Chapter 27

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MARCH 21ST

H A I L E Y

The streets were filled with people, making it hard to see what buildings we were passing. I didn't want to do anything crazy, just something fun before we start the drive back to New York. I offered to drive us because Aero seems tired and he says he didn't sleep well last night, but he said no. I wondered what had kept him up.ย 

I still have some of my snacks left for the drive, but right now I just wanted to do something easy and fun with Aero.

And that was getting ice cream.

We entered the shop I ordered what we get every time, but this time I paid by tricking Aero into thinking that I dropped my phone outside and I needed him to go and look for it. Which he did, because he's such a sweetheart.

He rolled his eyes when he came back in and saw that I ordered and paid for our ice cream, and that my phone was sitting on the table in front of me. He sat down and I slid his cup of ice cream over to him.

"Why didn't you let me pay?" he complained.

I ate a spoonful of ice cream before ignoring him and asking, "Favourite season?"

"I like paying for you, Hailey."

"I like Winter because of Christmas and my birthday. My birthday is-"

He cut me off, "January 25th."

A smile slowly crept onto my face. I had never told him my birthday before. Before we became close, we had only had a handful of conversations and most of them were very surface level, with me asking him questions and his answers never being deeper than 'yes', 'no', or 'maybe.' Besides that one time he said, 'Shut up. Reid, come get your friend. She talks too much.'

"Last time I hung out with Reid, he was already talking about what he wants to do for your next birthday even though it's 10 months away," he told me, making me smile.

Reid and I have celebrated every single birthday of mine together since I was 16. We met in high school, even though he was a year older than me, because one time he accidentally came to my class and was too embarrassed to leave so he stayed and just kept going for the entire semester. The second he told me my shoes were so ugly that day, I knew we were going to be good friends.

Year after year, we continued to just hang out for my birthday. He'd always want to plan some big party for me, but I just wanted him and I to hang out and watch movies.

He asked me, "What do you want for your birthday?"

"I don't know, it's 10 months away," I said while laughing slightly.

He shrugged, "I want to be prepared."

I thought for a second. I don't really need anything right now. I've been so happy that I can't even think of anything that I'd want.

"Maybe to get over my fear of flying," I confessed.

Being afraid of airplanes prevents me from traveling, which I would absolutely love to do. The world is so beautiful, and I wish I could explore it. If I pull up my big girl pants and get over my fear of flying, then I'd be able to finally leave The United States.

He nodded his head, "Then that is exactly what we'll do."

Staring at Aero, I found it hard to believe that he has any fears. Nothing shakes him. Death and blood don't phase him in the slightest. I asked him, "Are you scared of anything, Aero?"

His jaw tensed and he moved his head to the side. His tongue ran along his bottom lip, like he was thinking about what he was about to say. I thought he might not answer until he said, "You hating me."

"Why would I ever hate you?" I spoke softly, reaching across the table and grabbing his hand.

He shrugged, "I don't know."

Looking at Aero I found it confusing how he could be worried about that. He treats me so well. He cooks for me, he drives me to school, he goes places with me. He treats me like I'm the only girl in the world. I told him, "I could never hate you, Aero."

His face seemed to relax a bit, but not fully. I got out of my chair and gave him a hug, one of his warm hands going under the back of my shirt, onto my back. As I hugged him I could feel him get less tense. I pulled away and placed a kiss against his forehead.

He smiled and stood up, it being time for us to go back to the hotel. I stopped at a store on the way and bought a frame to put the painting of us in, because even though it's terrible, I want to have it forever.

I looked around our hotel room, feeling sad that we had to leave. This weekend was so much fun. I hope we're able to go on the 31st, maybe we could even spend Easter here. Aero said we'd see when it gets closer, so I'll ask him about it again in a few days.

I felt bad that he slept badly, so I made him a coffee before leaving. I walked over to him and handed it to him, a smile forming on his face. He took it and placed it on the nightstand beside him, pulling me into his chest. His hand stroked my hair and he whispered, "I don't deserve you."

I looked up at him with a smile, "It's just coffee, Aero."

He ignored my words and placed his lips against mine, giving me a quick kiss full of love. He asked, "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded my head and picked up my suitcase. The sky was starting to get a little dark as we stepped outside, the March air feeling cool against my skin. We put our suitcases in the back seats and I moved my snacks to be in the passengers seat with me.

I looked at the hotel as we drove away. I hope we can come back to Philadelphia soon.

I put on the radio, looking outside of my window as we drove home. I have to sleep the second I get home since I have class tomorrow. I'm going to miss Aero tomorrow since I'm spending the night at Reids, but hopefully, he'll come over for a little bit if he isn't busy.

