How this Hippie Fell in Love

Chapter 9

Emma's POV

I can't believe Aiden Gray wanted to stay after school to help me redo the decorations. I also can't believe he held me while I cried out my frustration and even kissed me on my head twice. I had never had a boy show any affection for me before- even something as sweet as a kiss on top of my head.

He stood up for me when Callie criticized me and again at lunch time. Aiden has more work to do to earn my trust, but he is off to a good start.

I got to the art room and started mixing paint colors trying to achieve the perfect dark blue that mimics the night sky.

Then I pulled out big rolls of paper and cut long strips to cover the walls.

"Give me a job, boss!" Aiden called walking into the art room. I looked up at him in surprise

"Why so surprised?" He asked, his grin fading slightly.

"I just thought you were offering to be nice." I admitted, fidgeting a little.

"Listen, beautiful, if I say I'll be somewhere I'll be there." Aiden lifted my chin so my gaze met his. Oh. I had forgotten how beautiful his eyes were. That enchanting blue made my tummy melt.

"Now tell me what to do." He said again.

"Paint these dark blue." I explained gesturing to the paper strips lining the walls and handing him a large paint brush.

"Can do!" He said with a wink and sauntered away.

I rolled my eyes and cut more long strips.

I turned around to start hanging more sheets when I was distracted by the sight in front of me. His gray shirt rose when he lifted his left arm, exposing his toned midriff. The way his jeans hung low on his hips made my mouth run dry. His profile held so much concentration, he was trying so hard to make his lines perfect.

"Like what you see, Carter?" He asked, turning to look at me with a smirk.

I felt the heat rising to my face. "Shut up." I said rolling my eyes and grabbing the ladder.

"What are you doing?" He asked looking between me and the ladder.

"Hanging more paper." I said nonchalantly.

"Why don't you let me do that?" He asked

"Because I'm perfectly capable of climbing a ladder and using tape." I explained starting to feel annoyed.

"Don't make this what it isn't." He ground out. "The last thing I want is for you to fall and hurt yourself. I'm a good foot taller than you so I don't need to climb up as far. Please just let me do this." I nodded my head. "Besides, it'll be another opportunity for you to eye f**k me again." He sauntered away leaving me speechless and a little embarrassed.

After all of the backdrops were painted and drying I encouraged everyone to go home, Aiden included. I turned on music and swayed my hips as I painted glow in the dark stars on the blue paper. I felt my muscles relax, all the tension I was holding dissolved. I was in my element and it felt so right.

My hips swayed in time to the upbeat music. I did a twirl and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a hulking figure standing in the doorway.

"You scared the life out of me!" I shrieked to a sheepish Aiden.

"Sorry, I figured you could use food and a break. I can't believe how much you got done." He looked at my handiwork amazed. I had fully starred two of the backdrops and was working on a large moon the would take up four.

I smiled at his sweet gesture. "For such a jerk, you are very sweet sometimes." I teased setting my tools down.

He laughed and sat on the floor patting a seat next to him. "I'm trying very hard to change my asshole ways."

I sat down with my legs out-stretched in front of me. Aiden handed me a burger, fries, and a milkshake. "Strawberry peanut butter?" I asked after taking a sip. He nodded in response. "This is not on the menu, how did you know my secret shake?" He shrugged his shoulders and continued eating his fries. "You're sneaky, Gray." I said, shaking my head.

Aiden laughed. "You're hardly mysterious, Emma. Besides, I'm very observant."

"So, you like to watch me?" I asked, c*****g my eyebrow.

"I don't watch you, weirdo. We've been going to the same diner for years, I picked up on things." He defended

"Mmhmm…" I retorted. He rolled his eyes in response. "Keep that up and they'll stay like that." I teased. We both laughed.

"What are you doing after high school?" I asked, trying to get to know him better.

He paused for a second before answering. "What am I supposed to do or what do I want to do?" He asked.

"Both." I responded quickly.

