"I’ve never stopped loving you, Amanda. Not for a moment. Not once."

- The Best of Me, coming to theaters October 17

Chapter 1

Thump!

What the hell?

Thump! Thump!

What is that noise?!

Thump! Thump! Creeek –

Oh, for goodness sake! Aidan threw the blankets away from his body as he sat up to glare at the figure opening his curtains, momentarily blinding him from the sunshine entering his darkened room.

“Mom!” Aidan groaned, staring at her as if she entered his sanctuary without permission – which, she kind of did so...

“Aidan, do you see what time it is?” His mother, Emma Rogers, snapped back as she moved along his room to move some of his thrown clothes out of the way. “Hurry up, your sister is already awake and waiting for you.”

Right.

Of course.

Stupid sis. Stupid school.

“Why can’t Stace drive herself, then?” Aidan complained, lying back down with a groan. “She recently got her license already, I don’t understand why she can’t just drive to school and –“

“Well,” Emma shrugged, as she reached for the door. “You know your father. He’s stricter with her than you, which I find to be quite barbaric. I’ll talk to him again, but in the meantime, get up or you’re both going to be late for school. You wouldn’t want to ruin that perfect attendance record you’ve got going on, don’t you?”

She raised an eyebrow at him with that annoying look mother’s give, making him cringe.

“Oh no!” An obnoxious voice interrupting them, coming from the doorway. “We wouldn’t want our son to ruin his nerdy reputation! The shame!”

They both whirled around to see Aidan’s dad, Drake Rogers, leaning against the door and smirking at them both.

“Drake,” Emma rolled her eyes, the amount of annoyance filling her up. “You’re not helping.”

“Our own son! Missing a day in school!” Of course Drake continued, placing his hand on top of his heart and gasped in a mocking tone, “The scandal!”

“I told you to go and start making their breakfast.” Emma snapped in annoyance, “Go downstairs and do it now while Aidan showers and changes.”

“Excuse you,” Drake straightening up, “No one tells me what to do.”

“I just did.” Emma back talked, walking towards him. “What are you going to do about it, Mr. Drake Rogers?”

Drake stared at her for a few seconds, that small smirk once again back on his face as his gaze slowly dropped down to analyze her whole body. “That’s… actually so kinky, I kind of –“

“I need to shower!” Aidan hollered out, sitting up. “Get out!”

Emma grabbed Drake’s arm and pushed him out the door; ignoring his protests.

As soon as she walked out and closed the door, Aidan let out another rough groan and pulled the pillow over his face, wondering why he has such an uneventful life. “Eff school.”

After a few seconds of that episode, he placed the pillow behind his head again and stared at the ceiling, staring at the little small bumps spread across; his mind going elsewhere.

He had such a weird dream last night…

Normally, after he wakes up, he can’t remember what he dreamt about. But for some reason this time, parts of them were so vivid he could actually write them down.

He was walking down this long corridor and there were noises coming on each side of him. Noises that contained people yelling at his ear and hands trying to grab onto anything they could reach that was him.

But he paid no attention to them.

His eyes were on the woman behind the door. It’s as if he knew her for ages, but what’s funny is… he can’t really picture exactly how she looks like. He just knows that she’s on the other side of the door; waiting for him.

The moment his hand reaches the doorknob and twists it – Obviously, he wakes up.

Of course.

But man, what a weird dream to have! He’s very curious about what that could mean that he wants to go online and research dream interpretations; but meh, school.

Speaking of school…

“Hurry up, Aidan!” His annoying sister, Stacey, said; ruining his morning even more. “Mom said we have to leave by seven thirty, it’s already seven twenty five and you’re not even –“

“I’m up!” Aidan snapped, jumping up from his bed out of frustration. “I’m awake already, so get out!”

He caught a quick look at himself in the mirror and scoffed, seeing his own ragged black hair sticking up all over the place and the sleepy bags under his eyes still puffed out.

Yeah.

Such an uneventful life, he has.

.

Seriously, who invented school?

Don’t get him wrong, he enjoys having an education and being top in his class but he sometimes find the whole system to be repetitive and completely stupid. Like, if the man is going to force kids to get an education they might as well come up with something to make it more enjoyable right? Like –

“Dude.”

Aidan blinked and turned his attention to his friend, Bryan. “Bruh.”

Bryan rolled his eyes, shaking his head in amusement. “That’s like the fifth time today you’ve spaced out. What the hell?”

