Shadow in the Light

Chapter 16

Aiden's POV

"You're late." My dad stood by the living room with his arms crossed.

"I'm sorry." I shut the front door behind me. I was still mad about Lindsay's attitude. She's so hard to comprehend. Okay. Fine, I take you everywhere you need to go and try my best to help out. Oh and don't forget I also have to tolerate your cousin who tried to HIT on me. Yeah, okay you don't have to tell me what you found out. How bad could the things Jasmine told her be?

"I was just worried." Dad gave me the death glare.

"It's only 11:40! Gosh I've came home at three before!" I stomped my way upstairs.

"Is everything okay?" Dad followed behind me.

"I don't know...what the hell I'm feeling." I walked into my room and laid on my bed.

"Don't do what your father did." He took a seat on a chair.

My head perked up, "What do you mean?"

"You're real dad. He decided to leave behind what he loved the most."

"You're my real dad." I whispered. He was. He was there when I learned how to ride a bike, swim, and play the piano.

"You don't play that thing anymore." He chuckled, reading my thoughts.

"Haven't had the time." I shrugged.

"Spending it with girls?" Dad raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"Eh...only one." I said truthfully.

"Her name?"

"Lindsay." I smiled like a goofball.

"Are you guys...dating?" Dad smirked. Sometimes I wonder if he's secretly a nosy school girl.

"No. I haven't even asked her yet. What if she says no? I mean at school, I've been such a dick to her. I've known her for quite a long time. But I'm starting to like her."

"I think she'll say yes."

***

"No." Lindsay replied after I asked her. I decided to go over her house in the morning and here I am.

My heart collasped to the floor as she rejected me.

I suppose she read my expression because she kept going, "What I mean is that I'd love to but I'm not allowed." She smiled sadly.

It made me relieved that she would 'Love to'.

"Soo... you'd like to but you can't?" I just wanted to make sure.

She nodded.

My mom told me she couldn't make it to the adult daycare center today so I had to go instead. Truthfully, I've been there before and I enjoyed it there. I thought maybe Lindsay would like to go with me. Not much of a date because the real one would be after.

"Can I talk to your mom?" I asked. I had a plan.

Lindsay motioned me inside her house. When I walked in, there were a few cardboard boxes scattered here and there.

"Why?" She asked curiously.

"Just to meet her." I shrugged. Lindsay eyed me suspiciously before disappearing into a room.

Two minutes later, an older version of Lindsay appeared. Only, she didn't have the same eyes.

"Hello Ms.-" I was cut off.

"Amy. Call me Amy." She shook my hand and gave me a warm smile.

"I'm Aiden. Aiden Walls. I live right across the street. I was wondering if Lindsay and I could go to the Adult Day Care Center. They need volunteers today." I smiled as she thought about it.

"How long have you been friends with Lindsay?" She asked.

"Since middle school ma'am."

"Its Amy." She corrected me.

Silence followed afterwards as Lindsay stood behind her mom.

"Come back before 11." Amy said with a slight smile.

Lindsay grinned and ran upstairs to her room to get ready.

Amy sighed, "She needs to go out some more. It's really hard for her..."

So... she hasn't even noticed Lindsay gone the other days?

"Yeah. She'll love it." I said, talking about the day care center.

"That's good. Take care of her. Thank-you for taking her also." Amy patted my back before leaving. Lindsay ran out of her room like a little kid.

"Are you that happy to see me?" I smirked.

"Shut up." She smacked my arm.

"Ow! Careful! My arm!"

**