Chapter 26: Pickle (Caden's POV)

I lay there, still trying to gather my thoughts about tonight. She's fallen asleep but she's still waking up every time I shuffle around. I can't decide if I hate myself for sleeping with her or love myself for sleeping with her. My heart tells me it's the latter, but my head tells me it's the former. 

What we're doing is so wrong and so forbidden, but I like doing it. I like spending time with her, I like talking to her, I like kissing her, I like being around her. I think I just... like her. 

And see, now I've gotten myself in a pickle. Do I do what's logical and distance myself from her now so that I don't have to do it when I'm too attached? Or should I stay with her and continue doing what we're doing so we can enjoy each other's company while it lasts? 

We both know we'll have to part ways at some point, I'm sure we can handle it. And anyway, if I do it now, she's just going to think all I wanted was to sleep with her and that is so far from the truth. 

I managed to get out of bed without disturbing her and put my clothes back on. I walked over to her side of the bed and kneeled. "Venus," I whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. 

"Hmm?" she asked sleepily. 

"Vee," I said, running my fingers through her hair. 

She shuffled, rubbing her eyes before opening them. She looked at me. "What's wrong?" 

"I have to go home," I said. 

"Oh," she mumbled, frowning. 

"You should put your clothes back on," I chuckled. 

"Can you pass them to me?" 

I walked over and grabbed her clothes, handing them to her. 

She pulled on her shirt, slowly sitting up, and pulled her sweatpants on under the covers. "Are you leaving now?" she asked, running a hand through her hair. 

"Yeah. I can't stay, no?" 

"Are my parents back yet?" she questioned. 

I shook my head. "Are you okay?" I asked. 

She dragged a hand down her face. "Never been better," she chuckled, looking at me. "Do you regret it, Caden?" she asked hesitantly, clearly confused about whether she wanted me to answer or not. 

"Do you want me to be honest or lie?" I asked, pressing her further. 

"Be honest," she said. 

"I don't regret it. And it was amazing. Do you?" 

"No," she replied, her cheeks getting a little pink. 

Now I'm in even more of a pickle. Because what if she likes me too? I suddenly don't like pickles very much. 

"Do I see you tomorrow at school?" she asked. 

"Of course. Come a little early, maybe you'll get extra kisses," I smirked. 

"Okay," she sang, stretching in her seat. 

"I'll head out now, okay? Your family will probably be back any minute. But hey, what will you tell them? Why aren't you at Remy's?" 

"She's out for dinner, actually."

"With her dad?" 

"No, with Roman," she said, giving me a knowing look. 

"I'll get going, they'll be here any second. Call me if you need anything." 

"I think I'll just be sleeping now but thank you," she smiled. 

"Bye," I said, leaning down and kissing her. Hard. She smiled against my lips as I pulled away. 

"Bye," she whispered. I pecked her cheek and then opened the window, crawling out. She stood there as I climbed out, waiting to close it. 

"Come here for a second," I demanded. 

She smiled, walked over, and leaned across her desk. "What?" she asked. 

My fingers instinctively went around her throat and I brought her closer, pulling her into a kiss. When I heard a car pulling up, I let her go. 

"Bye," she whispered through her grin. 

"My god, you're glowing," I taunted. 

She rolled her eyes and then pecked my lips. 

"Bye," I smiled and then started climbing down when her family entered their house. 

She closed the window and the curtains when I landed on the floor and then jogged away. I slowed down to a walk when I was a safe distance from her house. "What have you done to me, Venus?" I sighed to myself. "Shit." 

It was now the next day and I was waiting at the front of the school for her to arrive. Of course, I would make it look like I was waiting for Roman when and if her dad questioned it. 

"Why are we here so early today?" I heard her dad ask as I looked over and their car came into sight. The white convertible today. 

"I have to reorganize some notes before class starts," she lied while unbuckling her seatbelt and grabbing her bag. 

"What is he doing here?" her dad asked, glancing at me. 

