Never Thought

Chapter 35

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Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful.
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The next morning I arrived with a serious looking Aiden as usual to the school. The only difference was that this time he was holding my hand guiding me through the hallway full of students, reaching my locker I took my books out and walked towards Aiden's locker where Ace and Mike were already waiting. They had a knowing smile on their faces as their eyes zoned in on our hands and then towards each other. "We see you two come bearing good news" Mike teased us and Aiden just grumbled up at him. "Be nice" I slapped his shoulder and he frowned down at me. "Ohhh!! Someone else now controls the bad boy Aiden" it was Ace who teased him this time and Aiden just rolled his eyes at him. The bell rang and we all made our way to our class. Opening the door we saw a substitute teacher sitting and reading a book while the students just chatted about. "You want to go somewhere else?" He asked and I just shrugged "dont mind" I mumbled and with that Aiden tugged my hand and started walking down the hall towards the schools back gate.

Reaching the back garden he let go of my hand as he reached in his pocket and took a cancer stick. I huffed as I grabbed it from his hand and threw it on the ground stomping on it. "Can I ask you something?" I questioned him, and he nodded letting my cigarette stunt go. "Why are you always so tensed and serious around Mike and Ace" and he immediately replied me with "I'm not" "yes you are, you are no longer the Aiden I know, you forget to smile! You dont show emotions and are always so grumpy" I pointed out to him "I don't know, I cant show emotions I guess" he shrugged it off "you show emotions to Mia and I. Why not them?" I questioned again and his eyes went dark "my relation with them is different" "you treat them like they are your brother's! You take care of them. I've seen that much." I said and he sighed running a hand through his hair. Getting the signal that he no longer wants to talk about it I let it go as I sat down on the grass and pulled him down aswell. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed in contempt. He surprised me by still speaking on the topic "I'll try to smile more around them" he mumbled pulling me closer by my waist and kissing the top of my head. "They will find you just as cute" I chuckled at him and he rolled his eyes smilling. "Can I ask you something else too?" I sat up straight playing with my hair. I was nervous about approaching this topic, I didn't know how he'll react and honestly I was kind off scared to talk about it. "Your stepmother still doesn't know that I live with you. I was thinking I should tell her before she finds out from somewhere else. I don't want to get in trouble with her." I finished looking down. He let out a breath and turned to look at me "there's nothing she can do about it. Whether she likes it or not your staying" he said affirmatily putting an end to the discussion. Closing my mouth shut I nodded before getting up patting my jeans to get rid of the dirt."let's get to class" I said to him and we both made our way back inside the school.

School ended without any drama, much to my relief. I was going home alone today since Aiden had to stay with Ace and Mike for some reason he could not tell me and I didn't pry much either. He should be allowed to live his life without me around him 24/7. I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw a familiar vehicle parked outside my school gate. I looked around to see students piling outside of their classrooms and heading towards the gate. He surely won't hurt me with so many students around. Gulping I confidently strode out behind a bunch of students hiding myself to the best of my ability. But as I heard my voice followed by a hand on my shoulder I knew I didnt do a good job. I jumped and turned around clasping my hand tightly on my shoulder. "What do you want" I hissed at him trying to calm my nerves.

"Can I just talk to you?" He questioned and I gave him a quick look over. He looked tired and sad. He had bags under his eyes. His breath didnt smell of alcohol. His shoulders were slouched down indicating how fatigued he was. I almost felt bad for him. "No! You lost that chance when you and your good for nothing friends tried to rape me" I snapped up at him. He clenched his fingers probably trying to keep his anger at a bay. I tired stand my ground and showed him how confident I was and he can no longer treat me like trash. "Please come home?" He hissed throught his teeth. "So you can beat me up? No thanks" I said and clasped my phone in my back pocket in case I needed call Aiden. I backed away from him and looked around to see that the crowd was starting to get smaller and smaller each passing minute. I couldn't be alone with him so tightened my hold on my bag and started turned to leave when he held me by my wrist pulling me into a hug. "You smell just like her" he mumbled in my hair and I started panicking I fidgeted and tried to push him off but to no avail he only tightened his grip on my waist. He seemed to be in his own daze.

Thankfully I had pulled my phone out when he had pulled me from my wrist. I quickly went into my contacts and called the only number that I had saved on their other than my bosses. "Sc-cho-ol ga-ate-e" I managed to choke out to Aiden. Dad immediately pushed me at an arms length. "Who did you call?" He spoke trying to grab my phone from me. "Stop-p it-t" I yelled fighting him the the best I could. "You are coming home with me." He hissed down at me. And just like that he was back to the dad that I knew. Rough and abusive. But this time I wasn't going to fall for it. I have had enough of his cheap antics. "LET HER GO" boomed a voice behind me making me jump in fear. Dad also immediately let me go as Aiden rushed towards me, scanning my face and body for any injuries when he found none he breathed a sigh of relief and pushed me behind him facing my dad. "What the hell do you want?" He spat in his face. "I want my daughter" he replied trying to sound confident but infront of Aiden's red face, his face paled. Aiden by now was ready to murder him and he took a threatening step towards him before I grabbed him by his bicep "please don't! Let's just go" I mumbled upto him and he gave my dad one last threatening look before speaking in his ice cold tone "your lucky that you're daughter has saved you, next time if I see you in as much as 1 km radius from her. I will kill you" without  saying anything my dad just nodded before scurrying off into his car driving away.

I released a breath I didnt know I was holding and hugged Aiden from behind. My hands gripped his shirt from the front and my face buried
in his back "thank you " he grabbed my hand and turned around facing me. Pushing away a few strands of hair that were on my face he kissed the top of my head "anytime princess" he breathed in my scent, face buried in my neck and I just relaxed into his hold. "You okay?" He spoke quietly concern evident in his voice and I just nodded "let's get you home then princess! Your carriage awaits" he smirked down at me and I laughed at his fake British accent. And just like that everything was back to normal.