Once I'm home I decide not to ask my father upon my brother's wishes.
The school week goes by fast. Sophie doesn't say anything to me the entire week. Scarlett automatically agreed to go to the rave with us. Usually I have to explain the whole ordeal and what's involved before she agrees to something like that, but she's still sucking up to me. Aiden told me early on that Josh and Shawn are going too, and asked would it be okay if they rode with us. I felt like saying yes was a betrayal to my brother so I asked him if they could just follow us. He didn't hesitate agreeing with what I wanted.
Early Saturday morning Scarlett comes over so we can spend the day together and get ready for the party. "So what costume were you thinking?" she asked me.
"I already have my costume." I feel guilty.
"Mora! We were supposed to shop together." she crosses her arms, and sits down at my vanity, staring at me with a stink eye.
"I didn't really shop. I mean I did a little." I made my costume. She would have totally been against it if I told her before I did it. She hates anything homemade.
"Well?" she waits on me to show her. I pull out a white fitted tank top with a red X in a circle painted on it, and a brown leather vest that goes over it. I show her the top, and she looks confused. "I don't get it."
"Wolverine." I say, and I pull out fingerless black leather gloves that have large plastic claws on them that I got from the little boys Halloween section. Meant specifically for Wolverine.
"You're not going to be a hot nurse, or teacher." she asks, and I can't help but look at her annoyed.
"Let me guess, you are?" She's so predictable.
"Sure am. It's the one night a year you can dress up sexy and slutty without judgment."
"Well I'll let you help me be sexy, but seriously I'm going as Wolverine. It's an inside joke of Aiden's and mine." I honestly say. Not telling her what it is.
"Oh." she snarls her lips up, and I just ignore her.
All day we go shopping for her costume. It takes her hours to decide. She finally goes with an adult version of Strawberry Shortcake. She looks so ridiculous, but she doesn't listen to me.
"I can not take advice from Wolverine." She makes fun of my costume, and I just sigh loudly.
After she's dressed, she helps me with my makeup and hair. Scarlett is always good at making me look prettier than I can make myself look. She does my hair in a pretty crimp wave, and dresses my face with bold red lipstick to match my shirt, and dark shadows on my eyes. I don't even look like myself, but I like it. For the first time I see myself as hot instead of just pretty. I put on my vest, and go with ripped skinny jeans and dark brown combat boots.
"Why don't you go with some high heels?" she says, and I look at her with indignation.
"I'm Wolverine Scarlett, not Barbie." I'm disappointed in her.
"Whatever." she responds, and then asks "Does Aiden know what you're dressing up as?"
"No, I thought I would surprise him. Does Josh know what you're dressing up as?" I couldn't help myself.
"Ouch." she answers, and now I feel bad.
"I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I sincerely was curious." and I am. I know that they've been talking but not because of Scarlett but because Aiden told me. I hate that she feels uncomfortable talking to me about her life.
"Seriously?" she asks.
"Seriously..." I answer and smile to let her know it's not a loaded question.
"I text him and told him. I'm sorry, it's just weird talking about Josh with you."
"I agree, it is a little weird, but don't let it bother you. It's something I'll get passed." I admit to her. It is weird because for years it was always my brother she talked and obsessed about.
"I have a big crush on him, but it's nothing like what I had with Conner. I'm having a difficult time letting go of what we had. I was with him for so long, I just feel guilty if that makes sense."
"Sure it does." I say while I tie my boots.
"Gosh Mora, those boots are hideous."Â her face looks at me in disgust.
"I think they're sexy!" I stand up and admire my costume in the mirror, and she just looks at me mortified.
"Well I will admit you look hot in the leather, and red lipstick. The boots are the only thing I would change." She is pleading but I act like she doesn't say anything at all, and walk downstairs.
"Dad, what do you think?" I go into the living room where he's watching the discovery channel. He looks up at me. "Cool! You're Wolverine!" he knows automatically. This is why he's my father. He gets me.