I enjoy driving at night. It's dark, less busy, and just calmer.

I turned to look at Aero, "Will you come over to Reids tomorrow? I get done class at 3."

"Do you still want me to get your stuff from your parents house?"

I nodded my head and he said, "I'll try to after I do that, but I do have some stuff to do for work tomorrow."

I felt a little nervous at the thought of Aero meeting my dad. Even though I no longer have a relationship with him, it's still weird to think about. I don't want my dad to try and do anything to Aero, since his brother hit him the other day. Aero was way stronger than my dad, but I just have to hope that nothing will happen.

I rested my head on Aeros arm that was in between our seats. I traced his tattoos with my finger, realizing just how many he had. I asked him, "Do you want more tattoos?"

"I don't know. Maybe," he shrugged.

I don't think that I'd ever get a tattoo. I'm too indecisive, I'd get something and then hate it a few days later. I asked, "Do any of your tattoos have any meaning?"

"Only one," He pointed to a smaller tattoo of a gun. "I got it after I did my first hit."

Although I know tattoos don't have to have meaning, it still surprised me that only one of the couple dozen tattoos he has had a meaning behind it. I continued to trace them, my cheek pressing against his warm arm.

He asked, "Are you tired?"

I shook my head no, even though I was. I pushed myself back up and rubbed my eyes before saying, "Let's play a game."

"A game?"

"Yes. Truth or dare, but without the dare because we're in a car and I'm also too scared to ever pick dare."

He smiled slightly, "Okay, I'll go first. Favourite position we've had sex in so far?"

"Aero!" I slapped his chest slightly, a small laugh coming out of his mouth. "Okay, this game isn't going to work. So let's play a different game. I ask you questions, and you answer them."

"That doesn't sound like a game."

"Shhhh. Favourite day of your life so far?"

I love learning about Aero. I want to know more about his past, what makes him happy, what he enjoys. He didn't respond for a little, looking like he was thinking about it.

"The day we went to the art gallery in New York."

I started smiling, "Really? Why?"

"Because that was the day that I fell in love for the first time."

I felt my heart swell in my chest and if he wasn't driving right now I would give him the biggest hug ever and kiss him 1000 times. But I don't want us to crash and die, so I won't do that right now.

He took his eyes off the road and looked at me, "You seriously are the best thing to ever happen to me, Hailey. You have no idea."

I smiled at his words, "You underestimate yourself, Aero. Everything you feel for me, I feel for you."

He leaned over and kissed my forehead. I let out a yawn and a smile formed on his face. He put his arm back to be where it had been when I was leaning on it and said, "Come here, idiot."

"I'm not tired-"

"Don't argue with me."

I smiled while putting my head back on his arm, my eyes feeling droopy. There was still an hour and a half left of the drive, and the sky was now completely black besides the stars. He whispered, "You can sleep, sweetheart."

I wanted to stay awake, but it's never been something that I'm good at. My eyes shut despite my best efforts, and I slowly fell asleep.

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A E R O

10 days. I have 10 days to figure this shit out.

Tomorrow I'm going and talking to her dad, but it becomes so much more fucking difficult now that the don is dead. The information he had gotten was gone now. Alessandro wasn't in on it, so I can't even ask him. The information died with him.

I might have to use force, but I hope that I don't have to.

If it is her dad, and I kill him, would I lose her forever? Could she ever forgive me? Even if she understood me killing her dad, would she ever forgive the fact that I was going to kill her? The thought of losing her makes me sick, and I don't know what the fuck to do. I'm thinking too much. I remember when I used to never think at all, before she was in my life. I'd do whatever I want, whenever I want, with no regard for other people.ย 

I need to call them before I go. If I hear their voice again, I'll be able to tell if they match. Unless he has somebody else call for him to throw me off. Fuck, maybe the voice isn't enough. They could easily be somebody I've crossed off my list, they just have somebody else call for them.

I stopped my anxious thinking when I pulled into my driveway. I went slow, careful to not wake her up. I slowly moved her off of my arm, bringing our suitcases and her bag of snacks in so that she wouldn't have to do anything. I came back outside and picked her up in my arms, shutting the car door with my foot.

She started to stir as I carried her to our bedroom and she whispered, "Aero?"

"Shhhh. Go back to bed," I replied quietly, kissing the top of her head after.

Her eyes shut again and I placed her in our bed, covering her with the blankets. I changed into more comfortable clothes before getting in beside her.

I change her clothes for her gently, clean her makeup off, and tie her hair up.

This is how I want to end every single day, sleeping beside Hailey Romano. I need to do this in a way where she'll never find out, because I can't have her hate me.

I ran a hand through her hair quickly, admiring her before shutting my eyes to sleep.

Word Count: 2130


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