"Hey Jaeden? Could you grab me a water from the fridge?"
I asked the brown haired boy who I was currently sitting with.
"For sure."
As he was getting up from the couch, I got off of his shoulder and paused the movie.
Being at our shared vacation home for the summer, Jaeden & I had gotten to spend a lot of time together.
Both my parents & his were away for the past couple of weeks, and we've really had a lot of fun.
I've liked him ever since I could remember.
We were introduced 10 years ago, when his family moved in next door back home. Instantly, we clicked. It was like somehow we were bound to be best friends.
I oh so desperately wanted to be more.
Since we still had a week until the adults returned, we got consent to invite our group of friends over.
Sophia, the only other girl in the group knew about my liking for Jaeden. She was immediately ecstatic because 'her ship would be sailing in no time'. I laughed at her remark, doubting it, but having a small sliver of hope.
To be fair, Jaeden & I were very close.
It always felt like he was trying to hint at something more, but never addressed it directly.
We stayed up late talking a lot, cuddled watching movie marathons and hung out 24/7.
But because our relationship has always been so tight like that, I never noticed anything different.
Coming back in from the kitchen, Jaeden tossed me the water bottle.
"When are the guys & Sophia coming over?"
He asked, sitting back down putting an arm around me.
"I'm pretty sure tomorrow at 11:00am. They were all coming together so chances are they'll be late." Letting out a chuckle, I turned to him to see what he would respond with.
"More time I get to spend with my favourite person."
This made me blush, but luckily it was dark enough that you couldn't see it.
"Thanks. Want to finish the movie?"
With a nod, we resumed.
I woke up to loud clicks, and people talking.
"Guys! Be quiet you're gonna wake them!"
"Shut up Jack!"
What?
I opened my eyes, to see I was laying in Jaeden's lap with my arms around his torso; his around my waist.
Looking up wide eyed I saw the 6 other people I call family.
"GUYS YOU'RE HERE!" I jumped up from his arms, and into Sophia's.
"Athena what's going on?"
Jaeden's groggy voice spoke.
"Jae they're here!"
He looked confused.
"God, how long did we sleep?"
They all smirked at us.
"Long enough." Wyatt scoffed.
Wyatt. He always flirted with me, every time I saw him. It really pissed Jaeden off, especially when I gave into it.
Releasing from Sophia's arms, I hugged them one by one until I got to Wyatt.
"Wy!"
I engulfed him in a hug.
"Hey Hotness." He said chuckling.
"Athena? Don't you think you should change?"
Sophia sarcastically stated.
Remembering I literally just woke up, I looked down to see myself in a white tee, and sleep shorts.
"I think she looks hot."
Wyatt smirked.
Chosen slapped the back of his head.
"Okay, regardless. Everyone can go find a room. Jaeden's is the first on the left & mine is next to it. All the other ones are free."
Grabbing their duffle bags from the opposing couch, Finn spoke up.
"Are you sure you and Jaeden don't share a room?"
I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
After getting changed into some actual clothes consisting of distressed denim shorts, and a peach coloured henley, I made my way downstairs to see everyone already making themselves comfortable.
Sitting down next to Sophia on the floor, we planned out our next few days together.
"So there's a beach just past the trees in the back, and a pool in the back patio."
I was explaining the layout of the house, so they wouldn't be lost when trying to navigate it.
"Today if you guys want, we can just have a chill night. There's a store a few minutes away to get some snacks and shit."
While talking, I felt a pair of eyes burning into the back of my head.
Turning, the only person I saw in that direction was Jaeden. Not fazed, I waited for a response from the group.
"Yeah."
"Sounds fun."
"I'm up for that."
Were the responses I got.
After going up to my room and just screwing around, we all headed out to the local store. Because the vacation home was in the middle of practically nowhere, the small store had everything in it. From first aid to flamin' hot Cheetos to pool noodles & fishing rods. You could find it all.
Making it to the store, everyone went their separate ways, leaving Wyatt, Jaeden & I.
"Let's go get some candy!"
I dragged them along into the narrow aisle.
I tried to reach for the Skittles on the top shelf, struggling, until I felt a pair of arms lift me from my legs onto their shoulders.
"Here you go, Hotness."
Chuckling, I grabbed the skittles and climbed down.
I kissed his cheek and said,
"Thanks Wy."
Jaeden looked pretty pissed, his glare to Wyatt giving me a pang of guilt.
With that, I went to go find Sophia & the others.
"God Jack, how do you waste 50 bucks on Takis!"
Jeremy shouted at the curly headed boy.
"How do you not?!"
We were all on my bed, snuggled up comfortably on the queen sized mattress.
I was leaning on Jaeden's shoulder with an arm around his waist, while my right thigh was occupied by Jack's head, and my left leg had Wyatt clutching it.
Chosen, Jeremy and Sophia were on the end, sort of leaning on each other, whilst Finn was playing with my right hand.
It was silent, but comfortable silence nonetheless. We all enjoyed each other's presence.
I nuzzled up into Jaeden's shoulder, which Wyatt responded to with by rolling on my leg more.
"You alright there, Wy?"
He looked up, glaring at Jaeden.
"Oh I'm perfectly fine, Hotness."
There was a sort of pettiness in his tone, and that was when all hell broke loose.
Jaeden sat up, making direct eye contact with Wyatt.
"Okay. Screw it. Wyatt. You're one of my best friends. And I can't take this anymore,"
He turned to me, and grabbed my cheeks gently.
"Athena. Ever since I laid my eyes on you 10 years ago, I knew you were special. I guess I never had the guts to admit it but I love you. I fucking love you Athena. And I can't take seeing someone else try and win you over."
I was shocked. I had never thought in a million years, that he'd be the one saying this.
"Jaeden, a-are you saying,"
His glossy eyes met mine.
"Yes. Athena, will you be my girlfriend?"
Forgetting about everyone else, forgetting about the rest of the world. Then and there it was just me and him.
I kissed him. It wasn't for lust, for show.
It was love.
I loved him, he loved me.
Pulling away, I saw everyone staring with their mouths gaping open.
"So um, do you guys need a room or something?" Jack said laughing.
"Yeah, I saw a hotel on the way down here if you guys, yeah, ya kno-"
"What the hell Finn?"
Jaeden & I said in unison.
"Hey Hotness, Jaeden. No hard feelings or anything, I'm just a total flirt. And the nickname is probably gonna stick."
Jaeden gave him a death glare, while the rest of us chuckled.
"Back off, Oleff."
Sophia was about to burst.
"MY SHIP SAILED!"
She screamed at the top of her lungs, probably waking all of North America.
"Haha. Yeah. It did."
I snuggled into his side, listening to the chatter of my friends.
Jaeden Lieberher loves me.
a/n ok this was so cute I'm quaking
& I absolutely love the name Athena it's so pretty
happy weekend folks x
