His Invisible Mate

Chapter 5

Eliya

Why is Aiden looking at me?

Seriously, he never looks at me. I could ask him the time of day and he wouldn’t even register that someone spoke to him, but right now he is staring at me, while he makes his way over to the open desk a few seats away.

His eyes snap to the guy, Liam, who is sitting next to me for a moment, before snapping back to me. It is making me uncomfortable.

What did I do?

Wait... Why is Liam literally jumping out of his seat to a different desk?

Oh. My. God.

He really just got out of his seat so that Aiden could sit in the back of the room. Really? That is sad. I couldn’t suppress my eye roll as I look back out the window. I can’t take him staring, even though I can still feel his eyes on me.

I turn to look at him when he clears his throat, clearly trying to get my attention. His stormy grey eyes never blinking as they stare into mine like he can see straight to my soul. I knew he was good looking but I didn’t realize he was this good looking.

His brown hair is just long enough that he can run his fingers through it and when he does I can almost feel myself drool over the muscles flex with the movement. His nose has a small hook in it, no doubt from a break or two and when he smiles, I swear my heart stopped. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Hi. I’m Aiden” He leans forward in his seat, extending his hand out to shake.

All I can do is stare at his hand? Why is he introducing himself to me? Doesn’t he know that everyone knows who he is? He has to know - no one is that cocky.

“Did you need help with homework or something?” I couldn’t help it - the words just blurted out of my mouth. But honestly, why else would Aiden be talking to me. I quickly and discreetly run my tongue along my teeth, checking that there is nothing stuck there. I don’t feel anything so that is good.

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise when Aiden laughs at my words. His melodic laugh sends a shiver to my spine and I am not going to lie, I liked it. A part of me wants to just start telling random jokes hoping he will keep laughing.

“No, I don’t need help. I just wanted to introduce myself... Offer my services showing you around the school.” Honesty pouring into his every word and it pisses me off.

What. The. f**k. He thinks I am a new student?

“Uh... well that’s great” I mumble to myself.

We have literally had the same classes since Kindergarten! He has never given me the time of day, but he thinks I am new here?

I knew I was a nobody, but I didn’t realize I was completely invisible. I always just assumed that they saw me but ignored me. Why does this realization hurt so much? It feels like someone has sucked all the air from my lungs.

Aiden continues to stare at me with a lazy grin. He is waiting for me to answer him, but I am at a loss of what to say. Thankfully, Mr. Anderson starts class and I don’t have time to respond. I give him a small smile and focus on the teacher.

I swear this class has never gone so slow. I mean the seconds feel like they are taking hours and I can only assume it is because Aiden has been staring at me the entire time. I have been trying to act like I don’t notice but half of me is really uncomfortable but the other half is practically fangirling that he is looking at me.

What is wrong with me? I know better than to get swept up in his charms. I will not be his next flavor of the week.

I tried to look over to him but found myself lost in his grey eyes for a moment. He smiled and I my heart fluttered. It took all I had to break the spell and look away.

Two minutes before the bell. I quickly pack my backpack and sit on the edge of my chair. When the bell rings I am going to make my escape to my next class.

I rush out of the room right as the bell rang. I would have pushed people out of the way had they beaten me to the door. I step into the hall and start to head in the direction of my locker, smiling slightly at my accomplishment. But it didn’t last long.

“Hey! Wait up!” A voice called through the halls. I didn’t think it was for me, but out of curiosity more than anything, I turn and look. Aiden rushing towards me. I continue walking. Surely he isn’t talking to me.

He is in front of me in a second and I stop short of bumping into him. I can’t help but stare at his chest - I mean it is literally right in front of my eyes and the black t-shirt pulled snug over it leaves little to my imagination. I wonder what the muscles will feel like under my fingers - No, get a grip!

I slowly lift my gaze up, trying not to fixate too long on his defined jaw or his perfect lips that are just begging to be kissed.

He runs a hand through his hair while taking a deep breath and I think I forgot how to breath watching the muscles tense in his arm with the movement. How did he make that look so amazing? Wait, what is he talking to me about again?

“I don’t know what happened back there in class, but I really would like to show you around - Make you feel comfortable here.” His smile shows a small dimple above his right cheek and I am tempted to smile back.

But I don’t and I am not going to. I can feel students pushing pass us, but it is almost like we are alone in the hallway. It is both exciting and frightening at the same time.

I can’t fall into his trap.

“Why?” I avoid his eyes, afraid of being trapped there again, as I search his face for any hint that this is some sort of joke. Instead, I see confusion and I am sure that it mirrors my own.

“I want to get to know you?” it was meant as a statement but it sounded like a question. Truthfully all it did was add to my confusion.

“What is so different about me today?” Anger rose within me out of nowhere and I couldn’t stop the words from falling out of my mouth “Why not last week? or last year? why not in seventh grade when I had a crush on you?” Oh s**t, did I really just tell him I had a crush on him? Well, that is embarrassing.

Aiden’s eyes widen and I don’t know if it is because of my accidental outburst or in the realization that I am not in fact a new student. Either way, I don’t wait around for a response. I continue walking, ignoring the static spark that shocked my arm as I brushed by him and towards my next class.

No matter how hard I try to focus, my mind continually goes back to Aiden. I see his grey eyes every time I close mine, and I can hear is laugh echoing in my ears. It’s going to be a long and confusing day.