Sins of Aiden

29

CHAPTER 29

Aiden's arm is around Jamine.

Well, not really.

It rests at the back of the couch both of them are sharing.

But the sting still stings the same.

I come to an abrupt stop at the edge of the gathering, making Madelyn's arm slip out of mine before she takes another step.

The music is quieter over here, and the seating area curves around a low black table littered with half-empty glasses, playing cards, napkins folded into weird shapes, and it's crowded.

Very crowded.

My eyes don't know where to focus first. Because I never thought this many people from Eastwood High School would be here tonight. The fact that so many of us got in the first place should be questionable.

Harry is the first one I see—leaning so far back into the couch opposite me that I genuinely don't understand how the cushions haven't drowned him yet. One boot is hooked over the table, a drink dangling between his fingers as Gabe argues with him about something.

My pulse stutters when I see Tammy and Sarah occupy the opposite couch, shoulders pressed together as they whisper back and forth before one of them suddenly bursts into laughter.

Seth Larson is perched on the armrest beside them, looking as detached as ever, one ankle resting over his knee while he slowly turns a glass in his hands. Levi Stavos lounges beside him, nodding absentmindedly while Seth speaks.

I can't help noticing them sitting the furthest away from Aiden.

I noticed Thomas Ford's absence like a knife to the back, and I'm vaguely aware of the jump scare that threatens me that he will suddenly come out of the shadows and make fun of me in front of everybody.

I glance behind my shoulder to make sure, but there is no Thomas Ford here.
When I turn around again, I see Sam Williams.

My stomach tangles into anxiety and my hand comes up to my golden hoop, tugging.

He's sitting at the end of the sectional, posture straighter than everyone else's, looking almost painfully normal amongst all the regular disarray. He catches sight of me for the briefest second and offers a small smile.

I don't know what to do with it.

So I smile back.

I haven't seen Sam since the fiasco with Aiden at my house, where he slammed the door in his face and where we had our biggest fight. I messaged him the next day, apologizing profusely for the whole ordeal, and he responded with a 'don't worry about it,' but all I've been doing is worrying about it. I feel embarrassed about the whole thing, and I wish it had never happened.

Every time I see Sam in the hallways, he either avoids looking at me or turns the other way—disappearing down another hallway. I can't help feeling hurt that he doesn't want to talk to me anymore. I really thought we were good friends. But I don't have many so that I may have misread it.

This is the first time he's looked at me, and the gauge smile I get is more than enough.

My gaze finds Flora—she's tucked into the corner beside Gabe on the couch with her legs folded neatly beneath her, hands wrapped around a glass while she listens more than she speaks. Now and then she smiles quietly at whatever Gabe is saying before shaking her head in patient amusement.