Dirty Little Secret

Chapter Seventeen - I'm sorry...

ARDEN INES

"I had a really good time. We should do this again." Colton says. I smile up at him. "It was really fun. I would love to do it again." He grabs my waist and pulls me into his body. His other hand cupping my face. Then he leans in and kisses me. It's not like the other kiss. This kiss is softer, sweeter. I love this one. He pulls his lips away then presses his forehead to mine. "I really care about you. I hope you know that." I nod and he puts his lips to mine again. "I'll see you at school tomorrow." he says then walks back to his car.

Tears fall from my face as I rethink yesterday after our date and today at school. How different it was. 

How much I wish he'd choose me in public too.

More tears fall at that thought. I hate myself for crying over him. He doesn't deserve it. 

I'm so fucking angry.

I don't deserve to be treated like this. 

There's a knock on my front door and I dry my tears before going downstairs and answering the door.

Colton. 

"For fucks sake." I mutter.

"Can I come in?" he asks.

"I sling the door open and walk away from the door. 

"Sure. Even if I don't want you to, I would let you anyway. Because it's what you want, right?" I say, raising my voice.

"Are you alright? What's wrong, love?" he asks, stepping closer.

I put my hand up stopping him. "Don't touch me."

The space in between his brows crease and I laugh. "Don't look so confused." 

"I'm lost." he says looking genuinely confused.

I look at him and shake my head. "Use your fucking brain, Colton! You took me out on a date then you went to school with Paige and told me that "I was fun" then you showed up at my house and kissed me then you left and the same fucking day you took me on another date and told me you liked me and kissed me again then the next day you were making out with Paige against a locker. Right behind me. So please enlighten me. How are you lost?"

He looks at me like I've gone mad, and it makes me angrier than I was before.

"Come on, Arden. I like you I really do. But you can't expect me to change my entire life just because of that." he says like it's a genuine excuse.

"Well maybe you should have told me that instead of leading me on!" I shout.

"I never lead you on. I like you; you like me. I still want to keep this going. And you know Paige is for the public. My parents wouldn't' think your..." he trails off like he didn't mean to let that part slip.

"Fuck you. I am good enough. I don't care if your parents don't think I am." I say my tone ice.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it." he says defending his parents.

"Isn't it!?" I shout, walking closer to him. "That's why we haven't been back to your house. That's why you take me to the same fucking diner that's just outside of town because you know people aren't going to be there." 

"My parents wouldn't let me date you!" he shouts, finally letting some of his anger out.

"I don't give a fuck what your parents think, Colton. I care what you think. I care if you agree with your parents. I care if your embarrassed that you like me." 

I'm scared of the answer even if I know what it is.

"I'm sorry...but if your looking for someone who's going to show you off...I'm not that guy. Your just not...the Lancaster expectation."

Wow.

"Get out of my fucking house." I speak. The quietist I've spoken since he walked in my house.

"Arden it's not that I don't like-"I cut him off.

"Get. Out." 

Thankfully he listens to me. As he walks out, he looks back at me with pain.

I don't care.

I'm good enough. He's not going to make me feel like I'm not.

I shut the door slowly and walk back up the stairs to my room.

__________

Goof for her!! 

See you next Chapter!!

<3