HURT •Jaden Hossler•

Chapter 12

We moved closer by the second and I didn't know if I wanted this. I cried my eyes out and practically passed out today because of Payton. And now I'm cuddled up in bed with my best friend, not forgetting to mention that we kissed while I was still heartbroken. And I know for a fact that Jaden is still not over Mads, because we talked about it. This was so wrong in many ways, but it couldn't hurt anyone, right? No this is wrong. "Jae", I whispered closing my eyes while our foreheads touched, "I can't." I feel Jaden move away from me and lay down next to me again. "I'm sorry", he said. "No, I'm sorry", I said looking at him. "It's okay. I shouldn't have", he said looking at me and giving me a little smile.

"I don't know what's going on in my head", I said sitting up. I put my head in my hands and just breath out. Jaden stayed silent but I knew he was looking at me confused. "I mean Payton really broke me. And I don't even know how to see him without balling my eyes out. And he keeps lying to me", I said tearing up. "And on the other side I want to move on and forget about everything, but I know I can't. I see him every time when we are together and then Maya comes along. And I mean I don't hate her but I can't bear to see her and Payton together", I said looking at him. Jaden looked at me lost and I mean I am too. "A-and when you kissed m-me... it felt good. I just don't know what I feel at the m-moment. A-and I don't want you t-to think I'm leading you on, because- ", I stuttered but Jaden cut me off. He puts his hands on my cheeks what made me stop talking. "Ali, I know you won't lead me on. And maybe I shouldn't have kissed you, but I don't regret it. I know you still love Payton and if I'm honest with myself I still love Mads. I just don't want you to think your aren't enough and lose the trust in every guy you get close to. You are my best friend and I don't know what I feel at the moment, but I want you to know I'm always there no matter what", Jaden said. "I don't regret it either", I whispered and gave him a little smile. "Good", he said chuckling and kissing my forehead.

"Avani and Anthony are watching a movie downstairs, want to join them?", Jaden asked. I nodded and we both got out of my bed. We walked downstairs and walked to the living room. Anthony just walked in with a bowl with popcorn. "Can we join?", Jaden asked. "Sure", Avani said turning around facing us. She gave me a little smile and I smiled back at her. I walked to the couch and sat next to Avani. I gave her a hug and Jaden sat next to me, and Anthony next to Avani. We started the movie and decided to watch 'Footloose'. First it felt a bit awkward to cuddle with Jaden, because of what just happened. But before I knew Jaden moved his hand behind my back and around my waist. He pulled me closer to him and I relaxed a bit. I looked up at him and he was grinning. He looked down at me and I looked away. I was blushing and I knew he saw it. He squeezed my side and I shot up because it tickled. "Are you okay?", Anthony asked looking our way. "Y-yeah", I said chuckling and sitting down again. Anthony looked away again and I hear Jaden chuckle. "I hate you", I whispered smiling. "I know", he whispered back smiling.

The rest of the movie Jaden and I cuddled and he eventually fell asleep. When the movie ended Anthony and Avani stood up. "We're going to bed", Avani said, "you okay?" She laughed at me as Jaden was holding on to me like a bear. "Yeah, I guess we'll sleep here", I said shrugging. She gave me a hug making sure not to wake up Jaden. Avani walked towards the stairs but Anthony stood in the same place. "What's going on between you two?", he asked looking between me and Jaden. "Nothing, why?", I asked looking away from him. I know Anthony knows when I'm lying because I looked away. I'm stupid. "There is, but if you don't want to tell me that's fine", Anthony said. "No, that's no- ", I started. "Ali, I don't care if there is something. I trusted Payton and he betrayed you... multiple times. I know Jaden is you best friend, but I thought Payton was too. And I've never seen you like this", he said talking not too loudly. "Ant, you know Jaden won't hurt m- ", I said but Anthony cut me off again. "You told me that with Payton too, and look where we are now", he said with a slightly irritated tone. "Ant, plea- ", I started. "I'm not letting you get hurt, again!", he said whisper yelling. I started to tear up and looked at him. "I'm sorry, okay?", I said silently. "Don't say that, I just want you to be careful", he said looking down. "I will", I said. "I just... never mind, goodnight", he said walking off. "Ant", I called after him, but he just kept walking. I buried my face back in Jaden's chest and cried quietly. I feel Jaden pulling me closer and rubbing my back. "It's okay. He cares about you", he whispered in my ear. I guess he heard the conversation. I hugged him tighter and fell asleep within seconds.

The next morning I woke up alone on the couch. I looked up and saw Avani sitting on the ground in front of me. I hugged her and she turned around. "Good morning sleepy head", she said chuckling. "What time is it?", I asked sitting up. "10 am, the boys are getting breakfast", she said. I nodded and looked at the television. The news was on and there were a lot of awful stuff going on, as usual. "Sooo, how was your night?", she asked wiggling her eyebrows. "What?", I asked chuckling. "You and Jaden, duh", she said. "It's nothing... and Anthony wouldn't approve anyway", I said looking down. "What do you mean?", she asked confused. "He just got kinda mad yesterday, because I said nothing was going on between me and Jaden", I said. "But is there?", she asked. "Yes? I don't know... it's just confusing", I said sighing. "You can tell me", she said giving me a little smile. "I know... okay, but please keep this for yourself", I said sitting next to her on the ground. "Yep, my mouth is locked", she said. I chuckled at her and explained. "So we almost kissed last night, but I stopped it in time. I told him I am not over Payton and didn't want to lead him on, and he said he is not ready either. But I don't know what I feel, because it does feel good with him", I said. "You loved Payton and probably still do. And that's okay", she said, "and what if you like Jaden, it's not the end of the world. You don't choose who you fall for. I mean I never thought I would fall in love with your brother, but here we are. And I tried to push it away because I didn't wanted to choose between you two. But you made sure I didn't had too." "I saw that Ant made you happy and you make him happy, so I'm okay with it", I said smiling at her. "That's why you're my best friend", she said smiling, "just take things slow. And seeing the way you and Jaden are? You guys like each other, you're just both hurt about the past." I looked down at my hands and thought about what she said. Maybe I do like him.

A few moments later Anthony and Jaden walked back in. They put the food on the table in front of the television and sat on the couch. Jaden gave me my order from Starbucks and I gave him a smile. Anthony didn't even look at me and I knew he was mad or something. We ate in silence and it was actually awkward. Anthony haven't said a single thing and it annoyed me a lot. After he was done eating he stood up and walked out of the room. I just looked at him and then looked at Avani. "What's wrong with him?", I asked looking at Jaden. "I don't know, we were riding back and he got a text. After that he got silent", Jaden said shrugging. "I'll talk to him", Avani said standing up and walking away. I nodded and grabbed my phone. Then I saw the thing I haven't seen in almost a year. I was surprised but also pissed. I had to open my phone to see what it said. I opened it and looked at it. It was a text from my.... Mom. I can't believe this...

A/N 

I'm sorry guys, I love you tho (don't kill me, please :))

I hope you guys are okay and still healthy and safe. I love you all and have a good night <333