Faking It

33:Faking It:33

*Dedicated to NiallHottie, one of the people who has been with this story since the start. Thanks, love!*

Chapter 33

Alina

To be honest, this morning, I hadn't been worrying about the SAT's at all. While I was taking the actual exam, I wasn't even thinking about it. My mind has been preoccupied with everything going on, all these weird new things that I've learned (like the fact that my cousin works for the CIA), and that in twenty five days, I will either be walking away alive, or I'll be dead.

There's no in between.

I shudder every time I think about it, because, honestly, that's the reality of the situation. I don't know if anybody else has actually come to this final conclusion yet, but if they haven't, then they will sometime soon, because the countdown is starting.

21 Days Until Jared.

"Alina, come on!" River whispers, while tugging my arm and pulling me forward. "I see Callaway."

I nod lightly, still feeling dizzy over my thoughts. Aiden notices, and he places a hand on my lower back, guiding me forward.

Nick smiles at me when we reach his car. "Hey. Sorry I didn't tell you." I shake my head, as a way of trying to say that it's perfectly okay. It's meant to be a secret, and it's dangerous to say to even family member. I would fully understand if even River were involved with something like that and wouldn't tell me.

Nick smiles wider, ushering River, Aiden, Sorita, Tyler, Jeremy, and me into his van. It's pitch black, windows included. I wonder whether it would attract attention or not, but if it's CIA approved, then, who am I to question?

The moment we get back home, Nick and the other man don't leave. Mom and Mrs. Simmons are out too, so we're in the all clear with having them here. Jason isn't here, and I don't think that he's coming.

Serena, Sophie, and Madison say that they should probably get back home. Nick allows it, mainly because we all know that Jared is after one person and one person only. Me.

Before knowing it, I start nodding off to sleep, because there really isn't much left to do. We're not allowed to leave the house (Serena, Sophie, and Madison were an exception). Aiden opens his arms when he sees me yawning, and I gladly take the offer.

It's nice, because Aiden's really cuddly and I really love that kind of stuff. He lets me keep my head on his chest. I mean, quite honestly, I'm just sitting on his legs and pressing my head on him. It's a really comfortable sleeping position.

And the perk is that Aiden always smells heavenly.

...

"Do it."

"I'm not sure if I should."

"You're an idiot. Look, she's under tons of stress right now, because, whether we accept it or not, this really isn't involving any of us, except her. And in twenty one days, it's either she lives or dies. She's beyond stressed, so man fucking up and just do it. It'll make her happy at the least."

"Okay. Okay, I'll do it."

"Thank god."

Aiden notices me stirring awake, and glances down at me. Tyler stands up and goes upstairs. "Hey, Princess. Want dinner?"

Oh, god. It's dinnertime? I've been sleeping for over six hours. How? That's the longest "nap" I've ever taken. I glance down and see that I'm still on Aiden's lap. Isn't he uncomfortable?

"It's okay to sleep, Princess," Aiden mumbles. "I know you have trouble sleeping at night. Just know that Jared's not getting to you anytime soon."