Chaptet 9: The uninvited guest

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Aiden and Keller walked out of the school building together. Aiden had his hands stuffed casually in his pockets, a lollipop dangling lazily from his mouth.

"Keller, you've been frowning so hard I'm starting to think it's permanent." Aiden glanced at him, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Keller pressed his lips together, about to reply, when a sharp, confident voice cut through the crowd.

"Aiden! Why are you taking so long? I've been waiting here forever!"

The voice grabbed everyone's attention, and dozens of curious eyes turned towards the school gates.

Keller followed the sound and spotted a girl standing there, arms crossed over her chest. She wore a sleek black leather jacket, ripped skinny jeans, and her high ponytail swayed slightly in the wind. Stray strands of hair framed her face, and her smirk was playful yet undeniably bold.

"Amy?" Aiden froze mid-step, his eyebrows raisingslightly in surprise.

Amy didn't answer. With a confident stride, she walked straight up to Aiden, her boots clicking against the pavement with each step. Her sharp eyes locked onto his, leaving no room for escape.

Then, without hesitation, she grabbed Aiden by the collar, pulled him down slightly, and kissed him.

A real kiss.

"Mmph—"

Aiden's eyes went wide, his body stiffening like a statue. His arms hung awkwardly at his sides, and it was clear he had no idea what to do. Amy's grip on his collar was firm, leaving him no chance to pull away.

The kiss wasn't gentle. It was bold, confident, and carried an air of casual dominance.

The crowd erupted. Whispers, giggles, and gasps rippled through the students like wildfire.

"Did she just…?"

"Oh my God, Aiden's face!"

"Are they dating?!"

Keller stood frozen in place, his breath catching in his throat as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.

After what felt like an eternity, Amy finally pulled away. She tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a wicked smile as she licked them slowly.

"Aiden, You never take the initiative."

Aiden exhaled deeply, stepping back and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His voice was low, carrying a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Amy… what the hell was that?"

Amy raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing wider. "What? You mad? You didn't seem to hate it before."

Aiden ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to regain his composure. Around them, the murmurs of the crowd continued, refusing to die down.

"What are you doing back here? Weren't you supposed to be abroad until next year?" he asked, his voice slightly more steady.

Amy shrugged nonchalantly, tilting her chin up. "Plans changed. My dad got transferred back, and honestly? I was getting bored over there. Plus, you owe me so many meals, Aiden. I'm here to collect."

Her gaze shifted to Keller, who was still standing silently by Aiden's side. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

"And you must be Keller."

Keller hesitated for a moment before nodding stiffly. "Yeah… I'm Keller."

Amy extended her hand, her grin widening. "Amy. Childhood friend, occasional girlfriend—just ask Aiden. Ha!"

Keller hesitated before briefly shaking her hand, then quickly let go.

Amy patted Aiden on the shoulder, her voice light and commanding. "Come on, you owe me a night out. Don't even think about running away."

Aiden let out a sigh, turning his head slightly to look at Keller. His voice softened, carrying a hint of apology. "You coming with us?"

Keller hesitated, his lips parting slightly as if searching for an excuse—work, homework, anything. But when Aiden's gaze met his, that excuse got stuck in his throat.

"…Sure."

The bar was loud, neon lights flashing across the ceiling in chaotic patterns. The air was heavy with alcohol and cigarette smoke, and the bass from the speakers thrummed deep in Keller's chest.

Amy sat at the bar with one leg crossed over the other, a colorful cocktail in her hand. Her leather jacket hung loosely over her shoulders, and her confident smirk hadn't left her face.

Aiden sat beside her, swirling a glass of whiskey lazily in his hand, his expression relaxed. It was a side of himKeller wasn't used to seeing—completely at ease, blending into the chaos around them as if he belonged there.

Keller sat slightly apart from them, gripping his glass of soda tightly. His shoulders were tense, and he kept darting quick glances around the room, as if expecting something—or someone—to jump out at him.

Amy noticed. She leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes locking onto Keller.

"Keller, seriously. You look like someone dragged you here at gunpoint. Relax a little!"

Keller forced an awkward smile. "I'm fine."

Aiden glanced over at him, his voice low but firm. "Amy, stop messing with him."

Amy raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. He's your little sidekick, I get it."

Keller's fingers fidgeted against the rim of his glass, his stomach twisting in knots. He felt like an intruder here—like someone who had accidentally stumbled into a world he wasn't supposed to see.

Aiden and Amy, sitting there side by side, laughing and sharing stories, felt like they belonged to an entirely different reality—one where Keller had no place.

Who even is Aiden?

That thought lodged itself in Keller's mind, refusing to leave. The one laughing with Amy under flashing neon lights, was someone Keller barely recognized.

Time dragged on, and Keller's head started to ache. The music, the lights, the chatter—it was all too much.

"Aiden," Keller said suddenly, standing up from his stool. "I'm not feeling great. I think I'm gonna head home."

Aiden turned toward him, his brow creasing slightly. "You sure? I can walk you out."

Keller shook his head quickly. "No, it's fine. Stay here… with Amy."

Aiden hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright. Text me when you get home."

Keller offered a faint nod and turned away, pushing through the crowd and stepping out into the cold night air.

The night was sharp and quiet, the distant hum of the city barely reaching him. Keller shoved his hands deep into his pockets and started walking.

He glanced over his shoulder once at the bar's glowing sign, the neon letters flickering in the darkness.

They belong together, he thought. Amy and Aiden—they fit in places like that.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from Aiden.

Aiden: You good?

Keller stared at the screen for a long moment before locking his phone and shoving it back into his pocket.

The walk home felt unbearably long, and for the first time, Keller realized just how far apart he and Aiden's worlds truly were.