Chapter 40: 𝗮𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻

AARON is Leo's and Aimee's son. LUNA is Evelin's and Rowan's daughter!

AARON

age eighteen

————————————————————

"Axel just get out!" I yelled at him.

"You're literally so annoying." He threw a pillow at me. It landed on my laptop and I swear I was ready to stand up and beat his ass.

"I'm telling you there's a party. Jax is throwing one at his house." Rolling my eyes, I leaned back in the chair. I didn't want to go. There was no fun in watching teens get drunk and embarrass themselves. Also, I had no friends that would be attending this party. Axel had his own minions following him around and I didn't want to be associated with them.

"And I told you I'm not going." I adjusted the glasses that had fallen way too low on my nose.

"Luna will be there." And at her name my body stilled. Luna. A female version of Axel, I swear. Someone that loved pissing me off. It was like her side job.

Luna was very extroverted, everyone loved her. There was no party that she didn't attend and I'm not surprised that she will be going to this one as well.

"Okay and? That doesn't concern me at all." The screen lit in a blue color. Damn, I lost the game.

"You know that Denver will be there as well." Of course, he will be. That piece of shit. Denver was the principal's son who thought he owned the world and also liked Luna. She had voiced a couple of times how she didn't like him back but that ugly rat doesn't understand no for an answer.

And of course, Axel knows how much I hate him for that.

"That's what I thought. Now get your ass up and get ready." Axel must have noticed the distasteful look on my face at the mention of Denver's name.

With that, he got out of my room and slammed the door after him.

Mom and Dad were not here tonight because they went on a date and Aurora was off to college with Apollo. There was no one home who would yell at Axel for acting the way he was. Slamming the doors, talking like he had a speaker in his throat.

I pushed the glasses off my face and rubbed my eyes.

I guess I'll go. I don't trust Denver and I definitely won't leave her there alone with him. As much as she irritates me, I can't help but feel protective of her.

Even though I wouldn't consider us friends, we grew up together so I feel some kind of responsibility towards her.

Getting up from the chair, I looked at the clock and it was past 9 p.m. The party will probably start around 10 pm so I had time to get ready.

Because I've been here sitting practically all day, I decided to take a quick shower.

Taking my clothes off, I went to the bathroom and started the water. After I was done showering, I dried my hair with a towel and wrapped one around my waist.

When I went to the bedroom, I took the phone and looked at the notifications. Axel has sent a photo of his shoes and Luna has sent a photo of her outfit in our group chat.

A group chat that I never wrote anything in. It was just them sending random stuff.

I clicked on her photo and zoomed in. She was dressed in her usual outfit of wide jeans and a sweater. The sweater was off-shoulder and exposed her crop top underneath.

Her hair was half up and she was smiling with her tongue sticking out of her mouth.

A chuckle left my lips.

I threw my phone back on the bed and I went to the closet. I chose a basic outfit. Black pants and a beige hoodie. This will do. It's not like I want to go there.

Also, I won't be staying for too long.

When I got out of my room, I walked towards the living room and I spotted Axel waiting for me.

"What took you so long? Were you getting ready for your Luna?" He spoke as he looked up from the couch. He was dressed in black pants and had a wide shirt on. His hair was messy and fell over his forehead.

Axel and I looked nothing alike. We had the same eye color but my hair was lighter than his. He was also an inch shorter than me and very fucking annoying. He was a definition of a headache.

"Shut the fuck up Axel and worry about Aarya."

He stood up from the sofa and placed his hands on his hips. "I don't have to worry about that because she likes me back."

"Oh really?" I pushed further.

"Yeah, she literally looked at me when I passed her in the hallway." He said it with a duh voice. He was delusional.

"She probably looked at you because you were staring at her like a creep."

"At least I'm doing something." He waved his hand and grabbed the car keys from the table.

"Whatever, let's go before I change my mind," I said and we walked to the door. I locked after us and followed Axel to his car.

We drove to Jax's house and when we got near to his neighbor, I heard the music. The hip-hop sounds were loud and I just knew that everyone was already drunk.

I mean what could you expect from his parties? His Dad was the CEO of a wine industry and they had a whole wine cellar filled with every drink that you could imagine.

"This is gonna be good," Axel said while bopping his head to the rhythm of the song. I don't think it will, but let's see.

"And don't act like a creep there, have a little fun." He turned to me and then stopped the car. Fixing his shirt, he raised his eyebrows. "Okay?" He pushed further.

