Innocence {{Jaden Hossler}}

⭒Twenty Six⭒

⋆Vada⋆

"Jae, where are you taking me?" Vada asked for the fifth time, after a half an hour drive she was getting a bit restless.

"You'll see!" He told her again, a slight laugh to his voice.

"But I hate surprises" she whined, slumping down the chair and crossing her arms.

"Too bad, babygirl" he smirked, resting his hand in her thigh, just below her pink tartan skirt, and rubbing it with his thumb. She smiled, it was weird how quick he could change her emotions.

It was another twenty minutes before they reached their destination, not that she knew where it was. It was a large black building with metal stairs coming from the side, it was obvious Jaden had parked at the back but still she was confused.

"Come on then" he said, opening her door, she hadn't even realised that he had gotten out of the car.

"What is this place?"

"Let's go in and you'll fine out" he told Vada, taking her hand lightly. It still gave her butterflies, much like their first night together when he led her to the roof.

Once they reached the front of the building Vada had to stop herself from screeching and jumping into his arms.

"An aquarium!" She gushed, turning around to walk backwards so that she could look at him, she took his hand in both of hers and squeezed it softly, "Jaden this is amazing" he smirked back at her, laughing.

He paid for them to enter, having to push Vadas card out of the way, and then led her into the dark corridor.

"Wow" she smiled brightly, looking above her head at the fish swimming through the tank all around them, "i've never seen a fish from the bottom" Jaden laughed, looking down at her.

"Everything here and that's what you're thinking about?"

"Well have you ever seen a fish from the bottom?" She countered, narrowing her eyes jokingly.

"Fair point" he nodded, holding his hands up, "come on, sharks are through here" his eyes widened in excitement as he took her hand and ran towards the next room, nearly knocking over a mother who Vada had to quickly apologised too.

"Sharks are cool" he spoke with a boyish tone, just looking at them, "just dead behind the eyes" he paused, "kind of like Maeve"

"Hey!" She scolded, slapping his arm kind of hard.

"Ow! What?"

"That's my best friend you're talking about" she shook her head with a disappointed look.

"Oh come on, a real friend would have noticed things going on in your life" he pointed out.

"They have noticed!" She argued.

"Really?" She nodded, "so they know about us?" Jaden challenged smugly watching her face drop.

"No...but they know somethings wrong" Jaden nodded with a smirk, "hey, I don't see any of your friends figuring it out" she tried to argue.

"Anthony" he deadpanned, still smirking.

Vada opened her mouth to reply before closing it again, narrowing her eyes and looking back at the tank. She hated that he was right, real friends would have noticed it. But she couldn't expect them to know everything in her life, they were the main characters in their own lives, not just side characters to hers. Their lives didn't revolve around her, Maeve had Avani and Violet had Bryce, they didn't have the time to watch her every move.

"They do care" Vada looked at Jaden when he finally spoke.

"What?"

"They care about you Vay, trust me" he added softly, moving to wrap his arm around her but was stopped by a squeal from the other side of the dark room.

"Jaden Hossler!" The voice shouted, making them turn around quickly, in time to see two young girls, maybe thirteen, running towards them.

"Oh my God!" The blond one shouted, "I can't believe we're meeting you!"

"Hey guys,"He greeted, hugging them both, "you good?"

"So good" the blond one squealed, the brown haired girl nodded along, smiling even brighter.

"Do you guys want a picture?" He asked, they nodded. He took the phone and held it out to Vada, who raised an eyebrow before taking the phone and walking a few feet away before turning, waiting for them to be ready before taking a few pictures.

The girls were about to walk away before the brown haired girl, who hadn't spoken yet, turned back, looking directly at Vada.

"Um..." she started, swallowing harshly, "I'm sorry...but...are you Vada?" She stuttered out, licking her lips in nervousness.

"Yeah, I am" Vada smiled softly, she had never been recognised before.

"My sister loves you, she's sixteen, she dresses just like you" the girl smiles, "can I get a video for her?" She asked shyly, looking down.

"Sure, what's her name?"

"Bailey" she replied, smiling brighter and taking out her phone.

"Hey there Bailey" Vada smiled brightly, "I ran into your sister and she says you're a big fan! Thank you so much for supporting me and keep up with the looks, I might have to steal some off you" she laughed lightly, shooting the camera a quick kiss before ending the video and giving the girl her phone back.

"Thank you so much!" She gushed, hugging her tightly.

"You guys are cute" the blond one nodded, before walking away, not staying long enough to hear them stutter out 'we aren't dating'.

"They were sweet" he stated once they left, "sometimes they're not"

"That's the first time i've been recognised" Vada bit her lip to keep herself from smiling, before turning to Jaden and seeing the genuine smile on his face.

"Congrats Babygirl," he paused to smirk, "I guess this week is full of first" she burst out laughing, pushing his head away before walking towards the door.

"Come on" she shook her head, "theres starfish through here, you can touch them!"

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Haven't been to an aquarium in like 5 years bc the one where I live costs bare. Also the star fish touch thing happens there so if it's bad for them its not my fault
Also thanks for all the support in the comments umm ily guys lol