Amelia's POV
When we finally arrived home, Aiden was about to leave, but it was still pouring rain, and it was past 10 p.m. My sister suggested he stay over, much to my horror.
"Are you mad?" I snapped. "Mom and Dad won't agree to having a stranger stay over, especially when weâre alone."
"Come on, Amelia," she countered. "First of all, he helped us so much. Second, weâll be safe in our room. And heâs not a strangerâMom likes him so much."
Aiden shook his head, "Thank you, but I really should get going."
"No, please," my sister insisted. "It's late, and the rain is too heavy. It wouldn't be safe for you to drive."
"I appreciate the offer, but I donât want to impose," Aiden replied, still hesitant.
"It's not an imposition at all," she pleaded. "You helped us out tonight. The least we can do is offer you a dry place to stay."
Aiden hesitated, looking from my sister to me and back again. "Alright, if you insist," he finally agreed. "But just for tonight."
"Great!" my sister beamed. "I'll set up the guest room. Make yourself at home."
I glared at her, but Aiden just smiled politely, waiting for my response. I sighed, realizing I was outnumbered and maybe even being a bit unreasonable.
"Fine," I muttered, "As you please."
My sister quickly set up the guest room, chatting away about how grateful she was. I just hoped the night would pass without any more surprises.
Once everything was settled, my sister went to the kitchen and prepared us some hot chocolate and cookies. We sat together in the living room, the warmth of the drinks and the sweet treats helping to ease the tension.
As we settled in the living room, the mood began to lighten. My sister seemed determined to make Aiden feel welcome, and soon enough, the two of them were chatting away like old friends.
"So, Aiden," my sister asked, "what's your favorite part of the city?"
He smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Iâd have to say anywhere quiet preferably around nature. There's something about it, especially early in the morning, that feels almost magical."
"We got some similarities here!" she exclaimed. "Amelia, remember when we used to go to the lake as kids?"
I nodded, but Aiden quickly interjected, "You should have seen her the other day. She was so engrossed in her book that she didn't even notice me walking by."
My sister laughed. "That sounds like Amelia. Always lost in a story."
"Yeah," Aiden said, smirking slightly. "She can be quite oblivious sometimes."
I frowned. "I was just focused, thatâs all."
"Sure, sure," Aiden teased. "Focused on ignoring me."
My sister giggled. "You two are hilarious. It's like watching a comedy show."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help a small smile. "You two act like I'm not even here."
Aiden grinned. "Sorry, Amelia. It's just so easy to talk to your sister. Sheâs much more agreeable."
My sister nudged him playfully. "Don't tease her too much, Aiden. Sheâs had a long day."
"Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Iâll behave."
We continued talking, the rain tapping against the windows as the night grew darker. Despite my initial annoyance, I found myself relaxing a bit. Aiden's charm was undeniable, and my sisterâs easy laughter was infectious.
At one point, my sister asked, "Aiden, do you play any sports?"
"Actually, I do," he replied. "I play football. Itâs a great way to unwind and stay fit."
"Thatâs awesome!" she said, clearly impressed. "Amelia, remember when you tried to play football and ended up tripping over your own feet?"
I groaned. "Must you bring that up?"
Aiden chuckled. "I would have paid to see that."
"Very funny," I muttered, though I couldn't help but laugh along.
The evening passed in a blur of conversation and laughter. Despite the unusual circumstances, it turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant night. Aiden and my sister got along so well that, for a moment, it felt like they were the siblings and I was the outsider. But as I looked around the room, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this wasnât such a bad thing after all.
................................
The next morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming through my curtains. The rain had stopped, leaving the world outside fresh and clean. I stretched, glanced at the clock, and realized it was already 8 a.m. I could hear faint noises coming from the kitchen.
I pulled on a sweatshirt and made my way downstairs. The smell of coffee and something sweet baking greeted me. My sister was bustling around, humming a tune.