"He goes to this school too. He's probably early and waiting for a friend, dad," she huffed, opening the door and climbing out of the car. "I have to go, bye, love you." 

"Love you," he said while glaring at me. I saluted him with two fingers as he drove past. And I might be wrong. I might be very wrong. But I think he might have smiled when he was out of sight. I don't know. 

When I turned around to go into the building after he had left, I found her waiting for me at the entrance. I jogged over and grabbed her hand, pulling her inside. 

"Hi," she smiled. 

"Hi," I chuckled, leaning down and kissing her. I pulled back while grabbing her hand. "Should we head to the classroom?" I asked. 

"Sure," she shrugged. So then we walked into the classroom which was empty and grabbed our seats. 

"Why does your dad hate me so much?" I asked while she got out of her seat and sat on my desk. 

"The same reason your dad hates me so much," she replied. 

"Do you think I can ever win your dad over?" My arms circled her waist and I pulled her closer. 

"Why would you want to win my dad over? To tell him you're sleeping with his daughter?" she smirked, teasing me. 

"And what if one day I decide to make the stupid decision to fall in love with you? Then?" I asked, lifting a brow at her sharply. She might think I'm joking or being sarcastic but I'm not. 

She stared at me, not knowing how to respond. I pulled her closer, lifting her hand and putting it on my head. She ran her fingers through it, still looking at me in confusion. "Was that a joke?" 

"No," I mumbled. 

"Why would you ever fall in love with me?" she asked, her voice softer than I've ever heard it before. 

"Because... why not? It's not that hard," I shrugged. 

"Then I don't know what you would do. Because if you win my family over, you would lose yours," she said, clearing her throat. She's trying to answer logically. But there's never any logic in feelings. Especially love. Not that I love her. As of now. 

I need help. 

"And is that really such a bad thing?" 

"Caden, don't. We're just... whatever is going on between us, you can't put me before your family because of it. In a little while, I'll be gone. But they won't, they'll still be here." 

"Why do you have to go? Can't they?" 

She shook her head. "You're the royal family, you're not going anywhere," she chuckled. "Stay with your family, honor what they tell you." 

"I never have, I won't listen now," I rolled my eyes, taking her free hand. 

"You don't even like me," she laughed. 

"And if I say I do?" 

"I'm not just talking about physically." She rolled her eyes. 

Neither am I. 

"Oh well," I shrugged out another lie. 

She gave me a small smile and then looked at the door. "People will start coming in," she said while sliding off the desk and sitting in her seat. 

"What would you do if I liked you?" I asked, resting my arms on the table and putting my head down. 

"I'd leave," she answered bluntly. 

Ouch. 

"And if you liked me? Then?" 

She hesitated. "I don't know," she admitted. 

"What if you liked me and then I left? How would you feel?" I scoffed. 

She didn't realize it but saying that she really did hurt my feelings. How could she just get up and leave me? 

"Caden..." 

We both looked up as the door opened and Roman walked in with Remy trailing behind him. 

I got up, grabbing my bag. "I'm skipping today," I said to Roman.

 "This class?" 

"The whole day," I replied, making my way to the door. And I'm not just doing this because I'm hurt and mad at what she said, but also because I need it. I need the day to figure it out and to gather my thoughts. I like Venus. I don't know how that's possible or how it's happened, but it has. 

I like her. I really like her. 

And I need to figure out what to do and how to approach this situation. Because clearly, she is being logical about this. If it comes down to it, she will leave me. Even if I can't leave her. 

I jogged over to my car, noticing the parking lot was a little fuller than earlier. I climbed in and started the car, quickly backing out of my spot and then hitting the accelerator. I let out a breath, rolling my window down. 

I am in so much trouble now, thanks to you, Venus Jade Princeton.

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Chapter 26

I'm about to do my entire prep sheet tonight.

again.

This is what happens when you procrastinate but the only reason I procrastinate is because even when I do, I manage to get the work done... this is a very toxic cycle, anyways how's everyone doing?

next chapter: honesty