A Simple Kind of Life

Hot in Herre [Nelly]

New Years Eve

2002

Mia didn't care for celebrations, especially for something as stupid as the year changing.

But there was something very solemn about this one. Usually, she'd do whatever her friends were doing, or whatever Andrew was—but this year, she didn't have that option. She was alone. So, when Sakura offered her a ticket to come see her dance company's show at the theatre, she accepted.

Her plans changed drastically, however, late that morning.

Mia practically lived on the couch, wrapped in the same plush blanket, and the dog was always sitting next to her. She spent her days watching TV, and this day wasn't any different. Leaning her back against the armrest, Mia stretched her legs across the seat, Jax nestled between them. And they sat there together silently, staring blankly at the large screen.

When she felt hands clasp around her shoulders, her body tensed liked a rock.

"Mia, Mia—cute, little, sweet Mia."

She snapped her neck to the source of the noise, her pony tail bouncing. Aiden stood behind her, his grandma bandana wrapped around his head, dressed like he was going to audition for a teen drama. He was still holding her shoulders, shaking them in a weird rhythm.

"Pretty fucking ballsy of you to touch me."

And he laughed, short and loud, throwing his head back. Her breath released in a swift huff when he let go of her to slap his knee.

"You are so funny. Such a delight to have around here."

Her eyes settled on the dog, and even he was looking at her like what the fuck is this guy's problem. Then she twisted her body, straining her eyes to look up at Aiden.

"What do you want?"

He scoffed, his palm planted on his chest as if he was genuinely offended. His eyes were an ominous shade of green, almost unreal. "Do I need an ulterior motive to talk to my roomie? My BFF?"

Mia narrowed her eyes, squeezing the cushion of the armrest. "Don't ever call me that again."

She only needed to stare at him a moment longer, her glare burning holes through his skull before he gave up on the act, sighing in defeat as a slouch took his shoulders. She moved her legs quickly when he slumped on the couch next to her before he could sit on her.

Jax leaped onto his lap, prompting Aiden to instinctively reach out and stroke the dog's fur. "Listen, shrimp. You have something I want. And I think we can work something out."

The soft applause from a daytime talk show rumbled from the TV, and Mia allowed a stillness to linger between them, her eyes squinted so hard it made her vision blurry.

"What could I possibly have that you want?"

Adjusting the cloth on his head as he tucked it behind his ear, Aiden gave her a knowing look. "A ticket to Sakura's show tonight."

Her face fell, her expression blank. Was this really happening right now? They looked back and forth at each other, and she was tempted to reach towards his face and slap the shit out of him.

"What do you think I am, a fucking scalper? She's your fucking girlfriend, go tell her you want to go!"

"See, there's a problem with that—" he abruptly countered her, and she held the blanket against her chest as she watched him rub his temples in frustration. "I have another obligation. And I was thinking, maybe we could—"

Their gazes locked in a lethal glare, and he gave her a nervous smile as he pulled on the collar of his tee shirt.

"Switch?"