Designed for Submission

Chapter 5

"Hey, guys!" A preppy blonde girl approaches us. "I'm having a party at my house tomorrow night, and you guys are invited!"

I'm invited? "You want me to go?"

"Of course! That whole thing about Jay blew over, and his friends told me it was all a big lie. I hope you'll come."

Before I can respond, Aiden cuts in, "We'll be there, Audrey. Thanks!"

She gives him a huge smile and blushes. All the girls are so infatuated with him. I roll my eyes as she skips off down the hallway. I give him a look and he just shrugs. We walk out of the building together and get in his car. I've been riding to school with Aiden because he lives only a block away from my house. Apparently, he lives in the same complex as I and owns a townhouse, too.

"What if I don't want to go to the party tomorrow?" I call out from the kitchen as I heat up some popcorn. Aiden is in the living room choosing a movie.

"Come on, E! It'll be fun," he replies. "Besides, I don't really have any other friends besides you."

"Then go make some friends, dummy!" All I hear is a chuckle in response. The microwave dings and I pour the popcorn into a large bowl. I walk through to the living room and seem that he's chosen to watch "The Amazing Spiderman". He pats next to him on the couch and I sit next to him, cuddling into his chest, with his arm around my shoulders. I feel safe here and not at all awkward.

We laugh and talk all through the movie - we've both seen it too many times to count. When the scene when Emma Stone is hiding in the closes from the lizard guy, I scrunch my hands into his shirt. The lizard guy suddenly appears on the screen and I scream, burying my head into his neck. I hate how that part always scares me - I know it's going to happen, but always gets me.

Aiden just chuckles. "There, there, little girl. It's alright. Aiden's here to protect you."

I punch him softly and throw some popcorn at him. He catches a kernel in his mouth and winks at me. I giggle and push his head to the side with my hand. We've gotten to know each other so well that I feel comfortable to let Aiden see the real me - a child at heart. On the outside, I try to be very mature and contained around other people, and it's not hard because I'm easily intimidated and very shy.

With Aiden, I can act childish and silly. He tells me I'm like a 12 year old in a 22 year old body, who tries to act like she's 40. Why am i so weird? I love it when he treats me like a little girl. It makes me feel cared for and protected. With him, the hurt that I've felt and all my worries disappear. I can relax and enjoy life when he's around.

"E!" Aiden waves his hand in my face. "Did you hear a word I just said?"

Oops. "Huh? No, I'm sorry," I say, shaking my head.

"I said, 'Do you want to go get some ice cream?"

I nod my head enthusiastically. Jumping up, I run around to the back of the couch and wrap my arms around his neck. "Yes, please!"

He chuckles and removes my hands before standing up and grabbing his keys. He opens the door and with an exaggerated wave of his arm, ushers me through the door. We jam to 'Dance with Me Tonight' by Olly Murs and drive to the nearest shop.

We buy our ice cream and sit outside on a bench to look up at the stars. I happily eat my Cookies 'N Cream with a huge smile on my face.

"You sure are a happy little girl!" Aiden teases me.

"Of course! I've got the best friend ever who knows exactly what I need. You treat me so nicely, Aiden." I giggle as he takes a bite of my ice cream and hit him in the arm. "And I'm not afraid to act childish around you. Sorry if I ever I annoy you."