CHAPTER 6

6

Outside Perspective

Lisa bit her lip, wondering if she'd just made a mistake. Maybe it hadn't been the right time to ask that question. She was about to walk away when she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

— Austin: Hey.

Lisa turned her head, surprised to see him. She hadn't expected to run into him, and the tone of her voice betrayed her surprise.

— Lisa: Hey... She paused, slightly guarded. What do you want?

Austin rubbed the back of his neck, a little awkward in the face of her cold reply. He wasn't the type to flirt with girls—it was far from his usual behavior. He felt out of his depth, but he was determined.

— Austin: Actually... I just wanted to ask you out. If you're up for it.

Lisa was silent for a moment, stunned by the unexpected proposal. She'd never imagined Austin—quiet and low-key—might have feelings for her. Still, deep inside, she felt that little flutter, an attraction she'd never admitted out loud. She'd never let herself consider it, but now the idea of going out with him was oddly appealing.

Still, she tried not to show too much excitement. It was like a game to her—a way to keep her emotions in check. She didn't want him to see how thrilled she really was.

— Lisa: Yeah, why not...

Austin smiled, his heart racing with each word she said. He hadn't expected it to go so well. In fact, he hadn't even dared to hope until now.

— Austin: I'll pick you up then.

— Lisa: Okay. See you.

He turned away, his face lit up by a smile that left no doubt about how he felt. He was on cloud nine. This simple, seemingly ordinary encounter meant a lot to him. He was ready to take the risk, to open his heart.

As he walked away, Lisa lingered for a moment, her eyes following him, a faint smile playing on her lips. She never would've imagined a conversation like that taking place—but somehow, the idea of their date felt good. She shook her head as if to chase away the doubts beginning to creep in. But deep down, a small voice whispered that this might just be the beginning of something she never saw coming.

**Kaylee's point of view**

Aidan had told me he'd meet me at the pool after practice. He said he had training, but I got there first and was already sitting on the bench when he walked in with two lunch boxes in his hands.

— Aidan: I thought you might be hungry.

— Me: Starving, actually.

He handed me one of the boxes and sat beside me, letting his legs dip into the pool. I mirrored him, our shoulders just barely touching.

— Aidan: You like sushi, right?

— Me: Who doesn't puppy ?

We ate quietly for a few moments, just enjoying the calm water around us and the echo of the empty pool. Then he nudged me with his elbow, a sly smile playing on his lips.

— Aidan: So... puppy ? Really? That's what you're calling me now?

I laughed.

— Me: Yup. You look like a kitten when you're mad. All growl, no bite.

He feigned offense, raising an eyebrow.

— Aidan: Okay then. If I'm "puppy," you're... "grumpy pancake."

— Me: Excuse me?! I stared at him in mock horror.

— Aidan: You're always grumpy in the morning, and you're flat like a pancake when you're sulking.

I splashed him with water.

— Me: Take that back, or I'll push you in.

He leaned back on his arms, grinning.

— Aidan: Fine. How about "sunshine tornado"?

— Me: What does that even mean?

— Aidan: You're warm and sweet... until you explode and destroy everything in your path.

— Me: Wow. Romantic.

We both laughed, the sound echoing across the water. Something about being there with him, joking like this, felt easy. Natural. Even comforting.

I looked at him for a second longer than I should have. His wet hair was falling into his eyes, and he had soy sauce on the corner of his lip.

— Me: You've got something—right here.

Without thinking, I reached out and wiped it away with my thumb. His eyes flicked to mine. For a moment, everything else faded.

Just as I was about to say something stupid,

Aidan had left me alone at the pool, saying he had training, and honestly, I found some peace in his absence. But as I sat down on the bench, a strange feeling of unease crept over me. The door opened again—I thought Aidan was coming back—but when I turned around, I came face-to-face with Malcolm.

— Me: Did you forget something?

I had no intention of talking to him, but his presence unsettled me. Malcolm didn't seem affected by our last conversation—if anything, he looked smug.

— Me: What are you doing here?

He laughed, his smile shameless.

— Him: I should be asking you that. I'm here to train. And you?

I felt irritation rise in me, but I kept my cool. He wasn't going to ruin my peace.

— Me: I'm leaving. That's all. I stood up to go, but he stopped me with a gesture.

— Him: No, you can stay.

I sat back down reluctantly, watching him from across the room as he began to undress. His perfectly sculpted body was on full display, but I had no desire to admire it. I sat there, unable to look away, fighting the urge to feel anything at all for him.

— Me: You know there are locker rooms for that, right?

He smirked, his gaze more intense now.

— Him: I can see I still have an effect on you.

My heart started to pound despite myself, but I did my best to hide it.

— Me: No... not at all... I stammered, and he seemed amused.

Then, with a calculated gentleness, he moved closer to me.

— Him: You know, I still love you. I keep telling you, but you don't seem to get it. You're the only one I've ever truly loved. And you always will be.

He was kneeling in front of me now, every word hitting me like a wave. I wanted to scream that it was too late, that his lies and betrayals had ruined everything, but I couldn't find my voice.

— Me: Stop talking nonsense, Malcolm...

But he didn't stop. I could feel the weight of his words pressing on my chest. His eyes, filled with what seemed like sincerity, didn't fool me anymore.

— Him: I'm seeing a therapist now. For my anger. I've changed...

His hand brushed against mine, and part of me wavered—but I knew I couldn't give in.

— Me: I could take the hits, but the cheating... that was too much. Tears spilled from my eyes before I could stop them. The pain, the betrayal—it all came rushing back.

