29.
Sunday evening was a fine evening to sit on a velveteen couch with a bucket of popcorn in hand and a sappy chick flick on television. My sister seemed to look as beautiful as ever as she sat on the opposite love seat with Sam sitting on the arm rest.I guess being engaged does that to you. It makes you glow and even more radiant. Or is it the concept of finding true love? Cade was right beside me, sticking his hand into the bucket of popcorn with eyes set on the movie playing right in front of us, completely oblivious to what was going on inside the room.
I felt a pang of homesickness as I remembered doing the exact same thing with my family back in my parents' house. 'If only they had been more honest with you.' A voice in my head echoed, blowing the image of my perfectly happy family away.
"I just know they'll end up together," Cade muttered before plopping a popcorn in his mouth.
"Of course they'll end up together, they just got engaged yesterday remember?" I replied absentmindedly as I pulled the bucket of popcorn closer to me.
"What are you talking about?" Cade finally looked at me with a look of confusion plastered on his face.
I raised by brow at him in return, "what were you talking about?"
Instead of answering me, Cade chuckled, which really looked cute by the way.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just that you weren't paying attention. I wasn't talking about them," he replied as he pointed a thumb at London and Sam's direction.
"Oh," I sighed as I opted to stuff more popcorn inside my mouth as I continued to absent mindedly watch the RomCom in front of me.
"You seem so off tonight, why is that?" Cade said out of the blue.
"I'm okay, just tired," I replied with a smile.
That was a lie of course. My mind was so full of thoughts, full of longing, full of fears. I wanted to go back to my mom and dad but I'm also afraid that I might never find out about my past. I wanted to talk to Aiden. I think I've fallen too hard for him already it already hurts.
"I don't believe you," Cade replied and when I looked into his eyes. I saw once again, the Cade I remembered when I first met him, the understanding full on listener Cade.
"I don't want to be sad tonight," I answered him as my eyes caught a glimpse of London giving Sam a kiss on the cheek. They just looked so lovely and happy that I don't want to be the one to ruin the moment with my petty teenage drama.
"Then don't be sad, do something that takes you mind off whatever you're thinking that makes you sad," Cade said with a smile.
I want to do something fun and happy but what? I was about to ask Cade for suggestions when an idea struck me, like lightning and then a grin spread right across my face as I tugged on the sleeve of Cade's shirt, "I wanna bake."
"What? Do you even know how to bake?" He replied but he was also smiling, so maybe he found the idea plausible too.
"I know a couple of recipes," I replied, "and you can help."
"Sure, I would love to help," Cade replied as he stood up from his spot on the couch.
"You're too excited," I chuckled as I rolled my eyes and followed Cade to the kitchen.
So, this wasn't my first visit to Sam's kitchen but I still can't help but be overwhelmed everytime I get in here. Around me was a variety of cooking and baking tools and appliances ranging from air fryers to apple corers and all the others I can't even name. Cade gave me an apron before he put on one himself, "so what are you going to bake?"
"I want to bake something casual and random, something I can bring to school tomorrow," I replied as I tied my hair into a high ponytail.
"I knew it," Cade mumbled loud enough for me to hear.
"What?" I turned around to face him.
"Nothing, a thought just occurred," he said with another chuckle.
"Fine I'll tell you the truth Cade Matthews, I just want to give my friends something in return for helping us with Sam's proposal yesterday," I said as I pointed my index finger at a still smiling Cade.
"Sure, for your friends," Cade replied as he made air quotations at the word 'friends'.
I shook my head but this time I was laughing. "Whatever."
I decided that I would bake Red Velvet cookies just because they're cute and fun to make. Cade seemed very excited too as it was his first time. We grabbed the cocoa powder, flour, egg, milk, vanilla, and sugar from the fridge and set them on the counter. I was relieved to find red food coloring from the cupboard. Now, we were ready to create some delicious cookies.
"This is actually pretty stress relieving," Cade said once we left the cookie dough in the chiller.
"I know," I said once I've settled on the stool beside his. "You know, life would really be easier if I just knew what happened during the accident that erased my memory of Aiden forever."
"Don't say forever, there's still no confirmation that you wouldn't be able to recall your memories right?"
"Come on Cade," I sighed in desperation, "I've tried everything. I tried plotting down the timeline. I asked some people but they wouldn't give me the answer. I tried to recall as much as I can but I seriously can't... not even a single detail."
"You still haven't talked to Aiden."
"Yeah right, like he'll give me an answer."
