There once was an Aiden and he was mine. Sure, we were only 8 years old and held hands for a total of twenty minutes through the course of a whole week, but he was mine. Aiden Marks was the boy. Like, the boy. The one with the pretty family and the even prettier bank account and much prettier home. He had the old Justin Bieber haircut and pearly white teeth which needed no braces. He wore all Hollister and Abercrombie Kids clothes which made all the kids envious. Total. Bad boy. For an 8 year old, duh.
I remember it as if it were yesterday. The day he promised me forever and always.
It was the end of the school day, on a warm May afternoon. Everyone was in a hurry to pack their stuff up and go see if their parents had come to pick them up. I took my time knowing the answer to the mystery. My parents never came but only because the school was 5 minutes away from my house. I had zipped up my worn down light pink sweater when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Aiden's ever-so-smiley face meeting mine.
"Do you want me to walk you home, Lea?" He asked confidently, smiling at me.
"Sure, Aiden. Thanks," My small cheeks flushed a rosy colour. Everyones eyes were on us.
All the girls hated me and all the boys made fun of Aiden, behind his back of course. I wouldn't blame them. I was a skinny child with very fair skin and thin light brown hair. If you took your time, you might have been able to count each strand of hair I had.
Aiden never cared. He chose me. I was the one he held hands with that week. I was the one he told forever and always to.
He waited for me as I gathered up my things and neatly placed them in my sparkly Barbie bag.
"Okay," I said sheepishly. "I'm ready now."
He stretched out his hand and I awkwardly placed mine into it. I knew my palms were clammy but I didn't care. I was in heaven. Aiden Marks had his hand wrapped around mine and I was living every 3rd grade girls dream.
Our walk was silent as you would expect. His hand still in mine, I would briefly catch his eyes on me in my side view. It made my heart jump up and down like a darn trampoline. I could see my house from where we were and I begin to feel a little sad, you know because I wouldn't be able to see my so called boyfriend for a whole weekend. Or so I thought.
We stopped a few steps away from my door. I let go of his hand shyly and turned to face him.
"Thanks for walking with me," I smile.
"I wanted to tell you something important," he had red staining his cheeks now.
"Okay..." I trail off.
"Forever and always." He said simply. A real look of seriousness had washed over his face.
"I'm sorry?" I bemused.
"Me and you," he said quietly. "We are always going to be a forever and always couple. Either friends forever and always or...or more than that."
I stayed quiet for a moment. Aiden Marks had just told me we were forever and always going to be for each other. Sure, we were only 8 years old but that still meant something. The fact that he took it so serious meant something.
I look up from my shoes and give him a teeth filled smile.
"Forever and always," I repeat back to him.
His face lights up again and he brings me in for a hug. "Forever and always," he whispered.
I waved goodbye as I closed my door.
That was the last time I ever saw Aiden Marks.
YOU ARE READING
Until Forever
RomansaForever and always. That's what Aiden Marks told Lea Harold when they were 8. It's been eleven years since that promises was made and eleven years later, Lea has kept it. That was also the last time she saw Aiden. That single special day she has r...
