The Chaos Theory

Chapter 9: It's Our Paradise and It's Our War Zone

A/N: Song from the previous chapter: Hot Girl Bummer by Blackbear.

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On Friday early evening I received an email declaring the result of the first semester. Luckily, that perverted professor had not been a complete jackass and my practical score had been pretty good. I had just ended my phone call with Victoria when Mason arrived at our place.

My mother was delighted to see my old friend and went straight to the kitchen to prepare some baked penne pasta for us. Stefan was out with his friends so Mason and I went to my room.

"One more week before your next semester starts?" asked the blue-eyed man.

"Yes," I nodded. "You should take an off from work and let's go on a road trip."

"Ha-ha, sure," he rolled his eyes. Then, crossing his legs on my bed, he said, "I'm just glad my Saturdays are off, unlike yours. – That reminds me, Tyler said he has some pending work for the weekend. So he was suggesting we meet for lunch instead of going for that trek."

I knew it! I knew he would cancel the trek. Although... he did suggest an alternate plan.

Since Tyler did suggest meeting up for lunch, I was not sure if his dislike for me was imagined or if it actually existed. I'd have to find that out on our subsequent meetings.

"Sure, let's meet for lunch," I agreed.

We were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell and since my mom was already working in the kitchen, I opted to answer the door. Mason accompanied me downstairs but my mother had opened the door by that time.

Aaron Hayes had graced us with his smiling face. His eyes crinkled with genuine pleasure when we greeted him.

"Aaron, hey. It's so nice to see you here," I smiled. I introduced him to my mother and told her that Aaron was Ayden's brother, whom she had already met.

"I came with a delayed house warming present," he told us when we welcomed him inside. He handed us a gift and added, "My parents will be back in town tomorrow evening. They said they wished to send a welcome-to-the-neighborhood token and I volunteered."

"Thank you so much for your kind gesture," my mother accepted the present from him. "We would love to host your family for dinner on Sunday night if you have no other plans."

"I'm pretty sure we have nothing planned. But I'll confirm and get back to Slyvia," he told us.

"Is Ayden still at your office?" Mason asked Aaron while giving me a not-so-discreet nudge with his elbow. I scowled at his suggestive wink and turned my face towards Aaron with a smile.

"No, we came back together. He's in the car outside on a call with a cousin," he answered us.

"He should join us here too," my mother suggested. I got off the sofa and volunteered, "I'll invite him."

I gave Mason a glare before he could utter any balderdash and went out the door. The black Mercedes was parked in front of our main gate and I could see Ayden busy on his mobile. I waved at him once I had his attention. He acknowledged me with a half-nod and continued speaking to the caller.

I liked you better when I thought you were 'new guy', I thought as I neared him.

I had assumed he'd lower his windshield to talk to me but, instead, he got out of the car. He promised to connect soon with whoever the caller was and then gave me a small smile, "Hey."

"Hi," I said. "Aaron told us you were sitting in the car so mom asked us to invite you inside."

"You wouldn't have invited me if your mom wouldn't have asked you to?" he questioned, sliding his car keys inside his pocket. He wore a grey coat with pants of the same shade, sporting a crisp white shirt underneath the combination.