Chapter 30

Aiden trailed behind Hunter, watching his friend's broad back and the way his hands were shoved deep into his pockets. The street was quiet, the occasional flicker of a streetlamp casting long dark shadows, but Aiden wasn't paying attention to any of that. 

No, his eyes were just glued to Hunter.

He deliberately slowed his steps, dragging his feet along the pavement just to make the walk last longer. It felt…nostalgic. Like all those times Hunter used to walk him home after school. Back then, Aiden would chatter non-stop, bouncing beside Hunter while Hunter just grunted in response or gave him a soft shove when he got too close to him.

Aiden sighed remembering all those times, clasping his hands behind his head. "Man…remember when you used to walk me home all the time? We would race each other to the corner, and you'd let me win even though you're faster." He smiled fondly. "And remember that one time I dared you to climb Mr. Callahan's fence to get his cat down? You almost got your pants ripped off by his dog." 

Hunter didn't even glance back when he grumbled. "No one lets you win. You were annoying so I just pretended to lose to make you shut up."

"Pfft. Sure," Aiden made a face behind him. "But at least back then you used to smile at me. Now you're just all gloomy. Like Batman, but less rich and more tragic. I miss your pretty smile, man."

Hunter let out a tired breath. "Why am I even doing this…"

Aiden grinned widely, slowing his pace even more. He liked this. Even if Hunter was glaring daggers at him, it still felt nice walking home together again. Though his heart would squeeze a little every time he thought about how things had changed between them. 

And it all started because of that confession.

Aiden's steps slowed down even more. He blinked at Hunter's back, heat creeping up his neck. Suddenly, the memory of Hunter saying those words hit him back. I like you, Aiden. 

Aiden's face exploded in red. He clutched his chest to calm his heart down. "Oh my god."

And as if to burst his heart, his mind played the kiss that happened in his room. 

He froze on the spot while his heart hammered against his ribs. Why was he thinking about that now?! And why…Why didn't it feel weird anymore?

No. Wait. It never really felt weird from the start. It just felt…wrong. But not because Hunter kissed him. More like…because Hunter was his friend, and friends weren't supposed to do that. Right?

Then why don't I feel bad now?

His already small brain stopped working. The street suddenly felt suffocating even though how huge it was. His face burned hotter and hotter. He barely noticed Hunter slowing ahead of him too, glancing over his shoulder with a frown.

"Aiden? Why did you stop?"

But Aiden's brain had gone too far to hear him. Hunter watched his wide eyes and slightly open mouth and he began to worry. 

Meanwhile, Aiden stared at Hunter like he was seeing him for the first time. The streetlights caught the curve of his cheekbone, the soft glow making his honey-brown eyes gleam more. His hair fell into his face slightly, and the shadows made him look even more mysterious. Aiden felt his heart stutter at the mesmerising sight. 

Holy crap…he's fucking gorgeous.

"Aiden?" Hunter's voice snapped him out of his daze. He turned fully, annoyance flickering across his face. "What's wrong with you? Why are you just standing there, idiot?"

Aiden barely heard him and kept staring at him in daze. Hunter raised a brow, walking back towards him, concern starting to override his irritation.

"Aiden?" He reached out, grabbing Aiden's arm. "Hey. Are you okay? You're acting weirder than your usual stupid ass."

Aiden's lips parted and let out in a breathless voice. "Hunter…"

Hunter stiffened but nodded slowly thinking that there might be something really wrong with Aiden. "What."

"You're so…so…pretty."

Hunter blinked profusely as if his own brain stopped working. "What?" 

Aiden tilted his head, completely ignoring the bewildered look on Hunter's face. "Like, really pretty. Like…if someone painted a sad angel, but the angel was also really hot and could probably punch someone into next week," He squinted his eyes to observe every little or big detail on Hunter's beautiful face. "Yeah…that's you."

Hunter's ears instantly turned pink though he kept an annoyed face. "What the hell are you saying?"

"I'm just telling the truth," Aiden leaned closer to him, gawking at Hunter's face like a curious child. "Your eyes are so pretty. They're like…melted caramel." He gasped dramatically. "Wait. Are your lashes naturally that long?! That's so unfair."

"Okay, stop. Stop talking," Hunter stepped back quickly to make some distance between them because it's official that Aiden has lost his damn mind. And now he's on the mission to drive Hunter mad too. 

But he was too naive to think that Aiden would stop. "And your jawline? Dude, I could cut myself on that thing. Have you always been this hot, or did I just never notice because I'm an idiot?"

Hunter's face was now on the verge of exploding. He turned away, gripping the back of his neck. "I'm not dealing with this right now. You can go by yourself from here." 

"Wait!" Aiden stumbled forward and grabbed Hunter's wrist to stop him. "I'm serious! Why are you so beautiful? Is that why those girls were flirting with you? Oh god." His eyes widened as if he realised something. "Am I…am I jealous?"

