A Name That Lingers
443 Words
Priden’s POV
All throughout the night, I couldn’t get my mind off Velda.
No matter how many times I closed my eyes, her face appeared—calm, soft… haunting.
But there was one thing that refused to let me rest.
She called me Jaden.
Not once, not casually—but as if it meant something.
Who was this Jaden to her?
And more terrifying… could it be—
Could I be him?
No… impossible.
But what if it wasn't?
What if I really was this Jaden?
How would she react if she found out?
Would she be afraid? Angry? Or would her heart break all over again?
Would she even want me anymore... if she knew the truth?
The questions swirled like a storm in my head, refusing to settle.
Just then, Ethan barged into the room, carefree as always.
“Yo, man. Let’s go out. I’m tired of you moping around like a wet puppy.”
I smirked faintly, but I didn’t move.
He eyed me curiously. “You good?”
“Yeah,” I lied.
But my thoughts were already gone—back to her.
To Velda.
---
Velda’s POV
After dinner, I slipped into the bath, letting the warm water soak away the weight of the day.
But no amount of soap could wash away the image of Priden’s eyes—so familiar, yet so strange. I still couldn’t shake the feeling. It was like seeing Jaden’s soul in someone else’s body.
Was I losing my mind? Or was fate simply trying to confuse me?
I dried off and wrapped myself in my robe, walking out into the living room where Keelson was sprawled across the couch.
He looked up from his phone with that teasing smirk I’d come to expect. “You took forever in there. Who were you scrubbing up for—Priden?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please.”
“Well,” he said, sitting up and squinting at me, “you never look this glowy unless you’re crushing on someone.”
I shot him a warning glare, but he only grinned wider.
“So… when are you getting a boyfriend?” he pressed.
I blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Keelson, are you seriously interrogating me right now?”
He chuckled. “Just making sure I’m not the only one in this house who’s single.”
I grabbed a pillow and launched it at his face.
“Okay, okay! But just so you know—your heart’s already acting taken,” he said, dodging it.
I paused, frozen mid-step.
Because maybe… just maybe, he was right.
- Writer
