Not enough time to write :( Feel like I am drowning. Ugh.

So please drop some love, pretty please? 

This chapter has one of my favorite moments!

Chapter 13.

So Aahan, are you Rylee's boyfriend?

~~~

"Grandma!" Krish screamed and ran into the arms of Rylee's grandmother.

Granny stumbled back a little from the sheer force. "Young man, do you want to break my hip?"

Krish leaned back just a bit. "Never!" and then hugged her tight.

Granny chuckled hugging Krish back. "You have not changed."

Krish shook his head. "Never!"

Nina smiled and lightly slapped her brother's back. "Get off, Krish. It's my turn now."

Krish scowled at his sister and broke the hug. "You are such a party pooper." He complained.

Nina rolled her eyes, giving a quick hug to grandmother and accepting the et kiss she placed on her cheek.

"Where's the brown kid?"

"Gran, don't say that." Rylee hissed.

Her grandmother frowned. "But I said brown not black."

Rylee hit her forehead. "Doesn't matter. Say the names."

"I barely remember your name, you want me to remember your friend's names too now?"

Rylee groaned. "Mikaela is on the way."

"Hey!" just then Mikaela entered with a bag in her hand.

She hugged granny who patted her on the back. "Hi Mikaela."

Mikaela passed the bag to Rylee. "The top I had borrowed."

Rylee's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Which top?" she opened the bag and stared at the red halter neck top in it. "I don't remember you taking this."

Mikaela tapped twice on Rylee's shoulder with a light smirk. "Hey, be glad I returned it. I have had it since two months and you didn't even know."

Rylee stared at her best friend's back with an open mouth. "Stop stealing my clothes!"

"Borrowed." Mikaela corrected. "I returned it back, didn't I?"

Rylee sighed and kept the bag on the side table, joining everyone in the living room.

"Everyone's here?" Granny asked.

Krish cleared his throat, looking around at Rylee nervously. "Not everyone."

Mikaela narrowed her eyes at him, throwing a pillow at Krish. "Don't tell me you invited Sven. I told you not to. Don't you remember what he did last time?"

Krish swiftly caught the pillow before it could hit his face. He sneaked a glance at Rylee and shook his head. "I didn't call Sven. I actually invited Aahan and Zack."

"Krish!" Nina scolded from next to him. "That's why you went snooping through my phone. You were trying to find out Aahan's number?"

Rylee blinked in shock at Krish. She couldn't believe it. "What?" she breathed out.

Krish smiled uneasily. "Sorry, I thought you might like it. He is your friend, right?"

"Oh please." Mikaela snorted, scowling further at Krish. "You just wanted to meet Zack again."

Rylee could feel irritation in her veins at the unwanted invitation Krish sent to Aahan. That wasn't his decision to make. Now Aahan would be meeting her grandmother. It was far too soon for that. "Seriously, Krish? Do your match making at your own house."

Krish looked down guiltily. "I am sorry. But come on, maybe this will be good."

"Yes, maybe Aahan will insult Rylee's mother and Rylee will awkwardly hug him again." Mikaela retorted, glaring at Krish. "How could you do this? What were you even thinking?"

Just then Daisy came in. "There are two funny looking guys at the door. One of them doesn't talk at all and one of them talks too much. I am guessing they are your friends?"

Rylee pressed her lips together. That would be Aahan and Zack. An appropriate way to describe them. "Yes." She replied. "Let them in."

Daisy shrugged. "Hey nerds! Come on in! And don't forget to shut the door." she shouted. Daisy looked at Mikaela and scowled. "Blue doesn't suit you." She pointed at the blue top Mikaela was wearing and then hurried back into her room before Mikaela could respond or throw something at her.

Mikaela scoffed at the retreating figure. "One of these days, I'll smack your sister so hard she'll fly to Mars." She swore to Rylee.

Rylee snorted. "Get in line."

Aahan and Zack entered the house. Aahan with a small smile and Zack with his signature scowl.

"Why are we here again?" he questioned Rylee.

This time it wasn't Rylee fault. She pointed at Krish. "Ask him."

Mikaela furrowed her eyes at Aahan's face. "Are you wearing makeup?"

Aahan's hand flew to his face, particularly the pimple infused nose. "Just powder. Google said that's the best way to hide a pimple."

Mikaela was trying hard to not laugh but she wasn't succeeding. Rylee was also biting her lower lip to stop from laughing. Nina was hiding behind her brother's back and silently chuckling.

Aahan looked at three girls. "Do I look funny?"

Rylee shook her head quickly, giving him a bright reassuring smile. "No."

"Are you making a joke out of me?"

Rylee's laughter slowed at his serious tone. "No." she replied but Mikaela's snorting laugh wasn't helping.

Zack's nose flared. "Yes, they are. Let's get out of here Aahan. I told you coming here again was a bad idea. They are just going to insult you." He grabbed Aahan's hand and started to pull him towards the door.

"You two. Sit. Now." Rylee's grandmother's tone was soft yet stern. One that no one could defy.

