ALLISON

🥀 CHAPTER 13🥀

Allison's POV

I tried not to think about Kaiden.

I really did.

For approximately… five minutes.

Then my phone buzzed again.

I stared at it from across the bed.

No.

I wasn't checking it.

I had already replied.

That was enough.

My phone buzzed again.

I sighed and reached for it.

Kaiden: You there?

I smiled.

Me: Yes, What's up?

Kaiden: You stopped replying.

Me: I was busy.

Kaiden: Doing what?

Me: Sleeping.

Kaiden: At 11 in the morning?

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Yes. Some of us enjoy sleep.

Kaiden: Some of us were hoping to see you today.

I stared at the message.

There he went again.

Why did he have to say things like that so casually?

Me: You're very persistent.

Kaiden: I've been called worse.

I smiled despite myself.

Before I could reply, another message popped up.

Hilda: Don't make plans.

I frowned.

Me: Why?

Hilda: Just don't.

Me: You people need to stop being mysterious.

Hilda: Get dressed later. We're coming over.

I sat up.

Me: Who is "we"?

Hilda: Me and Matilda. Obviously.

Me: For what?

Hilda: You'll find out.

I stared at the screen.

These two were suspicious.

Very suspicious.

I was about to reply when my phone buzzed again.

Kaiden.

Kaiden: So?

Me: So what?

Kaiden: Are you seeing me today or not?

I bit back a smile.

Me: Maybe.

Kaiden: You really enjoy that word.

Me: Maybe.

Kaiden: You're impossible.

Me: And yet you keep texting me.

There was a short pause.

Then—

Kaiden: Exactly.

I stared at the screen longer than I should have.

Okay.

That one got me.

I locked my phone and dropped it onto the bed.

“Nope.”

I stood up.

“I am not doing this.”

“You're talking to yourself again?”

I jumped.

Dad was standing in my doorway.

I pressed a hand to my chest.

“Dad! You scared me.”

He laughed.

“Sorry.”

“You need to stop appearing out of nowhere.”

“I knocked.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“I didn't hear you.”

“Clearly.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What do you want?”

“Just checking on you.”

“I'm fine.”

He glanced at my phone lying on the bed.

“Who were you texting?”

“Nobody.”

His eyebrow lifted.

“Nobody has a name now?”

I grabbed my phone.

“It's just Hilda.”

Technically, that wasn't a complete lie.

He smiled.

“Okay.”

“Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing.”

I pointed at him.

“Don't start.”

He laughed and walked away.

I shook my head.

Everybody was becoming annoying lately.

Especially me.

Because apparently, I couldn't stop smiling whenever Kaiden texted me.

Later That Afternoon

Hilda and Matilda arrived around two.

I opened the door to find Hilda carrying a large paper bag.

“What is that?”

“Food.”

Matilda walked past her.

“And don't ask questions.”

I stepped aside.

“You two are acting weird.”

“We're always weird,” Hilda said.

“Not like this.”

She smiled.

“Just come on.”

We settled in the living room with snacks spread across the table.

For the first ten minutes, everything seemed normal.

Then Hilda looked at me.

“So…”

I immediately knew that tone.

“No.”

“You don't even know what I'm going to say.”

“I know you.”

Matilda laughed.

Hilda leaned closer.

“Did Kaiden text you?”

I stared at her.

“How did you—”

She screamed.

“I KNEW IT!”

I covered my ears.

“Why are you shouting?!”

Matilda burst out laughing.

“You should've seen your face.”

I groaned.

“You two are exhausting.”

“So he did?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing important.”

Hilda narrowed her eyes.

“Allison.”

“What?”

“You're smiling.”

I immediately stopped.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

Matilda nodded.

“Definitely.”

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at them.

“Can we talk about something else?”

Hilda caught it.

“Fine.”

She paused.

“Do you like him?”

I stared at her.

The room suddenly felt quieter.

“I don't know.”

That answer seemed to surprise even me.

Matilda's expression softened.

“You don't have to know yet.”

“I know.”

Hilda nodded.

“Just don't rush into anything.”

“I won't.”

Because she was right.

Kaiden and I had barely known each other for a couple of weeks.

We weren't dating.

We weren't even close enough to call whatever this was a relationship.

We were just…

Talking.

Getting to know each other.

And I liked that.

Maybe a little too much.

My phone buzzed.

All three of us looked at it.

Hilda slowly smiled.

“Speak of the devil.”

I picked it up.

Kaiden: I'm outside.

My eyes widened.

“What?”

Matilda frowned.

“What happened?”

I showed them the message.

Hilda's mouth dropped open.

“He's outside?”

“I guess.”

“Outside your house?”

“Yes!”

Matilda laughed.

“Well, that's unexpected.”

I stood up quickly.

“Why didn't he tell me he was coming?”

