𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

2

ANTHEA

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

I skipped the last class-math could wait. Joss, Dong, and Eros were already talking about grabbing food, and honestly, after the day I'd had, greasy fries and dumb jokes sounded like therapy.

We hung out for a while at this small burger place near school. I didn't say much, just laughed when they made fun of each other and soaked in the comfort of familiar company. By the time I got home, it was still earlier than usual.

Pushing open the front door, I kicked off my sneakers and padded quietly through the house. I wasn't expecting anyone to be home yet-so when I passed the living room and glanced inside, I froze.

There was Aiden.

Shirtless.

Talking on the phone, pacing slowly across the room like it was no big deal.

My brain stalled. Completely. His back was to me at first, but even that was enough-broad shoulders, toned arms, that faint trail of muscle that made me want to throw my dignity out the window. When he turned around mid-sentence and caught me staring, my face went up in flames.

He blinked, paused his call, and smirked. "Anthea? What are you doing home already? You skip class or something?"

I immediately turned around. "Jesus, Aiden. Can you not be half-naked in the living room?"

He laughed. "Didn't think anyone would be home."

I heard the rustle of fabric behind me. "You can turn now," he said.

When I looked back, he was pulling down his black shirt-the one he always wore when he didn't care what he looked like but still somehow managed to look annoyingly good. I tried to act like I wasn't flustered.

"I just got back. Didn't feel like sticking around for the last class." I toed off my shoes by the door, avoiding his gaze.

"What about you?" I asked, eyeing the clock. "Shouldn't you still be at work?"

"Boss let me off early. Said he was sick or something." He shrugged, then took a step toward me. "You okay?"

He was too close now-close enough that I could smell his cologne, clean and warm. My brain tripped over itself again.

"Anthea?" he asked, waving a hand in front of my face.

I blinked and stepped back, hoping he didn't notice the way my cheeks burned. "Yeah, yeah-I'm fine. Just tired."

Without waiting for more questions, I backed up a step and mumbled, "I'm gonna go... do stuff," and made a quick escape down the hall.

Once in my room, I collapsed face-first onto my bed.

God.

Embarrassing.

I buried my face in the blanket. Pull it together, Anthea. It's Aiden. You've known him forever.

I groaned into the sheets before finally peeling myself off the bed and heading to the bathroom. The hoodie I wore was sticky from the earlier soda spill, and I still had Joss's spare shirt on. I tossed it into the wash and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water rinse off the stress of the day-and hopefully, my cringey brain.

When I came back downstairs, towel-dried hair and all, Aiden was knocked out on the couch. Out cold. I grabbed a blanket from the armrest and went to drape it over him, but as I leaned in, his hand suddenly grabbed mine.

My heart jumped.

He squinted up at me, still half-asleep. "Oh... it's you," he muttered, letting go. "Sorry."