“I'm going to bed now, goodnight, '' Andrea said after some time. She yawned before walking towards the door.
“Goodnight” Rose said to her. She turned to smile at her before walking out of the room. Rose looked over at Liam then shifted closer to him. She cuddled him and closed her eyes thinking sleep would come but it didn't. She sighed as she opened her eyes. She quietly climbed down the bed and left the room and went towards the kitchen.
She paused as soon as she caught sight of Aiden on the couch. She slowly walked towards him and tapped his cheek.
“Hey" She murmured. He groggily sat up.
“What time is it?" He muttered.
“It's the middle of the night," Aiden yawned.
“I didn't even know when I slept off," He confessed. Rose sighed then sat down close to him. A comfortable silence passed between them.
“So have you come to a conclusion?" She asked suddenly. Aiden turned to her.
“I feel like the choice has already been made for me" He whispered. Rose laid her hand on his head and caressed it. He stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
“I.. I'm sorry, I'm used to doing this to Liam" Aiden grabbed her hand and placed it back on his head and he saw she was about to withdraw her hand.
“I like it, it's soothing" He closed his eyes and motioned for her to continue. Blush crept up her face and she caressed his head, it somehow felt sensual to her.
“I have no advice to give you because I suck at it but" She raised her hand unconsciously and placed it on his heart. His body tensed up as soon as he felt the heat emanating from her soft palm.
“You have to follow your heart Aiden, what do you truly want?" She whispered. Aiden abruptly turned towards her and held both her hands. Rose stared back at him innocently causing him to groan.
“Stop looking at me like that" He said hoarsely.
“Did I say something wrong?" She murmured. Aiden bent down his head, inhaled and exhaled before looking back at her.
“You said I should follow my heart and that's exactly what I'm going to do" He leaned forward and pecked her on the lips. Rose reflexes acted before her brain could as she pushed away with all her might. Aiden stared back at her with hurt. She stared back at him with wide eyes.
“I'm sorry... I didn't mean.." She ran away before she could complete her sentence. She ran into the downstairs bathroom and locked herself inside. She rested her head on her palm as she tried to catch her breath. She raised up her head and slowly walked towards the mirror. She stared at her flushed face then she raised her hand gently and touched her lips. She blushed from the memory.
“Calm down Rose, it was just a kiss.... Well a peck but it's the same thing" She said to herself. She breathed in and out before exiting the bathroom. She walked towards the couch but was surprised Aiden wasn't there. She frowned.
“I guess he went to bed," she whispered to herself. She groaned before walking back to her room.
The next morning, Everyone except Aiden was at the dining table.
“Aunt Emily?" Liam uttered. She smiled at him before nodding “Where's Aiden?" He asked curiously. Andrea scoffed.
“He left this morning" Rose's hand, which was holding a spoon, froze. “He said he had an important meeting with the coach but I have a feeling he's lying" Andrea muttered. Emily glared at her.
“And why is that?" Andrea raised both hands in surrender.
“It just seems so sketchy," Andrea replied. Rose dropped her spoon on her plate, suddenly losing her appetite.
“So Mum, you would drop us at school right?" Emily nodded before standing up.
“You guys should hurry up, I won't wait for you" She motioned for Liam “Come on, let's go to the car" Liam made sure to carry his iPad before walking towards Emily.
“Don't you think Aiden leaving so early in the morning seems strange?" Andrea asked as soon as Emily and Liam disappeared. Rose frowned as she abruptly stood up, carried her bag and walked out of the house. Andrea stared at her with wide eyes.
“Why is everyone acting so weird?".....
“So I've been meaning to ask, why was Aiden in school before you guys?" Claire asked as they sat down to eat in the cafeteria.
“He left very early this morning so we couldn't catch up. I feel like he's acting weird" Andrea said.
“Yeah I noticed too, anytime he sees us in the hallway or around, he instantly turns around and walks in the opposite direction" Claire uttered.
“Right?!,It's like, he's ignoring someone" They simultaneously turned towards Rose who had been extra silent today. Rose raised an eyebrow at them.
“What?"
“Did something happen between you and my brother?" Rose choked on her own spit and began coughing. Andrea quickly gave her water to drink. After she had calmed down, She deliberately tried not to meet their eyes but that just made them more suspicious.
“So something did happen?" Claire murmured. Rose ringed her hands together before looking at them.
“He kissed me yesterday night" Silence passed through them. As Claire was about to squeal, Andrea slapped her palm over her mouth before turning to Rose.
“He kissed you?" She asked in surprise.
“Well... More like a peck" Claire removed Andrea's palm on her mouth before facing Rose.
“Oh my God, my little Rose is all grown up" She leaned in and pinched Rose's cheeks. Rose swatted her hands away and glared at her. “I can't believe you guys have kissed. Then why is he ignoring you?" She asked in confusion. Andrea turned to look at her too. She shook her head, She didn't know either.