Under the New York Sky | ✔️

•C h a p t e r T h i r t y - T w o•

Aden glanced over at me, squeezing my hand tighter as we walked. "No, not if my dad actually pays them on time," he offered me a small smile and I let out a relieved breath.

I didn't realize what a big deal Aden holding my hand apparently was because as I looked up, I saw Ava's gaping expression as she stood by her locker.

Her mouth was wide open, before it morphed into a slight scowl as she slammed her locker door shut and strutted away.

Oof.

I barely had to turn my head when I spotted Austin across the hall, standing with a group of guys I recognized from the soccer team. As if he had sensed our presence somehow, he turned around, his eyes trailing down to where my hand was connected with Aden's.

His jaw noticeably clenched when he made eye contact with me, though his eyes seemed emotionless. Austin shook his head as he turned his back to us again.

Double oof.

"We have an audience," I glanced up at Aden, shrinking slightly, suddenly feeling as if everyone in the school was watching, even though rationally I knew that it wasn't true. No one actually gave a damn. As I'd expected when I glanced around the hall, everyone was concentrated in their own thing.

Aden followed my eyes to where Austin was standing with his group of friends. A few of them turned back, making direct eye contact with us.

"Just ignore them," Aden sighed, turning back to me and I nodded. "Besides, they should know that you're my girlfriend now," he smirked, leaning down to press a long kiss on my forehead. My cheeks heated up from the contact and also since he used the 'g' word.

I was glad that his mind was no longer on his father.

"I have math first so I'll see you later," I gave Aden's hand a small squeeze when we pulled apart and and he nodded in response.

"Wait," he said behind me, pulling me back by the hand as he pressed a quick kiss on the square of my lips. I melted into it for the second that it lasted. "Not without a kiss."

Needless to say, I grinned like an idiot as I made my way to the math wing just as Aden went to join Ryan at his locker.

I sat down at my seat when I made it to my math class, where Josie already was, taking out her own books. I ignored the butterflies that still fluttered in my stomach. She was her usual stylish self, dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and plaid shirt.

"Seriously, I didn't know it was such a big fucking deal that Aden and I are dating," I huffed as I sat down.

Josie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "Who made a big deal of it? No one gave a crap about me and Ryan."

"Ava," I answered instantly as I opened my own bag to take out my math textbook. "Oh yeah and Austin."

Josie snorted, "That's cause Ava is in love with Aden, girl can't take a hint and Austin likes you."

I'd never actually realized Austin liked me, but now as I thought back to what Austin said to Aden at the hiking trip, I realized Josie was probably not far off, if not she was correct. But I didn't like Austin in any way, and it wasn't like I had lead him on. After what he tried to do to me at the party, and what he said to Aden at the hiking trip, I didn't want anything to do with him.

"Thank fuck I'm the only one who likes Ryan, no competition there," she chuckled and I gawked at her.

The bell sounded throughout the school, and just like every math teacher, ours stood up and immediately began teaching. Preaching about how we were behind schedule.