Chapter Ten

SOLANA

I glance back at the photos on the dresser, my gaze landing on one of Nick and the guy standing beside him.

“So… are you and Nick related?” I ask, tilting my head slightly.

He nods, shifting on his feet. “Yeah. We’re cousins.”

That makes sense. They have similar features—the same sharp jawline, the same dark brown hair—but where Nick radiates confidence, this guy seems… unsure.

I straighten up a little, offering a small smile. “I’m Solana, by the way.”

He hesitates for half a second before giving a quick nod. “I know.”

I blink.

Before I can react, his eyes widen slightly, and his face turns a shade darker.

“I mean—not in a weird way,” he rushes to say, waving his hands a little. “I just—I’ve seen you before. In class. Lit class. We, uh… we have the same one.”

I stare at him, surprised.

I try to think back to my literature class, trying to remember if I’ve ever noticed him before.

But I don’t.

I barely notice anyone in that class. I just go in, take notes, and leave.

“Oh,” I finally say.

He nods quickly, still flustered, rubbing the back of his neck like he’s mentally kicking himself.

Another awkward silence falls between us.

I stand up slowly, watching him carefully, curiosity sparking in my chest.

Most guys I’ve met—especially at this party—don’t even try to hide the way their eyes drop to my legs, my chest, the curve of my hips. Especially tonight with the dress I'm wearing.

So I wait for the inevitable. For his gaze to flicker down.

But it doesn't.

I should find it strange but don't cause he can’t even seem to hold eye contact for more than two seconds before glancing away.

I tilt my head, studying him. “Since you already know my name… what’s yours?”

He hesitates for a second, then clears his throat. “Aiden.”

Aiden.

I roll the name over in my mind, watching the way he keeps shifting on his feet like he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

Definitely not like any of the other guys at this party.

I blink, suddenly remembering why I left the party in the first place.

“Hey, um… can I use your bathroom?” I ask, shifting slightly.

Aiden nods quickly, pointing toward a door to the side. “Yeah, it’s right there.”

I mumble a quick thanks and slip inside, closing the door behind me.

For a second, I just breathe.

Then, stepping in front of the mirror, I smooth my hands down my dress, fixing my hair, making sure I don’t look as rattled as I feel.

The night has been… strange.

Uncomfortable.

But standing here, away from it all, I feel like I can breathe again.

I press my lips together, adding a little color back into them, then run my fingers through my hair one last time before straightening up.

Okay. Good enough.

I open the door—

And stop.

Aiden is standing near his bed, back turned, phone pressed to his ear.

His voice is low, hushed, but the room is so quiet I catch bits and pieces of what he’s saying.

“—no, Mia, I don’t know what to say—”

Pause.

A sigh.

“Because you're my sister! I—Look, it’s not that easy, okay?”

Another pause.

“I can’t just go up to her and start talking—what if I say something weird? What if she thinks I’m a creep?”

I blink.

Realization dawns on me quickly.

Aiden is… asking his sister for advice?

On how to talk to a girl?

Biting my lip to hold back a smile, I lean slightly against the doorframe, waiting to see how long it takes for him to notice me.

Aiden lets out a frustrated groan, running a hand through his already-messy hair.

“Mia, this isn’t funny,” he mutters. “I’m serious.”

I bite my lip harder, trying not to laugh.

I really shouldn’t be eavesdropping. I should make my presence known.

But… this is kind of adorable.

Aiden shifts his weight, pacing a little. “No, she’s not scary....  And she probably thinks I’m an idiot.”

Okay, now I’m smiling.

Mia’s response is too muffled for me to make out, but whatever she says makes Aiden groan again.

“No, I’m not going to ask for her number right now. That’s weird.” He pauses, then grumbles under his breath, “Yes, it is.”

I finally decide to let him off the hook.

Clearing my throat softly, I take a step forward.

Aiden freezes.

His entire body goes rigid before he slowly—very slowly—turns around.

His eyes go wide when he sees me standing there.

Aiden’s face goes scarlet.

“I—” His mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. He quickly pulls the phone away from his ear.

“I’ll call you back,” he mutters before hanging up and shoving his phone into his pocket like it personally betrayed him.

I can’t hold back my laugh this time.

“So,” I say, tilting my head, “who were you talking about?”

Aiden groans, covering his face with one hand. “Please don’t do this.”

“Oh, I’m doing this.” I smirk, stepping closer. “Come on, tell me.

He lets out a quiet, embarrassed laugh, shaking his head. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“A little.” I grin. “But seriously, was that about me?”

Aiden hesitates, looking everywhere but at me. His fingers fidget at his sides.

Then, after a long pause, he sighs, defeated.

“Yeah,” he mutters, barely audible.

My stomach does this weird little flip.

I wasn’t expecting him to admit it.

Aiden shifts on his feet, his face still slightly red, but he finally meets my gaze—even if it’s just for a second.

I don’t know why, but something about his nervousness is endearing.

He’s not cocky. Not trying to impress me. Not looking at me like I’m something to be possessed.

Just a guy, completely flustered, regretting that I overheard his conversation.

And it makes me want to keep this moment going just a little longer.

“So…” I tease, crossing my arms. “What exactly were you asking Mia for advice on? How to talk to me?”

Aiden lets out a breathy laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, when you say it like that, it sounds so much worse than it is.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s kinda... cute.”

He looks at me then, really looks, like he’s trying to figure out if I’m messing with him.

I hold his gaze, a small smirk tugging at my lips.

His eyes flicker away again. “Yeah, well… it’s not like I ever planned on actually talking to you. I was just… y’know. Existing. From a distance.”

I raise an eyebrow. “So, you’ve been watching me?”

His head snaps up. “No! I mean—not like that. I just… I’ve noticed you. In class. That’s all.”

I exhale softly, leaning against the doorframe. “Well, now you’re talking to me.”

Aiden lets out a small chuckle, glancing down. “Yeah. And I haven’t completely embarrassed myself yet, so I’d say that’s progress.”

I smile, something light and warm settling in my stomach.

I glance toward the door, my heart sinking a little as reality creeps back in.

I’ve been gone for too long.

Tyler will notice.

And if he comes looking for me and finds me here—

I straighten up, pushing those thoughts away. “I should go,” I say, forcing a small smile. “Before anyone starts wondering where I am.”

Aiden’s expression shifts, something unreadable flashing in his eyes.

He nods, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yeah. That’s probably a good idea.”

I hesitate for a second, suddenly reluctant to step back into that party, into the noise, the fake smiles, the eyes always watching.

Here, with Aiden, it’s quiet. Easy.

But this isn’t my place to stay.

I take a small step toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at him.

“It was nice talking to you, Aiden.”

He blinks, surprised for a second, before quickly nodding. “Yeah. You too.”

I open the door, stepping out into the hallway, but before I can take another step—

“Solana.”

I turn, finding him still standing in the same spot, looking like he wants to say something but isn’t sure if he should.

Then, after a beat, he exhales and stuffs his hands deeper into his pockets.

“…See you in lit class.”

I nod, lips pressing together to fight the small smile threatening to form.

“See you in lit class.”

And with that, I turn and disappear down the hallway—leaving behind the only moment of peace I’ve had the whole night.

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