Chapter 6
Istood outside my old, tiny, yellow house.
The yellow color had not been re-painted since before I was born, so it had that extra old look.
As I stepped onto the small steps of the front porch, I thought back to when I was outside of Ayden’s house.
His house was way more pleasing to look at. My house, on the other hand, felt odd.
Inserting the house keys into the front door lock, I wiped my shoes on the Welcome Home! mat on the porch. It was quiet inside; my brother wasn’t home. I had no idea where he was. He never tells me anything anymore.
I headed to my bedroom and hooked my backpack on one of the door hooks, then plopped myself on my fluffy, purple beanbag chair. I stared at the old polaroid pictures, of the three of us, hanging on the wall. Tears started to roll down my cheek. Why couldn’t it be like that now?
The front door abruptly opened. I quickly wiped my tears as my brother walked past and peered into my room. “Oh, you’re home,” Blake said, disappointment audibly heard in his voice.
“Yeah, I am,” I said with an attitude. “Where were you?”
He slammed his bedroom door shut, not answering my question as usual. I sighed, taking out my phone. I stared at my contacts, then clicked on Ayden’s name. What was I doing? My finger had a mind of its own as it pressed the call button.
After a few seconds, Ayden picked up. “Peps?”
“I like you too.” I had no intention of confessing. It just happened.
“But the truth serum sai—”
“This feeling is recent.” I paused. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Well, would you like to be my girlfriend?”
He asked me out.
No. I couldn’t accept. I loved Hero. I didn’t care if it was one-sided. I couldn’t betray my feelings. But wouldn’t I also be betraying my feelings if I don’t pursue my feelings for Ayden? What was I supposed to do?
“I don’t know,” I whispered.
“It’s Hero, isn’t it?” he asked.
Silence. He already knew the answer.
“Just give me a chance, please,” he said.
I stared up at the ceiling, contemplating my options. After a moment, I decided. “Okay.”
“Okay?” he asked, wanting me to clarify.
“Okay,” I repeated. “I’ll be your girlfriend.”