"I don't need you lecturing me Axel now get out and shut your mouth. Don't piss me off more than you already have." Grabbing the knob, I opened the door and stepped out. The sound was even louder now and I heard whistling from the yard.

There were boys... fighting? What the fuck? When we got closer I noticed that they were hammered, barely standing on their feet. A couple of other boys and girls were around cheering and laughing with drinks in their hands.

I hated this.

We pushed through the crowd and somehow ended up inside the living room. The lights were dim and the music was way too loud.

Axel found his friends and I roamed my eyes over the place. There weren't really any of my friends here so I just sulked around.

The tables were filled with drinks, some of them open and some of them tipped over. There is no way I'm taking any of them and I'll make sure Axel doesn't as well. And Luna.

I sure as fuck won't let her drink any of this shit. Who knows what they might put in them?

Where was she anyway?

Maybe if I can spot some of her friends, I'll be able to find her. The football team were all gathered around the pool table and were competing with each other. Denver was there, talking to some girl and laughing like an animal.

I hated him so much that I wanted to punch his stupid face.

And then my eyes caught her.

Luna.

She was walking towards Axel and was waving his way. My eyes wandered over her face and her always cheerful smile was present but not very believable.

Did something happen? Did someone do something to her?

Pushing between people, I hurried to where they were and I finally was able to get close enough.

"Aarya is here!" She yelled so Axel could hear. She didn't look my way and I was pissed.

"Wait what?" His eyes widened and he quickly ran his fingers through his hair. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

When he saw me next to him he asked. "How do I look? Is my shirt wrinkled?"

"You look good, Axel. Why are you worrying yourself?" As much as he was annoying, it pained me to see him like this. I didn't trust Aarya and I didn't want him getting hurt. Axel had a pure soul and this situation might break his heart.

Aarya didn't seem to like him at all. I tried to tell him in a nice way if my ways were ever nice, but he didn't listen. I should tell Luna not to get his hopes up about this. Aarya wasn't someone who was interested in relationships, she had said herself many times in chemistry class that we both shared.

"Okay, I'll go now." He said and vanished between the crowd. His friends went their way and it was only me and Luna.

She had a red cup in her hands.

"What are you drinking?" I asked and stepped closer to her. She looked up at me and rolled her eyes.

"Piss off Aaron. I don't have the energy to fight with you tonight." Her hand lifted and she brought the red cup closer to her lips.

"What is wrong with you? Do you know the drinks could be spiked?" My blood was boiling at her carelessness. Didn't she think of that herself?

"Is just a water. Look you can see yourself." She pushed the cup towards me and indeed it was only water. Thank fuck.

My eyes stayed on her while she finished her drink and her gaze moved around. Looks like she wasn't here with her friends.

I slid my hands into the pockets of my pants and clenched my jaw. The lights illuminated her face and showed the light dust of freckles over her nose that had a piercing.

Her dark chocolate eyes and her soft lips. Her hair was away from her face, pushed back.

It was stupid how good she looked. Why her? Why the only girl that irritated me was the one that I found the most beautiful?

Because my eyes were only on her, I didn't notice a guy walk past her and grab her waist. She spun around and her eyebrows pinched together in anger.

"Don't touch me." She pushed his hand away.

"Don't act as you didn't like..." Before he could finish his sentence, I stepped forward and pushed his chest which made him fall on the floor.

"She said don't fucking touch her, asshole." He struggled to stand up and I didn't care what he did because I noticed that Luna was leaving and heading towards the staircase.

I hurried after her. I didn't want to leave her alone right after what happened.

Running up the stairs as fast as I could, I made it toward where she was headed.

She went into the bathroom and pushed the door after her, leaving it slightly open. When I got there I knocked. "Luna!" I opened the door slowly and I saw her turn on the water in the sink.

I stepped inside and pushed the door behind me, closing it completely. My legs carried me close to her and I searched her face, looking for an answer to why she ran away so fast. Did that fucker do something else?

"Luna?"

"What Aaron?" Her breath was almost a whisper and her body shuddered.

"You good?" She nodded not looking at me. But I knew something was wrong. She dried her hands with a paper towel and walked past me to the door.

As soon as she grabbed the knob a gasp left her lips.

"What?" Her body slowly turned to me and I watched how the handle was in her hand. What the...?

"It broke." I took it out of her hand and tried to fix it. But no use. It was completely broken. I banged on the door for someone to hear but the music was loud.

"Someone open!" Luna joined me but nothing.

I walked towards the sink and leaned on it. I took out my phone and called Axel. He didn't answer.

"Do you have someone to call?" I asked Luna but she shook her head.

