REMINISCENT

CHAPTER FOUR:Awakening Memories (FINAL EDIT)

Aiden's POV
I stood under the shower, the warm water cascading over me, drumming softly against the tiled floor. The rhythmic sound resembled rainfall, easing my tense muscles as steam rose around me. My palms pressed against the cool tile, head bowed, and eyes shut as I let the soothing sensation ground me.

But even in the stillness, I couldn't stop thinking about the dream.

It began with her back to me, her soft silhouette bathed in golden light. My lips found the curve of her neck, planting delicate kisses that sent shivers through her body. Her shoulders tensed, then relaxed, a sigh escaping her as goosebumps formed on her skin. She leaned into me, her warmth fitting perfectly against my chest, and I couldn't help but smirk.

That's when I saw it—a tattoo etched on her shoulder blade. Not just any tattoo. My tattoo. Or at least, a version of it. It was feminine, intricately designed, yet unmistakably mine.

Confusion washed over me. I turned her gently, wanting to see her face, but her head remained bowed. Her long, dark curls framed her face, obscuring it except for her lips—soft, full, and slightly parted. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, the motion sending an unfamiliar ache through my chest.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say a word, her shoulders began to tremble. Tears fell from her hidden eyes, and a sob escaped her.

"Wait—what's wrong?" I asked, panic rising in my chest. "Who are you?"

She shook her head and gave me a small, bittersweet smile. Then, to my horror, she began to fade, her form dissolving into nothingness.

"No! Don't go!" I shouted, reaching for her. My hands grasped at empty air. "Tell me who you are! Tell me what this means!"

She whispered something—just one word—but her voice was so faint, I couldn't make it out. And then she was gone.

The emptiness left behind was unbearable. Sadness, frustration, confusion, and anger swirled within me, each emotion crashing against the next. I blinked, trying to focus, but the dream began to slip away like grains of sand through my fingers.

"Aiden! Aiden!" My mother's voice jolted me back to reality. I shook my head, water streaming down my face as I turned off the shower.

"Yes, Mom?" I called, my voice echoing faintly in the bathroom.

"Are you okay up there? Should I come up?"

"No, no, I'm fine. I'll be down in a sec!" I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped out of the shower, the chill of the air snapping me further into the present. I did all my necessities and rushed down before mom had a chance to come up

The smell of breakfast greeted me as I entered the kitchen "oh good I was just about to come up" she said showcasing her perfect white teeth at me, her bright smile immediately lifting some of the weight off my chest.

"Morning, Mom," I greeted warmly, grabbing plates to help set the table.

Alicia, my baby sister, bounced into the room with a squeal. "Morning!" she chirped, her tiny voice as bright as the sunshine spilling through the windows.

" morning " I greeted back picking her up and placing her in her high chair and sat down as well. We ate for a few minutes in a comfortable silence until mom broke it

"so did you two sleep well? " mom asked us
"Sí, mamá," Alicia and I chorused, earning a pleased smile from her.

"Good. Now, hurry up or you'll both be late!" she clapped her hands to quicken us as we did what she said