile on her face, like she is more excited than I am and I'm the one clocking a new age. She even organized this whole thing, insisting I should celebrate with friends. And somehow, she got me to agree. So, here we are, having a mini party at my place with Bryan, Sarah, and Ashley. I turn 21 today. I'm in a better place; I feel loved. That's a good reason to celebrate. Olivia walks over to me and hands me a knife. "You can cut the cake now," She says. I nod and smile at her. Just as I position the knife and about to cut the cake, a voice interrupts me. "Don't cut the cake like it's your opp," Bryan jokes
OLIVIA Why the hell am I freaking out? It's just a date—a date with my boyfriend. This isn't the first, second, or third time I am going out with him. So, why am I feeling flutters all over my stomach? What's wrong with me? It's funny, even though he told me we are just going to see a movie, I can't help the butterflies in my stomach. It's always been like this. Whenever I see him, a part of me feels like a little girl getting her favorite treat. Is it normal that I still feel this way about him, even though our relationship is more than a month old? I can't get enough of him. I don't think I ever will. I know what I need now—a damn grip on myself. I haven't even picked out what to wear yet. If Aiden shows up and I am not ready, he'll tease me about how I always make us late. I really don’t want that. I walk to my closet. It’s just a movie date, right? Something simple will do. I consider jeans but then think better of it. I want to wear something cute. A mini dress it is. I grab
OLIVIAI blink my eyes open, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.The first thing I feel is the warmth beneath me, the gentle rise and fall of Aiden's chest. His breathing is the only sound I want to hear. I raise my head, letting my gaze linger on his face. He's still asleep, calm as ever. There's something about seeing him like this that makes my heart flutter. His messy hair falls across his forehead, and I reach up to brush it aside, my fingers lightly tracing his skin. He stirs a little but doesn't wake, only tightening his grip around me.A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I think about us. What I love most is that, no matter what happens, we always find our way back to each other. We choose each other, again and again. If that is not love, I don’t know what is.I press a kiss to his chest, then shift just enough to reach his lips, kissing him there too. Is this what forever feels like? With him, wrapped in his arms, it certainly feels that way.Enough of
AIDENI slide into my car, the loud bass from the party music fading as the door closes behind me. I slam my fist on the steering wheel, regret boiling inside me. I’ve never regretted anything in my life, but this might be the first. I wish I’d never come to this party, let alone convinced her to join me.Where the hell is Olivia? Who did she follow? Why did I leave her alone like that? My mind spins, and the more I think about it, the more I blame myself. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t been so stupid, she wouldn’t have left.I don’t want to be here at this party anymore. But, I can’t just drive home, not knowing where my girlfriend is or who she is with. I pull out my phone—this is my only hope. If I can reach her and know she’s safe, at least half my worries will be eased.I dial her number. I heave a sigh of relief as the ringing echoes through the car. At least the call is going through this time, but she doesn’t answer.A line forms between my brows. Why isn’t she picking up?
AIDENI lean against the wall, watching Marcel pace back and forth in front of me. We're in a dimly lit room, the smell of smoke thick in the air. I take a long drag from my cigarette, feeling the familiar burn in my lungs. "When did you get back from Italy?" I ask."Two days ago," He answers.I had been with my friends at the main venue of the party when I spotted Marcel. I remember thinking it was the right time to tell him about my decision to leave the drug scene. Marcel has been quiet since I broke the news, I wonder what's on his mind."Aiden," He calls out, pulling me from my train of thoughts. "Are you really sure about this? You're just going to walk away from everything?"I exhale slowly, watching the smoke curl up toward the ceiling. "Yes, I'm sure," I say.I know this news shocked him. I never imagined I'd reach the point where I'd decide to quit drug dealing, the life I've known for so long. But, it's time. I've chosen to leave the darkness behind, and there's no turning
OLIVIASarah squeezes her eyes shut, then slowly opens them again."I know I haven't been a good sister to you. I've never treated you the way an older sister should," She admits.My eyes widen. Where is this coming from? Is she just messing with me again?"Why are you saying all this?" I ask. "This isn't like you. You never care how you treat me, whether I like it or not."Sarah takes a deep breath. "You're making me feel worse than I already do. I know I've been awful. Deep down, I knew it was wrong, but I just couldn't stop myself."She continues. "When our parents divorced, I completely lost myself. I didn't know how to handle the pain, let alone be there for you. So I started hanging out with my friends, and I abandoned you. I know that too.""I was lost too," I say, my lips trembling. "We could have supported each other, but even before the divorce, you were never there for me. It was always you and your friends. You never cared about me."Sarah rakes her fingers through her hai
~ TWO WEEKS LATER ~OLIVIACrazy. That is the only word that comes to mind as I stand in the middle of the crowded room, the noise and chaos around me growing louder. My eyes sweep the room. Smoke fills the air from countless cigarettes. The music is blaring. Bottles are littered across the floor. People are grinding on each other, drunk and reckless. If they're not smoking or making out, they're definitely drunk. Some are doing all three at once.I've been to a few parties before, but none as wild as this. This is insanity. What should I call this? Aiden's world? And where the hell is Aiden? He’s still not back from the car.Aiden and I arrived at the party just a few minutes ago, and he had to go get his phone, which he forgot in the car, while I chose to stay here and wait for him. I regret that decision now. I should’ve just followed him back to the car. Aiden invited me to this party. He said it had been a long time since he attended one, and he wanted me to go with him. You
AIDENThe warm breeze washes over me, sending shivers across the skin as I reach the lake. The lake is our favorite place - always calm in the afternoon, with a secluded spot we've claimed as our own. We’ve been here countless times before Sarah decided to call it our special place. It’s become a routine for us to visit two or three times a week. But now, I am not sure how much longer that will continue. I have a girlfriend and she’s Sarah’s sister. How much more complicated can things get?I spot Sarah, her back turned toward me. The plan is to sort things out with her. No matter what, I shouldn’t argue with her too much or let her get on my nerves. I walk closer and sit beside her. Sarah exhales smoke from the cigarette she is holding, then passes it to me. I take a drag, inhaling deeply before blowing out the smoke.“So, you’re going to marry my sister now, huh?” Sarah blurts out, still not facing me.I raise my eyebrows. “I would love to,” I mumble.Sarah spins around to face me
OLIVIAI step out of my car and head toward Aiden's doorstep. I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell. After waiting a moment without a response, I move to press it again. But before I can do that, the door swings open, and my brown-eyed boy stands before me.“Hazel,” Aiden says, opening the door wider to let me in.“Hey,” I murmur.“You’re beautiful,” Aiden whispers, pulling me into a hug, his hand gently stroking my hair.“Beautiful?” I blurt out. “Don’t try to flatter me just to make me feel better, I’m sure I look like a mess right now.”“You look stressed, but as beautiful as ever. You never look like a mess, and you never will.”“Aiden - ”“You don’t see yourself the way I see you,” He murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.I close my eyes and rest my head on his chest. If I weren’t so stressed, I’d love to kiss him like my whole world depends on it. He’s so sweet.We hear someone clear his throat, and we quickly pull away from each other, turning to see Bryan standing there."