"Morning," I greeted, rubbing my eyes.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she replied with a smile. "I made some coffee and muffins. Thought we could use a nice breakfast after last night."
"Thanks," I said, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "Where's Aiden?"
"He's outside, getting some fresh air," she said, gesturing toward the back door.
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. Last night had been unexpectedly pleasant, but I still wasnât sure how I felt about Aiden being so involved.
Just then, Aiden walked in, carrying a small bouquet of wildflowers. "Good morning," he said cheerfully. "I found these outside and thought theyâd brighten up the kitchen."
My sister beamed. "That's so thoughtful, Aiden. Thank you."
He set the flowers on the table and sat down across from me. "How did you sleep, Amelia?"
"Fine," I said, trying not to sound too flustered. "Thanks for helping last night. It was....kind of you."
He smiled warmly. "Anytime. Iâm just glad you both got home safely."
My sister placed a plate of muffins and a pot of coffee on the table, then joined us. "So, whatâs the plan for today?"
"I have to catch up on some assignments," I said. "And maybe take a walk, now that the weather's nice again."
"That sounds like a good idea," Aiden said. "Fresh air is always good for clearing the mind and bring in new thoughts, new feelings.... maybe love."
I almost choked at his words and without a second thought shifted the conversation before my sister could have any idea what he's talking about.
We chatted casually over breakfast, the conversation light and easy. Despite my initial apprehension, I found myself relaxing more around Aiden. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, and his presence was surprisingly reassuring.
After breakfast, my sister cleared the table while Aiden and I went to the living room. "Thanks again for everything," I said quietly.
He looked at me, his expression sincere. "Anything for you, Amelia. I'm always available for you."
His kindness was unsettling knowing that it was coming from the feeling I wasn't prepared to welcomeâlove but for the first time in a long while, I felt a genuine sense of gratitude toward him. Maybe things were starting to change, and maybe that wasnât such a bad thing after all.
After a while Aiden stood up and stretched. "Thank you for letting me stay over," he said. "But I should get going. I've got some things to take care of."
My sister looked disappointed. "Are you sure you can't stay a bit longer?"
Aiden shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I really have to go."
"He can't stay here forever ," I said, standing up as well. "Bye and leave."
He chuckled. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"As if."
He grabbed his coat and headed towards the door. Just before leaving, he turned back and smiled. "Take care, Amelia. See you around."
"Bye," I replied, watching as he walked out.
Once he was gone, my sister turned to me. "He's really nice, isn't he?"
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Don't get any ideas. He's just a friend."
She smirked. "Sure, sure. Anyway, whatâs the plan for today?"
I shrugged. "Probably just going to catch up on some assignments. Maybe go for a walk later."
"Sounds good," she said, starting to clear the table. "I'll join you for that walk."
With Aiden gone, I felt a sense of normalcy returning. The rest of the day stretched ahead of me.
Saturday was a day for me to unwind and enjoy some quiet time at home. With my parents still away and no immediate obligations, I decided to make the most of it.
I retreated to my room and spent the morning reading. I wrapped myself in a cozy blanket and lost myself in the pages of a novel. It was a rare luxury to have uninterrupted time for myself.
Midday, I checked my phone and saw Roseâs text: âJust letting you know the assignment is submitted. We did a great job!â I was relieved and happy to have that task behind us. I then started scrolling through Instagram and an hour just flew away.
Feeling a bit stir-crazy, I decided to get outside for a walk. I donned a light jacket and wandered through the nearby park. The rain had eased, leaving everything glistening. The peaceful surroundings and fresh air were exactly what I needed.
Back at home, I spent the afternoon tidying up my study area and catching up on personal projects. I organized my notes and made plans for the week ahead, finding satisfaction in ticking off small tasks.
As evening approached, I treated myself to a movie marathon with my sister. We made a simple dinner, popped some popcorn, and settled in for a relaxing night. I love such days. Everything was perfect todayâweather, freedom, peace, no work, Aiden being kind.