Chapter Seven-So He Returns
The folded chairs set up for the graduation ceremony were hard and uncomfortable. I sat bouncing my leg as a countless number of graduates crossed the stage. Switching legs, I smoothed my dress and patted my boots to ensure my dagger was still secure.
Didn’t go anywhere without it.
The graduation lasted four hours, and while I was happy for Olivia, I spent most of my time wondering if Aiden was there and what I would do when I saw him. When it was over, we waited away from the crowd for Olivia and Scott to find us.
“Sadie, stop,” Juniper whispered. “You look like you have to pee.”
“Huh?” I looked down, noticing I was bouncing my weight from leg to leg like a two year old needing a bathroom break. “Oh.”
She patted my arm. “It’ll be ok.
I felt like they were all humoring me, walking on eggshells so I wouldn’t freak out, and it was pissing me off. Wandering off alone, I faced away from them all and inhaled and exhaled deeply to calm my nerves. Getting myself all worked up over a boy wasn’t like me, especially one that wouldn’t remember me and may not even show up.
Lifting the necklace from my chest, I brought it to my lips and moved it over them as I thought. The bouncing and uneasiness came back, so I dropped the necklace and lifted my arms above my head to stretch.
“Sadie,” Olivia said from somewhere behind me.
“What?” I called, not turning.
“Sadie,” she said again, more urgently.
Groaning, I dropped my arms suddenly and spun. “What?”
Before I could move, I saw him. He was taller, by at least a few inches, and his hair was shorter. He was scruffy, his face housing a little more than a five o’clock shadow. Looking delicious in his trousers and buttoned shirt. I swayed on my feet. My heart clenched and my stomach turned. Was I going to puke or pass out? Either way, it would be embarrassing.
Breathe, Sadie, breathe.
“Sadie, this is Aiden,” she said pointedly. They moved toward me when it was obvious I wouldn’t, well, couldn’t, come over there.
He held out his hand, “Hey, Sade.” Sade. My gosh, did he remember? My chest tightened even more, making breathing nearly impossible. His eyes, so calming and seductive, studied me. His voice was the same, smooth and deep, rumbling through me with each word.
His voice saying my nickname was almost too much.
“You remember?” I choked out hopefully. Fingers clutched the necklace while I hesitantly reached for his hand.
“I read your necklace. That’s a cool nickname,” he said, grabbing my palm.
Heat flowed through me, my body remembering him and reacting. I limply shook his hand, though he was kind about it and adjusted his own shake. I’d been so sure he remembered…and now my heart was in my feet.
“It’s,” I started, my words jumbling as they fought to escape my mouth. “Nice to meet you, Aiden, was it?”
He dropped my hand, instantly leaving an empty feeling coursing through my soul. “Yeah, Aiden. You look so familiar. Have you been to California?”
I shook my head no.
“You must have one of those faces,” he said.
“Must,” I said awkwardly.
How in the hell was I supposed to act around him?
Olivia watched me, smiling and nodding occasionally as Aiden rambled about his own college experience. Scott soon joined us, standing next to me to hold me upright.
“So, you want to come hang out for a little while, Aiden? You can stay at my Grandma’s house tonight if you’d like.”
He nodded. “That’d be great. I have someone with me. Is that ok?”
Scott agreed. Olivia led Aiden away, turning back to check on us as Scott worked on making my legs move again.
“He called me Sade,” I whispered.
He wrapped his arm around me and squeezed. “We’ll help him remember, sis. I promise.”