Hunter squeezed his eyes shut. I don't have to deal with this stupid kid if I don't see him, right? 

Aiden pouted. "Hey, don't ignore me. I'm having a crisis here." He tugged on Hunter's arm, making the taller boy stumble slightly. But then his eyes landed down and he shamelessly began to rub and feel Hunter's arm. "Do you moisturize? Is that why your skin's so nice? Or are you just genetically blessed?"

Hunter finally snapped. "Aiden, shut up!"

Aiden flinched but smiled. "Rude."

Hunter shoved a hand through his hair, breathing heavily. His heart was racing, his face burning, and he couldn't look Aiden in the eye. But how should I shut his damn mouth? Should I whack him out of his senses? I'll just tell his mother he tripped and fell. I'm sure she'll believe me. 

Ignoring him, Hunter began to walk. Aiden just giggled, skipping beside him as they started walking again. "You're even cute when you're grumpy. I'm afraid I'll get a cuteness aggression from you." 

Hunter got so scared from his weird words that he began to run. Behind him, Aiden ran after him while yelling in the night. 

"Hey, wait! Let me finish first. Have you ever looked at yourself? Your face is unreal. Your jawline could probably cut glass. And your eyes. They're like honey! But, like, dangerous honey. The kind you know you shouldn't touch, but you want to anyway. You're like a vampire, Hunter! But not the sparkly kind. More like the ancient kind who stands at the top of a castle and stares dramatically into the rain. Wait, so you stare dramatically into the rain?!! I bet you'd look really hot doing it! And your hands! They're really big. Stop running and let me compare them to mine. See? Mine looks tiny next to yours. Woah…!" 

Hunter stopped abruptly and turned to face his disaster of a friend. He looked at Aiden and then at the sky, as if asking for divine intervention. He groaned loudly and pointed an aggressive finger at Aiden. 

"I swear, if I had a dollar for every time you test my patience, I'd be retired by now. Seriously, what is wrong with you?" 

Aiden poked Hunter's finger with his own looking like a guilty puppy, his nose scrunched up as he thought really, really hard. "I'm just appreciating my friend's good looks. Is that a crime?"

"Yes. It should be." Hunter's face felt like it was on fire. He rubbed his temples aggressively and rubbed his face, trying to ground himself. He even forgot that he was angry with Aiden. Right now, his brain was a jumbled mess and he couldn't think past the echo of Aiden's voice calling him handsome again and again. 

By the time they reached Aiden's house, Hunter felt like he'd aged ten years. He stood on the sidewalk, arms crossed tightly over his chest, watching Aiden fumbling on his feet while gazing at him with a ridiculously cheerful smile. But what shocked Hunter was that Aiden was still talking. 

"If you weren't so grumpy all the time, you'd totally have girls falling at your feet. Or guys. I mean, look at you. Do people fall at your feet? Tell me, why do I hate the sound of it? I don't want them to like or flirt with you. 

Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose. "Aiden?"

"I bet they even made a secret fan club at school. Where they probably write poetry about your eyes. Y'know, like, 'His honey-brown gaze pierces through my soul—'"

"AIDEN."

"'A lonely angel, cursed to walk among us mere mortals—'"

"AIDEN!!" 

Aiden flinched. "What?"

"Go inside right now." 

"But I'm not done."

"Yes. You are." Hunter shoved his hands deep into his pockets and took a long, steady breath. "You've been acting weird all night. Just…go to sleep now."

Aiden tilted his head again, his brows furrowing slightly. "Wait…what's with that face? Are you blushing?"

"No!" Hunter immediately scowled, his cheeks darkening further. He grabbed Aiden's shoulders and spun him toward the door. "Inside. Now."

Aiden yelped, nearly tripping over his own feet. "Okay, okay! Jeez. No need to get violent. You could've just asked nicely, y'know."

Hunter squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling sharply through his nose. This had to be a nightmare. Or maybe Aiden was possessed. Either way, he needed this night to end.

"Hey," Aiden finally stepped inside, pausing at the door with one last look at Hunter. His expression softened. "Thanks for walking me home."

Hunter stared at him, lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment, he nodded. "Yeah. Whatever."

Aiden grinned. "Night, Hunter."

"Goodnight."

The door finally clicked shut. Hunter stood there for a long moment, staring blankly at the door. Then, with a long and exhausted sigh, he wiped a hand down his face.

Only one person in the entire world could make someone as calm as him feel this drained. Aiden was like a hurricane of chaotic energy, crashing into his life and leaving nothing but destruction…and maybe a weird flutter in his chest too. 

Hunter turned on his heel, shoving his hands back into his pockets as he stalked off into the night. His face was still warm and red. 

He is so screwed.