I wake up with the sound of the shower turning off and cuddle further into the delicious smelling sheets. The smell of Aiden surrounds me and only now I realise that I was in his bed. I didn't remember falling asleep in Aiden's bed last night, I must have been really tired. Every day was a day closer to the field trip and I was so excited.

Tonight Dale was staying over because I wouldn't be able to see him until next weekend. Tuesday we went on the field trip and on Monday he was going to his aunties with Val and her husband after school. I wanted more than anything for him to transfer to our school but I knew that unfortunately wouldn't happen. My birthday was also in a couple of weeks, I'd finally be 18 like Dale, Aiden, Luke and the rest of the guys. Charlie's birthday was even after mine.

My thoughts get interrupted when I hear the bathroom door opening. I look up and regret it straight away. There stood Aiden with nothing but a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.

I think I just died and went to heaven.

"Like what you see Collins?" Aiden smirks, obviously very aware I just checked him out. My face goes up in flames and Aiden chuckles.

Asshole.

Aiden grabs another pair of boxers and sweatpants from his drawer and walks in to his bathroom again, presumably to get changed.

🎵🎤🎶

I roll over to grab my phone and turn it on. Instantly I see a message notification, and it makes me want to throw up.

My heart pounds erratically, but it's not the same way that it tends to pound whenever Aiden is near. I feel tears well in my eyes. I'm dreaming, he didn't just message me that.

"Oi Collins," I briefly hear Aiden in the background but I can't find it within myself to respond. My father is not such an asshole that he would send me THAT. No way.

I stare at my phone, hoping more than anything that I'm just hallucinating, but the message doesn't disappear. I hear Aiden again, and again, I physically cannot respond.

My phone begins to ring, and when I see the contact name, I drop my phone. It lands on the ground beside the bed with a thud. My father was calling me.

Aiden must hear the sound because the bathroom door opens abruptly and Aiden looks at me confused. I think I'm going to throw up. Is this what a panic attack feels like?

The phone continues to sound and Aiden walks over to it, picking up my phone and reading the contact name in confusion. As soon as the contact name registers I see him visibly tense. He too stares at my phone. Eventually, the phone stops ringing, but the feeling doesn't subside. I notice Aiden read the latest message from him, anger flashes through his eyes but I see him remaining calm, probably for my sake.

Aiden doesn't say anything and instead pulls me up and into his arms. Why was it that every time my father had texted me, Aiden had always been there. Why was it that every time anything happened that reminded me of my past, Aiden was there? He seemed to know though, what I needed at that moment.

I don't know how long exactly we stay in that position, but eventually, I find the courage to sit down on his bed. Aiden follows suit.

"I have to reply," I say, mostly to myself but very aware that Aiden can hear.

"I think you probably do, I'm so sorry Em. He's an asshole and you deserve so much better." Aiden replies. I smile weakly at him

"What should I reply?" I ask, the sick feeling in my stomach still very obvious. For a while, Aiden doesn't respond, obviously deep in thought.

"Let's figure it out at the cliffs, mom can watch the twins, she got in about 2:00 am last night." Aiden suggests. I nod weakly at the mention of the beautiful place, agreeing instantly.

I don't bother getting changed, I was still in my sweatpants and Aiden's sweatshirt and I follow him to his motorbike. He climbs on and helps me get on, usually I'd reject his assistance but if I was being honest, I felt too weak.

The drive is anything but silent with the noise of the wind and all the weekend noise but somehow, it seems silent to me.

We finally pull up to the spot and Aiden parks his bike, he helps me off and I silently follow him through the now familiar path to the cliff. As soon as we arrive at the spot, I temporarily forget about my father when I see the stunning view. I sit on a grass patch instead of the log, and Aiden sits beside me.

"I don't know what to say," I admit quietly. Aiden nods.

"Do you want to see him?" He asks.

"Not at all, I want nothing to do with him," I admit honestly. I know that he was my biological father, trust me I had tried to forget. I didn't need him in my life, I had Robert and my mother and even Eli. I also had my friends and I knew that I would have to tell Dale tonight about my past, I needed his support.

