“What’s He Doing to Me?”

CHAPTER 14  "What's He Doing to Me?"

 POV: Aiden Hart

The dream stuck with me like sweat.

Even hours after waking, I could still feel his hands, rough, warm, possessive, gripping my waist like I belonged to him. My body betrayed me the second my eyes opened. I had to throw off the sheets and march straight to the shower, where I scrubbed until my skin burned.

It didn't help.

Every time I closed my eyes, I was back in that dream. Back in that gym. Back under him.

"It was just a dream," I muttered to myself in the mirror. "It didn't mean anything. I'm not like that."

But the mirror didn't believe me. It reflected someone I barely recognized, eyes red from lack of sleep, lips bitten raw, hands trembling like I was still under his touch.

I skipped breakfast. Avoided Mom's eyes. Said I was "just tired," then grabbed my backpack and left before Dad could launch into another morning lecture.

School felt like a punishment. The hallways were too bright, too loud. Lockers slammed. Girls squealed. The scent of cheap perfume made me dizzy.

Then I saw them.

Kieran and Maddie walking down the hallway like a goddamn prom poster. Her hand wrapped around his arm like she owned him. She tilted her head and laughed like it was scripted. Kieran didn't even flinch.

A group of girls nearby was already whispering.

"They're so hot together."

"I heard he's even wilder than Aiden."

"Maddie upgraded."

And then loud enough to sting:

Maddie kissed his cheek right there, in front of everyone. Kieran smirked. Let her.

But as she pulled away, his eyes flicked up and landed on me.

Only for a second.

But it was enough to make my stomach twist.

"They look good together," I told myself. "Normal. Like how it's supposed to be."

I was halfway to my locker when someone threw out a snarky comment behind me.

"Jealous, Hart?" a random guy said, loud enough for the hallway to hear. "Want Maddie back or something?"

I didn't turn around. I just kept walking, fists clenched, pulse racing.

I didn't want Maddie. Not anymore.

And I hated that I knew that 

Meaning there was no logical explanation for how I was feeling and acting.

Between the third and fourth period, I took the long way around the math wing to avoid the crowd. I thought I was in the clear.

Until a shadow moved across the stairwell.

Kieran leaned against the wall like he'd been waiting.

"You always run this fast between classes?" he asked, voice low, smooth.

I didn't answer. Just tried to move past him.

He blocked me with one arm.

Not threatening. Just… close. Too close. His jacket brushed mine.

"You look like you didn't sleep." His eyes scanned mine, reading me like a book. "Rough night?"

"Get out of my way," I muttered.

But he didn't move.

Then soft, amused: "Did you think about me last night, pretty boy?"

My throat closed up. I hated how the air between us changed, how my skin buzzed with heat and panic.

"You wish," I said.

His gaze dropped to my mouth for half a second, then to my eyes like he was looking for answers.

"You did?" Then quieter: "Did you? Why are you running from me?"

I tried to shove past him. He looked more shocked by my reaction to his question, like he couldn't believe it.

 He didn't fight me, just let his hand drag along my arm as I went.

That touch lit every nerve on fire.

I paused mid-step, nearly trembling.

Then he said it low, dangerous, almost tender.

"You want me."

I didn't look back.

Couldn't.

Lunch was worse.

The cafeteria was too bright, too crowded, too fake. I sat at my usual table, staring at the same damn tray of food I never touched. Tyler talked to someone across the table. I didn't hear a word.

Across the room, Maddie draped herself all over Kieran like he was her favorite toy.

She twirled his hair, played with the zipper of his jacket, and kissed his cheek twice. Once when he made her laugh, and once just because people were watching.

He let her.

Some girl whispered nearby, "He's dangerous-hot. Like, the type to ruin you and disappear."

Maddie beamed like it was a compliment.

Kieran said something in her ear, and she giggled like a kid on a sugar high.

I couldn't breathe.

She thinks she knows him. She doesn't. 

Then, as if the universe wasn't already messing with me, I looked up and caught a glimpse of Kieran across the room, looking back at me.

I tore my gaze away. Felt my stomach twist again.

How could he be messing with my head like this, one second acting like he wanted to kiss me, the next letting Maddie hang on him like a prize?

Was he gay? Was he straight? Was he just screwing with me?

I didn't know.

I hated myself for having these thoughts

All I knew was that I wanted to punch him.

Or kiss him.

What?, That thought scared me.

That night, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror for a long, long time.

I splashed water on my face. Rubbed my skin raw. It didn't help.

I thought of my dad and what he'd say if he knew. What his face would look like if he heard the things Kieran said to me. If he saw what I felt in that dream.

Disgust. Disappointment. Maybe worse.

I leaned forward. Stared at the blue in my eyes. Tried to find something familiar.

But I didn't even recognize myself.

"What the hell is he doing to me?" I whispered.

And then, softer—barely a breath:

"Why do I want him to keep doing it?"