I wake up from something wet on my cheek.
I open my eyes and am greeted by the sight of Eli.
I blink a few times to clear my sight.
The sun is shining through the windows.
Making me feel good immediately.
Oh how much I adore the sun.
"Eli, hey baby. Did you wake me up because you wanna go on a walk huh?"
I try to get up but an arm thrown over my waist stops me.
I look to my left where Aiden lays.
I always forget how handsome he is.
His chestnut brown locks are falling over his forehead.
His perfect skin practically glowing in the sun.
Ugh, he probably never had a single pimple.
I try to lift Aidens arm, careful to not wake him up but he just tightens it around me, pulling me close to his chest.
And I have to take a deep breath to calm the butterflies in my stomach, but it only makes me smell his scent and that makes it even worse.
"Aiden?"
A raspy "Hm?" is my answer.
"I have to take Eli for a walk."
He just grumbles.
"You can come with us."
He pulls me even closer, as if he's scared I'm gonna leave him.
But if I'm being really honest, I don't wanna leave.
I've known this for a long time now but I was scared to admit it to myself.
I'm still scared.
Terrified actually.
Sometimes when I think about being dependent on someone again, I feel like I'm suffocating.
I mean, I don't immediately have live off of Aiden breathing, but he is important to me.
I can't even express how much it scares me to admit that to myself.
He's very important to me.
Very very very.
My breaths come out quicker and I feel my pulse beating under my skin.
Aiden of course notices, even though he still has his eyes closed.
"Lux mea? You okay?"
I close my eyes.
Calm down Az!
Down down down.
I can't loose someone again!
It's fine!
Not now!
"Love?!" His voice is turning urgent now.
Why do I always have to do everything about me?
Aiden is the one who lost his mom!
I can't have a panic attack right now.
I won't.
I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry.
"Hey love," I feel his hands on my cheeks. "Look at me."
I gaze into his beautiful emerald eyes.
The sunlight accentuates the different colors in his eyes.
There isn't only green. There's some light brown.
Around his pupils are fine turquoise rings.
And the golden specks in the light yellow in his irises are glowing.
"And now breathe with me okay?"
I follow his breaths.
Still looking into his eyes.
They calm me.
Breathe in, breathe out.
In and out, in and out.
I'm okay!
Everything is fine.
Aiden won't leave!
"You're doing great my love."
When I'm calmer again I let out a long sigh.
I touch my cheeks and they're - wet?
When had I started crying?
Aiden hugs me close and it feels weird because it doesn't feel weird at all.
Does that make sense?
"We can go take a walk now." Aiden says.
"I don't want you to pity walk me." I know it's stupid but there's nothing I hate more than being pitied by people or feeling like a burden to someone.
"I won't pity walk you, I promise." I know he's trying to smother his chuckle.
I sigh dramatically "okay."
Aiden gets up to put on some clothes and I only now notice how fast I recovered from my panic attack.
Normally I'm still shaking for about one to two hours after.
But, I look at myself in the mirror, except for the slightly red eyes I got from crying, there's nothing out of the ordinary.
"You coming?"
He's ready already?
I take my jacket with me.
And also the diy dog leash I build with clothes.
It seems crazy to go on a walk before I even had breakfast but Eli needs to pee.
We walk for a bit but not very long because I can't completely ignore my hunger.
Eli is such a good boy.
He's walking on the leash like a champ.
Soon we're back and while I feed Eli, Aiden makes us some breakfast.
"You're really good at that you know?" I ask him, as we're sitting on the bed,eating and watching Harry Potter.
He told me he has never watched it and I for one second considered, throwing him out.
We're on the first movie, and my plan is to make him watch all of them!
I still can't believe it.
"I often help the chef make breakfast."
Oh.
"I didn't know that."
"Well I've never told you."
"Hm. When was Theo coming again?"
It's stupid for him to come, because we'll have to head back some time soon anyway.
I wanna check up on mom in person.
