Chapter 13

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"Hello, girlie."

I looked at uncle Steve nervously. "What happened? Are you ill?"

He smiled, putting on his glasses. "Do I look ill?"

"It's Saturday, and you never call on Saturdays."

"You got me!" He raised his hands jokingly. "I'm okay, Ellie. But I wanted to talk to you about something, and it couldn't wait, so I came to work today."

"What is it?"

"Why didn't you tell me what happened at school the other day, dear? Didn't we promise not to keep secrets while I was away?" Uncle Steve's gaze seemed to penetrate the screen.

"We are fine, I promise. We didn't want to worry you."

"I worry way more when your mom mentions in passing something about a man verbally attacking the two of you as if it was a normal thing, Ellie. Only verbally, hopefully. Don't forget who I am and where I work. I've seen too many bad things and too many bad people. So, now you have to promise me it was the last time you'd kept something like that from me."

"I promise. And I'm happy you're okay."

"Never better. Where's your mom, by the way?"

"Downstairs with Thierry, watching a movie."

"So that thing between them is serious, then? She talked quite fondly about him. Is he a good guy?"

I smiled at how even with thousands of miles separating us, uncle Steve made an effort to be with us in our daily life, worrying about everything.

"He is good, and he likes her. A lot, I think. And thanks to him, we always have tasty food in the fridge."

"That's a major perk." He winked.

"Now that you've called, I also wanted to ask you about something."

"Go on."

"The other day, you wanted to know what Aiden's last name was. I wonder why."

"Well, I guess that family name isn't that common, and I found it curious. Are you still friends with the boy?"

"I am."

"Does he treat you right?"

"He does. You don't have to worry about that at all."

"It's my job to worry. And I'm here for whatever you might need, girlie."

"Thank you, uncle Steve. Love you."

"Love you, too. Say hi to Lou and that French pal of hers. Oh, and I almost forgot. I might make a trip to see you soon."

"Really? Please, do, pretty please! We miss you so much!"

He laughed. "How can an old man say no when you are asking him like that? I'll tell you more as soon as I know when I can catch a plane. We have loads of work to do here, and I need to leave everything wrapped up before I travel."

I said goodbye to my uncle and lay down on the bed, noticing it smelled of Aiden and his cologne.

The images of yesterday played in front of my eyes. I thought about the way Aiden kissed me, and just as my mind wandered into what could've happened if we'd had more time, my phone beeped.

I'm thinking about you.

What about me? I hit 'send.'

My phone rang.

"Firstly, how beautiful you look when you sleep. Secondly, how good you make me feel. And finally, that Monday is too far away." Aiden's deep voice sounded at the other end of the line. "I want to see you. Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," I agreed.

"Oh, and Ellie," - he paused- "it's a date."

I hung up, and fist pumped, giggling like a fool.

Later in the evening, my mom walked into my room and found me in front of my closet. I still didn't know what to wear to my first date in... well, my first real date ever. What if I overdid the whole thing by choosing something that was too much?

"Need help?" Louise pointed at the two dresses I was holding to my chest.

"Aiden wants us to go on a date tomorrow, and I don't know where we are going and what I should wear." I sighed.

"You might want to ditch that tight dress, then. Walking in it will be uncomfortable. Wait, what about this?"

Louise took an off-shoulder jumper from the hanger. Next, a pair of dark skinny jeans.

"You can wear some nice shoes and a purse to style it up. And we will curl your hair." She slid her fingers through my locks.

"I don't know what I would do without you." I planted a sound kiss on her cheek. "Oh, and while you were with Thierry, uncle Steve called."

"He did?" Louise seemed alarmed just like me a couple of hours ago.

"He wanted to know why we kept quiet about Aiden's father."

Louise groaned. "Me and my big mouth. I shouldn't have told him anything, but it slipped my tongue. I didn't tell uncle Steve who it was, though. I figured he'd be worrying unnecessarily if he knew it was Aiden's father. After all, you are friends with the boy, and we'll run into that man more times. Was he upset?"

"A bit. Guess what? He also said he'd visit us soon."

"I hope he does. It would be nice to spend some time together. Speaking of which, did you have a good time today?"

"I did, and Aiden did as well."

"Claude and Thierry know how to make people laugh." My mom smiled. "Your friend needed a bit of laughter, I figured. Sometimes he seems much older than seventeen."

After Louise went to sleep and I had tomorrow's outfit ready, I climbed into my bed and thought about her words. Aiden seemed different from all the guys I'd ever met - more mature and intense.

I enjoyed spending time with him and was already looking forward to tomorrow, hoping that I could catch another glimpse of the boy Aiden Kennedy truly was.

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