"Scarlett, let's see yours!" he yells up the stairs from his recliner. I laugh loudly before she even makes it in the living room.
"What do you think Mr. Andrews?" She struts down the stairs. She is so fun to laugh at. My dad can't help but choke up with me.
"Scarlett, what the hell is that?" he asks dead pan, and I'm rolling, and she just huffs at us.
"Strawberry Shortcake!" she answers as if she's offended.
Dad shakes his head at her then looks up at me. "Kid, I'm so proud you're my kid!" then turns and points at Scarlett "You need to put on a long jacket over that, and do not take it off the rest of the night." I continue to laugh, and Scarlett just rolls her eyes and sits down on the sofa next to us.
"Whatever!" she chimes, and I sit next to her until we hear a honk from outside.
"Aiden's here!" Scarlett jumps up excitingly, and before we get to the door dad stands up.
"You two be safe. Seriously. Do not take drinks from strangers, and please stay close to Aiden and his friends. I'm serious girls. It's one of the most dangerous nights of the year."
"Yes sir." Scarlett and I answer at the same time, and then we go to hug him bye. Usually he stays inside, but this time he follows us outside.
Scarlett and I stare at each other. I wonder what he's going to say. Aiden sees him coming and quickly gets out of his jeep to greet him.
"Hi Mr. Andrews." he puts out his hand to shake my dad's. I immediately know what he's dressed up as Maverick from Top Gun.
"Mora, your boyfriend is so hot." she whispers, and I just giggle with her.
"Right?!"
Dad let's go of Aiden's hand. "Hi son, I just wanted to come out and ask that you be safe tonight. There's going to be a lot of crazies out, and I just want you to keep a close eye on the girls."
"Yes sir. I'll make sure nothing happens to them."
"Thanks Aiden. You guys be safe, and if you need anything don't hesitate to call me."
"Yes sir. Thank you Mr. Andrews."
Dad starts to walk up to the house, waving at us before going inside.
"Maverick!" I yell, and throw myself on him in a hug. "I wasn't expecting that." he's laughing at me. "Also, I'm totally impressed that you knew who I was."
"Duh. Who doesn't know Top Gun!" I say, and he pulls away to look fully at my costume. Scarlett is intently watching us. Aiden smiles bigger than I've ever seen him smile. "I thought you might appreciate this costume." I smile back, and he kisses me.
"I seriously fall harder and harder for you every time I see you, Mora. You are one sexy Wolverine." he says, and opens the door for us, and Scarlett waits on a response from him as he holds the passenger seat down for her to climb in the back.
"Scarlett, you look great in that shortcake costume! What a great pick." He smiles at her, and she looks satisfied.
"I do don't I?" She snickers and climbs in the back. Aiden looks at me rolling his eyes, and I can't help but laugh. She is so conceited sometimes.
Scarlett leans forward like always, where she's between mine and Aiden's heads. Aiden almost headbutts her as he puts on his seat-belt unaware she's so close. "Jesus." he mutters to himself before starting the jeep.
"How long of a drive is it?" She asks, still leaning forward as we drive off.
"Close to an hour." he responds, and she makes a loud annoyed breath and sits back in her seat.
"Can you at least put on some good music?" she whines from the back, and I automatically turn the volume dial up louder. We're listening to Aiden's eighty's mix. It's pretty good stuff. I had him download some of my favorites like Blondie, and Rick Springfield. He did it with hesitation.
Aiden is smiling more than I've ever seen him before. He even sings some with the music. I'm shocked he's doing it with Scarlett in the car with us.
Twenty minutes into the drive, Scarlett asks "Who's all going tonight?" and Aiden turns down the music to answer her.
"I guess just us, Josh, Shawn, and Zach with his crew."
"So I guess Zoe is going?" She looks at me.
I turn around to look at her. "Yeah, she texted me this morning. They should actually be there any minute."
"Cool." she answers. "I'm excited to do something different. I wonder what Josh dressed up as."
"Goose." Aiden doesn't hesitate ruining the surprise. Maverick and Goose.