And I can't really afford to miss any more classes.
"He said around 1 pm."
"Okay, then he'll be here soon."
It's just after 12 pm now.
We've been sleeping in long.
And I've never felt this rested.
It's so foreign to me, to have so much energy.
"Let's do something else today. I don't wanna watch movies anymore. But don't think I'll forget about Harry Potter!" He rolls his eyes.
"You roll your eyes so much, I'd be worried for them to stay that way."
"Ha ha smart ass. You roll your eyes at least as much as I do."
I think about things we could do, but the only thing that I'm really finding interest in right now, is getting to know Aiden better.
I wanna know everything.
I wanna be able to answer any questions I get asked about him.
I want to know about his fears, his darkest secrets.
Everything.
I'm still so scared.
But no risk, no fun. Right?
"Let's play a game okay?"
He frowns but nods.
Such a grump.
"I ask you ten questions you have to answer honestly and in turn you can ask me ten questions as well. I'll also answer honestly of course!"
"Don't people usually play things like this at parties?"
"That's true, but we'll do it anyway. You have nine questions left."
"Okay, I hate Eli."
I stare at him?
Bro what?
"What are you talking about?"
"I was talking about hating Eli. Which was a lie. Now we both have nine questions left."
"Hey! That's not fair!" I pout at him.
"Let's not talk about fairness. You can begin asking."
I roll my eyes again, to emphasize my annoyance and think about something I could ask him.
I could start harmless.
"Did you ever have a broken bone?" He raises his eyebrows at my question.
"Yes actually." I wait for him to elaborate but he doesn't.
"You have to tell me what you broke."
"Nope, that wasn't your question."
Oh you little shit.
"Okay you're next." I brush it off like the mature person I am and go back to my collected, amazing self.
"Did you ever have a boyfriend besides the ass?"
"Yes." I answer trying not to think about Liam and let him ruin my food mood. I hate that he still has the power to do so.
"Did you ever have a girlfriend?"
"No."
I open my mouth to try and form words but I can't. He never had a girlfriend?
But he's practically a celebrity at school?!
I thought he changed his girlfriend every other week.
"Don't look so shocked." He says and he genuinely looks insulted.
"But why?"
"It's my turn."
Ugh.
"Are you a virgin?"
I'm hoping my eyes aren't as wide open as it feels.
That took a twist real fast.
"That's none of your business." I snap. I may be staying with him in a tiny cottage in the middle of a forest but I won't tell him about my virginity.
Especially when it's still a sore spot.
But I can't blame him.
He doesn't know about what Liam did to me.
He however notices right away that I'm uncomfortable with the question.
"Sorry," he scratches his neck "I didn't mean to overstep a line."
I nod, not trusting myself with words right now.
"What's your favorite color?" He asks instead.
"Green." I say without hesitation.
"And what are you seeing, when you think about green?"
"Your eyes." I deadpan just like he did, when I asked about his favorite color.
He averts his eyes, and I'm not sure if I'm dreaming, but do I see pink on his cheeks?
Is he blushing?
I'm pretty sure he is.
I feel like my life's now complete.
I made Aiden Torres blush.
I can die in peace.
That's also how I'll introduce myself from now on.
'Bonjour, I'm Azalea and I made Aiden Torres blush four times." A little exaggeration never hurts.
I don't wanna ruin the mood, but I have to take the chance, to really get to know him.
"Why are you and Callan on bad terms?"
"I already told you that he doesn't wanna be associated with my father. That's the thing I get, he's a horrible man.
But want I still don't get is, what I did to him.
Maybe he just hates because I'm gonna inherit everything."
I think about it for a second.
I know that Aiden and Callan are half brothers.
Different moms but the same dad.
But the money comes from the dads side of the family, so I don't get why Callan wouldn't get any of the inheritance.
Aiden answers, as if he could read read mind.
"The money originally comes from my grandma. And funnily enough she hated my dad. He and my grandfather were like enemies. Always competing for their imperium.
