I wake up to the blaring noise of my alarm, my brain already yelling, "What the hell did you do last night?" I stay there, staring at the ceiling, contemplating my whole life. Kissing Emery? Really? After the kiss, I gasped dramatically, pulled a classic soap opera exit, and bolted. Now, I don't know where to put my finger on this whole mess.
Eventually, I drag myself out of bed and start my morning routine, my mind still tangled in thoughts of Emery. I brush my teeth with the intensity of someone trying to scrub away bad decisions and throw on clothes that scream "I totally have my life together."
I glance at the mirror, where a slightly crazed version of myself stares back. "Okay, today is a new day," I tell my reflection. "Just take it one awkward step at a time."
Downstairs, the smell of breakfast hits me. For a moment, I think, "Hey, maybe today won't be so bad." That delusion lasts about three seconds.
"Morning," I mumble, sliding into my seat.
"Morning, honey," Mom chirps, eyeing me like I'm a ticking time bomb. "You look...interesting. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just didn't sleep well," I lie, with a smile that probably looks more like a grimace.
Dad peeks over his newspaper, raising an eyebrow. "Anything on your mind?"
"Nope, just, you know, life," I say, waving my hand in what I hope is a nonchalant manner.
Mom sets a plate of pancakes in front of me, and I dig in like they might provide answers. As I eat, I try to focus on the day ahead, but Emery's face keeps popping into my thoughts like an annoying ad you can't skip.
I sigh, knowing I'll have to face him eventually. But for now, I just need to get through breakfast without choking on my existential dread.
"You did what now?" Aiden shrieked, slamming his locker shut so hard it echoed down the hallway.
I flinched and sighed, leaning against the lockers. "Aiden, please don't question it. If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't be in this mess."
He started his dramatic rant, waving his hands around. "Girl, I don't even know what you guys are at this point! Like, are you a couple? Enemies with benefits?"
My eyes drifted to Emery, who was striding toward us, his gaze fixed on me like a heat-seeking missile. As he got closer, my pulse quickened. Was he going to kiss me again, right here in the middle of the hallway?
Emery leaned in, his face inches from mine, and... opened the locker next to me. Seriously? He casually put his stuff away, his breath tickling my neck.
I held my breath, expecting him to say something. Instead, he just smirked, brushed his hand against mine, and walked off like he hadn't just turned my world upside down.
I stood there in shock, trying to process what just happened.
"Y'all just did the corniest romantic shit right in front of me like I'm not even here. Okay, I guess I'm invisible now," Aiden gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like he'd been personally offended by our interaction.
I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "Aiden, it's not like that."
He pointed a finger at me, eyes wide. "Oh, honey, it sure looked like that. I need to start charging admission for this rom-com you're living in."
I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Aiden, it's complicated."
"Complicated? Girl, this is straight out of a kdrama. Next thing you know, he'll be professing his love in the rain or something," Aiden said, fanning himself dramatically. "I swear, if this gets any juicier, I'm gonna need some popcorn."
"But first, let's figure this out. Are you guys enemies with benefits?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know," I replied, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.
"Do you want to be enemies with benefits?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
I couldn't help but blush. "Aiden!"
He smirked, leaning in closer. "Come on, spill the tea. You know you want to."
I sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "It's just... confusing. One minute we're arguing, the next we're kissing. I don't know what to think."
Aiden put a hand on his hip, giving me a knowing look. "Honey, sounds like you need to sit down and have a real talk with him. Figure out what this really is."
"Yeah, you're right," I admitted. "But it's not that easy."
"Nothing worth having ever is," Aiden said with a dramatic flourish. "Now, go on, figure it out. And remember, I'm always here for the play-by-play."
I laughed, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Aiden. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Probably wander around in a confused daze, kissing random hot guys," he teased. "Now go on, girl, you've got this."
