Alana novel Chapter 25

Alana's POV

Gosh, we never really know where we'll end up tomorrow ain't it?

We're all just sitting ducks, waiting to see what'll go right and what'll go wrong.

True to his word, Aiden came back to listen to my conditions. I avoid talking about our who fiasco yesterday and smoothly, he ignored it also.

"Rule 1. There will be no personal contact between me and you,  strictly business. I mean it." He smirks and I narrow my eyes.

"Rule 2. I may pull out any time if I don't feel comfortable and Rule 3. I'm not signing a contract."

"Y'know sunflower...rules are meant to be broken."

I fake a laugh and smile sarcastically, "No...no, they weren't."

"Let me take you on a date." He breathes suddenly as we finalize and I lean back in my chair letting out a harsh breath of air.

"I don't date," I tell him. "And I thought I said no personal business."

"I thought I said rules were meant to be broken." I cross my arms getting frustrated and narrow my eyes into slits at him.

He stands and looks down at me.

"You're just afraid that I may actually breakdown your walls." He states arrogantly and I snap, repeating his action by standing up.

"Trust me, pretty boy you couldn't break down my walls even if you wanted to," I reply and he smirks rounding the corner and stepping behind my desk. He kicks my chair aside and pushes me against the wall.

Why is it always the wall?

What does he think? This is some cliche romance book?

"Aiden," I warn as he pushes up against me even more. My breath hitches as he grips my waist gently. He stares at me, no longer smirking, but analyzing.

"Oh sunflower, what're you hiding?" He uses his other hand to trace my cheek and I stare back at him, lip pursed. "Who hurt you so badly that your walls had to be so high?"

It was like he was talking to himself, but I stayed quiet, my heart going a thousand miles per hour.

"Aiden..." I murmur and he leans to kiss my cheek.

"You're beautiful, you know that?"

That one sentence brought back so many memories that I involuntarily let my guard down.

My face slows to a soft smile and he smiles back.

"Give me a chance..." He whispers and I can't help but stare at his bubblegum pink lips.

"I...I can't...I can't let down my guards just for you..." I tell him, shaking my head and he frowns. "I barely even know you."

"Which is why people date. So they can get to know each other. C'mon sunflower."

I can't believe this.

Heart I know I promised that I would never let you get hurt again but let me just take this leap.

"Okay..." I breathe. I just broke my own rule before it was fully in place.

Classic.

"Okay?" He grins and I nod.

He steps back and shoves his hand in his pocket.

"Tonight, 7:30. Text me your address." He hands me his phone and I put my number in, calling myself instantly.

"There...I'll text you later." He grins and walks out.

Freaking out, I squeal as soon as he leaves.

Be careful this time Alana, things aren't always as they seem.

So...I didn't text him.

I guess I came to my senses or something because suddenly this...thing erupted inside of my stomach when I thought of going out with Aiden and I don't like it.

Not one bit.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Coming!" I yell.

Food.

That must be the pizza I ordered, but when I pulled open the front door, I gape instead of pay.

Well.

The pizza's here...

"Aiden..." I drawl and he tilts his head.

"Was this a joke to you?" He asks dropping the box in my hand and I sigh. "Do you think it's easy for boys to muster the confidence to ask a girl out? It sure looks easy but it isn't."

While he was ranting I took time to admire his build. He was packed. He was wearing a long-sleeved crew neck and blue ripped skinny jeans.

"How'd you find out where I live?"

"Money. Duh." He rolls his eyes and I step aside letting him in.

"Look I'm sorry okay? I chickened out."

"I figured. Well now, they'll be no chickening out because we're having the date right here."

"Here? Do you see what I look like?"

He takes in a deep sharp breath and I immediately regret asking.

"Wait no. I'm sorry-"

"No, no it's okay." He takes a moment, seemingly recalling as he stared at my ceiling. "She was kind...when she wasn't high. She cared for me when my dad wasn't there because that's the only time she would allow herself to stay sober. She loved me. That I knew. But she couldn't take the beatings. I don't recall a lot of happy times...just a long line of pain."

I can't think enough of how much we relate to each other and I guess that's what compelled me to open up even more.

"I'm sorry," I say once again moving closer to him and he smiles, grabbing my hand to play with my fingers.

"It's alright. Now, what's your mom like?"

I look away clearing my throat, reminiscing isn't something I like to do.

"I can't remember. Both my parents commuted suicide when I was younger."

"Oh fu-", I give him a pointed glare and he cuts off the word. "I'm sorry.."

"Y'know what, this game is depressing. Tell me a funny story." I shrug and he raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah?"

"Mhm."

"Alright um, there was one time, I was little and my mom took me to the grocery store and I wandered off. I found a shelf that looks particularly interesting and I picked it up thinking they were playboy balloons."

I gasp understanding what he meant.

"You didn't ..." I nearly burst out laughing right there and then.

"I grabbed it and open the packet and there was just this long...clear. . 'balloon' and I couldn't blow it up so I walked to the nearest employee I could find and demanded they blow it up for me. The poor guy didn't know what to tell me and thankfully my mother came and found me right there, stomping my foot with a condom in my hand."

I couldn't take it anymore.

I burst out laughing and he laughed too but I still noticed the slight bit of red on his cheek.

"Oh my, you were something weren't you?"

"I guess I was." I giggle laying my head onto the back of my chair and he smiles at me.

"What?" My giggles die down.

"You're just so beautiful." He murmurs leaning onto the couch also.

I smile shyly while averting my eyes.

"Thank you."

"Nah, thank you for even letting me be here."

My smile grows as he begins to play with my finger and this was only the first date.