"A goose?!" Scarlett screams in terror. I bust out laughing. I'm so glad we squashed our problems, because she is the comedy in my life. "Why the hell would he dress up as a goose?" her voice is in a panic.
Aiden starts to say something, then decides against it just shaking his head, so go ahead and let her suffer. It's actually fun seeing her freak out back there. She cares too much what people think of her.
When we get there the parking lot is already filled up. Aiden had to pay to park all the way on the street. I know Scarlett is regretting her stilettos right now. Thank god I went with flat bottom boots.
We finally make it to the front entrance, and Josh is standing outside waiting on us dressed exactly like Aiden. "Hey guys." he has his hands in his pocket. I can tell Scarlett is cautious how she approaches him. She's never so shy. I'm sure she's trying not to upset me. She just goes up to him and gives him a light hug around the neck. This is the first time I've actually hung out with Josh since I found out what happened. I decide to just let it go tonight. He can't be that bad if Aiden and Scarlett both like him.
"Hi." I simply say, and he puts his hand up to wait on a high five.
"Not yet." I say, and he just gives me a gentle smile. Aiden kisses my cheek after.
"Oh my gosh. They had me thinking you were dressed up as a Goose!" Scarlett is pleased that it's not an actual goose.
"I am!" he says, and tips his aviator glasses to the tip of his nose to look at her "Goose from Top Gun."
"Never seen it!" she says in her bubbly tone.
"You look pretty good in that getup." and he laughs at her. She had to be prepared for that reaction with that costume. She pouts her lips at all of us.
The doors are a solid wood, and the windows are blacked out from the outside. You can't see anything inside. We go to a lengthy line to pay. Aiden got us fake ID's the week before. Scarlett already had one from last year. Conner and her went to a club with some of his older friends that he played football with in high school. I was so mad that Con wouldn't let me go.
"Are you sure this will pass?" I whisper to Aiden. My ID says my name is Stacy Rogers, and I'm twenty two, and my address is in San Antonio. Hours from here. "She doesn't even look like me." I wrinkle my forehead and nose, and he just gives me a small giggle.
"Yes. Don't act so paranoid, or they will know something's up."Â he says brushing my hair away from my face again. He's always pushing my hair away.
"Does Josh have a fake too?"
"No, he just turned eighteen." Wait, what. That doesn't make sense.
"Did he fail a grade or something?" I say it low enough where he can't hear me.
"No. He moved here in our seventh grade year, but was a year behind so they started him late. But no he didn't fail." he assures me, and I feel bad for assuming.
"Oh."
We finally made it to the front of the line after about fifteen minutes. There are two men, one standing on each side of the double doors. I hand over my ID to a big man who looks like he has a mullet haircut. He's in a ball cap, and wearing a leather vest like me. Awkwardly I say "Hey we're twinkies." and he looks at me strangely. Crap. Aiden shoots his eyes over at me. I know he's thinking the same thing. I hope he doesn't eye the picture too long, and surprisingly he doesn't but instead stamps the inside of my wrist with a neon glow stamp.
Once inside there is a long dark hallway. "Well this isn't creepy at all." Scarlett says behind us in a sarcastic tone.
"Shawn already texted me and said they are by the bouncy houses." Josh say's.
"Bouncy houses?" I ask. I thought this was more like a club. Not what I expected. "Scarlett, we have to do the bouncy houses!" I turn around excited, and she just points at her shoes with a sour face but I ignore her expression. "Scar, we can take our shoes off."
"No way Mora. I don't have socks, and that's how you get fungus." I just roll my eyes, and turn around to walk again.
Aiden looks over at me while holding my hand. "I'll bounce with ya." and I hug his neck tight.
"Thanks babe."
Suddenly I feel my body start to vibrate from the loud music, and strobe lights are lighting up the end of the hallway.
