Some Things You Can't Control

21: Second Chances

Chapter 21

Second Chances

- EDEN GARCIA -

Everything is just weird.

Mickie, Em and I sit at our usual table in the cafeteria on Monday morning, students abuzz with way more energy than they should have at the start of a school week. The guys left for their football tour on Friday, and that leaves us sitting here not really sure what to do with ourselves in the absence of their antics.

Another snapchat notification pops up on my screen. With no reason not to, I pick up my phone and open the message from Brandon.

It's a photo of a shirtless Aiden, sitting beside a pool with a pair of sunglasses covering his eyes and a massive grin on his face.

Well damn.

I feel my heart-rate pick up at the sight but try my best to ignore it. After all, I don't even know what's going on between us. The last thing I need is to find myself falling for the most sought after guy at school himself.

When my eyes dart to his lips, I mentally scold myself, realising I've been staring at his photo for long enough to be considered a creep. I quickly close it as though it was never there.

But not before Mickie sees. "Aw, she misses Aiden," Mickie coos to Em.

"I do not. Your boyfriend just sent me a photo of Aiden for some unknown reason."

But even though it's now closed, the photo is still burned into my brain.

That boy has involuntarily occupied the bulk of my thoughts ever since our kiss. Or should I say kisses. There was no doubt in my mind that I felt something between us, and that's left me feeling even more confused than I ever thought possible.

Like, what the hell. Aren't we meant to be just friends?

Do I regret it? Surprisingly, no. Even just the thought of it brings back every single tingle and spark that I had felt in that moment.

And it makes me want him more, it makes me miss him - despite what I've just told Mickie. It makes me want to kiss him yet again, even if only to find out whether or not I was just imagining it.

And his kiss on the cheek before he left? 'Hopefully that answers some of your questions.' No. No it doesn't, Aiden. That gesture, those words- they've sent my mind even further into overdrive.

Was it an I'm-really-into-you-I'll-be-back-soon kiss, or was it an I'm-sorry-for-leading-you-on-I-regret-it pity kiss? He literally could not have been more vague.

Does he not realise how cruel that was?

Only another week until I can get some proper answers, I suppose.

The thought physically pains me.

Don't even get me started on him dragging me down to outside the team change rooms to kiss me before the start of their game. I haven't even begun considering that one yet.

Shaking my head slightly to clear my thoughts, I zone back in on my surroundings. Mickle and Em are expressing their dislike for their history teacher again, losing my interest completely. And that's pretty much as exciting as the rest of my day gets.