billion book
Chapter 19
Aiden’s Pov
The warning bell rang as I and Hayley strolled into school, only for Hayley to get hollered at by Mina and Mona. “Yo, Hales! Over here!” “Haley, girl, you made it! Finally, we’re all together again.” Haley laughed. “Haha, yeah, it’s been too long. This semester is going to be Then she got cut off when some new chick waltzed through the door, immediately checking me out from head to toe. I tried to play it cool, but Mina and Mona weren’t having any of that. “Well, well, well…” Mona wiggled her eyebrows obnoxiously. “It looks like someone caught the eye of the fresh meat.” Mina nodded towards fresh meat. “No kidding, she hasn’t stopped staring at you since she walked in, Aiden. You know her or something?” I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “Uhh, no, I can’t say I do. Are you sure she’s looking at me?” But Haley saw right through my bullsh*t. Her eyes narrowed into slits. “It seems pretty obvious to me.” Before I could try and explain, Fresh Meat came sauntering right up to our group, hips swinging like she was on a damn runway. “Aiden?” She batted her lashes at me. “No way, is that really you?” I felt myself tense up, gut-tying myself into knots. “Uh, yeah? Have we met before or…?” The chick ran a fingernail along her collarbone. “Alessandra Ricci? From Oakwood Prep a few years ago? Ringing any bells?” Shit. I suddenly recognized those pouty lips and that perfectly tousled beach blonde hair. Memories of senior year came flooding back, none of them good. “… Alessandra? Oh damn, I didn’t even recognize you!” She let out a fake giggle, something that kind of riled me up a bit. Her lids drooped as her gaze narrowed seductively. “It’s been a hot minute; do you feel it? You look really, really good, Aiden.” The not-so-subtle once-over made me want to squirm. I mean, I’m not blind. Alessa looked just as sexy as I remembered in that criminally tight top and micro skirt combo. Just the way she was eyeing me up made my skin crawl. Clearing her throat loudly, Haley wasted no time reminding Alessandra she was here too. Smart move, calling her shot early. “Oh! Uhh, yeah, this is my girlfriend Haley,” I said quickly, wrapping an arm around Haley’s waist and pulling her close. “Hales, this is Alessandra, an old acquaintance from my last school.” Haley went full ice queen. “Charmed, I’m sure.” Alessandra didn’t even try to hide her blatant disrespect, raking her eyes over Haley like she was a piece of scenery before focusing back on me. “Girlfriend, huh? Damn, Aiden, you really moved on quick.” I heard Mona’s nasally stage whisper behind me. “Uh oh, I sense some tension brewing…” No shit. Mina chimed in, “No kidding, it’s like a freakin’ sapphic stare-down over here.” Haley was not having it. Sharp as a blade, she demanded, “What’s that supposed to mean,’moved on quick’?” Alessandra put on her most innocent act, the one that made my blood boil way back when. “Oh, did Aiden not mention we used to… dig each other’s vibes back in the day?” I tried desperately to shut it down. “Alessa, it was years ago and just a stupid fling, okay? Water under the bridge.” But Haley wasn’t having any of my flimsy excuses. Flames were practically shooting from her eyes as she turned that burning glare on me. “A fling, huh? You never told me about hooking up with this chick!” Alessandra’s ruby-red lips curled into a wicked little smile, clearly enjoying stoking the drama. “Guess some things are better left unsaid, babe.” “Don’t call her babe!” The words burst out before I could stop them. This whole situation was spiraling fast, and I had no idea how to get control back. Mona and Mina exchanged looks, like they were waiting for the explosions to start. Sure enough, Haley whirled at me, hands planted on her hips in a way that meant serious business. “So what? You just conveniently forgot to mention your little high school tryst with this walking plastic surgery disaster?” “Oh, damn, claws are out!” Mina laughed before catching herself. Too loud, as always. Alessa’s eyes flashed with mean-girl delight. She scoffed haughtily. “Please, at least I don’t look like Trailer Trash Barbie’s less attractive stunt double.” “Alright, that’s enough!” I tried raising my voice and stepping between the two catfighting chicks. It was like I wasn’t even there. “Both of you just cool it, okay?” There is no chance of that happening. Haley shoved me hard in the chest, making me stumble back. “Don’t you dare try and play peacemaker here, Aiden! I can’t believe you’ve been lying to me this whole time about your past!” “It wasn’t lying, babe, I swear!” I was panicking now, reaching for Haley’s hands. A big mistake, apparently, judging by the betrayed fire raging in her beautiful eyes. “Alessa and I hooked up-what, twice? It was nothing, just a dumb kid thing that didn’t mean anything!” “Ouch,” Alessandra chimed in with a pout. “Way to make a girl feel special, Aiden.” Mona groaned loudly. “Oh my god, someone just slapped her already before I did it myself!” “I’m sorry, okay?” Desperate, I grabbed for Haley again, pleading with her. “I should’ve told you, you’re right. I was being an idiot, like always. But you gotta believe me, Hales; you’re the only one who really matters to me!” But she wasn’t having it. Wrenching away and chest-heaving, Haley fought back angry tears. “How am I supposed to believe anything out of your lying mouth right now, Aiden? This is exactly the kind of bullshit I always feared-you comparing me to your past flings, making me feel inadequate!” “That’s not what I’m doing at all!” I was full-on panicking now, words spilling out desperately. “Please, you know me better than that! I’m just an idiot who made a mistake by not telling you upfront about… I never got to finish that thought. Haley had heard enough. “Save it,” she spat, turning on her heel and storming out. An awkward silence fell over the whole damn room. Mona and Mina stayed quiet, shooting me; it looks like they didn’t know whether to follow Haley or let her cool off for a bit. Leave it to Alessandra to kick me while I was down. She trailed a single, razor-sharp nail down my arm, purring like a damn lioness. “Well, that was sufficiently dramatic. I guess we have some more catching up to do, Aiden.” I jerked away from her touch like a recoil, too furious and guilt-ridden for words right now. What the hell had I just done?