"Oh my gosh." I shout once inside. The room is enormous, and there are women on all corners of the room swinging from the ceiling. The music is so loud, I can't think. All the waiters and bartenders are covered in neon paint, and radiate under all the black lights. There has to be at least five hundred people if not more. The left side of the room are six or seven bounce houses, and slides. On the right side there is a bar that goes down the entire wall with about twelve or thirteen bartenders along with the same number of long lines to get drinks, and people waiting to get into the restroom. The middle is completely occupied with dancing people, and smiling faces.
On the wall behind us are old leather sofas lined up against the wall with small round tables for people to set their drinks on. I've never seen something so intriguing.
I don't think Aiden has either. He automatically pulls me closer to him. His body suddenly tense, and I can tell he's uncomfortable with such a big crowd.
"Are you okay?" I have to yell for him to hear me.
"Yeah, just way more people than I expected!" He screams back loud enough for me to hear.
"Yeah, it's sort of awesome!" I proclaim. Usually this would be something out of my comfort zone, but when I have Aiden with me I just feel safe, and at ease. I just want to dance with him.
"Do you want to get drinks first?" He motions his hand like he's drinking to Josh. Josh just nods his head letting us know he agrees. Scarlett grabs my free hand to hold it while Josh leads us to the bar.
"This is crazy!" she's in my ear.
"It's something!" We can't even communicate.
Aiden gets me a light beer, and I'm thankful that he didn't go with liquor. He got a water since he's driving tonight.
"Aiden, if you want to drink I don't mind driving!" I yell, and he just shakes his head.
We start to walk across the room to the end of the bounce houses where there are seats and tables, when we see all of our friends. My stomach sinks. Even though he's not facing us I know it's Ross. He's whispering something into Sophie's ears. I pause my steps for a moment, and Scarlett looks concerned.
"What?" She asks, and I just look forward pointing my head in his direction.
"Crap!" She yells loud enough, and Aiden turns around quickly.
"What's going on?" he asks, and the four of us stop for a moment next to a crowd of dancing people.
No point in hiding it. He's going to see him soon enough. "Ross is over there." I point at our group of friends, and I can see the aggravation roll smooth over his face. He looks behind his shoulder at him, then back at me shaking his head in annoyance. Josh must know what happened because he just gives us a grimacing face, and looks away shoving his hands back in his pocket. I'm starting to tell when Josh gets nervous.
"Aiden, please don't make a big deal of it." I grab his hands and speak close to his ear. He stands there for a second then rubs the back of his neck with apparent irritation.
"Okay. But seriously Mora, if he says something to me I'm not going to be able to hold back. He needs to just stay away from me."
"Calm down. It will be okay." I kiss him on the cheek, and rub his other cheek to let him know I'm only looking at him, and he bumps his nose into mine, and we stand there for what feels like minutes. I get so wrapped up in him.
"Are we ready!" Scarlett yells breaking our stance.
"Yes!" I say and grab Aiden's hand dragging him behind me.
"Scarlett, Mora!" Zoe yells, skipping over to us and pulling us into a group hug.
"This place is insane!" Scarlett yells, and Zoe nods and starts to dance her way back to the tables.
"It's amazing!" She yells sitting down and taking a drink from a clear cup that has a pink drink and straw in it. Zach is dressed up as a hot dog, and Zoe is dressed up as Poison Ivy from Batman. She looks amazing!
"Your costume is stunning!" I yell at her.
"Thank you! I love your version of Wolverine! Totally smokin!" She compliments me, and I'm proud to know she knows the X-man character. Scarlett rolls her eyes at the both of us. She'll never admit that I had the cooler costume.
The rest of the group isn't dressed up including Ross and Sophie. She is dressed in tight clothes and in heavy makeup, but if it's a costume I can't tell. Ross avoids eye contact with me, and I'm thankful for it. Scarlett walks over to him and gives him a hug, and says hi to Sophie. She smiles back at her then grabs Ross pulling him close to her. She comes off very possessive.
"Here, let's sit down." Aiden grabs my hips from behind, and pulls out a chair where we can slide onto the sofa on the opposite side of the table. Once I sit my purse, and drink down I look up to Ross and Sophie standing across the table from us. The other side of me is Zoe.
