The Storm Ahead

nineteen

Caroline's POV

"I think you should wear the white dress to dinner," Billie said from across the table, and her wide smile left me feeling safe and comfortable. 

"Seems a little to carefree for a dinner party," I said. Her green eyes met mine and confidence soared through my chest. 

"Don't feel pressured," She said with a light laugh, "Alexander is nothing to be scared of. He's a jokester is all."

"Why hasn't he seen Aiden in so long?"

"They had a falling out a few years ago. They tried to get past it, but they gave up. When I brought it up a few months ago, Aiden seemed ready to give it a try. Which I suppose is thanks to you."

"To me? What for?"

"You," She said, "You make him less dark."

"He doesn't seem all that dark. Not once you talk to him."

"He has his dark side," She said, pulling a spoon to her lips, "but i suppose we all do."

I tried to imagine the girl in front of me with a dark side. Her rose hair was tied up in pig tails, and she wore mom jeans and a sweater. She seemed effortless, and somehow unfazed by the heat of July. She scooped up strawberry ice cream and watched people walk down the street. 

The dress she was talking about was a white cotton dress that came mid thigh, and had small flowers embroidered on it. It was soft and breezy and the paleness made my skin look much tanner than it truly was. The freckles dotting my arms looked like constellations waiting to be discovered. 

"Besides," She said with a smile, "I think the boys would like it."

I blushed and looked down at the mint ice cream in front of me.

"So there is something," She said with a knowing smile.

"No," I said with a smile.

"But which one?"

My eyes snapped up at this.

"What?" I asked.

"Which boy is there something with?" She asked, leaning forward, "Is it Leo? I bet it is."

"What? No, there's nothing between Leo and I-"

"Are you sure about that?"

I thought about Aiden. About his green eyes, the way he smiled at me. I thought about the way his lips felt on mine and I smiled to myself.

Then I thought about Leo. About his laugh, and his warmth, and the familiar joy of being near him.

How was I supposed to know what I felt.

"Yes," I said, but my voice came too fast, too quiet to be strong.

"You care about both," She said it more as a statement than question, and I tried not to squirm at the feeling that my brain was being dissected.

"Of course I do,"

She shot me a knowing smile, like she was making it known she meant as more than friends.

"Perhaps we should head home, still need to cook and get dressed, theres only four hours, and it will take three of those to get Aiden in a nice shirt."