𝓐𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓷 𝔁 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 (but you're Ashlyn) 𝕊𝔹𝔾

Episode 39 (pt.2 of 38)

>>>><Unfamiliar tensions><<<<

He pulls his head away from my ear, but he keeps me close enough to speak without being overheard.

"Oh, you know what I want. Don't make me say it. You're smart enough to figure it out..."

I avert my eyes downward, trying to process what he could possibly want. One conclusion crosses my mind, but... Aiden wouldn't do that. Would he?

He grins, enjoying watching me think it over. He lifts his hand and moves his fingers under my chin, tilting my head back up, his usual wide grin still in place.

My eyes widen, and my mind goes blank for a moment. He moves his hand from my hip to my cheek, holding my face with both hands. Bringing his face even closer, our lips nearly touch.

He smiles and pauses for a moment before he speaks, his face so close that I can feel his breath on my lips, his voice a whisper.
"​I want a kiss.​"

He smiles as his lips finally make contact with mine, eyes closing in the process. He moves his hands to my neck, cupping the back of my head to keep me in place. His lips remain pressed against mine firmly, enjoying the moment as if he is savoring it.

I close my eyes- lost in the moment. But I pull back after a few seconds and open the door I thought was locked. When did he unlock it? Did he lock it at all?

I run inside the girl bathroom and hide myself in the stall. 

What... just happened? Did Aiden really just kiss me? Why did I let him get that close? My heart is racing... was I supposed to push him away?

His lips were warm, and I didn't want to pull back. Why did it feel... nice? No, focus! He's acting so differently—this isn't like him at all.

What if someone saw us? This couldn't be happening! What does he really want from me? Am I reading this wrong? ​My head is spinning; I need to think!​

Why can't I shake this feeling? I don't know what to do!

Damn it Aiden Clark! What are you doing to me?!

*TIME SKIP WHENTHEY'RE WALKING TO CLASS*

Why is it so quiet? Every step feels heavier, and the air is thick with unspoken words. Aiden is right beside me, and ​I can't shake the heat from that kiss.​

Is he still thinking about it? What if he tries something like that again? I can't let my guard down, but part of me... wants to know more.

"How are we supposed to 'celebrate' when you two are ruining the mood with awkwardness?"
"What Tyler means is that the two of you all seem quite tense- there's about 10 minutes before class, how about you guys all talk things out and we'll go grab some snacks?"

The twins left with Logan and Ben following, the three of us now standing in the middle of the stairwell.

"...Are you sure you should've come to school with your head injured like that, Ash?"
"...What about you? You're limping." I try to keep it casual, despite the whole scene that happened 30 minutes ago.. 
"Heh, yeah but it's kinda my fault haha-" He put his hand on the back of his neck
"Haha?" I try to laugh, but it was hard too when I didn't think anything was funny. Suddenly my head starts hurts worse. "...Maybe we should talk later, my head is throbbing" I turn the other way before Aiden reaches out his hand, making me stop and look at him

He paused before speaking and moved his hand and put it on the side of my face, causing me to slightly widen my eyes. "...I'm sorry Ashlyn"

"I didn't think me getting hurt meant you would too." His words... seemed genuine.

Now that I think about it- he already apologized on that night.

He moves his hand away slightly "Ah- Am I too close? To be honest, I'm still new to this boundary thing. I never tried to get close to someone like you."

Well that's obvious going off of the scene he pulled earlier- wait...what?
"Someone like me? What's that's supposed to mean?" I raise my eyebrow
"Ah- Not in a bad way!" He put his hand on the back of his neck again but more in a nervous gesture

 "With my parents travelling all the time, I had to get used to passing the time by talking to random people, waiting for the next move. I never cared about any of them, and they never cared about me, but now, i wanted to try something different. And you seemed like you wouldn't be close with someone unless they actually meant something to you."
"...Well how am I supposed to know? I don't usually get along with people, period." That came off a bit more blunt then what I meant to..

I take a breath before speaking "Listen, I'm not good at phrasing my words like Taylor is, so I'm just going to be blunt. Aiden, you're impulsive, pushy, annoying and have no concept of personal space. Despite that, you are great assets to the group and I couldn't imagine doing it without you. I would appreciate it if you listened to me more, maybe take things more seriously- even though I know how unlikely that is to happen -and... I'll also work on becoming more open with you all. I'm not under the illusion I'm the greatest to deal with since I never planned to be around anyone, but we can all just try our best, I guess?"

I reach out my hand , and I notice how his smile got a bit wider before he reach his hand out and shook mine

Just then the atmosphere seemed a bit less tense.

I had no other choice but to trust these guys..

948 word count