Aiden's POV
The streets were bustling with people, the sounds of cars and chatter filling the air as Jake and I walked side by side. I wasn't sure where we were going... we were just moving, letting the flow of the crowd decide for us.
Every now and then, I found myself glancing at Jake. I didn't know why, but there was something about the way he carried himself, the way he smiled so effortlessly, that made my heart act weird.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Every time he smiled, my chest tightened. Every time he laughed, my pulse quickened.
I shook my head slightly, trying to push the thoughts away. Maybe I'm just overthinking.
But before I could dwell on it longer, my foot suddenly caught on an uneven part of the sidewalk. My balance slipped, and before I could hit the ground...
A firm grip caught me.
Strong arms wrapped around me, steadying me before I could even react. My breath hitched as I realized Jake was holding me close, his face just inches away from mine.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle yet concerned.
I swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. "Y-Yeah… I just..."
He didn't let go immediately. His hands lingered on my arms as if making sure I wasn't going to stumble again. His warmth seeped through my clothes, and I hated how my heart pounded even harder because of it.
Jake let out a soft chuckle. "You should be more careful, you know."
I forced a laugh, stepping back quickly. "Yeah, yeah. I got it."
But as we continued walking, I couldn't ignore the lingering warmth on my skin… or the way my heartbeat refused to slow down.
We continued walking, the awkward tension from earlier still lingering in the air... or maybe it was just me. I kept my gaze forward, trying to ignore the way my heart was still racing after that stupid almost-fall.
Then, out of nowhere, Jake's hand wrapped around my wrist.
"Come on!" he said, his voice filled with sudden excitement.
Before I could even process what was happening, he pulled me towards a brightly lit building. The flashing neon lights above the entrance read "Arcade Galaxy."
"Wait... what?!" I stumbled a little, trying to keep up with his pace. "Jake, what are you..."
"Don't be such a buzzkill," he grinned, glancing back at me with that annoyingly charming smile. "Let's have some fun!"
And just like that, we were inside.
The place was loud, filled with the sounds of electronic beeps, game music, and people shouting over victories and defeats. Colorful lights danced across the floor, reflecting off the glass screens of countless arcade machines.
Jake finally let go of my wrist, and I tried to ignore the way my skin tingled where his hand had been.
"You ever been to an arcade before?" he asked, his eyes practically sparkling as he looked around.
"Uh… not really," I admitted, feeling slightly out of place.
"Perfect." He smirked. "I'll show you how it's done."
Before I could protest, he dragged me to the nearest game... a basketball shooting machine.
"Alright, Aiden," he said, rolling up his sleeves dramatically. "Prepare to witness greatness."
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
Jake grinned, inserting some coins into the machine. The timer started counting down, and he grabbed a ball, effortlessly sinking shot after shot like it was nothing. His form was perfect... confident, relaxed, and ridiculously smooth.
"Show-off," I muttered under my breath, but I couldn't help the small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
When the timer buzzed, he turned to me, smug as ever.
"Your turn," he challenged, handing me a basketball.
I rolled my eyes but stepped up anyway. "Watch and learn."
And yup... I sucked.
The ball bounced off the rim more times than I'd like to admit. Jake was laughing the entire time, not even bothering to hide it.
"Shut up," I grumbled, trying... and failing... to land a decent shot.
"You're trying too hard," he teased, still chuckling. "Loosen up."
After the disaster that was my turn, we moved on to other games... racing, air hockey (which he also won), and even a claw machine where he somehow managed to win a small stuffed keychain.
"For you," he said jokingly, holding it out with an exaggerated bow.
I snorted. "Wow. Such an honor."
But I took it anyway.
And as we walked out of the arcade later, my chest felt a little lighter.
Jake had this weird way of making everything feel… less complicated. Even when my heart was racing for reasons I didn't fully understand.
We stepped out of the arcade, the cool afternoon breeze hitting my face, a sharp contrast to the warm, chaotic energy we'd just left behind. I stared down at the small stuffed keychain Jake had won for me... some kind of chubby, round cat with an annoyed expression.
Fitting, honestly.
Jake stretched his arms above his head, a satisfied grin on his face. "See? That wasn't so bad, right?"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, yeah. You got lucky."
"Luck?" He gasped dramatically, placing a hand on his chest. "I'll have you know, that was pure skill, Montiero."
I shook my head, laughing under my breath. We started walking again, this time without a specific direction. Just… walking. The silence between us wasn't awkward anymore, just comfortable.
I found myself glancing at him again... his profile sharp against the fading light, his smile softening his features. And there it was, that stupid feeling creeping back in. That weird flutter in my chest I couldn't shake.
What is wrong with me?
Before I could spiral into my thoughts, Jake suddenly spoke up.
"You've been quiet," he said, glancing at me with those curious eyes. "Thinking about how amazing I am at arcade games?"
I snorted. "In your dreams."
He chuckled, nudging me with his shoulder. "Admit it. I impressed you."
"Sure," I deadpanned. "I've never seen someone fail so gracefully at the claw machine before."
Jake laughed, the sound warm and genuine. And there it was again... that stupid, annoying thud of my heart.
We continued walking until we reached a small convenience store. Jake paused, glancing at the drinks displayed in the window.
"Thirsty?" he asked.
"Yeah, a bit."
We went inside, grabbed a couple of bottled drinks, and sat on a bench just outside. The street was quieter here, the city's noise fading into a distant hum.
Jake took a sip of his drink, then leaned back, looking up at the sky as the colors shifted from orange to deep purple.
"You know," he started, his voice softer now, "days like this… they're nice."
I glanced at him, my chest tightening again. "Yeah… they are."
For a moment, neither of us said anything. Just sitting there, side by side, the quiet filling in the spaces where words didn't need to be.
And for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel the usual emptiness that came with silence.
I felt… okay.
And that scared me more than anything.
The sky had deepened into shades of violet and navy, dotted with faint stars as we decided to head back. The streetlights flickered on, casting long shadows on the pavement as Jake and I walked side by side.
Neither of us said much, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. Just… there. Like it had settled between us naturally, wrapped around the lingering warmth from earlier.
I glanced at Jake from the corner of my eye. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his steps light and easy, like he didn't have a single worry in the world. His face was relaxed, eyes reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights.
And there it was again... that familiar, annoying thud in my chest.
I quickly looked away, focusing on the ground as if the cracks on the pavement suddenly needed my full attention.
What is wrong with me? I thought, kicking a small pebble ahead.
Jake suddenly broke the silence. "Tired?"
I shook my head, forcing a casual shrug. "Not really. You?"
"Nah." He smiled, that same soft, easy smile that made my heart betray me every damn time. "But you look like your brain's been running a marathon."
I scoffed. "Yeah, thinking about how you cheated at the racing game earlier."
Jake laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Admit it... I crushed you fair and square."
"You bumped me into the wall!"
"Strategy," he replied, grinning.
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile crept onto my face anyway.
We finally reached the house. Jake fished the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. As we stepped inside, the familiar quietness greeted us, but it didn't feel as heavy as it usually did.
I kicked off my shoes and headed to the living room, flopping onto the couch with a sigh. Jake followed, sitting on the floor with his back against the couch, stretching his legs out.
For a moment, we just sat there. The soft hum of the refrigerator from the kitchen was the only sound filling the space.
"Today was fun," Jake said quietly, tilting his head back to look at me.
I nodded, my voice catching in my throat for a second. "Yeah… it was."
His gaze lingered for a moment longer, then he turned away, letting out a soft sigh.
And there it was again... that flutter, that warmth, that confusing ache in my chest.
I didn't know what it meant.
But it scared me.
More than I wanted to admit.