Hilda shrugged.

“Maybe he wanted to surprise you.”

I stared at the front door.

My heart had started beating faster.

I hated that.

“I'm going to kill him.”

“No, you're not,” Hilda said.

“I might.”

“You're smiling.”

I touched my face.

“I am not.”

Matilda laughed.

“You definitely are.”

I ignored them and walked toward the door.

When I opened it—

Kaiden stood there with his hands in his pockets.

He smiled.

“Hey.”

I stared at him.

“What are you doing here?”

“I told you I wanted to see you.”

“You didn't say you were coming here.”

“You said we'd see.”

I folded my arms.

“So you decided to just show up?”

“Pretty much.”

I shook my head.

“You're unbelievable.”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“To what?”

“Can I come in?”

I stepped aside.

“Fine.”

He walked in.

Then stopped when he noticed Hilda and Matilda sitting on the couch.

“Oh.”

Hilda smiled brightly.

“Hi, Kaiden.”

“Hey.”

Matilda waved.

“What's up?”

“Nothing much.”

Hilda looked between us.

Then at me.

Then back at him.

I knew that look.

“Don't,” I warned.

She held up her hands.

“I didn't say anything.”

Kaiden looked amused.

“Should I be worried?”

“Yes,” I answered immediately.

Hilda laughed.

We eventually moved outside to the backyard.

The girls stayed inside, conveniently giving us space.

I looked at Kaiden.

“So why did you really come?”

“I told you.”

“To see me?”

“Yeah.”

I shook my head.

“You could've just said that.”

“I did.”

“Not properly.”

He smiled.

“You would've found a reason to say no.”

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it.

He was probably right.

“I might have.”

“Exactly.”

We sat on the back steps.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then he looked at me.

“How's your head?”

I laughed.

“Still attached.”

“Good.”

“You're funny.”

“I try.”

I looked at him.

“Were you always like this?”

“Like what?”

“Annoying.”

He laughed.

“Probably.”

“I believe it.”

He nudged my shoulder lightly.

“You had fun last night though.”

“I did.”

“Even with me?”

I glanced at him.

“Maybe.”

He laughed.

“There it is again.”

“What?”

“Maybe.”

I smiled.

“You'll get used to it.”

“I already have.”

We sat quietly for a moment.

Then he asked,

“Do you always spend Saturdays with your friends?”

“Usually.”

“Never with your family?”

“My dad and I hang out sometimes.”

“You two are close.”

“Very.”

He nodded.

“I like that.”

“You don't even know him.”

“I know.”

He looked ahead.

“I just think it's nice.”

I studied him.

“You're close with your family too?”

“Yeah.”

“My sister especially.”

“And Laila?”

His face immediately softened.

“She's my favorite person.”

I laughed.

“Don't let her hear that.”

“She already knows.”

“You spoil her.”

“I do.”

“You're going to regret that one day.”

“Probably.”

He smiled.

“But she's worth it.”

I smiled too.

There was something different about him whenever he talked about Laila.

Less confident.

Softer.

More real.

“You really love her.”

“Yeah.”

He looked at me.

“You'd like her.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because she likes people who don't take themselves too seriously.”

I laughed.

“Then she might like me.”

“She definitely would.”

He paused.

“Maybe I'll introduce you someday.”

I looked at him.

“Someday?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded slowly.

“Maybe.”

He laughed.

“You really can't say yes, can you?”

“Not yet.”

“Fair enough.”

And somehow, that answer felt right.

No rushing.

No promises.

Just two people getting to know each other.

For now.

Inside the house, Hilda peeked through the window.

Matilda stood beside her.

“Look at them,” Hilda whispered.

Matilda smiled.

“They're cute.”

“Don't tell Allison.”

“Obviously.”

Someone cleared their throat and the girls immediately turned surprised.

“Hi Allison dad"

“Hi Mr Wayne"

They both greeted immediately.

“Hey there girls" Zach acknowledged suspiciously.

“Didn't know you're around Mr Wayne" Hilda said, pressing her body to Matilda to block the window.

“Yeah, been upstairs... Didn't know you girls are coming over too" He eyed them suspiciously before looking around then asked.

“Where is Allison?"

“Allison... Ah Allison she went to get popcorn" Hilda lied.

“Yes, for movie night cause we sleeping over today" Matilda chipped in.

“Oh okay, that's great then... When she comes back, tell her I'll be home late"

The girls nodded simultaneously still backing the window.

Mr Wayne turned to go but stopped.

“Make sure you lock the window after peeking... Enjoy your movie night girls, and my regards to the Sheriff, your dad"

With that he left the house.

The girls let out a breathe of relief immediately.

“Oh boy, I thought I was about to collapse" Hilda said sliding down the floor.

“Me too, I hope he didn't figure us out" Matilda said joining her.

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.