"What will you do if he told you what happened? Do you think you'll hate him if it was really his fault?" Cade asked. I really don't know why but there's something with Cade Matthews and his questions that really forces you to think.
"Honestly Cade, I wouldn't know. I just want to be out of the dark for once." I muttered.
What was it that I really wanted? Everyone was right, the single most easiest way to find out the truth was ask Aiden Walker. Did I truly believe my initial excuse that I want to find the truth out for myself so that it wouldn't be contaminated by other people's biases? Or was I simply just afraid of finding out the truth?
My head hurt from the confusion.
After taking the dough out of the chiller, Cade and I continued to make the cookies until they were baked to perfection. The smell of freshly baked cookies made my stomach grumble that I couldn't help but take a bite out of one of them. Cade took a piece of his creation as well and I smiled as I watched his reaction.
"If this is what heaven tastes like, I wouldn't mind if we bake them every day." He said as his eyeballs seemed to roll up inside its sockets.
"Tastes that good huh?"
"Yeah, I bet he would marry you on the spot the moment he tastes one of these," Cade said as he took another bite.
"What? I'm not going to give everything to Aiden," I replied.
"A, I didn't mention any names." Cade said with one victorious laughter as he gobbled up the rest of his cookie, leaving me to stand with my cheeks all flared up.
~
I waited anxiously for the bell to ring as I sat in my boring AP Comparative Politics class. I used to question why I chose this class in the first place, but now I'm thankful because if I actually do great in here, it would greatly help me in College.
I hid my hand inside my bag as I risked my neck in sending Aiden a text, asking him if it were okay for us to meet at the cafeteria. I'm still waiting for his reply, and I'm feeling as fidgety as ever.
"Ms. Cassidy, I suppose you're very busy reading about the Russian government and not busy with your phone hmm?" I looked up to see Mr. Wilkinson's beady eyes staring at me with accusation.
I hurriedly opened my textbook to a random page before giving Mr. Wilkinson a smile, "of course sir. I'm very interested in the Russian government." That was not a lie though. I'm actually very interested in everything Russian related.
"Very well, can you explain to the class what the State Duma is?"
I know what the State Duma is but the problem is I can't concentrate when there was only thirty seconds left before the bell rings for lunch. "Uhh, the State Duma is very important to the Russian government because of the roles they play in the government body."
Mr. Wilkinson raised his brow at me and I smiled counting the seconds left in my mind, "They also played a vital role in Russian history because..." 3-2-1.
The bell rang and I sighed in relief. I swear I know what the State Duma is it's just that my mind was preoccupied with something else.
"Alright class dismissed," Mr. Wilkinson said as he shook his head, "Ms. Cassidy, you'll pass a five hundred word essay on the history and function of the State Duma. The next time you'll use your phone in my class, I won't be too lenient."
I blushed in embarrassment, "sorry sir and yes I promise I won't use my phone next time."
I hurriedly ran to the cafeteria with a bag of cookies in my hand. I wanted to wrap the cookies in a neat box but I wouldn't want him to think that I'm making such an effort for a cookie. I don't want to seem clingy or pathetic. I rechecked my phone, but still there was no reply, which was kind of depressing.
I entered the cafeteria and found Claude sitting with Emerald in one table. I smiled as they waved at me to come closer.
"Hey sis, watcha got there?" Claude said as we he gave me a bro fist in greeting.
"I baked you guys some cookies because I love you and as a thank you gift for helping Cade and I during the proposal." I sat on the chair beside Emerald as I took out two more packs of cookies from my bag and gave them to Claude and Emerald.
"You know A, we helped willingly because we knew it was really important for London and of course for you. You really didn't need to do this." Emerald said before opening the bag and sniffing the contents, "this smells delicious though, so thank you!" She said in a squeal.
"Aww, I love you too sis and this tastes heavenly," Claude said as he ate a cookie with his eyes closed.
"You guys are too sweet," I replied to their thanks. I glanced around the room trying to search for Aiden and I looked down at the last bag I held too gently in my hands.
"You have one more for him too, I assume?" Claude said with a small smile. I don't know if the conspiracy of twins having linked minds and hearts are true but sometimes, I could just see how Claude can look past my smiles and see the real emotion inside.
I nodded my head in reply, "I can't find him though," I said with a forced laugh.
"Asia, Aiden's right over there," Emerald said and I almost hurt my neck when I looked up to follow her finger at Aiden Walker's direction.
"He's hanging out with Hayley Young," Claude added.
"What? Are you sure?" I hated that I felt a little jealous. I also can't blame myself for feeling this way because Hayley Young was hot and I am nothing compared to her.
