Aidens pov
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm really glad she's back at school again.
Even if it was only two days I-I-
Ugh I can't even say it in my head!
"I missed her goddamnit!!" I accidentally say out aloud and everyone in class turns to look at me.
I stare them all down until they turn back around.
I glare at Tristan the hardest.
I should've fucking killed the fucker.
How dare he leave Az standing. Then talk to her like that, and touch her?!
I curl my hands into fists.
It still makes me angry as hell!
When the bell rings I walk out of class, I don't feel like talking to all the snuck up girls in this class, who obviously just want me because of either my money, or my status.
Yeah, they can go fuck themselves.
I spot Theo and Azalea in the hallway and immediately get jealous of the way they look so happy together.
Theo knows Azalea for a month damnit.
I know it's obviously my fault, I'm not closer to her, but I don't know how to change it.
"Hey Aiden." Azalea shouts and I have to fight, to keep the biggest fucking grin ever, off my face.
"Hey loosers." I clap Theo on the back.
"Where are you going bro?"
"Don't we all have English together now?" I ask.
"Oh yes, you're right I forgot! Then let's get going."
We walk into class and I immediately spot him.
What the actual fuck is Callan Scott doing here?
He also notices me straight away.
But he's not actually looking at me. He's looking at Azalea.
Yeah, you can fuck right off, jerk!
Azalea walks up to the free seat next to him but I gently push her away and take the seat, so she's between me and Theo.
Callan smirks at me.
Oh how I didn't miss this smirk.
I glare at him.
Azalea gives me a look that says "what the hell is wrong?"
I lift a shoulder in a shrug.
No need for her to know that he's my half-brother.
The one I hate. Well I only have one, but yeah.
I don't stop glaring at him, the whole class through and as soon as we're out of the classroom I grab him and push him against the wall.
Azalea and Theo already started walking home, I told them I'd have to do something and then I'd follow.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Calm the hell down!" I slowly let him go, but I'm still glaring him down.
"I'm allowed to be here you know? It's not your property jerk. Or did daddy buy you the school as well?" I'm about to push him into the wall again when I hear a beautiful, very familiar voice say "what are you doing Aiden? Do you know Callan?"
How does she know his name?
Apparently the question is to read in the expression in my face, because Az continues.
"He's my boss Aiden. Would you please step back? What is even wrong?"
I stare at her, then at him.
And there's this smirk again.
I walk up into Callans face "stay the fuck away from her!"
Then I grab Azaleas hand and pull her away.
Thankfully she's quiet until we're outside.
Then she pulls her hand out of mine and I don't like how my body immediately misses the warmth from only her palm.
She frowns at me.
"What in the hell was that Aiden Torres?"
"Oh no, you won't pull the last name card on me Fortier."
"Then tell me what you were doing in there?" She points towards the school building.
I'm debating if I should tell her.
Technically there's nothing speaking against it.
"Aiden?!"
"He-is" ugh I don't even wanna say it "he's my brother okay? My half-brother!" I hastily add.
She just stares at me.
"Why didn't I know you have a brother?"
"Well, we kinda only argued whenever we talked."
"No I mean, I've never seen him. Or heard anyone talk about him."
"Yeah well he doesn't really wanna be associated with me or my father." I say getting bitter.
"But let's not talk about that! Why didn't you tell me that you are working for my - half-brother."
She rolls her eyes "well obviously I didn't know he is your brother genius. And why don't you guys have the same surname? That way I would've noticed."
"Cause he took the one from his mom. Like I said, he doesn't wanna be associated with us."
"Well that sounds like you guys have some problems to work out. But I gotta go. And by the way I just came back to ask you if you wanted something from KFC. We thought we'd grab something before going to yours."
"No, I'm fine. Thanks though." She smiles at me, and I'm damn glad I said thanks.
Why does it make to so happy to see her smile.
Maybe because she rarely does so.
I just made it my task to make her smile more.
~
We've been working on the assignment for two hours now and I'm done!
About a million people already messaged me to ask if I'd go to the party tomorrow, but I never go to those.
They're just stupid.
Drunk, horny teenagers everywhere.
My nightmare.
So there's no way in hell I'll go to-
"Yeah I think I'll go. I miss going to parties and just having fun." I hear Azalea say.
Guess I'll go after all.
"What about you? Are you going?" She asks looking at me.
"Aiden never goes to these type of parties. Well he actually never goes to any parties. My guess is that's why he's always in such a sour mood. He just never has any fun."
"I guess yes. But I didn't know he doesn't go to parties?"
"Yeah well,-"
"Are you guys kidding me? I am once again right in front of you!"
"Oh, sorry I guess. It just never looks like you'd like to talk to us. Have you ever seen your resting bitch face?" Az questions her eyes laughing.
I frown at both of them.
"First of all how do you know if I wanna talk to you without asking. Second of all my resting face is damn beautiful." They both start laughing and I don't mean to, but my mouth corners go up a bit.
Especially as I hear and see Azaleas beautiful laugh.
"I like your laugh." I say without thinking and I immediately regret it.
Theo doesn't notice so he continues laughing but Az stops to look at me.
"I-" I don't know why I just said that.
She smiles again and I breathe out in relief.
