The Art of Stealing Hearts (On Hold)

5. The one with Aaron's stash

~|Chapter 5|~
•The one with Aaron's stash•

"Do you want to come with us?"

I looked up at Levi, leaning on the door to my room, watching me carefully.

I'd locked myself in my room after coming back from school, waiting for Lincoln to call me. He had promised me that we would talk everyday.

"Where are you guys going?" I asked.

"Nick from school is throwing a party. All of us are going-Tyler, Aaron, Jake, Dylan, Drew and me. Would you like to come?"

Honestly, a distraction would be welcome right now. But I didn't want to spend any more time with the guys than I had to, I didn't want to get close to them. "Nah, that's okay. I still have a ton of unpacking to do." I answered Levi. "Thanks for the offer, though."

"You know, Joey, you are a terrible liar." Levi told me. "Aaron hasn't moved his stuff from here, so there is no way you can unpack. Now will you tell me why you don't want to come?"

"I don't feel like going to a party." I muttered.

Levi looked far from convinced, but he didn't push me on it. "Okay, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

I sighed in relief. "Okay," Levi left, leaving me to stare at his retreating back. I'd never felt so alone before. It's hard, losing someone, it changes you.

Mary walked into my room after a while. "You're not going out with the boys?" She asked.

"I-no." I gave her a simple answer. "I just thought I'd stay and-" I stopped talking, I didn't know what I thought.

"Honey, I know it's not the ideal time for you, but don't be afraid of letting someone in. Stop trying to stay away from everybody." She said, as she slowly wrapped her hands around me.

I sank in her warmth, content to have someone to hold onto. "I can't do it. Every time I do something, I remember Ava. If she were here, she would laugh at my stupidity; if she were here she would scold me for being such a wuss."

"It's okay," Mary soothed me. "Eventually you will warm up to the boys."

I shook my head. "I don't think so. I can't go through the pain of losing someone again. And what's the point? I'll leave at the end of the summer."

Mary smiled. "Just wait for it. My boys are experts at breaking down walls. You won't realise when they known down those walls. They'll steal your heart and you won't even know it." She gave me another smile before standing up.

As she made her way out, she caught sight of my suitcase, standing against the wall. "Are you done with unpacking?"

I shook my head. "Aaron has yet to move his things out."

"He still hasn't cleared out his stuff?" Mary asked exasperatedly. "Aaron!" She called.

Uh-oh. I hadn't meant to get him in trouble. There was the sound of footsteps and Aaron entered my room. "Yes, mom?" He was dressed casually for the party, in a regular shirt and faded jeans. But even that made him look like a model.

A car honked from outside; the guys were probably waiting for Aaron so they could leave.

"You are not going to any party, mister," Mary said firmly, as she planted her hands on her hips. "You still haven't cleared your things? I told you to do everything to make Johanna comfortable, and all her clothes are still packed up."

"Mom, I promise I'll do it as soon as I get back." Aaron said impatiently.

"Or," Mary suggested, "you can go to the party after you are done."