The Unwanted sister

Chapter 23

**Andrea's POV:**

I sense that something is bothering my daughter, but she doesn't want to share it. I understand her better than I understand myself, which is why I haven't brought it up. I realize that she probably doesn't want her brothers to find out, and I suspect it has something to do with Xavier.

Earlier today, she looked tired. Daniel asked, "Are you okay, honey?" She simply nodded her head.

"You know, I really thought you and Aurora would get into a big fight, but you surprised me," he said.

"She didn't look fine. Something is bothering her. I don't know what yet, but I will," I replied.

---

**Aurora's POV:**

The king's meeting is approaching; Grandpa is officially handing down his title to Dad. I'm not sure if I want to go since the whole family will be there, and I don't know if they still blame me for what happened with Fraya. However, Mom insists that I attend. The only positive aspect is that I'll get to see Xavier.

We haven't spoken or seen each other since the day he disappeared about a week ago. He hasn't called or come to see me, and while I understand he probably has other things to do, a phone call wouldn't be too much to ask.

I looked for my phone and found it dead. Okay, maybe I can't blame him for not reaching out. I put my phone on the charger.

I soon discovered that he had called me three times. I faced two options: I could either call him back or go to his apartment. However, I wasn't sure if he would be there since he had been spending a lot of time at his family's old house since their return.
I decided to text him to see if he wanted to hang out at his apartment.

Standing in front of Xavier's apartment door, I suddenly became acutely aware of every heartbeat. I had been here a hundred times before—movie nights, lazy Sundays ordering takeout, and laughing until our stomachs hurt. But tonight felt different.

This was the first time I would see him since we admitted our feelings for each other. Just three little words had changed everything.

He opened the door before I could knock, as if he had been waiting for me.

"Hey," he said softly, unsure of how close to stand to me anymore.

"Hey," I echoed, hugging my arms around myself. "Is this weird?"

"A little," he admitted, giving me that crooked smile that always made my stomach flip. "But I'm glad you're here."

I stepped inside, and the familiar scent of cedar, soap, and something warm enveloped me. His hoodie was slung over the back of the couch, and his laptop sat open on the coffee table, paused mid-episode of a show we used to binge without a second thought.

He ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat. "Do you want to sit?"

I nodded and settled into my usual spot on the couch. He sat beside me, leaving a few inches of space that felt more like a mile.

"I wasn't sure if things would be weird after... you know," I said, staring down at my hands.

"You mean after we both blurted out our feelings and then immediately panicked?" he said with a grin.

I laughed, the tension easing a bit. "Yeah, that."

He turned to me, his expression more serious now. "I meant what I said, Aurora. I like you. I've liked you for a long time. And I'm still your best friend. That doesn't change."

I looked at him, my heart caught in my throat. "I know. I just don't want to ruin anything."

"You won't," he assured me, his voice low and certain. "Unless you run away right now. That might ruin it."

I smiled, shy and breathless. "I'm not running."

He shifted closer, just enough that our knees touched. "Good."

Without thinking, I leaned in—just enough for him to pull away if he wanted to. But he didn't. His hand found mine, fingers curling around mine like he had done it a thousand times before. Now it meant something more.

When we kissed, it was soft, hesitant, warm—the kind of kiss you only share with someone you already know down to their bones. I felt it everywhere—down to my toes and deep in my chest, like a secret unfolding.

When we pulled apart, he didn't say anything; he just looked at me as if I were the only thing in the room worth noticing.

I pressed my forehead against his, still breathless. "What happens now?"

He smiled, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. "Whatever we want, as long as it's together."

His forehead rested gently against mine, our hands clasped between us like we were holding something delicate and brand new.

I could feel my heartbeat in my ears, steady and wild. My lips still tingled from the kiss, and I wasn't sure I'd taken a full breath since I walked in. But even through the nerves, there was this peace—a stillness that came from being exactly where I wanted to be.

Xavier leaned back slightly to look at me, his eyes searching mine as if he were memorizing something.

"Okay, so," he started, a small, nervous smile playing on his lips. "This might be the dumbest question I've ever asked, considering we just made out on my couch, but... can I ask anyway?"

I tilted my head, smiling. "Ask what?"

He rubbed the back of his neck like he always did when he was overthinking. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

For a second, everything went still. Not because I was surprised—I'd hoped he'd say it, and maybe even daydreamed about it once or twice—but because hearing him actually ask made it real.

"You're really asking?" I said, my voice soft but teasing. "This isn't just... implied now?"

He laughed, his cheeks a little pink. "I just want to do it right. You deserve that."

I couldn't stop smiling. "Then yes," I said, my heart pounding as the words left my lips. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend."

His smile widened, and he let out a breathy, relieved laugh before pulling me into another kiss—deeper this time, more certain. His hands slipped around my waist, and I let myself melt into him, into all the things that had been building for so long but had never been said out loud until now.

We stayed like that for a while, tangled up in each other, with no space left between us.

Eventually, I rested my head on his shoulder, still holding his hand as if I might never let go.

"I can't believe this is real," I whispered.

He kissed the top of my head and murmured, "I've been waiting for this since I first saw you . It's definitely real."

And somehow, in that moment, I knew—we weren't just friends who liked each other. We were something real. Something ours.