One Step at a Time

Chapter 21

Sadie POV

Aedon held the door open. I jumped to my feet and ran over to her. "Woah." She let out as I wrapped my arms around her. Relief swelled in my chest as I held on to her.

"Oh, Aedon you will not believe what happened. We got locked in here on our way out and- oh thank god you came." She stood in her shock as I squeezed her. Pulling away, she eyed me and Simon. An interrogation faced us.

"We have been calling you for that past half hour, Sadie." The stance that Aedon pulled made me question if my mom had possessed her body. There was no doubt they were sisters. It was all the same with her hands anchored on to her hips, her left foot slightly forward so that her weight was shifted to the right. The look on her face was even the same. Furrowed eyebrows conveyed a message of both anger and concern.

"I left my phone in the car." The excuse sounded even lamer the second time.

Aedon must've thought the same. "How did that even happen?"

"I don't know. We came from the locker rooms and it was locked. From the outside. They must've closed for the day." Aedon was not convinced by my story. Which to be fair, it was a little unbelievable. How often does someone get locked in a gym?

Aedon let out an exasperated sigh. "Well, I'm glad you're okay. Your mom is having a heart attack." Aedon stopped herself and smiled at Simon. "I mean- Mom is." His expression remained blank as he nodded at her. There was no sign that he knew, and for that I was appreciative.

Aedon continued, completely ignoring Simon once again. "Everyone has already headed over to the restaurant. They said to meet them there." Without another word, Aedon left the gym and I was expected to follow. With a small wave to Simon, I did just that.

My aunt and I stopped by Matteo's car, hers parked right next to it. She turned and pulled me into another hug. "I really was worried."

"I know- I'm sorry." I looked down at my feet once she pulled away. My chest was still tight. Any attempt of calming down was shut down by the guilt that swelled inside of me.

"Don't be. It's not your fault. Besides, it just means less time at the disaster that awaits us." Right. Mom and Dad. The whole "getting locked in" thing made me forget for a second about the 'awaiting disaster'. The last ten minutes had been almost blissful due to my momentary ignorance. "We should get going."

I nodded at Aedon as she got into her car. I started to do the same when I saw Simon heading our way. My eyes made contact with him and then Aedon. I motioned for her to go ahead. And she did, but not without an annoyed look pointed in his direction. Aedon pulled out of her parking space as Simon approached me. In his right hand, I noticed my dance bag. I blushed at the realization. Even though I would have noticed eventually, it still was embarrassing.

Simon held out his arm, handing over the bag. "I think you forgot this." The expected sarcasm was absent in his words.

"Thanks." I nodded awkwardly as I took the bag. The post meltdown clarity hit and I had no clue how to act around Simon. It was petrifying having him know the dirty details of my family now. But it was also conflicting at the same time. He had seemed so interested, so kind, as I was telling him. The ongoing whiplash he gave me was exhausting. My gaze stayed at my feet, a polite smile painted across my face. Simon continued to stand there. I had no idea what he was hoping for. I made eye contact with him again.

"You're welcome." His stance conveyed a shared message of awkwardness. What now? Seemed to be whispered between the two of us.

I cleared my throat, wanting the still silence to end. "Do you need a ride or anything?"