"Awkward." she whispers in my ear. I don't think Zoe knows what happened, but I'm sure everyone feels the tension between Ross and Aiden.
I ignore her comment trying to lay low. Scarlett skips over to Josh and yells something in his ear, then walks over to me. "Hey! We're going to bounce. You guys wanna come?" So that changed fast.
"I thought you couldn't jump in your shoes!" I lean over Aiden where Scarlett can hear me. He's taking a sip of his water. I can tell that his wall is standing strong, and we can see the tension radiate off of him. Maybe getting away from them would help.
"I changed my mind!" She puts her hands together in a begging motion. Bouncing would be way more fun than what we're doing now.
"You wanna bounce?" I yell in Aiden's ear, and he doesn't hesitate. He's up a second later and grabs my hand to help me up. Once I'm back on my feet he kisses my lips. I just focus on him. I know what he's trying to do, and choose to play along with him. I'm starting to think he's more insecure than he lets on. He's jealous. I shouldn't like that quality about him, but for some reason it turns me on.
"Yay!" Scarlett hops up and down then grabs Aiden's hand where we're all linked in a chain, and Josh leads us to a huge bouncy that sits in the middle of the rest. There's a worker standing outside of the huge inflatable castle.
"No shoes, no drinks, and no physical activities, example... hitting , kicking, humping, and so on. You will be removed from the premises if you do not follow our rules." The guy looks about forty, and appears to hate his job. His face is so pressing and serious.
It's really sad that adults have to be told how to act in a jump house. I just raise an eyebrow and nod, and Josh answers for us. "Yes sir." he says, and we all sit down on a bench to remove our shoes. We set them under the seats in built in cubicles made for our shoes. Scarlett and myself go in first. It's completely empty. Scarlett takes out her phone to snap a couple selfies of us, and Josh is in the background of one.
"Are you going to post those?" I ask, and she starts to spring upward making me tumble back some when her feet land.
"Yeah, later! Why?" She brushes the hair out of her face, and keeps jumping, and I join in.
"Can you wait until you get home? I want to text Conner before you do it!" Josh, and Aiden are inside now but I don't care. I need Conner to know I hung out with the two of them before he sees it himself, and I know Scarlett automatically comprehends what I'm asking because she just nods, and mouths the words thank you. I guess she's thanking me for trying to accept her with Josh.
I hop over to Aiden, and he already looks at ease again. I think it's because the few people in here are his comfort zone. I love that I have a spot in his heart, and he feels safe with me. "I think I love this place!" I scream at him, and he laughs at me.
"Oh yeah?" he grabs my waist to stop me from jumping, but our bodies are still moving side to side from Scarlett and Josh bouncing.
"I feel like a kid again!" I admit, and he just nods in agreeance.
"I'm happy you're here with me!" He says loudly, and pulls me tight to him and kisses me.
"Get a room!" Josh screams, and is bouncing exceedingly high in the corner of the castle, and Aiden flips him off from the center, keeping me in his arms.
It feels like we bounced for about thirty minutes, when the guy finally comes in and says we have to get out because other people want to jump. My hair is damp from sweat and sticking to my neck and shoulders.
"I need a drink!" Scarlett says.
"I have to go to the restroom. I can just grab a drink for you on my way out!" Aiden yells back at her.
"Yeah, thanks Aiden!" Scarlett responds, and Aiden lets go of my hand.
"Want another beer?" He asks.
"No, just water. I'm done drinking tonight." I say. I don't need to mix alcohol with this group of people. He raises an eyebrow at me.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! I need to hydrate." I partially lie.
"Bro, I'll come with you. Scarlett, you want another grapefruit with vodka?" Josh looks intently at Scarlett.
"Yes please." She says, and gives him a sizable smile. I can tell they are holding back because of me. It makes me respect Josh a little more. He honestly doesn't have to care what I think of him.
"I can't believe you drink that nasty stuff!" I say and we start to walk over to our table.
"It's way better than beer!" she snuffs at me.