"Then tell him," Aiden says quietly. I look at him only to see him staring out at the view. He was right, my father needed to see where I stood, and hopefully decide to leave me and Elijah alone.

I type a message, then delete, then re-type it. When I'm happy with my message I pass my phone to Aiden who looks at me with a look I can't decipher; "I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?" I ask in surprise.

"Tell him to fuck off in a way that is so nice," Aiden responds immediately.

I instantly laugh, he always knew exactly what to say or what to do. When he hugged me earlier, every other time he's comforted me, which is more than I'd like to admit. I look at the view and a thought I had a while ago returns.

I once said that Aiden in a way, was like the cliff. He was so beautiful but so dangerous. I was right. Even now that I knew him so much better, I still felt the same way. I also said then that hanging out with him was like falling off a cliff, you wouldn't realize the danger until it was too late. It seemed like I didn't even listen to my own warning, because I couldn't help but get closer to him, and I was very aware that now; it was too late. I had begun falling, and I had begun falling harder and faster than I ever imagined, but not in the same way I had once imagined. The way I was falling was even more dangerous.

Aiden nudges me, breaking me out of my thoughts and before I can second myself, I press send.

"I'm proud of you Collins," Aiden smiles. Butterflies dance in my stomach at his words but instead of saying anything I smile at him gratefully. I don't think he understood how much his support actually helped me.

A couple of minutes of a comfortable silence pass before my phone chimes once again. Aiden's head snaps towards my phone. I turn on my phone to read the newest notification but instead see a message from my mom;

Aiden chuckles at the sad face but I have to admit, I panic a little at the thought of Nala needing to go to the vet, she has to be okay.

"Your baby?" Aiden mocks, a smirk covering his attractive face.

"She is my baby!!!" I pout, I would hands down choose that dog over most people.

Aiden just laughs but my phone rings before he can say anything, the contact name Papa Bear pops up and I know it's Robert.

"Hi," I greet.

"It's me" Lij begins, "Nala is perfectly fine but we just have to go to the vet for another reason. I'll explain when you get home."

"Okay cool but why are calling me off of Robert's phone?" I ask my little brother, he had his own phone.

"Mine's upstairs and I can't be bothered," Lij responds. I laugh at his laziness, yep. Definitely my brother.

"Okay, see you soon. Love you," I reply.

"Okay, love you too."

The phone call ends and Aiden looks at me expectantly.

"Lij wants me to take Nala to the vet for some reason." I say.

Aiden nods and stands up, he pulls me up with him and we head to his bike. I really was lucky to have Aiden.

***

I had just gotten home, Aiden told me he'd pass my DVD and whatever else I left there to be through the window which I was thankful for. I know that Lij said that Nala was fine, but I couldn't help but worry.

I take off Aiden's sweatshirt, secretly hoping he doesn't ask for it back and throw it on my bed. I grab a plain shirt to wear and take off the white shirt I was in, leaving me in my lacey black bra.

"Wow Collins, putting on a show for me?" Aiden smirks from his window. I jump in fright and cover my torso with the shirt I was about to put on.

"Aiden!!" I scold, rolling my eyes and turning around so I can put the shirt on.

"Way to ruin my fun, I should have stayed quiet," Aiden whines from his window when I turn so he can only see my back. I can't help but laugh at his childishness, turning his pout into his familiar smirk.

Before either of us can say anything else, Lij saunters into my room followed by an excited Nala. Lij sees Aiden straight away and I almost roll my eyes at the admiration.

"What's wrong with her?" I ask Lij.

"Nothing, you know that girl Sophia Ryder I was telling you about?" Eli begins, I grin teasingly at the mention of his crush and he blushes.

"Stop Lee, it's just, her mom owns the vet clinic and she told me that on Saturdays she often goes in with her mom to help with everything." Lij blushes.

I laugh at his adorableness, "Lij that's really sweet but we can't take her to the vet if she's not unwell, it won't look good."