Zack swallowed hard as he took in the short round stature of the woman. "Yes, ma'am." He bowed on impulse and sat down there, right next to the door.

Aahan blinked and sat down, not understanding what was happening but he knew to not disobey elders.

He whispered to Zack. "I think she meant sit on the couch, not here."

Granny was fighting back a smile. In all these years, she had never met any other of Rylee's friends, in fact she was secretly scared that Rylee thought these stupid people would last her a lifetime. But now there were these two boys who were different from her usual friends, for one, they didn't look like they would get stupid drunk and pee on a car.

Zack slowly got up and sat on the couch, Aahan next to him.

Rylee sighed, cursing her fate for getting her into this situation. "Granny, this is Aahan Miller and Zack." She paused, she had no idea what his last name was.

"Potter." Zack piped in.

Granny grinned. "Like that wizard boy."

Zack nodded, he had heard it all through his childhood, he was teased relentlessly for it and that's why most people didn't know his last name at high school.

"So does your wand do magic tricks?"

"Oh my God, Krish! Shut up!" Nina hissed, pinching Krish's arm. The innuendo wasn't missed by the crowd.

Krish winced and rubbed his arm. "What?"

Zack's eyes were wide, he choked on the air. "Wh-what?"

"Nothing." Nina replied instantly. "So gran, how have you been?" she swiftly changed the subject.

Gran smiled at Nina's reaction. "You already asked me that."

Nina shifted in the seat uncomfortably. "Yes, I did. Um when are you leaving?"

"You asked me that too."

Nina pressed her forehead. "Right."

"So Aahan, are you Rylee's boyfriend?" Gran's sudden question shocked everyone, especially Rylee and Aahan.

Rylee could feel her heart rate increasing and an embarrassing redness coating her cheeks. She stared at her grandmother, hissing silently. "Gran!"

Aahan on the other hand was stunned by the sudden question. He cleared his throat and replied. "No. Not yet."

Rylee instantly started blushing at the 'not yet' part. Her eyes wide and ajar, but cheeks getting hot and pink. "Not yet?" she whispered.

Aahan nodded. "Yes, Eloise asked me out on a date."

The hot cheeks took seconds to cool and now her heart rate was rising due to anger. Her jaw clenched and she fisted her hands. "I am sorry, what?" she physically leaned forward to make sure she had heard right.

"Eloise asked me out." He repeated, not at all picking up the tensed atmosphere.

Zack had closed his eyes, already expecting the upcoming yells and curses.

"Eloise Blanc?" Mikaela asked again, not at believing that Eloise could ask Aahan Miller out. He was not at all her type, plus didn't she have Sven? Oh God, was she already cheating on Sven?

Once again Aahan nodded. "Yes, Eloise Blanc, Harvey Blanc's sister." He was wondering how many times more he'd have to repeat the same thing.

Rylee finally overcame the shock that was running in her veins, she leaned back and folded her arms, her lips in a straight line. She was far more than angry, she was burning with fury. "And what did you say?"

"I said I wouldn't go out with her." Aahan answered.

Rylee's eyes widened a little, her ready retort pausing at the tip of her tongue. She felt a heavy weight lift off her shoulders, making her sigh heavily. She couldn't hide the relief she felt at hearing his words. Krish who was next to her, whispered into her ears. "Wow, that green demon is dancing."

Rylee gave Krish a stink eye. "Shut up." She whispered back. She turned to Aahan. "Can I talk to you, privately?"

"Ooooh. Privately. You go girl! Get that thing girl!" Krish said in a sing-song girly voice.

Nina once again hit him. "Can you think before you speak?"

Krish scowled at his sister. "Can you stop hitting me? I can have you arrested for domestic violence."

"And I can have you admitted in a mental institution." Nina countered back.

Rylee glared at the two bickering siblings. Do they ever stop? "Shut up." She stood up and pointed at Aahan to follow her.

Zack glared at Rylee as he saw his best friend mutely follow her. He was torn in between letting Aahan go and stopping him before this escalated – whatever this was between them.

Granny was smiling, loving the drama she was witnessing. This was better than those stupid dramas she saw on TV. This was live, this was for more interesting and this was entertaining.

Rylee walked outside, in the backyard. She scowled at the dried leaves and plants, Daisy forgot to water the plants. Again. She only has a few chores and most of them she forgets or chooses not to do. She really needs to be taught a lesson. It's getting out of hands now.

Aahan stood in front of her. He smiled, showing his left dimple. "Hi."

Rylee didn't understand how he could be so cherry, probably because Eloise Blanc just asked him out. That could make any guy happy.

She forced a returning smile. "Hi. So how's your girlfriend?"

Aahan frowned in confusion. "Girlfriend?"

"Eloise Blanc." The way the name dripped of her lips had a very sour tone.

"I told you. I said no to her."

