Grown ish: Zoey and Aaron's Story (BOOK 1)

Part 35: Tension

Zoey narrates.

I was getting ready to meet Marcus for a friendly night at Titanium. Strapping on my red heels to match my red, satin wrap dress, I head on downstairs, where I meet the girls.

'Wow, Zoey. I don't think I've seen you look this good for a long time.' Sky says, nonchalantly, and I laugh.

'Let's go!' Ana says.

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We arrive at Titanium, and the girls go to find a table, whilst I wait at the bar for Marcus.

'Hey!' I hear, turning around to see him.

'Hey, you!' I say, as he pulls me into a quick hug.

'You look good.' He says, whistling as he looks at my dress, making me laugh.

'Come, let me introduce you to my friends.' I say.

We walk over to the table, and surprisingly, Aaron's there at the far end, with Doug and Vivek. I'm confused, since Aaron hasn't been out with the group since our last conversation, but I decide to ignore him.

'Guys, this is Marcus. You remember me talking about him, right?' I ask, as they nod, and start to introduce themselves.

Marcus pulls out a chair for me, and I smile, as he sits beside me.

We're all talking and drinking, enjoying the night, but I feel awkward seeing Aaron, who keeps glancing at me from the end of the table. We're far enough to not hear each other, but close enough to feel the tension between us.

'Zoey, I love this song! Dance with me?' Marcus asks, and I nod, as we get up and go to dance.

Our bodies stay close and we move to the beat, and along with each other. He leans in to talk to me, and raises his voice so I can hear him over the music.

'I'm really enjoying hanging with you tonight.' He says.

'Me too!' I reply.

'We should do this again sometime. I'd love to take you on a real date. Just the two of us.' He says, brushing his cheek on mine, as I blush.

'I'd really like that.' I say.

We head back over to the table.

'I think I'm going to call it a night, guys.' Ana says, getting up.

'It was great to meet you, Marcus!' She says.

'I think I should get going too.' I say, turning to Marcus.

'I'll walk you home.' He says.

'There's no need.' I hear, as I turn around, and to my shock, Aaron is standing behind me.

'I'll walk her home.' He says.

'It's fine, honestly. My dorm is that way anyways so...' Marcus points, but Aaron cuts him off.

'I said there's no need. Zoey, get up.' He says, and I look at him angrily.

Who does he think he is?

Aaron looks at me, and his expression changes, so I obey and diffuse the situation. I lean into Marcus and talk to him softly.

'Hey, it's alright. Thank you. I'll see you in class tomorrow.' I say, as he nods confused.

I get up and start to walk off, as Aaron trails behind me.

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Aaron and I are walking, side by side, in silence. We approach home, and outside the door, I stop him.

'Thanks for walking me home like I'm some weak, little girl who can't make her own decisions. God, I'm so embarrassed.' I say, sarcastically.

'I'm sorry. I just didn't like seeing you with that Marcus guy.' He says, looking down.

'So what? Aaron, remember you chose this. You said we couldn't be together. Not me. So you don't get to choose what I do with my life.' I say, annoyed.

'I know! I know...I just...' He looks at me, and his eyes are hurt. I breathe, feeling the sexual tension between us.

He sighs, and in that second I wanted nothing more.

I grab his face and crash my lips on his, as he reciprocates and his hand start to wander by body. Placing his hand on the small of my back, all the while still kissing me, he lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him, as he carries me into the house, and upstairs, placing me down on the bed.

He stops kissing me for a minute, and our eyes lock intently.

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