Slow progress

Sissel's POV:

I can't believe I'm actually doing this.

"Well... I just feel a bit stressed when he's around," I confessed, avoiding eye contact with Aidan."Around Jay?" he asked, his tone teasing. Is he serious right now?"Nah, around Mr. Smith. Of course Jay! What's wrong with you?"

Aidan burst out laughing like I just told the funniest joke, but I wasn't amused. I'm confessing something serious here, yet this brat finds it hilarious.

"I was just teasing you. Anyway, why would you be stressed around Jay?" he asked, finally calming down. Good question... but honestly, I don't even have an answer.

"I don't know..." I mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. His teasing stopped instantly, and his face turned serious.

"Do you like him?"

That was way too direct. It caught me off guard.

"Isn't it too early for that?" I blurted without thinking. I don't know why, but around Aidan, I'm just being honest too honest. Thankfully, he seemed to take it seriously.

"Well, I don't know, girl. That's up to you. But yeah, it could just be a silly crush you need time to figure it out."

I smiled faintly. I like this side of Aidan. Never thought he could be this mature. "Yeah... it might just be a silly crush, so I'm trying not to rush anything."

But of course, his signature smirk was back. Great. The real Aidan, the brat, returned.

"So you're admitting you have a crush on him."

Oh my God, can he stop? I can feel my face turning red.

Aidan's POV:

Her face is completely red adorable. Teasing her is so much more entertaining than teasing her soon to be boyfriend, aka Jay.

"Shut up," she mumbled, and that's all she could say. Yep. I'm satisfied. Now all that's left is to drag Mr. 'I don't have a crush on her' out of his denial, and everything will fall into place.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, something crossed my mind.

"Would you like to see him at a match?"

"Boxing?" she asked hesitantly.

I nodded. She thought for a moment before speaking.

"I'm not really into boxing... it feels too violent."

What a soft girl.

"Well, it's not that bad. I mean, he's good at what he does."

If that wasn't convincing enough, I still had my last card. Hopefully, I won't have to play it...

"I don't know... I'm really not into—"

Before she finished, I cut her off. "He'll be shirtless. Take it or leave it."

Her face? Red. Again. I wish I could take a picture right now.

"Just because you're insisting," she mumbled.

And just like that, we're officially going to Jay's first competition match. I can't wait to see Jay's reaction when he finds out.

Jay's POV:

I'm still not over the fact that I actually talked to Sissel earlier. It felt like a dream a beautiful one. She's even better up close.

But Aidan setting me up like that? Yeah... he's getting punched soon.

I finished practice, but I don't feel like going home yet. Maybe I'll just wander around and grab something to eat.

While walking, I spotted this small restaurant, and the smell instantly made me hungrier. So, that's the plan eat.

The moment I stepped in, I saw someone familiar Jacob. He was sitting alone, eating quietly. The old me? I would've avoided him, sat somewhere far, and kept my distance.

But now?

Now, I want his company. Progress, right? You see, Mom? I'm getting back on track.

"Hey bro, can I sit with you?"

Jacob looked up, his eyes brightening. He must've felt lonely.

"Of course, dude. Have a seat."

Dinner was... surprisingly nice. Jacob's company is calm and comforting. I love his vibe. I don't know why I never noticed it before, but now it's obvious I feel safe around him. Maybe I don't have to face everything alone. Maybe... it's okay to ask for help, to appreciate people who choose to be there.

After dinner, I headed home. It was late. Aidan was already asleep, so I tiptoed inside, took a quick shower, and knocked out almost immediately.

The Next Morning — Aidan's POV:

I woke up early for some reason, and now I'm just... bored. No lectures today. Jay's still asleep. I can't wake him up or he'll kill me, so... guess it's overthinking time.

And of course, it's about Diana's visit.

I tried distracting myself with Jay and Sissel lately, but... it's not working. The memories keep coming back. What happened back then? It was hard. I kept pretending it didn't matter... but it did.

Flashback — Last Year, Senior Year:

Finally my last year in this hellhole. Just a few more weeks, and I'd be free to chase my real dream: Art school.

I never told my parents about that dream. Why would I? It's my life, my choice. Besides, the family business was always meant for my sister, Diana. She's the eldest. The future CEO. That's what she used to say.

And I believed her. I was fine with it. I never liked business anyway.

But then... everything changed.

Turns out, my father had other plans. I wasn't just some extra I was the man, the future of his legacy. It didn't matter what I wanted. It didn't matter that Diana was smarter, stronger, and more prepared. She's a girl, and I'm a boy. That was reason enough for them.

They decided for me. Without asking. Without even considering that maybe... just maybe... I didn't want this life.