(Unedited)

I stayed in the arms of Aiden for a long time, gazing at the stars, floating in excitement and bliss. I didn't want this moment to end, I wanted it to last forever. Although I knew very little about Aiden to fall in love with, I knew this, Aiden is and was loyal to the ones he loves, he never gives up on them. Moreover, he didn't take advantage of my feelings, he set his boundaries, and I wanted to respect that.

I heard my phone ring, I picked it and yelled: "I said I'm busy, cut the crap, Cole!".

"Ele, where are you?" I heard my mom's voice ask, I was thinking that it was Cole.

"Mom! You home?" I asked her instead.

"Yes, where are you?" She repeated, concern clear on her voice.

I wondered if it was a good thing to tell my mother, panicked at our little getaway without informing anyone but I knew my mother, at the same time I don't!

"Ele?" She pressed on the other side, I realized I was keeping quiet for some time.

"With Aiden?" I asked her in a small voice, glancing at a chill Aiden.

"What?" She asked.

"Mom I am with Aiden, sorry that I didn't inform you. Sorry, mom!" I confessed and waited for her reply.

"Okay, but it's 4 am now hun!" She acknowledged, but I didn't sense any anger from her voice.

"You okay with this?" I asked her still confused.

"I don't see any problem with it, but when will you make it home?" She asked.

"I love you mom! will be there in an hour" I informed happily, now that I have her permission, I felt relief flooding over my senses.

Aiden gave me a sceptical look and asked: "Are we leaving?".

"Why, planning to settle down in here?" I countered.

He thought for a moment and said seriously "I was planning for a more serious something, like burying a body?".

I looked at him, he had an unwavering serious expression so I got up quickly and ran towards the car. I heard Aiden following behind me, he caught me in a swift and laughed uncontrollably.

"You are so funny Elen, come on I wouldn't do that! God, your face!" He stated between laughter and let go of me.

"Haha funny, I was only joking you know?" I answered, trying to mask my embarrassment.

"Oh really?" He asked with a mischievous smirk, moving slowly towards me, I nodded in agreement. He snaked his arms on my waist and started to tickle my waist. I burst out laughing loudly beyond control.

"Aiden, stop it please" I pleaded with him, in between laughter.

"Admit that you were scared" he negotiated.

"Alright, I was scared" I shouted, unable to speak coherently from the ticklings. He let go of me, I quickly ran to the car and sat inside.

He came slowly and seated on the driver's seat, driving back to the town. I noticed how he struggled to keep a straight face, trying hard not to laugh. We drove for a long time, I tried to enjoy the ride but my eyes didn't agree with my heart, it drooped on its own accord. I leaned into the seat and settled my head on the headrest and fell asleep.

I woke up to the blinding sunlight pouring into my bedroom, with blinds wide open and tangled sheets wrapped around me. The first thing I noticed was that I had my socks on, socks that I wore yesterday, yuck!

I hastily tore it from my legs and threw it to the basket. I walked to my mirror and stared at my disgusting state. I grabbed my towel and rushed to hit the showers.

After a long refreshing bath, I dressed in a long tee that reached my knees and walked downstairs. I noticed my mom making breakfast. I walked to her and placed a light kiss on her cheek.

"Good morning! You ditched school!" She announced, with a mischievous smile spreading on her face. I knew what she was thinking, curiosity was visibly written all over her face.

My mom started to ask something but she was disturbed by the ping that came from the phone. I gestured my phone to her and sat on the table while she resumed cooking.

I looked at the display and found, there were five messages from two chats. I opened the inbox, there were two messages from Cole and three messages from Nathan. I first checked Coles text, it displayed

Where are you?

How did Aiden carry you to your bed?
Did you guys do the deed? ( I want to know everything!)

His curiosity and excitement could be sensed but I decided to let pass the message and open the next. I read the text Nathan sent me

You are not at school today.
I wondered when had Nathan ever noticed if I make it to school. I read the other messages,

Are you sick?

Ele, are you okay? Why aren't you replying?
It's been ten minutes since this message was delivered. I replied

I am fine, just woke up.

Oh okay!
Came his immediate response, I checked the time,  it read 11.32 am, it's Science subject this time. I wondered how he was texting me in the middle of the class. So I asked,

Aren't you at science class, how are you texting?

More importantly, since when did you start noticing me? Heh!

I sent and waited for his reply. I heard my phone vibrate after a few minutes, it read

Since forever? Wait! You aren't that special.

I fumed at his sarcasm, another message graced my inbox, it read

We share three classes, I was enjoying myself here without you! That is how I knew you weren't at school.

I wondered when he will run out of sarcastic replies, I knew he was a douchebag but I hate being trotted by.
So I replied,

Listen douchebag, wait! You keep forgetting that you are a douchey right.

I really didn't want to look at your face today so I ditched.

By the way, stop enjoying yourself too much, I'll be back tomorrow.

I sent and smiled at my reply. He replied,

Why did you ditch school today?

Why bored without me, Friend?

Nah, you are delusional

And you are an idiot.

How dare you call me an idiot

Well, I have alternatives, wanna hear?

Idiot, arrogant, rude, reckless, douchebag, stupid golden king!

See ta-da, that's a lot! It's still true.

Well, I have one name for you, you are judgemental!

He retorted to my back and forth replies, I knew I was rude but this was the first time I was called judgmental. A part of me said that he was right, but I didn't want to agree with it, trying to convince myself.

After a long moment of hurt and guilt, I decided to accept the truth, so I  replied to Nathan with a

Yes, I have been. Unintended though.

I'm sorry Nathan.

I hit send and kept the phone away, unable to counter his ego. My mom placed a plate of lasagna on the table. I instantly forgot about my guilt and started to devour the bliss that laid in front of me.

"How was it?" My mom asked subtly. I decided to pretend.

"What mom?" I asked and chewed another fork full of lasagna.

She gave me an annoying look, with her eyebrows quirked up in question.
I completely understood her question and get curiosity behind it.

"I don't know what you are talking about," I said, placed the plate on the rack, and walked to my room, ignoring my mother's knowing smile.

I checked the phone, there were two messages from Nathan. I decided against reading them. I got dressed in my jogging suit, although it's an off time to jog, it's been really long so I walked out of my room. My mom was rushing through the doors, in her nurse attire. She looked at me and waved an apologetic bye and walked out of the door.

I securely closed the door and started running aimlessly with a water bottle in my hand.

I ran for an hour, tired and exhausted I decided to walk back home. I waved a hi for the kids passing by, they smiled enthusiastically at me. Kids are the purest souls that exist in this cruel world.

I walked to the door retrieving the keys from my pocket. I saw an envelope with a single red rose on top of it lying on the doormat. I walked slowly towards it, my heart running a marathon of its own. I took the letter and started at the familiar handwritten sender's note. I looked around my house, hoping to find if someone was there. I unlocked the door, walking inside in a trance, eyes glued to the letter.

I sat on the chair, my emotions all over the place, struggling between feelings, I opened the letter and read...

***

Hey guys!

So what do you think?

Any complaints?

Grammar mistakes?

Wanna change anything?