CHAPTER 4
After Aiden dropped me back to my dorm and left me with a kiss on my lips, I stayed awake till dawn. I couldn’t stop thinking about the moment we shared together. It felt so special that it had already become a part of my most treasured memories.
I finally felt relieved that he was giving us a chance. This time I wouldn’t let go. This would be our new beginning.
A new beginning to our broken friendship―and perhaps something more.
Finally, I let myself drift to sleep with Aiden lingering in my thoughts.
Everything will soon be all right.
When I woke up, it was already afternoon. The usual buzzing and chattering of the students filled the atmosphere as I got ready and left my room.
As I headed downstairs, I found Monica getting in. Perfect timing.
When she found me at the stair, she beamed up at me and shrieked in excitement, as if we hadn’t met for ages. She immediately hugged me tightly, engulfing me in her warmth.
“Urgh! I missed you,” she gushed, swaying us left and right with her arms around me.
I giggled and snuggled closer. “It’s been only three days, but I missed you, too.”
Chuckling, she moved back and frowned at me. “Girl, did you just wake up? Your eyes are puffy.”
God, I couldn’t hide anything from her.
“Yeah, I just…” Should I tell her? “I was up late finishing the history assignment,” I lied, even though from her narrowed eyes it was evident she wasn’t buying it. She crossed her arms and gave me her are you sure, you aren’t lying look.
“Do you want to grab some lunch?” I offered, trying to change the subject. Thankfully, she agreed and dropped the subject. For now.
We headed to our usual brunch place, finding it packed like usual. We took a seat in an empty booth. The waiter came by and took our orders for two Caesar salads and steak before he left.
“So?” Monica asked in a chirpy voice with her arms crossed on the table.
“So what?” I questioned back, taking a sip from the water bottle.
“Are you going to tell me what your history assignment was about? Or should I say who?”
I nearly choked on my drink from her question but got my composure back as I placed the bottle on the table. My heart skipped a beat while my shoulders became rigid.
“What?” I whispered with my eyes wide open in shock. How did she know?
“Don’t bullshit me any further, Lisa. One, you were literally blushing when you gave me that lame-ass assignment excuse. Two, we both attend history class together, and there was no assignment. And three, spill the beans right now.”
My shoulders drooped in defeat, and I hid my face with my hands in mortification.
Huffing, I ran my fingers through my hair and looked up at my best friend.
“Okay. Here’s the truth…”
And then I spilled everything to her. Aiden pulling the stupid stunt, both of us riding on his motorbike and going to the lake, Aiden opening up to me and both of us getting intimate with each other. I didn’t get into too many details because I wasn’t ready for it.
The entire time she looked at me like she’d gotten the biggest shock of her life.
“I leave for three days and I miss so much. Why doesn’t anything happen when I’m around? Urgh!”
I chuckled nervously.
By that time, our food arrived and we both dug in.
“So, you will tell him on Tuesday?” she asked while chewing on a piece of the delicious, flavorful steak.
I nodded. “He has to know. I can deal with his ignorance for the rest of my life, but I can’t even fathom of dealing with his hatred for me.”
She stared at me with a pitiful look. “You love him, don’t you?”
I remained silent as I continued eating my lunch.
“He will forgive you, Lisa. He’ll understand,” she muttered, placing her hand on mine as she gave it a gentle squeeze.
I offered her a small smile, which she returned. As we finished our lunch and split the bill, a new customer entered the restaurant. Normally, I wouldn’t bother who was coming or going, but this person mattered to me.
Aiden was entering the restaurant with a few of his friends. Monica followed my gaze and gasped, giving me a sly smile. He was still wearing the same clothes as last night, and even now he was the most handsome and breath-taking sight in this restaurant.
“Do you want to go and talk to him?” she asked, arching up her eyebrows.
Should I tell him now? Or wait?
His back faced me as he placed his order at the front counter, while his friends laughed at some joke they were whispering among themselves.
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. He’s here with his friends and I don’t want to bother him.”
Monica opened her mouth to protest, but when I heard my name coming from Aiden’s friend, we both turned our gazes in that direction.
“How is it going with Lisa?” the guy with blond hair asked.
Aiden put his hands inside his jacket pockets and leaned against the counter.
“Nothing.” His tone sounded bored, as if he’s trying to brush off the question.
“Oh, come on. She’s been chasing you for months. You must have had a piece of her by now,” his friend teased and winked as the other guys started laughing as if he’d cracked a joke.
Realizing something must be wrong here, I moved back to the corner so that Aiden didn’t see me. Monica’s worried eyes met mine, but I shook my head, letting her know it wasn’t affecting me.
But I was lying to her and myself. It was already affecting me deeply.
“It’s nothing, man. Is our order ready?” he nearly growled at the cashier.
“Five more minutes, sir.”
“Come on, man. At some point, you have to share with us. Why not now?” his other friend chided with a grin on his face.
Everything was happening too fast for me to comprehend that look in Aiden’s eyes. I didn’t know what all of this was about, but I did know something was immensely wrong.
“Forget it, man,” Aiden said, his voice low.
The blond guy punched him playfully on his shoulder while laughing. “Aww. Did she run away? Did you scare her with your so-called charm?”
What is happening? Monica mouthed.
I don’t know, I mouth back.
“You were out with her last night and came back nearly at dawn, man. Something must have happened for sure,” another guy interrupted.
Oh no…no. If it were possible for my heart to sink any further, it would have. I couldn’t believe he shared our intimate moments with his friends, who were literally bragging about it.
“Nothing happened,” Aiden replied, his voice on the edge of fury.
“Okay. Okay. That’s no problem. You got till Tuesday to win the bet, so there’s still time,” his friend muttered, patting Aiden on the back.
Bet?
Please, no. This couldn’t be happening. Not right now…not ever.
Monica’s eyes widened with utter shock as she realized what was happening. I knew it, too, but I wasn’t ready to accept it. Aiden wouldn’t do that to me.
“It’s just one girl, man. What’s taking you so long?” one of his friends in a white t-shirt asked.