"So Josh isn't that bad!" I choose to let my ego go momentarily. I know she's grateful for it.
"Yeah?" she puts her hands together, and widens her smile where all her perfect white teeth are gleaming.
"Yeah. I mean, I see the way he looks at you. He's a nice guy, and secretly I love that your new boyfriend is my boyfriends best friend..." I tilt my head to look more directly at her. "Don't get me wrong, I don't love how everything happened, but then again everything happens for a reason!" I say, and she embraces me.
"Thank you Mora. Seriously. You mean everything to me, and your opinion of him means a lot too." she jumps up and down. "Love you best friend!" and she hugs me again.
"Love you!" I yell back, and when we get to the table it's only the guys. Sophie, and Zoe aren't around. They must be in the bathroom. "Umm." I pause for a second, and pull Scarlett backwards. "Should we wait on the guys before we sit down." I shoot my eyes to Zach and Ross, and the other guys with them.
"No, why?" She asks.
"Ross." I scowl at her, and she lets out a large sigh.
"Listen Mora, at some point you have to face him. Let's be honest. Ross will always be around. Aiden has to get over it." she says and doesn't wait on me to respond but instead grabs my hand and drags me to the table.
"Hey! Where's the guys?" Zach yells, and scoots over so we can sit back down on the suede sofa.
"Bathroom!" Scarlett answers sitting between us. I decide to text Conner to distract me from my uneasiness.
Hey, I wanted to let you know... I went out with Scarlett tonight and Josh is here too. I'm so sorry, and please don't be mad at me. :( If you don't want me to hangout with them again, I won't but Josh was already here. I didn't know he would be here.
I lie, and feel guilty about it. I did know he would be here.
After I text him, I raise my head and Ross is standing about a foot from me.
"Hey Mora!" His voice is loud but out of place. He's as uncomfortable as me. It's an uncommon feeling. Sorrow rushes me instantly. I miss his friendship.
"Hi!" I respond back, tucking my hair behind my ear where I can hear better. Scarlett is talking to Zach and his friends.
"How ya been?" he asks, and I incline my chin to look at him. "I've been good, how are you?"
"Been good. Good as I can be anyway." he gives me an easy smile as he's answering. "I made a mess of things!" he admits, and I give out a laughing smile.
"You could say that again." I say. It's true. He messed everything up. He didn't take my relationship with Aiden seriously.
"I just want to say I'm sorry again for the other weekend. What I did was messed up!" his face turns from a smile to sadness.
"It's okay Ross, I'm over it!" I yell, and suddenly I see Aiden from the corner of my eyes. He's walking up where Ross can't see him but close enough that he heard what I just said.
"Well aren't you excited she's over it?" Aiden directs his question to Ross. Ross turns around to look at Aiden, and blood is rushing both mine, and Ross' faces, while everyone else at the table freezes staring at the three of us.
"Man!" Ross say's and shakes his head, taking in a deep breath while I sit there frozen. "I'm sorry for what happened. I was drunk, and made a dick move..." Aiden doesn't let him finish.
"Yeah I agree. You are a dick!" Aiden say's. I notice that he took off his costume, and he's just in his normal clothes. He must have had them on under his costume, and got hot. He's in his classic black Levi's pocket tee shirt, dark jeans and black vans, and his hair is still sticky from the sweat.
He stands away from Ross but close to me. "Why don't you go find your girlfriend..." he's not letting Ross go easy. "... you know, the girl you tried to cheat on with my girlfriend."
My stomach sinks. "Aiden, stop it." I stand up, but he pulls away from me, standing his place just staring Ross down. Zach intervenes quickly.
"Bro, calm down." he says to Aiden but he doesn't break his eyes from Ross.
Suddenly Josh walks up laughing with Sophie and Zoe with him. Once they make it to the table they can see and feel all the tension. Scarlett squeezes out between the table and myself to stand my Josh.
Josh looks from Aiden to Ross, and back to Aiden. "Aiden, you want to get out of here?" Aiden's face is heavy with anger. I've never seen this side of him, and I don't like it at all.
