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
AIDENI step into the building, taking in the cracked floors and faded floors. The place looks old and deserted, as if it has been abandoned for years. It does not seem like this kind of place would exist in this city - it is too civilized for that. But, isn't it true that every city has a dark side? Just like every beautiful person has a dark side to them. Is that really true, though? Does every beautiful person really have a dark side? Does Olivia? She is beautiful and pure, and it is hard to imagine her having any darkness within her. Fuck me. I should not be thinking about her now. This is no time to be distracted.I look around the building, noting the many rooms. It is like something out of a soap opera, the kind of soap opera that is about family drama, with enough bedrooms to accommodate an entire family. This building will make a great place to live, if it is not so run down and old. But, how has Marcel discovered this place? It is in the middle of nowhere, far from the
OLIVIAMy eyes slowly open, the bright sunlight streaming into my room. “Argh!” I mutter as I get up from the bed. I lean back against the headboard, feeling weak. I wonder what I had done to make my body ache like this. Yesterday had been such a long day. I drag myself up from the bed and walk into the bathroom. I turn on the tap and splash some cold water on my face, which feels refreshing. I decide to brush my teeth, too. When I finished, I walk back into my room. I take a deep breath. It is the weekend. I am not sure what to do. I don't have to go to work if I don't want to. I have told Mirabel about my schedule for these days, so I will get paid only when I come to work. I think that is better, as I can use this time to gather my thoughts and remain calm. My stomach grumbles, making such a long noise. That is what I get for skipping dinner last night. I didn't skip it on purpose though, but it was the best thing to do, since there was tension between my sister and me.
It feels like everything has stopped working, and my heart is pounding in my chest. The only thing I can focus on is reading the text on my phone while nibbling my bottom lip.I take a deep breath and exhale. I do this again, trying to regain control of my breathing. I need to calm down before I can get a grip on the thoughts racing through my head.After calming down, I sit at my desk and read the text again. As if I am seeing it for the first time, I check the name of the sender. And of course, it is him.It is Aiden.Why does just seeing his name make my heart pound in my chest? Why does Aiden always make me feel this way? I guess this time around, it has to do with the message. He wants to see me, either at his place or mine. But, why does he want to see me? He didn't even mention it yesterday, before I left. But I am not surprised. Aiden always does things in unexpected ways.What could he possibly be thinking before sending that message? Is he just messing with me? Obviously
OLIVIAI gaze out of the car window. I see the familiar houses and notice the silent street, I realize that the cab is almost at Aiden's house.Butterflies start fluttering in my stomach, and the corner of my mouth curls up into a lopsided smile.I can't help but smile. I can't help how excited I feel inside of me. Soon, I will be at Aiden's front door, and his brown eyes will meet mine, they will pierce through me, making me feel weak in the knees. Wait, what is happening to me? Why am I feeling this way? This is not the first time I have been to Aiden's house or seen him. Why do I feel this way?When it comes to Aiden, I act like I have never met him before. I act like I have never tasted his lips. I act like it is the first time we are meeting. I don't know why it is like this.I fish out my hand mirror from my purse, and check my face in the mirror. I also pull out my lip gloss, and apply it to my lips, still looking at myself in the mirror. I have become too girly these days.
OLIVIAStanding in front of me is Aiden fucking Blacksmith.Just him standing there is enough to make my eyes pop open and my mouth fall open, of course. I can't help it. I just don't know how to act normal around him. There he is, his chest bare and water dripping down from his hair. The only thing he is wearing is a pair of shorts.I look him up and down, my eyes taking in every detail. His hair is dripping wet. I almost want to run up to him and rake my fingers through it.I swallow hard, trying to get a grip on myself. I can't run up to him. He would think I am crazy. My eyes move lower, to his chest, where his pink nipples catch my eye.Why do they look good, though? It won't be bad to run my tongue over them. Oh damn, it is not a bad idea. My eyes move lower still."Olivia,"I look up sharply, cheeks burning. My tour of his smokin 'hot body has to end here.My hands ball into fists. I can't even bring myself to look him in the eyes. I keep my gaze fixed elsewhere. I am doing
OLIVIAMy mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. I can't speak. I gulp down a breath, trying to calm my nerves and clear my head.Is Aiden messing around with me, or is he being serious?Why would he want to take me out? What is his end game? What is going on in his head? Is everything okay with him? These questions spin through my mind, but I can't ask them all at once. I stand there, pressed against him, trying to organize my thoughts.Aiden presses his lips against mine, silencing the thoughts in my head for a moment. That is it. Whenever he touches me or kisses me, my thoughts will scatter like leaves in the wind. What a fool I am! He sucks on my lower lip, kissing me slowly. The kiss is different from the first one, it feels more like something borne out of desire, rather than his usual playing teasing.I know that the kiss means nothing to him. I know there is nothing romantic going on, but I can't help myself. He kisses me like he is madly in love, like he can't get
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."