And grandma hated them both for ruining the family, for dividing us all in different teams.
Then after grandpa passed away and I was born, she decided to let me have the inheritance as soon as I turn 20."
"Which is in two months right?"
"Yes, that's also why I wanted to ask you something."
I nod for him to continue.
"You don't know the things my father is ready to do for money. He's a fucking psychopath, I want you to move in with me for a little while, so I can be sure you're safe. You're mom can stay there as well of course."
I'm stunned into silence.
"What? What do you mean? Are you in danger? Am I in danger? What's happening Aiden?"
"Okay calm down baby, I'm sorry I didn't want unsettle you, but it felt wrong to not tell you. Better be safe than sorry."
"But I still don't get it! What do think your father will do?"
"I'm not sure, but I would put nothing past him. He would do anything for money."
I guess I got everything wrong.
Mr. Torres is not only a piece of shit human and an even worse dad, but he's also a freaking psychopath.
"And in your mansion I'll be safe? What would he even want from me Aiden?"
He sighs "he knows - you're important to me. That's how he could get to me, by doing something to you."
I think I'm gonna pass out.
This is all too much information.
I'm important to him? We've never talked about our feelings.
Everything just happened.
I don't know what I would say, if he asked me where we stand, what we are.
Because I don't know.
And I'm terrified to find out.
"But why would-" I begin just as I hear someone knocking on the door.
Oh. I totally forgot, Theo wanted to come.
Yeah I'm sure he did, that's what she said.
I don't even stop myself anymore. I'm a hopeless case.
Note to self: don't forget to continue this conversation with Aiden as soon as we're alone again!
"What the hell is this? A freaking horror movie?" I hear Theo complaining "is there even food here? I'm leaving this instant if there's no food here! Oh wait, you guys had to survive some way."
I roll my eyes at his antics.
"Hello Theo."
"Hey beautiful." He kisses me on the cheek and Aiden grumbles under his breath.
"How are you guys still alive? Are you not bored to death up here? Oh shit, I almost forgot. I'm so sorry about your mom man." He walks over to Aiden and hugs him.
It's a little awkward but cute.
Aiden pats him on the back and they part again.
"Away with the grieve! What have you two been up to?" He wiggles his eyebrows.
"Not much. But I have to show you something." I'm so excited to show him Eli.
I tell Theo to follow me and we head to the bedroom, where I already hear scratching on the door.
And cute little whining.
Theo looks at me like I'm crazy.
"Is there a person tied up with an apple in their mouth laying on the ground?"
"Yeah of course. That was the whole reason Aiden and I went here in the first place! We're both psychopaths."
"Do I have to help you psychos bury a body?"
I just open the door and immediately Eli runs out waging his tail and sniffing on Theo.
"Oh my god! You got a puppy?!"
"We found him outside of the cottage, he looked cold so I decided to take him in. But as soon as we're in town again, I'm gonna go to a vet and see if he has a chip and if he's healthy."
Theo already picked Eli up and is currently cuddling him.
"I so hope you don't belong to anyone already you devastatingly cute thing. I'm gonna keep you." Theo tells Eli.
"Oh and Azzie?"
"Hm?"
"I encountered Callan yesterday and he said I should tell you to show up at the Café as soon as possible."
"Okay thanks."
Why wasn't he just calling?
Am I about to get fired?
Please no!
I need the money!
I decide to bury the anxiety deep down.
I can worry about this tomorrow.
For now I'm glad, my friend is with me again.
We just chill a little, me and Aiden eating some snacks while Theo cuddles Eli as if his life depends on it, and I'm admittedly a little jealous.
I wanna be Eli's favorite person!
We even work a little on the new group assignment Theo explained to us.
The day passes pretty quickly and Theo decides to stay and just skip school with us tomorrow.
I know I have to go back again but I kinda don't want to.
This felt like mine and Aidens perfect little bubble.
But the world has to pop it sometime anyway.
We all fall asleep on the bed together.