Ross steps forward, ignoring Josh. "Aiden man, I really am sorry. I didn't realize how serious you two were." he says, and at this point I'm numb. Sophie is glaring at me, and all I can do is look at Aiden.
"Well Ross, since we're all here in the same room together let me make it clear. We are serious, and our relationship is none of your damn business." All of a sudden Sophie marches off. She appears to be crying, and Ross turns to chase her down quickly.
"Are you ready to go?" Aiden looks over at me. I'm so furious, but unable to come up with words so I just nod.
"Yo Zach, I'm riding back with them." Josh says. He must have rode with him down here.
"Okay. You guys be safe driving home." he replies, and Zoe runs over to me before we turn to walk out.
"You okay?" she asks.
"Yeah. I will be." I answer embarrassed.
"Call me if you need anything!" she yells and goes to sit down where I was sitting.
Once we make it outside the breeze hits my face. It's a cool night, so I cross my arms and bow my head to block the wind walking ahead of Aiden, Scarlett, and Josh.
"Slow down Mora." Aiden say's but I ignore him. Quickly he catches up to me. "I'll get you my hoodie when we get to the jeep." he says acting like he didn't just totally make a fool out of us. I stop my feet, and the three of them stop with me.
"Aiden, I told you to let it go!" I'm yelling in the middle of the parking lot. Scarlett and Josh just stand there speechless.
"Yeah, easy for you to say!" he's yelling back at me.
"You can't speak for me like that. Seriously Aiden, what the hell was that?"
"He pissed me off!" he shouts again, and I start to walk away from him towards the jeep again. He follows. "Why are you mad at me?" he demands.
"Because you promised to let it go. Now everyone of my friends knows my business!"
"Well I didn't like him talking to you"
"Aiden, there will probably be a thousand more people you don't like talking to me, but you have to learn to trust me!"
"I do trust you!" his voice lowers.
"Well how can I trust you. Seriously, I told you what happened and you went off and told Sophie, and now our entire group of friends."
I start walking again, and he doesn't have a response this time. He just slows his pace to walk behind me. Scarlett runs up to walk by my side. She locks her arm into mine.
"Mor, are you okay?" she asks.
"I'm pissed." I answer, and lean my head in closer to her.
"Boys are assholes. I swear they can't help it. It's testosterone." she smiles trying to lighten my mood, but it doesn't work.
"Not all boys act like that."
"No, not all..." she slows down her speaking and looks back at Aiden. "but what fun would Aiden be if he was just like every other guy?" she giggles and looks back at me leaving the guys to walk behind us.
"I think it's sexy how he got so upset over you. It means he cares, Mora."
"Yeah he cares how he looks in the situation. He made me look like a dupe!" I say, and she laughs loudly.
"What the heck is a dupe?" and I can't help but smile some.
"It means stupid Scarlett." I answer, and eye her as if she's the dupe.
"Whatever." she says and drops the subject. Once we're at his jeep I wait for him to unlock it, and crawl into the backseat behind the passenger side.
"Mora, just sit up here with me..." he whispers while holding the front seat down, leaning in the back. Now he wants to lower his tone "Please."
I ignore him, and he huffs loudly, and slams the seat back. My eyes widen at his reaction. Scarlett gets in on the other side and Josh takes the front passenger seat. As soon as Aiden starts the ignition, he puts the stereo up loud, and the whole hour ride home no one speaks to each other.
At one point I do get cold, and I know Aiden could tell because he leaned back and laid his jacket on my lap. I hesitated for a few minutes but finally had to put it on.
We drive by Josh's first, and Scarlett looks over at me. "Do you care if Josh takes me to pick up my car from your house in a little while?" she asks. It sort of annoys me, but she's old enough to make her own decisions.
"Sure."
"Are you okay?" she asks before getting out.
"I'm okay." I hug her bye, and Josh let's me out where I can move to the front seat.
