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OLIVIAI shoot Aiden a deadly glare. Is he messing with me? Or does he actually mean it? Is he really telling me to cancel my date with Nathan? Or Is he just messing around like a class clown?"Excuse me," I say, needing to get past him to find my makeup, my foot wear and everything else I need for the date.Aiden raises an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear me?" He asks, his eyes boring into me.“ I heard you. I just don't think you are serious,” I say, holding his gaze without looking away. “ Now, will you allow me to pass?” “ No, I won't allow you to pass,” He states.“ Don't you dare mess around with me,” I snap. “ I am already annoyed with you. Don't make me more angry.” “ Are you sure you are really annoyed with me?” He asks. My eyebrows lift. What is he getting at? “ Yes, I am annoyed with you about what you did in your car,” I reply. “ And, trust me, I would be more annoyed if you don't let me pass.”“Oh,” Aiden mutters. “ You are annoyed with me, and you let me kiss you.” “ Fu
OLIVIATell me I am dreaming. Tell me this is a figment of my wild imagination. Please, just tell me this is a dream. I can't believe this is happening. I don't want to believe it. Is this really Elite Palace? There is no way I am really at Elite Palace, the most luxurious and exclusive restaurant in town. It must be a fantasy. “ Are you okay?” I hear a gentle voice ask from behind me.I feel a hand close around mine and our fingers lace together. The scent of his cologne - something floral, wildflowers perhaps fills my nose. I turn to face him, and my eyes lock with his, an ocean blue that seems to pierce right through me. I force a smile. “ I am okay,” I utter. I am not dreaming. This is real - no fantasy, no wild dream. I am really at Elite Palace and Nathan is standing right beside me with our hands interlocked. God, this is really happening. I've got to tell Ashley. We have been talking about saving up to come to Elite Palace just for a piece of cake and a drink. I can'
OLIVIAI haven't thought of Aiden since I left him at my house. He has not crossed my mind since I got to Elite Palace. He has not even entered my thoughts since I started my date with Nathan. But now, Aiden's name has made his way into my mind. He is back in my head, all thanks to the silly mistake in his text. Why on earth would he make such a blunder? Is he crazy? How would he get my name mixed up with someone else's name? Has he lost his eyesight or what? I am getting angrier and angrier as I think about Aiden's text. It is starting to get under the skin and I am not sure if I am overreacting. What the heck is wrong with me?Okay, the deep brown eyed devil made such a huge mistake. He literally sent a text that I should come over to his house, then said it was intended for someone else. That means he is inviting someone over to his house. Do I care? No, I don't fucking care. Then, why am I getting so worked up? Why do I have the urge to go over to his house and smack him s
OLIVIA“ Spill the tea. I want tea. Tell me every fucking thing, and make it snappy,” Ashley whispers loudly, drawing the attention of a few nearby students.I gave her a look, hoping she would get the message that she needs to lower her voices. I glance around the classroom and see that most of the other students are busy with their work, and a few are looking our way. “ Quiet down, will you?” I say. “ I will tell you, but you need to keep your voice down.”“ Oh, fine,” Ashley huffs. “ But, you have to tell me every little detail! You have to tell me everything that happened between you and Nathan. Give me the whole rundown on your date!” I take a deep breath. I am in too deep. I know there is no turning back now. I have to tell Ashley everything or she would never let me hear the end of it. In fact, she is more excited about my date than I am. The only thing I can hope for is that our lecturer would work in and put a stop to our conversation. That does not mean I won't tell her
OLIVIAShould I curse him before answering his question about where I am?To be honest, I feel like Aiden deserves a piece of my mind for everything he has been doing to mess with my head. Even if he does not realize it, he is still to blame.I read his message again, a smile spreading across my face.I was really lying to myself when I insulted him and said he deserved to be cursed. Just look at me, grinning like an idiot just because of him.I am a goner for the guy with the deep brown eyes.Should I text him back now, or wait another five minutes? Would it look desperate if I replied immediately? Or would he think that I don't care if I wait too long to respond?Forget it. What is the point of playing these games? We are long past that. Besides, we are not even dating or anything. He is just here to fulfill my fantasies, right? And to make my sexual dreams come true.I should not forget that he is also my sister's best friend. He is someone who should be off limits, but I crossed t
OLIVIA“ If you think we should talk, then say something,” I say. I fold my arms over my chest. I wait for him to speak, but he is silent for several minutes, just staring at me with a gaze that drills into me. “ Aiden?” I call his name, unable to hold it in any longer. I feel the urge to break eye contact, but I resist. His gaze is so intense that it is making me feel weak in the knees. But, I can't let him know that he is getting to me. But, who am I fooling? I am sure Aiden knows the effect he has on me. I swallow, my throat suddenly dry."This is the sort of thing you do that drives me nuts," I state. "You tell me you want to talk, then you just stand there in silence. I think it is a habit for you."Aiden places his hand on my waist, tugging me closer to him, before letting it go again. Why did he take his hand away? I want him to put it back, but I can't bring myself to ask, not when I am angry with him."How am I supposed to talk or even think about what to say when you a
OLIVIAI heave a sigh of relief and I turn off the car engine. I have finally made it home. Now, I just need to figure out what has happened that my sister texted me like that, all caps and an exclamation mark. Something is definitely up. Before I step out of the car, I remember something. I have to text Aiden. He had asked me to let him know when I got home. I pull my phone from my bag and scroll through my messages to find Aiden's name.As soon as I find his name, I begin typing a message."Hey," I type. "I am home. How are you?"I pause, wondering if I should even be asking him that. But I hit “send” anyway.I swallow a lump down my throat. Should I wait for a text back or what? "Oh, Aiden," I mutter to myself.I nibble on my bottom lip, remembering the kiss we had shared. It kills me that we have to end our conversation because of my sister's text. "I've got a lot on my mind," Aiden's words flash in my memory. What is going on with him? There is always something botherin
OLIVIAMy heart pounds in my chest. Oh God, I hope it is not what I am thinking. I really hope that what Sarah had heard about me and Aiden is not what is on my mind.I don't want to have another fight with my sister. I know we would end up fighting, but I can't deal with it right now. I am too worn out to engage in a long conversation. Oh God, I hope it is not what I am afraid it is. “ Did you even hear what I said?” Sarah asks, snapping me out of my train of thoughts. I bite my tongue to stop myself from rolling my eyes. What is the point of asking me that now?I am already in a panic over what she had said, and now she is asking if I had heard her. Sometimes, Sarah does things that make you want to smack her. I take a deep breath, then let it out slowly. I can't let on that I am already freaking out. If I act like I am panicking, it will confirm whatever it is that Sarah had heard, even though I really hope that it is not what I am thinking. “ Yes, I heard you,” I say. “ Wh
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."