Faded Promises

15

Aiden POV

I tried to sleep, but every time I close my eyes I see Hanna face red and her teary eyes. I shouldn't have give her a ride but how was I supposed to say no.

She was desperate for a way out and I was desperate for some time with my girl. It killed me to see her cry though, the moment I saw her mom leave her house I knew she was the reason. That women only brings problems to our live. Hanna is better without her if you ask me.

I'm sitting in my room, staring out the window, lost in my thoughts.

If it was back then, I would try to sneak out to her room and sleep there, helping her calm down but instead I'm just staring hoping I catch a glance of her.

The pain in Hanna's eyes had been so raw, so real. I hate seeing her like that, and it makes me want to punch something—anything.

There's a soft knock on my door. I turn to see my mom standing there, a tentative smile on her face. "What do you want to eat, Aiden?"

"Nothing," I mutter, not in the mood for food or conversation.

She steps into the room, her eyes full of concern. "Aiden, you need to eat. I was thinking about making strawberry pancakes"

"I'm not hungry"

"You look like you barely sleep" she grabs my chin and take a really good look at my face "did you went out with Max and Jake?"

"I was out with Hanna...."

"Hanna... the sweet Hanna ?" Mom was already smiling like she won the lottery. She always loved Hanna and she always said she had good influence in me.

I think she secretly already planned our marriage, now I just gave her hope.

"Your sweet Hanna" I give her a small smile

"So you two are ok?"

"She needed to calm down, she had a fight with her mom"

"Her mom was here?"

"She was...." I answer " is dad downstairs waiting for us?"

"He had work problems, spend the night in the office" mom says trying to keep a straight face but I noticed the sadness all over it " I don't like how you've been treating your dad lately. Well how you two are treating each other"

I scoff, looking away. "Why are you even still with him, Mom? After everything that's happened? Why don't you just leave him?"

She sighs deeply, the weight of my question settling heavily in the room. "Aiden, I can't just leave. If I do, I'll get nothing. No money, no support. I won't have anything to live on. You need to go to college, I won't sacrifice that"

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I feel a wave of sadness wash over me. "I'm sorry, Mom," I say quietly. "I didn't mean to make things harder for you. I can work..."

"No, you focus on school" She walks over and places a hand on my shoulder, her touch gentle. "I know, sweetheart. It's just... complicated."

"Yeah," I agree, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Can you go now? I want to be alone "

"Of course," she says softly. "But I'm making lasagna tonight. If you want, you can take some over to Hanna. I know how much she loves it"

I nod, appreciating her gesture. "Thanks, Mom."

She leaves the room, and I lie back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

The conversation with my mom only adds to the turmoil inside me. I can't stand seeing the people I care about hurt and feeling powerless to do anything about it.

My phone buzzes, and I see it's Max calling. Not really in the mood but ok.

"Hey, man," I answer, trying to sound more upbeat than I feel.

"Hey"Max says. "Are you home?"

"Yeah why? I don't wanna go out"

"Grumpy as always. Me and the rest of the team are going out. We need a pep talk for the next game. We need to step up our game for tomorrow. It's a big one."

"Yeah, I know," I reply, running a hand through my hair. "We'll be ready. I just wanna stay home. Not a good day"

"Anything we can help?"

"No, just wanna be alone. Tell the boys I'm sick or something"

"Ethan will be happy" he jokes

"He should just focus on playing. He's not very good at it"

"I heard Hanna is going, he might be at his best performance"

"Lucy will be there also"

"For Jake. Hanna will be there for you" I can tell he's smiling " you need to impress her, ok?"

I roll my eyes, even though he can't see it. "Shut up, Max."

He laughs. "Just saying, man. It wouldn't hurt to show her what you're made of."

"She'll be there probably for Ethan, he's been bragging about it at practice. He's always talking about her non stop"

"I bet you hate that" he chuckles "you two had a moment... just act on it. I'm your Cupid, I'm trying to help you but you need to do something. You can't just stood there all pretty."

"Aww you think I'm pretty?"

"I'm the prettiest, than you and them Jake. That nasty scar you gave him doesn't work for me"

"Lucy loves that scar, makes him look like a bad boys" I say

"Does she know the scar is from you hitting him with a pan? Because you two were cooking ...."

"She doesn't need to know. No one needs to know"

"That you and Jake like to cook with your mom?"

"Man, you better be alone"

"I am. Relax."

"You just jealous you never cooked with us" I say smiling "because your dad taught it was too girly"

"Let's not talk about my dad,ok?" Shit I should've not say anything.

We talk for a while longer, discussing strategies and plays, and for a brief moment, it feels good to focus on something other than my messed-up family.

Later, I decide to take my mom up on her offer. I head downstairs to find her pulling a freshly baked lasagna out of the oven. The smell fills the kitchen, warm and comforting.

"Here you go," she says, handing me a container. "Take this to Hanna. I'm sure she'll appreciate it."

"Thanks, Mom," I say, giving her a small smile.

I make my way over to Hanna's house, the lasagna warm in my hands. When I knock on the door, she opens it, looking surprised to see me.

"Aiden," she says, her eyes widening. "What are you doing here?"

"I brought you some lasagna," I say, holding out the container.

She takes it, her expression softening. "Thank you. That was really sweet of you."

"My mom asked me to bring it" I reply, feeling a bit awkward.

"I'm sure I will," she says, smiling. "And good luck with the game tomorrow."

"Thanks," I say, feeling a warmth spread through me at her words. "I'll see you there?"

"Yeah, I'll be there," she promises.

As I walk back home, I can't help but feel a little lighter. For the first time in a while, it feels like things might be looking up, even if just a little bit.