Chapter Five
1232 Words
Aiden POV
The rest of the day went by quickly. I thought I would be excited without Liam, but I found myself not so excited at all. I was literally bored. Throughout the day I couldn't study. I kept flashing back to the conversation between me and Liam. I was also curious about what Chloe wanted to say that was so important. Most definitely, I needed answers to that picture. If it wasn't hard copy I would have said it was a Photoshop. I concluded I will not say anything to anyone until I understand everything that's going on this house.
It was morning again. I had my usual morning routine and went downstairs for breakfast. At least this morning wasn't too awkward since the couple decided not to involve me in their conversation. I hurriedly ate my breakfast and got into the car for school.
We stopped at our usual spot in front of the school. I got out of the car. There were a lot of people around yet it felt like the school was empty. I started wondering if other people were noticing Liam's absence too, or if I was the only one making a big deal out of it in my head.
I was standing beside the car when I heard a car pull in. It was Chloe in her mother's car. Seeing them reminded me of me and my mom. Chloe's mother tilted her head enough to see my face and waved at me.
"Good morning, ma," I greeted her, bowing my head slightly.
"How are you doing?" she asked with a concerned expression.
Before I could answer she added, "Take care of yourselves and stay out of trouble," and drove off, leaving me and Chloe standing facing each other.
"What happened yesterday?" I asked, trying to open the floor for the conversation. I was genuinely curious.
"Later, Aiden," she said and clasped her hands around mine.
I paused for a second. Yes, we were close, but not close enough to walk to class holding hands like that. I gently removed my hand and said, "Okay."
I noticed a flash of disappointment cross her face, but she smiled immediately and we headed to class.
…….
We had our normal class session. Professor Shakes took us through Radiography before the bell rang. Chloe dragged me out the moment she heard it, like she had been waiting for that bell since morning. She pulled us into the library. I was utterly confused but I didn't say a word — just wore a confused expression.
We came to a stop between two shelves deep in the library. We stood there like we were hiding from someone.
"What's happening?" I asked, completely clueless.
"Aiden," she began, then paused.
"I love you and I want you to be my boyfriend," she confessed.
I looked around to check if anyone else was nearby.
"I've had feelings for you since the day we met," she added before I could even process the first thing she'd said.
"I know you love me too," she said, placing her hands on me.
I had been standing there staring at her through the entire confession. I cleared my throat and gently removed her hands.
"Okay, Chloe. I'll think about it."
Then I walked out and left her standing there. That was the best I could come up with. I didn't feel whatever she was feeling. We were just friends, nothing more. I walked out through the library door and spotted William walking in. William in the library? That was new.
I went straight to the cafeteria for lunch and sat at an empty table by myself. My mind drifted back to Chloe's confession. She was certain she had feelings for me. But why? I had never looked at her that way. I saw her like a younger sister — the closest thing to a sibling I had never had.
I noticed a familiar figure across the cafeteria. It was Liam's blonde. She was with her group of friends. There was something about the way she carried herself that irritated me. She hovered around Liam too much.
Liam.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my phone, opening w******p. The first chat was my school class group. Then his. He hadn't sent any new messages. I tapped on his chat. I wanted to type something, then decided against it. I pressed the side button and switched my phone off.
The break ended and I went to my next class. I was relieved it was an elective — Chloe didn't attend it. Or so I thought. I walked in and to my surprise she was already seated. I acted like I hadn't seen her and took a seat as far from hers as possible. That must have hurt her. She was obviously there because of me. I didn't turn around to see the look on her face.
The moment the professor finished I asked if I could walk with him — told him I had something to discuss. I had nothing to discuss. I just needed to escape Chloe.
…..
I got home shortly after. I had freshened up, eaten, and was sitting at my study desk working on an assignment. But my mind kept drifting back to Liam.
I made up my mind to text him.
I opened w******p. His chat was at the top now — he had sent something. It was a picture. I tapped it open.
I gasped, my hand flying to cover my mouth.
I looked around the room to confirm I was alone. I was.
I looked back at my screen. The picture had been sent at 3:03. The current time was 3:20.
It was a nude photo. He looked better than anything I had imagined. His skin looked fair, almost pink under the light. The tip was the most striking part — large and noticeably pinker than the rest of him. The vein running along the shaft was thick and clearly visible. The shape of his waist made everything look like it was designed that way on purpose. He was obviously hard. I was still taking in every detail when I felt a surge in my pants.
I was still taking in every detail when I felt a surge in my pants.
I threw my phone face down on the desk like it had burned me.
I sat there staring at the ceiling with my hand pressed flat against my chest like that would somehow slow my heart down.
What was wrong with me.
What was actually wrong with me.
I picked the phone back up after a few seconds. The photo was still there. I stared at it one more time then deleted it. Then checked my deleted folder and deleted it from there too.
Then sat there wondering why my hands were shaking.
My phone buzzed.
He sent it on purpose. He knew exactly what he was doing. He had to.
Or maybe he didn't. Maybe this was just Liam being Liam — no filter, no boundaries, no awareness of what he was doing to me.
I didn't reply.
I locked my phone and put it face down again.
My phone buzzed.
It was a different contact this time.
Unknown number.
One message.
"I know what's going on between you and your stepbrother. And soon everyone else will too."
- Writer
