The Not-So-Bad Boy Next Door

Chapter 37

Claire's POV

I wake up and look around to see that I'm laying with Aiden. His arms are wrapped around my waist - our feet entwined. I don't want to move at all and I actually wouldn't mind waking up like this everyday. Did I seriously just think that? I know I like him, but to envision a future, that's a little over the top. Right?

I mean I want to be with him, but I don't know if I can. I don't want history repeating itself. Kyle and I don't have the same friendship we once had, and I don't want it to be that way with Aiden. It can't turn like that with Aiden. I don't know why or how, but he just... he just makes me feel whole. Like I'm not broken. Like my mom is still here to greet me when I walk into the door after a tiring day at school. Like everything that's every happened has been nothing but good. He can take my mind off of everything and make me feel things no one has ever done before. I think I'm in love with him and that's what scares me the most. I move a little and Aiden's grip tightens, not hurting me, but not letting me move. I snuggle back into him and fall asleep.

I wake up and I'm no longer in Aiden's arms, but in my bed, alone. I miss his warmth. I roll over in the covers and look over at my clock on my night stand. Holy smokes! It's 9:19. I get up and walk downstairs and towards my kitchen. While walking through the hallway I hear Ella say, "Sorry he's already spoken for by Claire." I hear Aiden laugh. "Yeah, sorry." I walk in and all of them tense. I laugh at all of them, "From what I can remember I haven't claimed anyone and Aiden's not taken. Not that I'm aware of at least." Aiden's face drops and I stand there stiffly.

"So, uh, what time did you guys get up?" I ask, changing the subject, while grabbing a bowl out from the cabinet. I walk over to the fridge and grab out the milk and pour it into my cereal, while Emmett and Kyle walk in. Kyle walks behind me and grabs the milk from out of my hands. I turn around and grin. "Oh thanks I was just done with that." I laugh and he turns beet red. "Always were the slow one." He groans and tries to reach for my bowl. I snatch it and scurry out of the kitchen laughing so hard that tears started to form.

I sit down at the dining room table and eat my cereal. I get up and place the bowl in the sink when I'm done. I walk over to the living room and see everyone sitting there. I sit on one of the couches and lay my feet across, onto the coffee table. Aiden walks up to me and lays down on the couch, his head on my lap and feet curled up at the arm rest. I start to run my fingers through his hair. He groans softly when the tangles get stuck in between my fingers. I giggle a little and whisper, "Do you have a hair fetish?" He looks up with wide eyes and shakes his head like crazy. I laugh and lightly tug on his tips. He groans and sits up fast. I laugh and he just glares at me.

Knock! Knock! Knock! I get up and walk to the door. I open it and see Emily and Madison. Emily is dressed for work and Madison has a small backpack and a lunch box. "Do you need me to watch Madison?" I ask letting them in. Emily starts rambling on and on about how she's sorry and everything. I cut her off with my hand in the air, "Emily, it's fine. I love watching her and she can meet some of my friends that are in town. It's not a problem." Emily kisses Madison's cheek and says, "Thank you so much Claire. I don't know what I'd do without you," while opening the door and walking out.

I hold my hand out for Madison. She takes it without hesitation. We walk into the living room and as soon as Madison sees Spencer and Aiden she scoffs. I laugh and she blushes. She looks up at me with the puppy dog eyes. "Please don't tell me we have to hang out with them today." Madison whines. Aiden groans and Kale whole-heartily laughs. "Why is she here?" Aiden asks while propping his feet up on the coffee table. I push his legs off and Madison takes a seat on the couch, stretching as far away from her brother as possible.

I roll my eyes. "The same reason you're here, Aiden." He looks at Madison and then back at me. "Yeah not possible." I guffaw and sit down on the chair. "Really cause I'm babysitting the both of you." I sigh and close my eyes. Everyone is talking and right after I lean back my body is lifted out of the chair. I open my eyes and see Kyle holding me. I let out of shaky breath and he sits down -still holding me- while putting me in a comfortable position.