Lij pouts and I can see he's thinking it over.

"Sure you can Collins, take her in for a check-up, let the man see his crush," Aiden smirks from my window.

Lij perks up at the idea, "Aiden will you come as well!? You can help me while she gets Nala looked at?"

Aiden looks at me like he's asking my permission and I shrug, I couldn't deny that spending more time with Aiden isn't something I dreaded, in fact I looked forward to it.

"Fine, we'll meet out the front in 15," I give in, closing my curtains on a smirking Aiden so I can get changed.

"Get her on the lead and tell Mom and Robert," I laugh at a beaming Lij.

"You're the best sister ever Lee," Eli grins excitedly giving me a hug and then running downstairs. I smile, it seemed like there was nothing that praised me as much as Lij did when he told me that I was a good sister.

I slip on some skinny jeans and run a brush through my hair as well as brush my teeth and walk downstairs.

"Bye mom, bye Robert," I yell as I walk outside. Lij and Aiden were talking about something while Nala wagged her tail excitedly at the fact that we were doing something, she'd regret that when we arrived at the vet.

"Ready?" Aiden smirks once he sees me.

"Hurry up Lee!!" Lij yells excitedly as he runs to my car followed by an excited Nala.

I roll my eyes, laughing a little at my younger brother as Aiden and I also walk to my car. I begin to walk over to the driver's side but get pulled back into Aiden's chest before I get the chance.

"I'm driving," Aiden smirks.

"It's my car, I'm driving!!" I automatically defend. Aiden just continues smirking before he snatches my keys from my hand.

"I don't trust you to drive," he smirks, mischief twinkling in his eyes that I had grown so fond of.

"You've never even been in the car when I was driving!!" I continue defending. What the hell was happening!?

Before Aiden gets a chance to reply, Lij yells from the backseat, trying to get us to hurry up.

Aiden throws me one last smirk before he saunters confidently to the driving side of MY car.

Mumbling choice words under my breathe I reluctantly follow him, making my way to the passenger seat.

"What do I say? How do I act?" Eli stresses as we begin driving. Well actually, Aiden begins driving.

"You just got to be yourself, she'll have to love you!!" I smile at my little brother.

"Thanks Lee, but I was actually asking Aiden," Lij replies awkwardly.

I open my mouth at him and Aiden smirks from beside me. I can't believe him!! I'm shocked, it's not like we have the same mom or anything.

"You just have to be confident man, girls love it when you make the first move and that so you have to approach her," Aiden says, smirking at me mischievously.

I glare back, my advice was so much better.

"Thanks Aiden, I'm glad you know what to do," Eli replies gratefully.

"All good man" Aiden replies, the smirk still on his face.

Aiden and Eli fall into a conversation but I can't help but dwell on Eli's words. Aiden did know what to do because he had done it a million times before. My heart breaks a little at the thought, I'm such an idiot. Why would I let myself feel this way?! I'm only going to get hurt.

"You coming Collins?" Aiden says, breaking me out of my thoughts. It's only now I realize that we had arrived and Eli was already waiting impatiently at the entrance with a still excited Nala.

"Yeah," I reply, quickly getting out of the car.

"Everything okay?" Aiden asks as we begin walking inside.

"Yeah, just thinking," I reply, smiling as best I can. I knew I was too far gone and that I wasn't able to lose my feelings for him now so I just had to learn to live with it.

Aiden looks at me strangely but doesn't push it as we approach the front desk.

A very sweet looking older lady smiles at us. She was probably around 60 but I could tell that once upon a time she would have been very attractive. She had long greying blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. "Hello, how can we help you today?"

I smile at the beautiful lady; "hello, this is Nala and we would just like to get her a check-up if that's possible."

"Of course dear, oh who's this young man?" The woman smiles down at Eli.

"That's my brother Elijah," I smile.

"Nice to meet you Elijah, you look around the same age as my granddaughter Sophia."

Eli quickly tenses, the grin falling off his face and a nervous one appearing in its place.