"I'm supposed to go to law school like my dad. I want to go to culinary school and eventually own my own restaurant." He confessed.

"I didn't know you like to cook." I admitted a little surprised.

"No one does." He stated matter of factly. "I've never told anyone before now."

"What made you decide to tell me?" I asked

"There's something about you that makes me feel comfortable. I don't think you will judge me or tell me to pick a 'sensible' career." He leaned to the side and rested his head on my cheek. Something about his admission and this small act of affection made me believe this was a vulnerable, honest side to Aiden.

"I think you will make an excellent chef one day." I stated confidently.

He chuckled humorlessly. "That's a pipedream, babe. William and Winifred will make damn sure their most prized possession will follow in their footsteps."

"What do you want?" I asked. "What do you honestly want out of life, a career? What YOU want is the only thing that matters."

He sighed, lifting his head from mine, he rested it on the wall behind us. I pouted a little at the loss of contact.

"In your world that may be the case, but mine. My parents couldn't give a s**t less what I want out of life." Aiden grabbed my hand and toyed with my fingers while deep in thought. "They're the reason I was such an asshole to you." His confession took me by surprise.

"Do you remember our first week of preschool?" I thought for a second of a vague memory of preschool. "We were friends. You were my first friend. I went home and told my parents all about my new friend, Emma." His voice turned dark and cynical. "Winifred hit me and told me to stay away from the 'hippie trash' or she'll do it harder next time." My breath hitched at his confession.

"I had no-"

"How could you have known?" He interrupted me and stood up. I followed suit.

"I'm so sorry, Aiden." I apologized trying to look at his face but he kept turning away. Realization struck me. "It was never sports or adolescent roughness, was it?" I asked, mortified.

Aiden didn't respond. He stood there, his jaw clench, looking over his right shoulder.

"Don't pity me, Emma." His voice shook, but was demanding.

"You think I pity you? My heart breaks for you, Aiden." I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck and lay my head on his shoulders. His initial tension faded and I could feel his body relax into my embrace. My arms lowered to his midsection as he returned my hug, his arms enveloping my shoulders and his face resting on my head.

"You deserve so much better." I whispered.

We stood there, not saying a word, just breathing.

They say you shouldn't hate, but boy do they make it hard.

I woke up in the morning having not felt rested at all. I couldn't get Aiden off my mind; that beautiful, broken boy. I can still feel his arms wrapped around me, he was so warm and inviting.

If someone had told me I would be craving the touch and presence of my former bully, I would have laughed and called you insane. It's amazing how a short couple weeks can change your life.

I was too tired to take a shower last night so as punishment I had to wake up a half hour early to do it before school.

I washed quickly and curled up on my bed still in my towel. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through social media as I air dried.

Lena shared a picture of us from five years ago at the towns fall festival, captioned "Just a couple 12 year old hotties. Nothing to see here". We were wearing hoodies and jeans, she had her arm around my shoulders. I "heart reacted" the picture and kept scrolling. Jeremy Dean shared a meme about living in Ohio that I laughed at. I Scrolled a little further, until I ran across a post by AJ Gray. It was a picture of him cross eyed and sweaty captioned "Another 4 mile run. A b***h can't catch me." I clicked on the picture and realized he was shirtless. My mouth ran dry. God he is beautiful.

I pulled in the school parking lot still thinking of that shirtless boy from this morning. I can feel my tummy tighten thinking of his firm chest and sweaty abs. What a fine specimen of a man like that sees in me, I will never know.

Aiden stood next to his car, looking at his phone but glancing in my direction. My knees become weak as I stepped out of the car. His blue eyes looked me up and down, I felt self conscious until I saw a smile from on his lips.

"Good morning, beautiful." He greeted, as I came closer. I blushed and looked at my feet.

"Hi." I whispered in response.

"Are you going dress shopping soon?" He asked taking my right hand in his left.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess I have too, huh?" He nodded in response.

"Let me know what color dress you get so I can get a matching tie." I smiled knowing he still wants to go with me.