Dead Hearts

Chapter 14 - First Loves and Alcohol

Still Aiden, just now in the past, signaled by "Then".

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Chapter 14

Aiden

Then

We walked silently out into a foggy night. It was already one in the morning, Mara underneath my arm as I kept her as close to me as I possibly could. She felt me tensing up as we walked out to my car, and turned her head up to look at me, her hair falling on her forehead.

“I’m okay now, you know. Nothing’s gonna happen. I won’t collapse.” She grinned, trying to keep the mood light. I furrowed my eyebrows. I was pissed. How was I supposed to know when she got these asthma attacks? How could she still not have told me? I wanted to know everything about her as fast as possible now.

“I don’t care if you collapse or not. You’re staying with me.” I cut myself off, realizing I probably sounded like a menacing rapist.

She widened her big green eyes at me, her mouth slowly parting in surprise. I stared down at it, her lips bloody red in contrast to her pale skin, dark hair. I blinked slowly, turning to look at her eyes again.

“What do you mean, stay with you? My mom must be worried sick!” She said, trying to loosen my hold from her. I held her even tighter.

“Don’t worry about it. I called her as soon as I brought you here earlier, told her you’d probably spend the night at the hospital.” I smiled.

“But I won’t be spending the night at the hospital…” she continued, looking adorably clueless. I grinned as understanding crossed her face.

“TAKE ME HOME, AIDEN. TAKE ME HOME NOW.” She raised her voice, her cheeks reddening.

“That’s what I’m doing…” I started up the car after seating her.

“YOU’RE TAKING ME TO YOUR HOUSE. DON’T YOU LIVE, LIKE, BY YOURSELF?” she was screaming now, her eyes wide as ever.

“Calm down. I do live by myself, and I will take you to my house. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone tonight. What if you have another attack and your mom’s asleep?” I asked her, raising my eyebrow.

“How will me staying at your house make it any safer?” she retorted, crossing her arms on her chest.

“You are so god damned difficult.”

“I know.” She smiled.

“I live closer to the hospital. If you happen to have any attacks, I’ll bring you quicker.” I closed my argument, knowing she wouldn’t be able to win.

She sensed it too, and huffed at the windshield.

“Just so you know, there is no way in hell I’ll be sleeping anywhere near you.”

I grinned at her.

“Sure of that?”

“Absolutely.”

“That’s perfectly fine by me,” I answered, confident.

She shrugged, but I swear I could see her shaking.

-

We pulled up to my block, a smirk on my face, a frown on hers.

I opened the car door to see a puffy, huffy Mara, her shoulders set, her face straight.

“What is wrong with you? Another girl, and she’d be dying for me to take her home.” I said, frowning.

“Nothing is wrong with me. I’m just pissed you’re taking me somewhere against my will.” She huffed.