scoring you

Chapter 54

Aiden

I walk through the crowded airport with one thing on my mind.

Alyssa.

Because she's here, in this city at least.

Months upon months, I've waited like a ticking clock waiting to explode.

She broke up with me, I fucking know that.

I'll wait for you.

My own words repeat in my head, because I meant every last word.

I will wait, I'd stand on the edge of the universe for her. And if that makes me a lovestruck fucker then so be it.

It's almost midnight by the time I reach the apartment, can Ubers not come any faster?

My legs depart under myself in a sleepy nightmare. Months of precise training conjuring up to this moment.

The door opens and I'm greeted with a pitch black room.

Perfect.

Then the lights switch on and blind me.

"Surprise!" Matthew's voice says with too much happiness for the middle of the night.

"Fucking hell," I grumble, covering my eyes with my hands. "It's too late for this shit."

"This is seriously how you repay me for my hard work?" He holds up a balloon. "I got you a balloon Aiden, a balloon from the fucking party shop!"

"Thanks?"

He smiles, "thank you. That's all I needed to hear, a little bit of gratitude from my best friend after months of not seeing him."

"I mean-" I say trying to argue with him. "We called every day."

"Not the same thing."

I know.

I offer him a strained smile, but my eyes are so close to falling shut and my legs almost give out beneath me.

"You okay, man?" He asks with drawn eyebrows.

"Of course," I shrug, waving him off. "Just a little sore, that's all."

Truthfully, my legs been playing up for months now. I'm sure it's fine though, I just haven't had time to check up on it.

"Just my knee."

"Did you break it?"

"Pretty sure I'd be in a fucking wheelchair if I broke my knee Matthew."

"But aren't there medics?" He asks, following me to my room. "At the programme, in case you get hurt?"

"Yeah."

"Then why didn't you go to one?"

I shrug again. "Didn't have time, I've been busy."

"Yeah," he emphasises. "Busy getting yourself hurt."

I roll my eyes. "I'm fine," I pull up the leg on my pants. "See? Absolutely fi-"

My knee has flamed up in red, bruising around the edges and swollen. I wince as I inspect it, trying to deflate my feelings. "I mean- it could be worse?"

His jaw practically drops open. "What the fuck did you do to it?"

"Fell over a few times I think, huh that's weird."

"Weird?" He asks loudly. "That's fucking gross!"

I'm just happy it isn't bleeding, because if it was I'd surely be on the floor right now.