The Storm Ahead

Eleven

Hey guys! Since this chapter is a little short, I'm gonna put out a character QnA in just a minute, please enjoy and remember to comment and vote!

Caroline's POV

     I laid still, even when the phone rang for the third time in the past hour. Even when Lucy tried to shove me out of the bed. When it rang the fourth time, I answered for the sole reason of shutting it up. When I picked up the phone, an unknown number flashed on the screen in front of me. Part of me remembered my mother's warnings about answering phone numbers you don't know. The other, more immature part, was curious of who would speak from the other side. I swiped the screen and held it up to my ear.

"Hello?" I grumbled, my voice thick with sleep. I glanced to the clock, it was nearly 5:30 in the afternoon. Guess that nap went a little long. 

"Good morning, Sunshine," Laughed a British voice from the other side. 

"Aiden?"

"The one and only,"

"How did you get my phone number?" I asked, rolling over onto my pillow. 

Lucy looked at me with a cocked head from the foot of the bed. 

"I got it from Bailey,the woman at the bookshop."

I groaned.

"I've gotta tell that woman you can't give a boy my number just cause he's handsome."

"You think I'm handsome?" He asked, and I could almost hear the smirk in his voice.

"As if," I scoffed. 

"Would you want to go to dinner?" He asked, "I'll pay."

"Are you asking me out?"

A cough followed by sputtering sounded from his side. 

"No," He stuttered, "I just want to make sure you're alright."

"Well," I laughed, "I'll save you the trip. I'm fine."

"I'll believe that when I see it," He said with a laugh of his own, "Hows six?"

"Okay," I said, standing up to get dressed. "I'll be ready."

     When we hung up the phone, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the British boy. 

Aiden's POV

I let out a breath as I look through the windshield. I looked up into the mirror and shook my head. 

"What if I tell her and she hates me for it?" I thought to myself. 

"You wanker," I whispered, "why would she, she's like you."

When I pulled up to her house, she walked out of the door, turning the lock behind her. Her hair was curly and she wore torn jeans and a Beatles shirt. I smiled at her as she sat down in the passenger seat. 

"Hey," I said

"Hi,"

"You look nice."

She smiled and pushed her hair back behind her ear. 

"Thank you,"

With that we made our way to town, and I listened intently, trying my best to hear her humming along with the radio. When we pulled up to the dinner and walked in, she made her way to a corner table. After we ordered, I watched her gazing at the people outside. 

When the waitress sat down our food, I noticed the way she jumped away before apologizing. 

"How're you doing?" I asked after she took a bite out of her burger. After a minute of chewing and thinking she swallowed.

"I'm okay," She said quietly, "I miss him."

"I know,"

"My whole life, he's been like a part of me,"

"What started all of this?" 

She went rigid. 

"When you got here, I think he felt threatened."

Lie. 

"What," I laughed, "Did he think you liked me?"

"No."

Lie. 

"Well, I think he'll come around."

"Me too," She said, looking down. 

Lie. 

Not that I could blame her, she has a huge secret. She's not going to trust me over night. 

     After we ate, I payed the check and we walked out the door. I asked if she wanted to go swimming, but with a red face she asked for a rain check. I laughed and we made our way towards my car. After we walked a bit, I noticed a shadow lurking behind us. I sped up my pace a bit and I heard it gaining speed behind me. I turned and shoved Caroline behind me as it reached out towards her. It grabbed at me, and shoved me against the wall. Now in the light I could see that "it", was actually a human man. A very very angry human man. I slid my leg behind his ankles and shoved towards him, watching him stumbled. I grabbed his collar and yanked him up. He threw a punch and my neck turned with the impact. I dropped his collar and stumbled back. 

"Aiden!" Caroline screamed and as she began to run toward me, the man turned his attention to her with a grin. I yanked myself up with a groan to pull him away from her. When he turned to me I punched him as hard as I could and watched as he fell to the ground. 

"Lets get out of here," I told her, taking her hand.

When we got to her house, she had finally began to calm down, her shaking lessened. 

I stepped out of the car to walk her to the porch, and her hand found mine as we walked. 

Caroline's POV

When we reached the door, he told me to have a good night and stay safe, before turning to leave.

I thought for a moment before I threw out rationality. 

"Aiden?"

He turned around. 

"Yeah?"

"Will you stay with me?"

He smiled a bit before nodding and making his way back to the door. 

We sat on the couch, and I realized I had no idea what I was thinking. I just didn't want him to leave. 

"Y-you can sleep here on the couch," I rambled, "or upstairs on my mom's bed, or we can make a bed on my floor."

"The couch is fine," He said with a smile. 

"I'm sorry if this is weird I just don't want to be-"

"Alone?" He asked and I nodded, "Yeah, I know how you feel."

He gave me a smile and we talked until the sun began to rise.