"Ester and Vee are not here tonight and Axel as you said doesn't pick up." There was panic in her voice but she was trying to cover it up.

I pushed the phone back into my pocket and crossed my hands in front of me.

"Someone will want to use the bathroom and they'll find us. Don't worry." She chewed on her lip and slowly and hesitantly nodded.

Luna walked towards the wall and leaned on it, opposite of me. We both waited, not exchanging any words. Minute after minute went by and we stayed quietly in our spots.

It was not awkward though.

After some time, I heard chattering and laughing outside of the bathroom. Before I could move from my spot the room went pitch black.

A scream escaped Luna's lips and I heard her move. A hand fisted my hoodie and she crashed her body onto mine.

"Hey, shh. I'm here."

"Please turn on the lights, Aaron. Please." Luna pleaded her voice filled with fear.

Luna was terrified of the dark since she was very young. I remember Mom telling me how Luna and her Mom went to visit her grandma. They wanted to solve things and be family again.

That's when Luna started visiting her grandma occasionally but her last visit turned into her biggest nightmare. She locked her in one of the rooms and turned off the lights. Apparently, Luna was not being a good kid and was not following her rules.

She was just a kid back then.

I quickly took out my phone and put on the flashlight.

"Here it is. You can see now." I caressed her hair and her breathing slowed down. She was still clutching my hoodie with her hands and I didn't care. I just wanted her to relax.

"Shh, you're okay. I'm here Luna. I'm here." Slowly, her hands started to loosen their hold and she pulled away.

I placed my hand under her chin and lifted her head. Her eyes were glossy and her chin was trembling. I ran my fingers over her delicate cheeks.

"Look you can see now, Luna please don't worry okay? You're fine." Biting her lips she nodded while not taking her eyes off me.

"What happened? Earlier I mean. Did that asshole do something else?"

"No, I just... these past few days I'm not feeling well." My eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"Grandma came by... her and Mom had a fight and... I don't really like seeing Mom like that, worried. You know? After what happened back then, we weren't really in contact with her and now she suddenly appeared again. It's just too much..."

"I'm sorry."

"But nothing happened earlier. He didn't do anything other than place his hands on my waist."

"Good because if he did, I would have broken his face right there." She chuckled while wiping her eyes. Thankfully I made her laugh and relax. At least I was taking her mind off of things.

"You really wouldn't." She rolled her eyes and smiled further.

"Don't underestimate me, you know I have boxing matches with Dad and Uncle Ash."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." She might be lying because I knew she used a couple of opportunities to come to the gym and watch, saying that she forgot something and had to ask Axel. He was usually there with us but mainly taking pictures and chatting with the staff.

"Are you better now?" I cupped her face again and made her look at me.

Her eyes went from my eyes to my lips. Fuck. Why was she doing this?

My heartbeat increased and I hope she can't feel it because that would be embarrassing.

"Aaron, I..." she was so close, too close. I felt her hot breath on my lips and I closed my eyes. I needed to gather myself.

But the way my name sounded coming from her mouth...

She lifted herself on her tiptoes and brushed her soft lips over mine. A shaky breath escaped my mouth and I leaned forward, capturing her lips in a kiss.

She eagerly opened her mouth and tilted her head to the side. Our tongues collided with each other and she whimpered, almost as if in pain. Her hands quickly went around my neck and she pushed her body flush to mine.

I felt every dip and curve on her figure as I roamed my hands over her.

She was so damn beautiful it hurt.

One of my hands flew to her hair and I deepened our kiss, pushing my tongue in her mouth, tasting every corner.

"Aaron.."

"Luna.."

Our breaths came out in a rush as we continued to kiss. What was this feeling that only Luna was able to cause with her presence?

The loud sound of the door opening made us quickly withdraw from each other.

Luna wiped her mouth and fixed her hair, while I did the same to me and then adjusted my glasses.

"Wow, sorry guys," Dean said while lifting his hands in surrender. He was one of Axel's friends.

"It's okay, the handle broke from the inside. We couldn't get out."

His lips shaped in an 'O' as he realized what had happened. He turned the lights on and I grabbed my phone. Luna hurried outside and I walked after her.

"By the way where's Axel?" I asked him before I left.

His face shifted into a different emotion as soon as I said the words.

"He left after he saw Aarya kiss someone else."

Shit!

CHARACTERS AESTHETICS

AARON HYDE

LUNA WELLINGTON

Thoughts??

I might write a bonus chapter for Axel as well🫢 when I have time...

🌷🌷🌷