The week flies by pretty quickly, just like the next one.
My hand is much much better.
But I have nightmares nearly every night.
I don't know why they keep getting worse.
Maybe it's because of stress?
I got the job at the Café so I work there 3 days after school and on Saturdays.
Mom is not doing good, so I'm worried about her.
And then there's still that annoying thing called Aiden.
He asks me how my hand is doing, which is much better by the way, and then two seconds later he's glaring at me, like I killed his puppy.
Today is Wednesday and today is also my date with Tristan.
To be honest, I don't know what to expect and I also don't really wanna go.
I know his agenda is to get me into bed, but I wanna start be a little more outgoing again.
Since Chiara left, I've only met Aiden and Theo and otherwise I did nothing.
No fun, no dates, no parties.
I'm looking at myself in the mirror and I don't know what to wear.
I don't care what the guy thinks, I just want the outfit that makes me feel the most powerful, the sexiest.
I try on some things, but settle for a black tight leather pants and a bralette.
When I finished my makeup and hair, just some beach waves, I'm ready to go.
I'm supposed to meet him at a restaurant.
Luckily the one he chose isn't very far away, so I decide to walk.
I got tight leather pants on so driving the bike could be problematic.
I think about Aiden on the walk there.
I just don't get what changed.
We always just had this understanding that we both don't like each other, but if I'm being honest he isn't that bad to be around.
I mean sure he mostly glares at me the whole time.
But when he's asking about my hand and looking at me in his weird way, I know why I've always had this weird crush on him.
Another bonus point is that he stopped humiliating me every chance he gets.
The walk is shorter than expected.
I walk into the restaurant and immediately I spot Aiden.
You've got to be kidding me.
Not tonight!
What is he doing here?
I decide to ignore him and look for Tristan instead.
And I...don't find him.
I swear to everything that's holy if this little shit leaves me standing, I'm gonna cut his balls off.
I go to sit at the table, the most far away from Aiden.
Does he have a date as well?
Why does the thought of that make me wanna kill somebody.
I wait fifteen minutes but he doesn't show up. And it feels like I'm gonna commit a crime today.
I see Aiden looking at me from the corner of my eye.
He's still sitting alone, so that's a relief at least.
After another ten minutes I decide to wait another 5 minutes and if he doesn't show up, I'm gonna get my shovel ready.
Just when I'm about to leave, the fucker walks in.
He hastily walks towards me and I don't even try to hide my annoyance.
Now I'm looking forward to his excuse.
Was the traffic bad? Yeah that won't work because I know for sure there was no traffic anywhere when I walked here.
Did he forget time? If that's his excuse he can shove it so far up his ass until he chokes.
"Sorry I'm late, let's order, I'm starving."
I stare at him. Is he shitting me?
Okay, no excuse at all is even worse than the 'I forgot about the time one'.
"Do you even have an excuse for making me wait half an hour?" I ask, getting irritated.
"Look, I said I'm sorry. And I'm here now okay?"
"Good for you. Well I'm gonna go now."
"What the hell? Just because I was fucking too late?" I can't believe I was dumb enough to actually decide to waste my time on him!
"No, because you're a prick. Au revoir!" I have this bad habit of starting to speak French when I'm angry, even though my French isn't that great it's still my second language. And I just love it when people don't understand me while I wish their asses to hell.
I start to head out but his hand on my arm stops me.
"Don't fucking touch me."
He digs his fingernails in my arm and it begins to hurt.
"You can't just leave. There are people around here. What do you think is it that they'll think, when you bitch just walk out on me."
"I said don't fucking touch-"
"her! You piece of shit!" I hear Aidens voice finish my sentence just before he swings and punches Tristan hard in the face.
And I'd be lying if I said I'm not a bit turned on by him right now.
Tristan tries punching back and he lands one on Aidens nose but Aiden definitely has the upper hand.
"And that's for making her wait, you dick!" He hisses and punches him one last time.
People in the restaurant start to shout but Aiden grabs my hand and pulls me out.
He shows me to his car and waits for me to get in.
I get in cause I'm annoyed, tired and fucking done with today.
He starts the engine and begins driving.
I look at him and only now notice his nose bleeding.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry about that." He doesn't respond, just takes a deep breath, "are you mad at me? Look I'm really sorry-"
"Don't fucking apologize," he snaps and I get angry at him for using this tone on me "I'm sorry. It's not your fault okay? So please stop apologizing."
We drive the rest to my house in silence.
The car comes to a stop.
"Come in." I say.