I can't help but laugh at his nervous look.

"Um, I kn-know her," Eli attempts to reply.

I can see the old lady beginning to make sense of things and I'm relieved to see her smile even more when she figures it out.

"That's great!! Why don't you guys through, Sophia is there also," the old lady says. I smile at her gratefully as we walk into the room. Eli practically sprints through the door and Aiden smirks at me.

"You guys definitely came at a good time, I've just a huge rush of customers," a stunning lady smiles. The lady had dark brown, thick wavy hair and beautiful blue eyes.

I smile back at the stunning women but before I can say anything a beautiful girl walks out. She was practically her mother's twin but just had lighter hair.

"Oh hey Eli," the girl I'm guessing is Sophia smiles shyly.

"H-hi Sophia," Eli replies nervously.

"Who's this hun?" the lady smiles at her daughter, gesturing to a nervous-looking Eli.

"This is Elijah mom," the girl says in a way that makes it seem like Eli had been spoken about before.

"How lovely to meet you Elijah, is this your sister and her boyfriend?" the lady smiles happily.

"He's not my boyfriend," I laugh awkwardly, a blush covering my cheeks.

"Oh I'm sorry, I'm Ally," Ally apologizes, smiling politely at Aiden.

"I'm Em, this is my friend Aiden," I smile, the blush slowly fading.

"Nice to meet you both, and who is this?" Ally asks, leaning down to pat Nala.

"That's Nala, she's here for her check-up," I smile proudly. Sue me, I was proud I had such a beautiful furbaby.

"Of course, let's have a look then," Ally smiles, walking over to the metal bench near me. Aiden brings Nala over to us and hands me the lead. I smile at him gratefully and he winks back.

"Aiden, Lee, you guys have to help me, Sophia wants to show me something over the far side of the room," Eli begs. I giggle at him.

Aiden grins at him; "come on Eli, I'll help." I smile thankfully at Aiden as he follows the two 14-year-olds.

"So why aren't you guys dating?" Ally asks politely. She doesn't say anything or do anything but I instantly know she's talking about Aiden.

I don't know why, but this woman's presence calms me and makes me comfortable enough to actually talk to her; "I don't think he likes me."

"But you like him?" Ally smiles.

"Way too much," I admit, glancing over to where he was sticking his thumbs up at Eli.

"Let me guess, he's a bit of a bad boy player?" Ally asks.

I look at her shocked, "how did you know?"

"A remarkable girl like you falls for the bad boy player? It's a familiar story," Ally smiles, "and very relatable."

I smile back, I can't believe that someone as stunning as Ally called me remarkable. "Did he break your heart?" I ask sadly, my heart breaking just a bit.

"I actually married him and had 3 beautiful kids with him, Sophia's our youngest," Ally smiles.

"Really?" I ask astounded, I didn't know bad boy players fell in love.

"Yeah, a lot of people will tell you that he's a bad boy and not worth it but they're wrong. I'm not promising that he won't break your heart but I am promising that if he's anything like my husband, and your story is anything like ours, the pain will all be worth it in the end." Ally explains, smiling at me.

I think for a moment, "but how do you know?"

"If he feels the same way you do which it definitely looks like he does and he treats you right, that's how you know. My husband was never Just Another Bad Boy, looking at the way your friend is chatting to your brother, I don't think he is either." Ally smiles subconsciously.

I smile back at her, grateful to speak to someone who really seemed to understand.

"Your beautiful dog is all fine, she's very healthy," Ally smiles as Nala wags her tale almost like she understood what Ally was saying.

"Mom, can I hang out with Eli one weekend soon?" I hear from behind me as Sophia walks over to us happily.

"Sure, maybe Em can give me her parent's number so I can organize. But let's not tell your dad or brothers it's a boy that you're hanging out with," Ally giggles. Sophia beams excitedly as I give Ally my number and my mom's.

"Ready to go?" Aiden smiles at me. My breath catches in my throat at his smile but I smile and nod.