He took my hands in his, like he was trying to prove he meant what he said. But I knew it was all lies—a desperate attempt to manipulate me.

— Him: I didn't cheat on you... He looked sincere, but his words stung. Taylor—she's just mean. I don't even remember that night. How does she know I cheated?

I clenched my fists, fury bubbling up inside me.

— Me: Don't talk about her like that. I stood up, firm now. And you know what? I have to go. My boyfriend's waiting.

I knew Taylor wasn't perfect, but I wasn't ready to believe she'd turned into a backstabber. Still, something between us had shifted. Something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

Regardless, I wasn't going to let Malcolm play with my heart again. No matter what happened, I wouldn't get lost in his lies and empty promises.

I left the school, my mind still reeling from everything. As I walked home, lost in thought, I ran into Lisa. She stopped when she saw me and stepped closer

.

— Lisa: Hey.

— Me: What, you want more proof? I already told you everything.

She raised her hands, her expression genuinely sorry.

— Lisa: No, it's not that. I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I should've considered everything before asking that question.

I looked at her for a moment, hesitant, then a small smile crept onto my face.

— Me: Smile Apology accepted.

Lisa looked relieved, and there was a spark of something like friendship in her eyes.

— Lisa: What if we became friends?

I let out a soft laugh.

— Me: Friendship's a little hard for me right now. Sorry. Hope you understand.

— Lisa: I get it. I'll try not to be like Taylor. But don't forget—"your relationship."

— Me: You're not gonna drop it, are you?

She grinned, determined.

— Lisa: Of course not. I won't rest until I figure out if your relationship is real or fake. And honestly? Even if it's fake, you two look amazing together. She added a mischievous smile.

I gave a sheepish grin, not sure how to respond. Lisa was... surprising. But in a strange way, she wasn't unpleasant.

— Me: Awkward smile Wanna go grab some ice cream?

— Lisa: Can't. Gotta stay in shape for when Austin invites me to prom. He asked me out this morning, she said, clearly thrilled.

I blinked, a little stunned by her excitement. Prom was eight months away. And she wasn't even dating Austin yet. This girl was definitely... unique.

— Me: Okay.

— Lisa: See you tomorrow, bestie!

— Me: Bye.

I let her go and finally headed home. Once in my room, I collapsed on my bed, drained by the day. I barely had time to catch my breath before my phone buzzed. A message from Aidan.

— Him: Hey kitten. You left without saying goodbye.

I smiled faintly at his message.

— Me: I wasn't feeling great, dumpling.

— Him: God, I'll never get used to that nickname. Dumpling??

— Me: Laughing emoji It's cute, dumpling.

He seemed a little flustered on the other end before replying.

— Him: So what happened?

— Me: Just my ex. He's getting way too clingy.

— Him: You still love him, don't you?

Just reading the question hurt. Yeah, part of me still struggled to move on.

— Me: Yeah. Sad emoji Unfortunately.

He seemed to understand the pain behind my words.

— Him: There's a new amusement park opening next month. Wanna go?

The thought made me feel lighter. A distraction. A chance to forget—even just for a moment.

— Me: Yeah, why not.

And just like that, we talked for almost three hours. About everything and nothing. The conversation flowed effortlessly, like nothing else mattered. Just him and me, in our own little world.

A few days later...

Ever since we became a "couple," Aidan had gotten into the habit of walking me to school. It became our routine: he'd wait outside my house, we'd chat about everything on the way, and we'd arrive together—hand in hand.

But that morning, as we approached the school gates, I spotted Lisa heading straight toward us. I knew exactly what she was going to do—once again, interrogate us about whether we were a real couple.

It was time to convince her. Once and for all.

— Me: Kiss me.

Aidan stopped dead, eyes wide.

— Aidan: What? Right now?

— Me: Yeah. A real kiss. Thirty seconds. Tongue and everything.

— Aidan: But... why???

Lisa was getting closer. I knew he'd never make the first move, so I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him toward me.

Our lips met—and to my surprise, he didn't pull away. In fact, he deepened the kiss, one hand sliding behind my neck, drawing me closer. My heart pounded as he intensified the kiss, our bodies pressed together. His warmth against mine, his breath tangled with mine... God, it was anything but unpleasant.

He gently pulled back, though he kept me close.

— Aidan: Didn't know you were such a wild one. Smirk.

Without thinking, I kissed him again. This time, he didn't just follow—he took the lead completely, holding me tightly. A jolt of electricity surged through me.

Our heated moment was abruptly cut short by a loud, mocking voice.

— Austin: Whoa whoa whoa! Chill out, kids! Gonna start doing it in the schoolyard now?!

Aidan stepped back slightly, clearly flustered, but didn't move his hand from my waist.

— Aidan: Shut up, Austin...

My face turned bright red. The adrenaline hadn't even worn off, and I felt like the entire school had just watched us.

— Me: Well... I'm gonna go. Bye.

I was about to bolt when Gavin, one of Aidan's friends, called out playfully:

— Gavin: Running off, Wales?

— Me: Screw you, Berwick. Glare. Aidan, you coming?

— Aidan: Yeah, yeah, kitten. I'm coming.

But Gavin wasn't done teasing.

— Gavin: Honestly, no need to be

embarrassed... Just the whole school saw you two making out like crazy.

A wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.

I rolled my eyes as Aidan ran a hand over his face, clearly just as mortified as I was.

— Me: Damn... We're screwed.

And yet, as we walked away, still hand in hand, I couldn't stop myself from smiling. Maybe this little game... was starting to feel a bit too real.