"No I-"
"Please come so I can at least look after your nose and not feel like I owe you something cause that'd be my nightmare." He frowns at me and I smile.
Hesitantly he walks with me towards the house.
I enter and try not to think about how vulnerable it makes me feel, to let him see something of my life, no one except me, my mom and Chiara ever gets to see.
I go to the bathroom and he follows.
I open the door and stop dead in my tracks.
No no no. Not now.
Please not again.
My mom sits in the corner of the bathroom again.
An empty bottle of alcohol in her hand.
"Mom what the hell?" I'm getting really tired with her shit!
She can't live like this forever.
"Baby? I'm so sorry, come here."
"No mom! Stop with this shit! Why the hell are drinking again?" I really think I'm gonna cry.
I take her arm and start pulling her up.
"Let me help." Aiden says and I totally forgot he was even here.
He helps me take mom to bed and then quickly walks out of the room.
I don't blame him.
God I'm so embarrassed.
"Mom this really has to stop." I say but she's already sleeping, so I just look at her for some minutes.
She was such a happy person,full of life, before everything went downhill.
I kiss her forehead good night and leave the room.
I quietly walk out if the room and come face to face with Aiden.
Oh.
I thought he already left.
I say as much, "I thought you left."
"No I didn't."
"No shit Sherlock." He rolls his eyes and I realize his nose is still bleeding slightly.
"Come on."
We go to the bathroom and I search for a first aid kit.
I put a wet cloth on his nose and some band-aids on the wounds on his knuckles.
"Why'd you do that?"
"The fucker is lucky I was having a good day today. And what's with that question? He's been grabbing you for fucks sake!" He's breathing hard and I finally get how angry he really is.
"Okay okay, calm down yes? Thank you for helping." I take a deep breath.
"But?"
"But...I don't need you defending me." My pride is a little hurt, because it looked like I was the damsel in distress. But I could've easily defended myself if I wanted to. I've had 6 years of self defense after all.
6 years ago.
That was when-no!
I can't think about this now, or I'm gonna have a panic attack again and I haven't had those for almost year. I'd like for it to stay that way.
Let's not forget that Aiden would probably just laugh at me.
"There you go," I say when I finished "and Aiden?"
"Hm?"
"Can we please never bring this up again."
He just looks at me. And after a minute he just nods.
"Do you want something to eat?" I ask because I know we both didn't eat anything at the restaurant and I kinda feel bad. Even though it's obviously not my fault.
He just nods, still not saying anything.
I go make some food in our little kitchen and Aiden sets the table.
What is he thinking? About my mom? Our house?
He is rich after all, does he think we're embarrassing?
Stop! Why the hell would I even care about what Aiden thinks.
I finish the pasta (once again with tomato sauce) and bring it over to our tiny table.
Aiden sits down in front of me.
We start eating in silence.
"Sooo, am I still your wallpaper?" I ask, not knowing what else to say and I can't stand this silence.
He frowns at me.
"Come on! Don't be such a grumpy all the time."
"I'm sorry for punching him," I stare at him, "I know you could've handled it yourself."
I smile "well thanks I guess."
"This is really delicious." I'm still staring at him.
It's so weird to just casually talk to him.
"Thank you. So, since when do you and Theo know each other?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"We've known each other our whole life. When we were children we saw each other nearly every day, he's like my brother." I'm shocked to see the small smile on his face.
As far as I know he only has his father as a family.
And I feel like they don't have the best relationship.
"He's a really cool guy," he nods, agreeing with me.
"Where is your friend? The one who practically glued to your hip whenever I saw you too."
"Oh you mean Chiara?" I chuckle " she had to move away for a year, because of her fathers work."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh no, it's okays. I mean it's only for a year." I try to smile but I fail, I really do miss her, I gonna have to call her later.
Aiden looks at his phone as it rings.
"Are you free tomorrow?" My heart starts beating very hard "for the assignment?" Oh- the, assignment. Yes. Of course.
"Uh, I have to work till three, but afterwards I'm free."
"Okay perfect. Then at my house again." I nod. It's just the most convenient.
Aiden clears his throat, "thank you for the food, and the um, patching up."
"Of course, no problem."
He gets up and helps me clean the dishes.
I like him a little more for doing that.
I walk him to the door and we stand there awkwardly for twenty seconds.
What am I supposed to do? Hug him?
He'd probably punch me for it.
"Thanks again. See you tomorrow then."
"Yep. See you." I wave at him, and I regret it about a second later, because I see how he's trying not to laugh, at my mega awkward wave.
He drives away and I get ready for bed.
I call C but she's on a date so I just try to go to sleep.