𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡'𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

7. I'LL PROTECT HER 🧿

Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her tryin'
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday✨

Aston's pov

After her bedroom light flickered off, I quietly walked back to my place.
Ever since we crossed paths again, I've made it a habit to check on her every day, just to make sure she's safe.

During the day, it’s easier to keep an eye on her at school, but at night, I need to be closer.

She’s the reason I’m still breathing, and I’ll protect her with everything I have until my last breath.

Tonight, I was waiting outside her house when she caught me by surprise.

Her eyes widened as she asked why I was there, and I lied, saying I was just passing by.

The truth?
I couldn’t bear the thought of her riding to my place alone, so I came to make sure she was safe.

She was dressed in a sweatshirt and cargo jeans, looking as cute as ever. Even if I saw her first thing in the morning, with her hair messy and eyes still sleepy, she’d still be the most beautiful girl in existence.

In just a few minutes, we reached my place. She started taking out her books and notes, and I handed her the blueberry smoothie I’d bought.

“Oh, thanks,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Actually, I bought this for you.” I was puzzled when she pulled out a tiffin box from her bag and handed it to me.

“Yesterday, I noticed you rely on takeout and instant food a lot, which isn’t good for your health. So, I made you some healthy dinner.”

I was speechless.
She’s the only girl who’s ever cared for me this much.
It’s been less than a week, but somehow, she already knows me better than anyone else.

“Thank you, but you don’t have to do this next time,” I said, not wanting her to go out of her way for me.

A hint of sadness crossed her face, and I instantly regretted my words.

“Really, it’s okay. I love cooking,” she replied, giving me the brightest smile.

“Well, let’s get back to studying,” I said, and we both dove into our study session. She taught me some problems, and while I worked on my tasks, she read something else.

I couldn’t help but steal glances at her, wishing I could freeze time and just watch her all day.

“Have you finished your tasks?” she asked, looking up at me.

I hoped she didn’t catch me staring at her like a hawk. Clearing my throat, I shook my head.

She took a sip of the smoothie, the sound making my ears heat up. My gaze drifted to her lips, and for a moment, I was lost, wanting nothing more than to kiss her. But I had to control myself.

“Done,” I said, forcing my eyes away from her lips.

“Hmmm,” she hummed, glancing at my completed tasks. She checked my answers and found most of them correct.

“Good job,” she exclaimed, patting my head. If it were anyone else, I’d break their hand, but this is Aarya—she can do whatever she wants to me, and I wouldn’t utter a word. She has that kind of power over me.

Her touch made me blush—at least, I think that’s what it was.

“Are you blushing, Mr. Hoodie?”

“What? No. Why would I blush?” I tried to hide it, putting on a serious face.

“Well, I was just kidding. No need to be grumpy,” she said, rolling her eyes.

We studied for another half hour. When she started packing up her things, that damned blueberry decided to bark.

Her sudden barking made Aarya pause. “Do you have a dog nearby?” she asked. I nodded.

“Next time, you have to introduce me,” she said, smiling. I nodded again.

As much as I want her to meet Blueberry, I’m also hesitant. I’m pretty sure Blueberry would get all her attention, and I wouldn’t like that one bit.

On the way back to her house, I told her I’d accompany her because I had some work in the area—another lie just to ensure she got home safely.

“Thanks for today,” I said as I handed her bag back to her.

“Thank you, pretty boy, for accompanying me and for carrying my heavy bag.” I just nodded, giving her a tight-lipped smile.

As I turned to leave, I heard her call out, “Aston?”

“Yes?” I turned back, only to be met with her puppy-dog eyes—my ultimate weakness.

“Can you stay a bit longer? My parents aren’t home, and I don’t want to be alone.”

She could ask me to do anything, and I’d do it, no questions asked.

She invited me inside, and while she went to the kitchen, I scanned the room. Her photos were everywhere, from when she was just a bump in her mom’s belly to now.

But before I could take a closer look, she was back with some food.

“Tadaaaaa! I made pasta for us,” she said, presenting it like a chef.

“Don’t say a word—just eat. I bet you’ll love it.” Her stern tone made me smile internally.

She sat down next to me and asked, “What show do you like to watch?”

“I don’t watch TV,” I replied.

“Of course, Mr. Grumpy Old Man,” she teased, making me chuckle. She froze, staring at me in surprise.

“Did Mr. ‘I-Don’t-Have-Any-Emotions’ just chuckle?” she asked, squinting at me.

I shrugged with a tight-lipped smile.

“How many expressions can you actually show?” she asked, smirking.

“As many as you want to see,” I replied, making her blush.

Clearing her throat, she handed me a plate of pasta. Our fingers brushed, and an electric spark shot through me.

Taking a bite, I couldn’t help but moan at the taste. This was the first time I’d eaten something homemade in a long time, and it was the best pasta I’d ever had.

But when I looked at her, she was coughing, her face red. I guess my moan startled her.

“Sorry, angel,” I almost whispered in a low  tone that she couldn't hear, rubbing her back and handing her a water bottle.

After a sip, she started eating again, her attention fixed on the TV.
Some cartoon or Barbie show was playing, but I couldn’t care less.

All I could focus on was her—the way her cheeks puffed slightly as she chewed, the way her eyes sparkled, the way her lips moved.

She has a happy, loving family, everything I don’t have. I don’t even know where I come from or who my parents are. I’m a ghost, a shadow. But for some reason, she lets me into her world.

And that scares me. I’m afraid that one day, I might break her golden heart with my stone-cold one.

But I swear, if I ever make her cry, I’ll disappear from this world without a trace.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Xoxo,
Virya 💋