Not... Him!? [Chapter Twelve]

Chapter Twelve1

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I moaned. “You know how much I hate surprises, Aiden.”4

He looked over at me quickly, then returned his eyes to the road.5

“I do,” he replied. “And that makes them even more fun to give to you.”6

“Stupid,” I muttered, annoyed.7

I wouldn’t have minded staying in his bed all day, his arms around me. I much would have preferred that to a surprise.8

“What IS it!?” I asked, knowing he still wouldn’t tell me.9

He laughed. “You’ll see,” he promised.10

We were in his black Mercedes. Of course, the seats were pure white.11

And his car was, again of course, impeccably clean. 12

I rolled my eyes.13

My best friend was a freak.14

Or… Was he my boyfriend now? Somehow, the idea didn’t repulse me. Or freak me out. I was so comfortable that I loved Aiden, and I realized none of the little things, ahem, or the big things, were sorted out. 15

I would ignore the big things for now.16

He must’ve seen the contemplative look on my face.17

“You want to know if we’re dating now or not,” he guessed.18

I rolled my eyes again. Of course he would know just what I was thinking.19

He chuckled. “That, my dear, is all up to you.”20

Figures he’d already thought of it. That stupid boy.21

“Nope,” I said. “It’s not.”22

“Well, then,” he said. I could hear the mischief in his voice. “I guess you don’t want to know that I’d love for you to be my girlfriend.”23

He grinned.24

I stuck my tongue out at him. 25

“Is that a no?” he asked, sneaking a peak at me.26

He was so gorgeous, sitting there, one hand on the wheel, driving as if it was effortless.27

“I didn’t say that,” I grinned.28

“Fine then,” he said. “I’ll take it as a yes.”29

When I didn’t deny it, he grinned even more. Then, he took my hand with his free one.30

He was so adorable.31

I couldn’t help feeling happy about that. For some odd reason, it didn’t feel like it was my parents’ choice.32

I didn’t feel pushed into it.33

Because it wasn’t. And I wasn’t being pushed.34

I knew that I was doing this because I wanted to be his girlfriend.35

I could imagine what people at school would say.36

I grinned. Somehow, the thought satisfied me.37

We rode in the car for what seemed like forever. He played all my favorite music, of course. So I couldn’t complain too much.38

But his stupid surprise was killing me.39

We ended up getting there at about noon. And there was incredible.40

He’d taken me to some sort of meadow. It was beautiful, more beautiful than anything I’d ever seen. The sky was a perfect blue, not a cloud in sight. You could see it almost all the way down the horizon.41

There were wildflowers all around, rich and gorgeous colors. The greens were the greenest I’ve ever seen, as were the reds and yellows and blues. 42

It was like a fairy tale.43

He pulled off the empty dirt road and to the side, parking and turning to look at me. I stared straight ahead, blinking.44

“You haven’t said anything,” he noted nervously.45

“I’m trying not to cry,” I replied evenly, feeling just one tear fall and then smiling and turning to look at him.46

I didn’t understand the look on his face, sort of tortured and adoring at the same time.47

He unbuckled my seat belt and pulled me up before I could realize he was doing it. Then I was in his lap and his arms were tight around me.48

“I love you,” he whispered in my ear, kissing it after. “I love you so much.”49

I blinked, then I looked up at him.50

“Do you really?” I asked, a bit confused, but not in a bad way.51

“Serenity! Shut up! You know I do!” His head was buried in my shoulder, and his arms were so tight around me.52

“Okay,” I said, hugging him to me. I didn’t mind if he randomly for no apparent reason felt like being with me and telling me he loved me. Fine with me. “I love you too.”53

He looked into my eyes, and he was so perfect. Love poured from me.54

“Really?” he asked so boyishly.55

“Really,” I said, kissing his lips.56

“Mmm,” he said, kissing my jaw. He cuddled into me, and I hugged him close. “I love you Ren.”57

“I love you Aiden.”58

“I love you lots.”59

“I love you tons.”60

“Be mine, Ren.”61

“For as long as you want me, Aiden,” I whispered.62

“Then it’s settled.” He kissed my lips so perfectly. So gently. So passionately. “You’re mine. Forever.”63

I laughed. “We’ll see,” I said, knowing he’d get sick of me sometime.64

“Yeah,” he said. “You will.”65