"Mora, it was good hanging out with you again. We need to do it more often." Josh smiles at me and nudges my shoulder. I give him a small grin.
"You better treat her good Josh." I demand.
"Yes ma'am." he answers and gives me a wink. After we say bye, I get in the front seat but don't say anything. Once we make it to my house, I grab the door handle to open it, but Aiden leans over me to pull it closed again. I cross my arms and stare out the window.
"Mora, I'm sorry okay." he's apologizing, but I'm still angry. "I wasn't thinking about all the people around us. All I could see was him, and I honestly couldn't help it." he turns his face where he can see my reaction better.
"You're an asshole." I'm direct with him.
"Ouch." he murmurs, and I look over at him. He has his bottom lip poking out and I can tell he's trying not to smile.
"It's not funny Aiden." I quietly say, and his face melts me.
"I know. It really isn't. I just don't want to lose you." he turns his body and uncrosses my arms to hold my hand.
"Aiden, you're not going to lose me. You really have no idea how much I care about you." I scoot in closer to him. I don't want to fight anymore.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but Ross threatens me okay." he leans his head back on his seat.
"Why?" I don't know how he can be so insecure. Every girl in the school would date him. If anyone should feel threatened, it's me.
"Because I can't compete with your history with him."
"Aiden, the only history we have is our friendship. We've never had any other kind of relationship." None that mattered anyway.
"Not by his choice Mora. He likes you a lot, and anyone is stupid to think otherwise." his tone is getting sharp again.
"Yeah, he does I guess but you have to trust me. I've never felt for anyone what I feel for you, and what he did was messed up but you shouldn't let anyone upset you like that. It's not worth it. If you can't trust me Aiden, we'll never make it. We haven't even faced the real world yet." I'm truthful as I can be with him.
Aiden keeps his head laying on the seat but turns to look back over at me. I guess he's taking in what all I just said.
"I've never been scared of a girl more than you. I've always been a selfish prick when it comes to girls and their feelings, but you make me want to be a better person, and I just don't want anyone to mess that up." he squeezes my hand, and I move myself up on his lap taking his face in my hands to comfort him.
"No one will mess it up as long as you don't let them. You have all the control in this Aiden because I'm seriously head over heels in love with you." I feel like I need to confirm my feelings to him. It works because his smile returns and he kisses me hard.
I've never lost interest in him, and he's always made me feel so happy but this moment is different. I just want all of him, and I can tell he feels the same because he can't pull away from me. He goes to lean his seat back and even though I should stop him from doing it I can't help it. I can't physically pull away from him. He goes to push his hand up the back of my shirt when suddenly my phone goes off.
I quickly spring up from surprise, and catch my breath. He moves his seat back up so I can crawl off of him to check my phone. It's a text from Conner.
It's cool. Call me when you get home. Be safe!
Thank God he's not mad at me. "It's Conner. That's probably my que to go inside." I beam at him, and he returns a deep smile where his dimples are showing. "I love your dimples." I confess to him.
"Oh yeah?" he asks then leans in to kiss me again. He's having too much fun. I laugh loudly, and push him off.
"Have a good night. I love you." I say, and he suddenly jumps out of the jeep faster than I can turn around. My door is open, and he waits on me to get out.
"I love you." he responds, and grabs my right hand with his, and my waist with the other and starts to dance with me. I start cracking up.
"Aiden, what on earth are you doing?" I'm giggling from my stomach.
"I'm dancing with my love." he closes his eyes, and spins me around. He's the happiest I've ever seen him. He makes my heart warm.
"I didn't know you could dance, especially with no music."
"I can do anything for you Mora Andrews." he keeps dancing but now side to side, and his eyes are open again, and only focused on me.
"We need to get out of the street, and you need to get home." I stop swaying, and kiss him on the cheek then skip up to the sidewalk dragging him behind me.
"Okay, okay." he answers, and goes to get in his jeep, then leans out of his window. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay. Good night Aiden."
"Good night babe." and I walk up to my door. Once I get it unlocked and open, he drives away slowly.