Speaking of which, while I walk to the car park, I retrieve my phone and open our chat room. I shoot them a message that I’m not heading straight home.
Aunt’s reply is immediate.
Aunt B: Where to?
Elsa: Out with Kim.
I bite my lower lip. After the tension this morning, I would rather lie to her about Aiden.
At least until I figure out where we stand.
Uncle J: Have fun, pumpkin.
Aunt B: Promise you won’t eat any junk food.
Elsa: Promise.
I shoot a message to Kim that I’m catching a ride with Aiden.
Kim: Ehhh with King? Weren’t you guys fighting this morning? Isn’t the bitch queen his date for the day?
Elsa: Long story.
Kim: Face time later. I need details!
Elsa: Kay.
Kim: And this better not be a rip off from a Korean drama where the BFF is always in the dark.
I send her a laughing emoji and promise to talk to her later.
Once I’m outside, the humid air cools the skin of my face. I spot Aiden waiting by his car. His uniform is dishevelled at best like he wore it in a hurry and he’s fussing with his shoelace.
That strange awareness starts a war, slashing and clawing at my abdomen as I walk towards him. My steps are fast and silent as if I’m floating through the air.
This pull is terrifying.
He’s terrifying.
Still, there’s no fighting how much I want him close. Now, I know how moth feel when they fly to flames. The flames are worth the burn.
I stumble to a halt a small distance away and stifle a gasp with the back of my hands.
As he ties his shoelace, his uniform’s trousers’ rides up, revealing his skin. A deep circular scar surrounds his right ankle. It seems as old and as faded as the scars on his back and the underside of his forearm.
What on earth happened to him?
Something light hits my shoulder. I jump up with a small yelp.
Cole comes into view. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“No. I’m fine.” I look around
him to Aiden who’s already straightened up and is heading in our direction.
Cole opens the outer pocket of my backpack and slips Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea. “You forgot this.”
I smile. “Didn’t anyone tell you that you shouldn’t open a girl’s bag?”