And Rylee couldn't believe that. In all the years, not one boy had said no to Eloise Blanc – not a single one. Even the ones who were gay couldn't find it in them to reject her. So, how could Aahan be any different? It wasn't possible, was it?

"You are lying." Rylee straight out spat.

Aahan physically flinched. He felt more confused than ever. Why did she think he was lying? "I am not."

Rylee gritted her teeth, her gaze intensifying with suspicion. She was still trying to grapple with the number of emotions she was feeling. Her overthinking brain was on high alert and it just wouldn't stop. "Why did you say no to her?"

Aahan frowned. "Did you want me to say yes?"

"No!" Rylee yelled in horror.

"And I said no." His eyebrows furrowed to for a crease.

Rylee sighed, the truth was even she didn't know why she was so riled up. So what if Aahan dates Eloise, it's not like he is dating me. I mean we went on a date – which wasn't even technically a date. So why on the freaking crap's house, am I feeling jealous? Why the crapity crap is it affecting me so much?

The overwhelming sense of jealousy began to consume her at the idea of Aahan with Elosie dating, being together, a couple. Her heart ached unable to comprehend why. A part of her wanted to turn away, pretend that it didn't matter and maybe that's the solution. She sighed. "It doesn't matter."

"Are you sure?"

She pressed her lips together. "It's fine. Let's go back in."

Just as she turned to walk away, a hand gripped her wrist, turning her around, straight into a toned and hard chest.

Her eyes opened wide and she felt everything move slowly as Aahan Miller hugged her – he freaking hugged her!

His arms wrapped around her dazed body and his chin rested on the side of her head. Rylee's hands were limp at the side for long seconds, she was struggling to figure out the process of breathing – was it two in and one out, or one in and two out, or what...

Her face rested just near his shoulder and her eyes were as huge as saucers, reeling from the surprise of his intimacy.

His palms rested on her back and she could feel the warmth seep into her spine. She could feel a heart racing but she didn't know if it was his or hers – probably hers – she was going to have a heart attack at the age of 18 at this rate.

This was different than the last hug which was barely one second. Now, she was too scared to breath, afraid that it might break this moment. Time seemed to slow down and electrifying air wrapped around the two.

"I have wanted to try this since a while now. You are not breathing." Aahan's deep breath into her ears, made the hair at the back of her neck stand up in attention. A shiver ran down her spine and she trembled, the butterflies in her stomach multiplying with every second. Her body seemed to melt into him, an embrace that felt like coming home after a long journey.

Finally giving into the stupid survival need for oxygen. She breathed out heavily and took a breath in, the sudden heaving action making her chest collide with his at a closer proximity. Her eyes widened even more as Aahan stiffened. Their chest touched, her breasts swelling and pressing against his chest, leaving no space in between.

Shit! Should have not taken a breath and died – at least it would have been in his arms.

They both stood there, Aahan with his arms around her and Rylee with her hands limb, scared to move even an inch. They felt the world fade away, leaving just the two of them, enveloped in the embrace. The world could have stopped spinning in that very moment, and they wouldn't have noticed or cared, so spellbound were they by the intimacy of the hug. The air around them was tense and yet both of them didn't break the hug – they didn't want to.

Rylee liked the embrace, the feel of Aahan so close to her, but she would be damned if she told it to it. His cheek lightly brushed over the side of her head and Rylee's eyes fluttered close at the mere contact. How could a hug affect her so much?

Aahan on the other hand, was feeling – after years – and that was a shock in itself. His hands seemed to have stuck to Rylee, not moving away from her body. His senses seemed to have heightened, he felt happy and nervous, calm and tense, all at the same time. And to him, it was overwhelming.

And yet, he couldn't seem to let go of her.

"What the hell is happening here?"

The shrill shout made both of them jump up in fright and stumble away from each other. Rylee almost fell on her butt but managed to get a grip. Aahan's eyes snapped to the source of intrusion and he felt a rare feeling of embarrassment run through him.

There standing at the garden door were a bunch of people, shock and disapproval evident on their faces – Granny, Mikaela, Krish, Nina, Zack and worst of all – her own mother.

Rylee pressed her lips together feeling the familiar emotion of mortification wash over her.

Somehow, she wasn't surprised at that emotion anymore, it seemed like every time she was with Aahan Miller – she must feel humiliated at least once.

Sadly, she was slowly getting used to it. And she had no complaints about it.

~~~

I loved the sudden hug! Aahan's first steps towards feeling!!