Aidan grinned in embarrassment as he hitched his backpack on his shoulder, “I’m just stressed out about school, that’s all.”

“Why?” Bryan asked, frowning. “You’re a Junior with straight A’s. I’d be damned if you don’t graduate as number one in our class or something. You could be the first jock in our school crowned as valedictorian, how freaking awesome is that?”

“I don’t know.” Aidan shook his head sheepishly. “I mean, that’s kind of nerdy and my dad said that ladies –“

“I’m sure women love their man to be smart.” Bryan shrugged, “Haven’t met a woman yet who likes stupid guys, so… you’re off to the right track. Speaking of women, we’re still down to go over at Bill’s later tonight, right?”

“Hell yeah.” Aidan lightened up, “I need some craziness in life right now, so I’ll give you a ride.”

“What about your sister?” Bryan asked, cheekily.

Aidan paused for a second, raising an eyebrow at him. “What about my sister?”

“Is Stacey going?” Bryan urged on, “I mean, she’s super cute.“

“I’m not having this conversation with you.” Aidan buntly said, briskly walking away from him, remembering what his dad told him: Make sure you keep men away from your sister, Aidan!

“Oh, come on!” Bryan tried to keep up with him, “I mean –“

“Shut up or I swear I’ll – oof!” Aidan felt himself ramming right to another figure, causing him to stumble and nearly fall.

“Whoa, easy there.” Byran said, helping his friend straighten himself. He looked over at the person Aidan bumped into and sighed, “Forgive my friend; he’s usually an imbalanced person whenever he’s on his man period.”

“What the hell?” Aidan snapped, glaring at him as the burning sensation of humiliation spread across his face.

He turned around to address the other person and – holy shit.

She’s gorgeously exotic looking.

She’s got wavy chocolate brown hair, striking hazel eyes, and her skin is naturally tan – she must be that new transfer from Hawaii because damn, he’s never seen her here in campus before.

“Uh.” Aidan tried to form coherent words but it’s as if a hand is grabbing him by the throat – preventing him from talking like a regular human being.

The girl blushed and murmured a quick, “sorry,” before turning away swiftly and power walking away.

“Uh,” Bryan whirled around and mimicked Aidan, “What the hell was that? You couldn’t even apologize yourself?”

No idea.

Aidan has no idea why he couldn’t speak; he’s usually this out-going sort of guy and can talk to any girls he wants, but for some reason his words were gargled up in one big of embarrassment by just looking at her.

“Who was that?” Aidan asked, craning his neck to catch a glimpse of her figure turning to the corner and disappearing. “I’ve never seen her before.”

“Someone you can never have.” Another voice answered for them.

Bryan and Aidan turned around to see Stacey walking towards them with a smirk on her face, “She’s way out of your league, nerd.”

“Nerd?” Aidan scoffed, looking at his younger sister with this insulted look on his face. How dare she? “Excuse me, I’m a basketball player. How the hell is that nerdy?”

“These days, jocks can be nerds too, you know.” Stacey shrugged, “You’re my brother. I’ll always see you as a nerd.” She glanced at Bryan and nodded, “Hey.”

“Hey.” Bryan smirked back, “When’s our first date?”

Aidan made a retching sound.

“First date?” Stacey folded her arms, giving Bryan a mocking look. “I wasn’t aware we were planning on having a first date, since my dad told me to stay away from you.”

“Your dad and my dad are best friends!” Bryan scoffed, throwing his arms up in annoyance.

“So?” Stacey raised an eyebrow, lifting her chin up.

“Get a room.” Aidan let out a heavy sigh, pushing them out of the way as he strode towards his locker.

“You’re coming tonight, right?!” Bryan called after him, “C’mon old man, you better show up. Invite Stace too!”

“He doesn’t need to.” Stacey rolled her eyes as she turned around to walk the opposite direction, “I’m inviting myself.”

Bryan stared after her, a wolfish smile forming across his face. “Your sis is so freaking cute, bro.”

Aidan scowled, not wanting to hear the son of Richard babble on about how attractive he thinks Stacey is.

Disturbing.

But since he mentioned party… maybe a night out with friends would be a good way to clear his head from school stress.

.

“No.”

“What?” Aidan gawked at his mother, who was rummaging about in the kitchen.

Hello, don’t they realize that he needs this party to cool himself down from the stress of what are college applications and grades? It’s like his mother doesn’t understand what it’s like to be wild or something.

