BEAUTY FROM ASHES

TWENTY TWO

~Through think and thin, we're still brothers.~
-Unknown

AIDEN'S POV

Today I have been mentally preparing myself for lunch.

This is the first lunch in a while that I'll be joining. Here I sit, ignored by the guys and receiving sympathic looks from the girls.

Bell said she's tried talking to Connor, but he kept brushing her off. Ava said she's tried Liam but he did the same.

"Guys, I'm sorry. I know it was mean of me to just walk out when you guys were just trying to help. I'd like to think of my reason as being valid, but you decide. I received a letter from my dad saying that he misses me and that he wants to start over. He's also gotten married again."

That caught their attention. Liam stared stared at me, "Bro, I am so sorry." Connor's eyes softened too. "Aiden, man I'm so sorry." Ava got up and hugged me. I chuckled.

I saw Milea and Bella smiling at me. I smiled back.

MILEA'S POV

It's so good to see the normal banter happening at the table. I even caught Aiden smiling a few times.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Levi staring. Part of me feels guilty to see him so lonely. Other part of me is like, I'll get over it.

I really wonder what goes on in his head. My brain smiles at the thought. Matthew used to say that all the time about Levi. I guess I should've been curious with him.

Maybe the heartache could've been avoided?

AIDEN'S POV

I see Milea deep in her thoughts. I decide to leave her there, in her own world. As I am always interrupting her thoughts. Although, I can see that something's on her mind.

Aiden, she'll tell you when she's ready.

-Later-

When I got home I walked inside only to see my mom sitting down at the dinner table. I furrow my eyebrows.

She's crying. Why?

I walk to her, "Mom, you okay?" She sniffles and stares up at me.

I glance down to see what's she holding. I recognize the scruffy handwriting.

That's my letter from dad.

Anger boils inside of me. How dare she open something so private? I should've hid it better.

"Why are you reading that? Where'd you find it?"

She remained silent. I stared at her. "Mom. I need an answer." She started crying again. "Patricia found it in between your books as she cleaned your room. Aiden, why are you in contact with him?"

I remained silent. Digesting her words. Seeing her cry breaks me. I only enjoy seeing my mother cry if it's tears of joy. For any other reason, weakens me. It's like she's my rock, if she starts to crumble what do I do?

"He sent me the letter. I didn't ask for it." She stared at me, "Aiden. I think it's best if you just ignore this letter."

No. Those words did not just come out of her mouth. I mean I am extremely confused as to why my dad's reaching out to me now.

Part of me wants to build our relationship again but part of me is scared that this is all a façayde.

I mean afterall my dad wasn't the best man you'd stumble across.

"That's not fair. Also, you don't get to make that decision for me." She sighed.

"Aiden. You're setting yourself up for heartbreak. All I'm trying to do is save you from it." I stared at her, "I suppose then I need to suffer. I'm not sure when I'm not sure how I'm not sure why but there's a part of me that wants to see my dad. I doubt it'll happen but I believe that his a changed man. It's crazy but part of me believes that."

She was stunned. She then put down the letter on the table. She then walked upstairs. I sighed.

But then I noticed something. Why is there in the right side corner #111?

I furrow my eyebrows and I run upstairs to my mom's room. She stared at me as I barged inside. "Has dad sent any letters beofre this?"

She remained silent.

No. She wouldn't have. She couldn't have. "Mom." She started tearing up again.

I closed my eyes and sighed as I felt the lump in my throat. "Aiden, hear me when I say this I was trying to protect you. I didn't want to-" I cut her off, "So all this time you knew exactly where he was. You've been lying to me for four years now! Saying that he didn't care about me! Meanwhile his been writing me letters. I-I can't believe you."

She started crying again and handed me the small box filled with all the letters.

I then slammed her door and slammed my own room door shut.