"Chill out A, they're always hanging out you know because they're-"
Claude wasn't able to finish his sentence because I stood up from my seat and walked towards Aiden's direction. I was perfectly calm, or trying to be calm. I wasn't seething with anger due to jealousy, however I was nervous, very nervous. I never approached Aiden Walker in public before...as far as I could remember.
'I should just turn around and wait for him to approach me.'
'No, what if he doesn't come to me? I wanted to give him my cookies.'
'But he's busy with someone else can't you see?'
He was busy alright as he played with Hayley's hair in front of Ethan Gray and all their other friends. I stood there ever so awkwardly in front of them before they noticed me.
"Hey A!" Aiden brightened up at the sight of me, and I admit that my heart fluttered too but for some reason I felt hurt and I don't know why.
I glanced at Ethan who nodded at me and felt my anxiety rising at the looks of the other members of the table. It was as if they were mocking me.
"Hey- I uh, I just wanted to..." I felt the heat rise up to my cheeks in embarrassment. Why did I feel like I just ruined their fun moment? "Here just take it," I said as I throw the bag of cookies at Aiden's direction.
I almost felt guilty when the bag hit his forehead, almost. And then I stormed out of the cafeteria as fast as I could.
I vowed never to do that sort of thing ever again.
~
I buried myself in the depths of my duvet as I recalled the scene from earlier and Oh my gosh, I've never felt so embarrassed and indirectly rejected ever before. I wish I could just wake up tomorrow and forget about today. For once I'm praying for another amnesia. I'm that desperate.
*Ping*
I reached out for my phone from my bedside table and squinted as my eyes adjusted to the light that emanated from the phone screen. I could feel the tears bubbling at the corners of my eyes because of the brightness but the real question was, what idiot would send a text message at this ungodly hour.
I sighed, Aiden Walker was the said idiot.
Asia, I miss you.
~A
I wanted to throw my phone. Now he's got the nerve to tell me that he misses me? I'll show him.
Right, and you're gonna tell me that you are outside my house now because you need to see me.
~A
I felt like I sound too bitchy but really, I just wanted to set my mind free of Aiden Walker and the Cafeteria mishap for the rest of the night.
I'm outside your house right now because I really need to see you.
~A
He replied and I blew out of my lips in exasperation.
You are such an idiot. Please leave me alone, I'm trying to get some sleep.
~A
No. Seriously I'm outside and it's cold.
~A
My mouth hung agape as I read his last message. Is he for real?
I got up my bed and looked out the window to see Aiden Walker wearing a jacket and hugging himself to conserve warmth. He looked up at me and waved. My heart melted, I can't believe came all the way here to see me.
I grabbed the jacket that hang on my clothes rack and ran outside the house. I stood there on the porch realizing that my feet were cold but I wanted to go near him nevertheless.
"What the hell are you doing here!" I said in a loud whisper as I punched him on the chest.
"I came to see you because I want to talk to you," he replied and fog came out of his mouth as he exhaled.
"Talk to me about what?"
"Talk to you about earlier."
"Please, what happened earlier was so embarassing and I just want to forget about it. Can we just forget about it?" I asked. Despite the cold my cheeks were warm. It has developed the habit of blushing everytime I remember what happened earlier.
"No, I don't want to forget about earlier. Your cookies were the best and I never even had the chance to thank you." Aiden said as he reached forward to grab my hand before I pulled it away.
"I made it because I wanted to thank you for helping us out with Sam's proposal. It was nothing."
"It was everything A. It was the first time you went to me in public. I never even had the chance to introduce you again to my friends."
"I already know Ethan," I said in reply , "and I also met Hayley remember? She was the pretty girl I went to the football game with and she rescued us from that creepy place with a Corvette."
Aiden must've noticed my tone changing as I mentioned Hayley because a smirk formed on his face.
"Oh, I see it you're jealous."
"No I was not. I just felt like you ignored me a while ago!"
"You felt like I ignored you? Asia I couldn't even get through the day without seeing you and you think I was ignoring you?" Aiden replied. "Well that or you were really jealous that I was with Hailey."
"She's really pretty but-"
Aiden leaned forward and planted a kiss on my forehead. His lips were warm despite the cold and it sent shivers down my spine.
"She's pretty but I don't like her that way." Aiden took a step back and smiled, "I'm really sorry A, I must've forgotten to introduce Hayley as my soon to be step sister."
~MIDTERM EXAMS ARE FINALLY OVER BUT I'LL BE BUSIER THAN EVER BECAUSE OF CLINICS AND PAPERWORKS D:~