C’mon now.

“I’m really not comfortable with you being out so late, Aidan.” Emma sighed, pausing her work to glance at him with a sad look on her face, “It’s just going to remind me how you’re growing and ugh. I could have sworn it was only yesterday when Drake finally learned to put on your diapers properly.”

“Mom.” Aidan muttered, his eyes rolling down. “I won’t stay up late, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Well –“

“Hold up,” Another voice snapped from the doorway, interrupting them.

Aidan and Emma turned around to see Drake entering the kitchen, his face scowling in annoyance as he crossed his arms; glaring at Emma.

“Did you just insult my diaper skills?” He fired away, his gaze shifting from Emma to their son.

“Are you serious right now, dad?” Aidan asked in a deadpanned tone, “I’m trying to convince mom to let me go hang out with Bryan and Bill. Not about diapers.”

Drake frowned and looked at Emma – who was giving him the look – and glanced back at his son, before shrugging. “Then go.”

Aidan immediately straightened his posture, “Really?”

“But –“

“Yes.” Drake didn’t bother letting his wife speak, “Our son needs freedom and –“

“Not that much freedom!” Emma gawked at him, “You won’t even let our daughter –“

“Why?” Drake scoffed, “So men can have their perverted ways with her? I don’t think –“

Aidan quickly got up and sprinted out of that place; not wanting to hear more. His parents are weird. Now, finally some free time with his friends!

.

.:Two hours later:.

“Having fun?” Aidan asked, leaning against the wall as his hands lightly brushed against this random girl’s bare waist.

The girl – what’s her name? Lanie? – giggled rather loudly, small pink spots forming across her face. “Now that you’re here? You betcha’.”

Oh.

So freaking cheesy.

What a turn off, on to the next.

Aidan fought the urge to roll his eyes, but he smiled back at her anyway.

He quickly glanced around the room, hoping to find his friends, but alas, they are incognito. So he is here by himself with some random girl who doesn’t understand that alcohol breath really isn’t an aphrodisiac.

“Want to dance?” She asked, blinking up at him.

He looked down at her and inwardly groan, “No.”

The girl looked taken aback, “Why?”

Uh, because he doesn’t want to?

Because he doesn’t want alcohol breath fanning across his face every few seconds?

Because no means no?

Who knows?

He quickly flashed a smile and cleared his throat, “I really need to use the restroom.”

Before she could reply back, he quickly took a step away from her and power walked to the opposite side of the room; silently cursing Bryan and Bill for leaving him like this.

Speaking of his friends… where are they?

After a few more minutes of his searching, he found Bill by the music station, ready to add some new songs into the mix.

“Hey \man!” Bill greeted him as he walked closer, “Having fun?”

Not really.

“Oh yeah!” Aidan lied, nodding. His gaze wandering around the room until – Oh hell no.

No way.

Oh goodness… it’s her! Sitting by herself while she’s reading a book!

Why the hell would anyone bring a book to a party? Who does that?

But who cares, he doesn’t really care about that at the moment, he just wants to know who this girl is!

“Who is that?” Aidan nudged Bill, nodding towards the snack table.

Bill looked up from his music selections and followed Aidan’s gaze, where they landed on a lonely girl sitting by herself right next to all the drinks.

“No idea.” He muttered, shrugging. “Probably one of my friend’s friends.”

Aidan bit his bottom lip, unsure. Should he just go up to her and talk? But how? Do girls like it when a random guy just goes up to talk to them?

No. That’s weird, right?

As if she felt someone watching her, she immediately looked up from her novel and stared straight at Aidan; making his chest thump deeper than before.

She blinked, frowning.

Is he smiling back at her? He has no idea if he is, because holy crap; this girl is beautiful. He should just go and say hi at least.

He’s freakin’ Aidan Rogers.

He can do this. Alright… here goes nothing. Ignoring the rest of Bill’s rambles about something unimportant, Aidan started to walk towards this mysterious girl and… oh.

Oh.

She’s standing up!

She’s standing up and she just looked at him again. Maybe she’ll come and talk to him? Let someone else to the job for once, right?

Aidan merely grinned back, thinking he finally gets to talk to this beautiful woman and –

Sike.

She just gave him the once over look – rolled her eyes – and turned the other way; away from him.

Aidan stopped, the burning sensation of humiliation burning within his stomach.

What the hell was that last look for?