All Because Of Him

thirty three.

 After picking up Aiden's food, we both walked over to the park in silence. I can tell he's just as nervous as I am. For the first time in forever I don't know how to act around him. Even on his first day back it felt like nothing had changed between us, but now I can't even find words to come out of my mouth.

We both start to eat in silence. I take a bite of my pasta as we're sitting on the grass a couple feet away from each other.

"So how have you been?" He asks me. I wipe the corners of my mouth with my napkin before answering.

"I've been alright." I lie.

I know I should ask him how he's been but I don't really want to hear how he's been doing without me. Aiden must see how awkward I feel because he decides to speak up again.

"Elle, I'm- I'm sorry about how I reacted when I found out about you and Mason." I look up at him when he says Mason's name.

"I shouldn't have acted the way I did. Truth is... I guess... I guess it was hard for me to hear that you were with someone else. But you were right, we weren't together when it happened. I feel awful about all the things I said to you. It was unfair of me."

I'm shocked that I'm actually hearing this. I never thought Aiden would apologize for how he reacted because it was completely just.

"Aiden, you don't have to apologize-"

"-Yes, I do." He cuts me off. "I know things have changed between us. And it was stupid of me to think they wouldn't after all that time I was gone." I wait for him to continue before speaking up.

"I want to start over Elle. I don't want to just jump back to the way things were because there's a reason we broke up the first time. We wanted to work on things... and I want to give us that chance."

I take a deep breath as I take in what he's saying. He's right, us trying to pick up where we left off right before he left wasn't the best idea. And we both deserve a chance at happiness. I'm not ready to fully let go of Aiden yet. And I'm happy to see he feels the same way about me.

We continue to talk for hours about everything that's been going on these past couple of weeks. I'm honest to him about what happened between Tristian and I and although he doesn't say anything, I see his body shift every time I mention his name. None of us mention Mason, but I think that's best. I don't want him to come between us.

I appreciate that Aiden is all for taking things slow at first, we need to both figure out what we are even though it's clear that we both really care about each other.

Unfortunately, I walked to pick up the food. I needed time to clear my head. So when it's around midnight Aiden has to drive me back to Jessica's.

While we're in the car Aiden starts to tell me the story of how Sofia slipped off with some guy after I left his party, and they were both found in Aiden's bed a couple hours later.

"That's foul." I say as a laugh escapes my lips.

"I swear I must've washed my sheets three times before putting them back on my bed." Aiden says and I look over at him with his hands on the wheel. His face plastered with a smile as he shakes his head in disgust.

"You know sometimes I wonder what all these guys see in her."

"Apparently it's tits and ass." I say, referring to what Jessica told me.

"Ah," Aiden nods his head slowly and I chuckle as he's just now realizing it.

I'm happy Aiden isn't wired to think like all these other guys. He was never one to be into someone sexually like that, it's one of the many things I like about him.

"At least that's what Jess says Mason see's anyways." I watch as Aiden's mouth slowly shuts and I curse at myself in my mind for being so stupid.

"How have you guys been?" He asks me, as he tightens his grip on the steering wheel. I look away from him, staring straight into the road as I answer.

"Fine, I guess." I rub my hands on my jeans, why are they getting so sweaty?

"I know you said nothing's going on between you two, and I know he's Jessica's cousin and all, but I doubt I'll ever like that guy." He speaks honestly. I don't think Aiden has ever made a note to not like anyone before. But it's not like I should be surprised.

"Yeah well, imagine living with him." I quickly say.

Shit.

What the fuck is wrong with me tonight? I slowly hit the back of my head on my seat. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"He's staying there with you guys?" Aiden breaks his eyes free from the road and looks at me for a moment.

"Well he lives with Jessica." I answer. I see Aiden start to drive up towards Jessica's house and I'm relieved. After spending such a great night with him I don't want to end it talking about Mason.

"Don't worry, there's nothing going on between us." I reassure him. Even though Aiden and I aren't dating, I want to be clear that he has no competition.

"I believe you." He says after a few moments. "Starting over, remember?" I'm instantly filled with relief that he's acting so calm about this.

I guess I'm not used to seeing someone react so well anymore after living with Masons' explosive attitude.

Just as he pulls into the driveway I start to see two familiar faces standing outside. Mason was walking with Emily Layne, a girl that graduated from our high school last year. Aiden and I both watch as Mason walks Emily to her car. Seems like Emily wasn't the only one who made it back with Alec and Corey.

Mason forcefully presses Emily's body against the car as his tongue slides into her mouth, lips connecting with nothing but full and utter lust.

For God sakes, how many girls is he going to bring over here?

I feel a pit of disgust grow in my stomach and look away. Looking at them suddenly starts to make me feel nauseous, and I slowly hit my head onto my seat again in frustration.

"See?" I say to Aiden, "nothing to worry about."

Hey readers! Please make sure to vote and comment, let me know how you feel about this book so far!

How do you think Isabelle feels about Aiden? What about Mason? 

I hope you have a lovely day!

Yours truly,

yourunknownteen <3