Sins of Aiden

2

CHAPTER 2

I sit down on the hard wooden bench with an exhausted sigh. I'm done with all my classes and am mentally already home and snuggling up in my cozy bed—but Maddy is still in the principal's office and I just want to make sure that she's alright. Something is clearly going on with her since she wouldn't act so carelessly as she did back in the canteen. I don't want to press for answers but she's worrying me.

The room is empty and a brisk of circulation is the only sound I allow myself to hear. I had switched my damp shirt with a spare jumper I had in my locker after I went inside again. Deep down I didn't want to but I have never missed a class and I'm not going to start doing it now just because I was hurt.

I haven't seen Aiden for the rest of the day. The last time I've seen him was outside, and that was it. I should be grateful for that but with shame, I am not. I came across Lucas in third period. He didn't seem so interested in the lesson because his eyes constantly kept darting to his phone. And when the bell rang he bolted out of the classroom like his chair had caught fire.

I remove my fingers from my golden hoop.

I'm surprised Aiden is able to come back at all considering how long he's been gone for. And, of course, he's the center of attention and the topic everyone seemed to be whispering about today. I couldn't help myself to listen to what they were saying. I should feel embarrassed for eavesdropping but then again I'm not.

I grip the straps of my backpack, getting myself comfortable on the bench considering that I might have to stay here for a while—just when the doors of the principal's office slams open in a rich thud. The door crashes hard against the wall and my heart jumps up to my throat.

A fuming muscular-like wall comes strolling out with a lethal look on his face. Aiden has a deep frown colliding his face and without hesitation marches through the walkway. I press myself up to the wall as close as possible when he storms past me and disappears behind the walls.

"Aiden, get back in here!" Comes a stern female voice from inside the principal's office.

Mrs. Roberts wears an angry frown when she reaches the doorway and then lets a galled sigh out of her lips when she doesn't find Aiden outside her office.

She meets my eyes and gives me a slight smile. "Hi, Ms. Heart. Waiting for someone?"

I smile back, "just Madelyn."

I was actually expecting Madelyn to be the one storming out of the office but it doesn't surprise me who it was instead.

Mrs. Roberts closes her door after she assures me that Madelyn will be out in a second and reaches a stormy frown to the hallway on my right. I drag my brows in a straight line. If Madelyn isn't in there where is she-

Another door opens and this time, Madelyn's shiny back hair and sparkly dark eyes come into view. She walks through the vice principal's office door and her eyes find mine.

"Mia, how long have you been waiting in here?" she questions and hugs me when I rise from the chair. I breathe out with ease, the worry slowly releasing from my soul.

"Not long. I just arrived. . . how did it go?"

She snorts, "Don't worry about it. I got mostly a warning when I explained the situation and I have detention every Wednesday for five weeks."

My eyes go wide, "five weeks?"

Madelyn grips my tense shoulders, "like I said, I'm fine with it. Thomas Ford shouldn't have messed with you. I take the detention every time if it means you're fine, Mia."