"I like yours too." That makes me grin. Goddamnit.
She looks at my mouth a second too long, but then catches herself and turns to Theo again.
~
I'm at her door twenty minutes too early.
This also feels too much like a date!
But we only decided I'd pick both, her and Theo up because Theo had stuff to do, so he wasn't with me already.
I ring the doorbell but there's no answer for at least 3 minutes, so I ring again.
When there's still no answer, I call her.
She doesn't pick up.
Is she okay?
I call Theo but he says he has no idea, and she's also not answering to him.
At least I know she's not ignoring me.
I think of someone to call and the only person that comes to my mind is her best friend Chiara.
But I don't even have her number, shit.
I detest him! But I call Chiaras ex Jason anyway.
I don't even bother with a hello.
"Give me Chiaras number."
"Who the hell is th-"
"Don't waste my time. Give me her number now."
"Okay, jerk."
He gives me her number and I immediately call her.
Luckily she picks up.
"Who is it?"
"It's Aiden. Do you know what's up with Az? She's not answering anyone?!"
"Oh Aiden. Um, hey. I don't know how much she wants me to tell you, but she's in the hospital right now."
"What?!!"
"No calm down. She's there with her mother! Her mom is the one being cared for! Azi is okay." she pauses "physically at least." She adds much quieter.
I breathe out in pure relief.
"Is she okay? Tell me where the hospital is."
"Aiden I don't think she-"
"I swear to god! Tell me where she is right the fuck now."
"Calm down, jerk!" She sighs "I'll message you the hospital."
I'm already in the car when she sends it to me.
It's an half an hour drive so I don't take too long.
I go to the reception and after some very kind threatening, she finally gives me their room.
I knock on the hopefully, for the sake of the woman at reception, right room.
But there's no answer, so quietly enter.
I immediately spot her mom on the bed and Azalea sitting in the chair next to the bed, sobbing quietly.
And I don't know why it feels like my heart is breaking at those sounds.
"Az?"
She turns around startled and wipes the tears from her face.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She snaps. Is she angry with me? I don't want that.
"I... I was worried."
She raises her eyebrow.
"Doesn't matter. I don't want you here."
"What happened?" I ask just ignoring her question because I know she's stubborn.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
"Are you okay? And don't lie to me."
She sighs and slightly shakes her head.
I walk towards her carefully.
Her mom is sleeping.
I notice her lip is still trembling as I get closer.
"Come here."
Her eyes snap to mine.
"What? No."
I just walk closer to her.
"Everything is okay yes?"
A tear rolls down her cheek and I just say to hell with and take her in my arms.
She inhales sharply but then also puts her arms around me.
I sit down on the chair and pull her onto my lap. Hugging her so tight, I don't know how she's able to breath.
I rub her back and she finally breaks.
Quiet sobs working their way through her body.
And something in my chest feels very tight. It's almost itchy.
"It's okay lux mea. It'll be alright okay? I won't leave you." That only makes her cry harder and I hope I didn't say anything wrong.
I put my chin on her head and wait until her breathing is back to normal.
"Do you wanna tell me what happened?"
She takes a deep breath.
"I-I found mom in the bathroom again but this time she was unconscious. And-and she looked so damn pale. I just panicked. I thought she was dead Aiden! I can't loose her too." Tears start streaming down her cheeks again but I brush them away with my thumb.
"It's okay. You did great."
I vaguely know about a sibling that passed away, but I don't have any details.
"You can talk to me Az."
She laughs humorlessly "so you have more to make fun of me about?"
"I would never make fun of you about something you chose to share with me. Something this personal."
She sniffles "I don't know how much you know, but my sister passed away when I was 15 because of cancer, and since then everything just went downhill. My dad left, my mom lost her job, I lost my whole family basically and then there was this something I definitely won't talk about. So yeah, everything sucks."
"I am very sorry because of your sister especially, but I didn't know it was that bad." I think back to our younger selves "you always had a smile on your face, how is that possible?" She was always the happy kid.
"I was always good at hiding emotions. And hiding behind a fake smile was the easiest way."
I also think about the way I made her life a living hell, when we were younger.
"I'm sorry I was such a piece of shit when we were younger."
"What do you mean? You still are." I chuckle slightly.
"Aiden," she sighs "I'm scared."
"And why is that?"
"I don't know how to pay the hospital bill and I also have not a single clue, what I'm supposed to do with my mom. I don't know how to help her."
"Don't worry about the money I'll take care of it." I say without hesitation.
"Wait wait wait, that's not why I said that! I don't want your money Aiden."
"Well you'll get it. And there's no way to stop me." Her left mouth corner lifts up and my heart starts beating a bit faster.
"I'll pay it back to you! I swear on my life." She says while putting her hand on my heart.
I take her hand and kiss every single fingertip.
"I don't want you to swear on your life."
"Well I'll give it back to you, as soon as possible. End of story."
I smile a bit at her stubbornness.
I peer at her and notice her looking very exhausted. The eye bags under her eyes telling me she hasn't slept at all last night.
"You should really sleep." I pull her against my chest once more and feel her melt against me.
I kiss her head and shortly after her breathing evens out, I fall asleep as well.