Stalker

Chapter 31- Quiet

Maria

"Cheer up sunshine." Aiden said, leaning over the center console to kiss me on the cheek.

He was not responsible for my bad mood, I was just outrageously sleep deprived. We got home at a normal time from the date last night, but with everything that happened it was hard for me to sleep.

Especially without Aiden there, now that Marco had laid out some ground rules about Aiden spending the night. Marco said it was okay when he was out past midnight, but he wanted us to be apart at least sometimes.

"I wanna go home." I whined, leaning against Aiden's shoulder. "Can we skip."

"You're not going to be able to finish the year if we keep skipping." Aiden said, looking down at me. "I don't want you to end up like me."

"But you're doing your senior year right now." I argued, looking up at him. "Wait, does that mean you'll get a diploma?"

"I didn't think about that." Aiden shrugged, glancing at the clock and unbuckling, knowing it was time to head inside. "I'll ask Marco if i'll be able to actually graduate."

I sat up, unbuckling and grabbing my backpack off the floor, Aiden reaching into the backseat for his. "You could go to college you know."

"With what money?" Aiden asked, hopping out of the car and walking around to the passengers side to open my door for me.

"The money you get from protecting me." I said, sliding out of the seat and standing in front of Aiden as he shut the door. "I don't know the details of Marco's life yet but i'm sure he could help-"

"Sweetheart I don't get paid enough to go to college here, I spend my money on my apartment. And Marco has already done enough for me, I can't ask that of him." Aiden sighed as he took my hand, the two of us walking towards the school.

I bit my lip as I thought for a moment, Aiden leading us towards biology. "I can ask him."

"Maria..."

"Listen I just want you to be successful." I stopped in the hallway, turning towards Aiden and meeting his eyes. They were conflicted, not liking arguing with me. "I don't want you to just go back to being a mechanic, or worse."

"I won't, I promise." He leaned forward and kissed the top of my head. "I know you're worried about me but i'll be okay without college, and i'll do it without leeching off of you."

"You can be my leech, I don't care."

Aiden laughed at that, the two of us walking again. "Thank you princess."

"I like that one." I said, leaning my head against Aiden's shoulder as we walked.

"Is that so?" He asked, wrapping his arm around my waist to hold me against him. "You can nap in biology if you need, i'll do your work."

"I'm fine. I have to prepare for the test next week anyway." I yawned as we walked into class, taking our seats. "Thank god it's Friday."

"Halloween tomorrow." Aiden said, smiling at me.

"Mhm." I didn't have the energy to be excited, resting my head on the desk. "We don't have costumes." I grumbled, Aiden running his hand up and down my back soothingly.

"The stuff is arriving tomorrow morning sweetheart." Aiden chuckled at my bad mood, the classroom starting to fill up with other students. "And if I forgot anything i'll go to party city or spirit or literally anywhere else to get it for you, okay?"

I nodded, lifting my head as our teacher began to speak, Aiden's hand holding on tightly to mine.

But the bad mood really kicked in when Aiden had a different class than me, leaving me to be miserable.