Make Me Your King

Chapter 5

AN: This one is shorter because the last one was long and Aidan and I can only sit at Taco Bell for so long. I hate how invested I am in this trash.

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The drive to Taco Bell was rough. Katelyn was so tired, I could feel her fatigue. Paracetamol played quietly in the background, drowned out by the sound of the highway. For twenty minutes, I mentally addressed my feelings. I might have fallen for Declan. Might. No, this couldn't be any different than previous 5-minute crushes. I've definitely checked out other girls and forgot about them by the end of the day. I've definitely mapped out my future together with a stranger before forgetting it all. Maybe this was one of those situations.

No. This is something deeper. I felt something more, this isn't just a trivial crush. I know what this is, I've felt it before. I've felt it before.

Katelyn.

Oh, no, I can't do this to her. Declan is her dream boy, she's obsessed. And she loves me. She looks at me like I'm the most beautiful human she has ever laid eyes on; She kisses me like I'm the only one keeping her alive; She's so gentle and careful with me, I can't just-

"Love?"

I looked at her. "Yeah?"

She opened her mouth, about to say something. Hesitation. "Never mind."

"Katelynnnn, you can't just do that."

"No, no, I was just gonna say that I love you." I knew that wasn't it. But I was far too tired to pry.

"Awww."

We sat in the Taco Bell parking lot for a little bit. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and a Dr. Pepper. Katelyn was scrolling through Instagram and showing me animal videos. I took a sip of my soda.

"Aidan, how do you drink all that soda? That cup is bigger than your head."

Smiling, I shrugged. "I'm thirsty."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"OH MY GOD, KATELYN."

She laughed. "AIDAN I'M MESSING WITH YOU DON'T EAT ME."

I looked at her. I've been so scared of losing her. These past two years have been amazing, I've made so many memories with her. I feel like we've been together forever, I can't imagine a time when I didn't have her. Every kiss, every smile, every "I love you" is as powerful as the first. Just being around her gave me goosebumps and butterflies. And that single concert, that beautiful British boy changed it all.

I scanned her face, my eyes tracing the glitter trails on her face from all the crying she's done. I reached to run my fingers through her soft, dark hair. I searched her eyes, trying to lose myself- maybe if I did, I could find myself again. But it felt different, now. I didn't feel the magic. I felt like I was just looking at another set of eyes.

"I love you," she said.

My heart. This is love, right? No. No, this hurts. I gave her a weak smile and pulled her into a kiss.

No goosebumps. No butterflies.

Just emptiness.