Brand New Life (Sequel to Rise) (Colton Dixon)

Chapter 19

A/N: So sorry about how long this took... I had major writer's block but I think I got through it. :) 

Alexis

Aiden makes easy small-talk on the drive from the venue to the theater, asking me about school and life on tour, and answers when I divert back to him each time. It's not a long drive, but we've both relaxed a little by the time we get there.

He hops out quickly and opens the door for me before I can get it myself.

I can't tell if it's cause he's that kind of a guy, or because he's on edge after Luke's lecture. Maybe a bit of both, I guess. Fitting, since we're going to a Marvel movie.

We walk inside in silence, and I reach for my purse as we slip into line at the ticket booth.

"That's not gonna happen, Lex," Aiden says, grinning. "I'll pay."

"No, you won't," I protest. "I can..."

He cuts me off. "It's not an option. That's the way it's gonna be."

I roll my eyes, muttering my annoyance just loud enough for him to hear.

"Hey, do you want Joel and Luke to kill me?" he retorts.

I can't help but smile slightly. "I guess not."

He orders our tickets, and we slip into the main part of the theater. He offers to buy me food, but doesn't push after I give him an instant no, and doesn't get anything himself, though I tell him he can.

We're about to head in, when I see a face that makes me stop breathing. I've seen it in a profile picture online more times than I'd like to count.

I turn to Aiden frantically. "I thought you said she wouldn't be here!"

He frowns in confusion. "Who?"

"Jessica!" I hiss, pointing with a trembling hand to where she and another girl seem to be waiting for someone.

The blood drains from his cheeks when he sees her.

"She... she's not supposed to be," he says, and I can tell he's not lying. "Mom and dad said she was going to a friend's house... a friend who lives here in Denver... they must have come here from there. I... I don't know what to do."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Just pretend like we don't see them and let's get into the movie."

He nods slowly, reaching down and taking my hand in his.

He doesn't do it in a romantic kind of way, though, and it doesn't even make me flinch. Because he's doing it to protect me.

He sets his shoulders, I attempt to do the same, and he leads me towards the entrance into the hall where the individual theaters are. Jessica and her friend are standing right there, but neither of us so much as glance their way, focusing on the dude who'll take our tickets.

We're almost there when a sickly-sweet voice cuts us off.

"There you guys are! I knew you wouldn't stand us up."

"Jess, get lost," Aiden says coldly without even looking at her. "You're not supposed to be here."

"Bro, it's a free country," she snaps, "and Mom and Dad gave me permission to go to a movie with Liliana."