Chapter 3
Aden walks through the door and treks halfway to the kitchen when he realizes he still has his shoes on. Shit. He’s already grounded, might as well avoid pissing off mom’s girlfriend. The blonde boy takes his shoes off and leaves them at the door before going to the kitchen and making a snack. He munches on his big bowl of chocolate ice cream with whip cream and strawberries as he walks upstairs to find his mom. The house is unusually quiet. He’s home kind of late too since he had track practice. Nobody seems to be home but then he hears music coming from the attic. Aden smiles. Clarke is painting again.
The look alike boy version of his blonde mother tiptoes upstairs to get a peek at his mom’s artwork. He quietly gasps at what he sees though. Clarke is sitting on a stool facing away from him, painting a large canvas. The canvas is completely and one hundred percent Lexa. The brunette is sitting on the beach, writing away in a journal. This Lexa looks younger, perhaps 19 or 20. And that’s when it hits Aden; Clarke is painting the first time she met Lexa. He can hear his mother sniffling away tears as she wipes away her face. The 15 year old suddenly feels as if he’s intruding on a very personal moment and mutely rushes downstairs to his room to do his homework.
The boy feels sad for both of his mothers. Somewhere along the road, they lost their way to each other. But that doesn’t stop the love they once shared and still feel. It’s rough on both of them but contrary to Lexa’s firm beliefs, he never thought that a romantic reunion between the pair was a feasibility. Now though, after seeing the emotion and passion in his mom’s painting, he thinks there just might be an oh so slight possibility. There might be some hope for his moms. Aden smiles at the small seed of hope blooming in his chest for a once again united family unit. Maybe someday, maybe someday.
///
Adria leaves her mother’s house, frustrated at another pointless conversation. She hates seeing Lexa in pain and she knows Clarke is the cause of it. She doesn’t understand for the life of her, why Lexa refuses to move on. This isn’t easy on the eldest Woods child either. No, she just internalizes everything and ignores her feelings until they explode out of her. And that’s what she’ll continue to do under the emotional dam within her breaks. Adria shakes her head from her thoughts and decides she needs a drink and a good lay to distract her thoughts. She dials her best friend Mel and asks what’s on the radar tonight.
“Hey Mel, what parties are on the radar for tonight?”
“Hey Dria! Well I’m sure you already know but there’s that party at Lincoln’s frat. Want to go?”
Adria furrows her brows. If there was a party at Lincoln’s frat surely he would have invited her. I mean, admittedly at the last party she did get a little wild and she did see Lincoln throw her disapproving looks as she lightly flirted with that football jock Cameron. Why didn’t Lincoln invite her? Lincoln always invites her. They’re best friends.
“Oh yeah right I forgot. Sure let’s go there.”
Maybe he just forgot. But either way, Adria is going out and she’s going to have some fun and much needed distraction.
///
Aden is fast asleep in his bed when his phone starts beeping incessantly. Who’s calling him a 1 a.m?! His blue eyes flutter open to see three new messages from Elle. Elle!! His eyes widen and he sits upright so fast, he gets a little dizzy.
From Elle - Hey Aden! I was wondering if you wanted to hangout at this party tonight. I can come pick you up. I have my mom’s car.
Adren grins like a fool and does a fist pump in the air. Elle wants to hangout! The blonde girl hasn’t texted him since they were lab partners freshman year. Not that Aden is complaining but he wonders briefly why now?
Alright just sound cool and you’re golden. Be cool Aden.
To Elle - Hey Elle. Sure, that sounds awesome. I live at 36 Roosevelt Way.
Nailed it!
From Elle - Okay be there soon! :)
Aden gets up to quickly change and throws on his favorite shirt and some of the expensive cologne Adria got him for Christmas. The blonde boy looks in the mirror and sees that he has bedhead. He quickly brushes his hair and tiptoes to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
The door to his mom and Niylah’s room is half open and he can hear the TV playing. Shit. It’s just crossed the naive boy that he’ll have to sneak out. He’s grounded and it’s 1 a.m. on a Monday night. No way his mom will let him go to a party. Aden usually doesn’t like to step foot in his mother’s bedroom because it’s also Niylah’s room and he feels uncomfortable whenever he walks in there. But this is a special circumstance, the future of his dating life depends on him taking the bullet and checking to see if his mom is awake. Besides, the door is half open and it’s usually closed so that makes him feel a little better.
Aden quietly walks into the room and sees both his mother and Niylah fast asleep. Even Niylah’s annoyingly loud dog is asleep at the foot of the bed. He lets out a quiet sigh of relief before tiptoeing back to his room. He fluffs his pillows to make it look like he fell asleep. The boy gets another text and sees that it’s from Elle. She’s outside. Aden smiles as he texts back and quietly sneaks out the side door on the first floor.
Now Aden has never snuck out of the house before. He was always the ‘good child.’ Good grades, good at sports, amazing at writing. Adria was the same way. Only difference is that Adria partied a lot...well she still does, maybe even more now that their mom’s have gotten divorced. But that’s beside the point. The point is that Aden was always a sweet innocent kid. He has never even has a sip of alcohol before (unless you count that glass of champagne at his Aunt Anya’s wedding last year.) He smoked pot that one time last week but other than that, he’s never done the wrong thing a day in his life. Now he’s sneaking out while grounded to go to a party on a school night with a real live beautiful girl.
“Hey Aden.” Elle sweetly says as the boy gets in the passenger seat.
“Hi Elle. Uh you look really beautiful tonight.” Nice that was smooth right?
“Oh thanks.” The girl blushes a little and Aden knows he said the right thing.
“So where are we going?”
“Preston is having a party tonight. You know I never knew you were into this scene until Jasper mentioned how you were grounded because your mom caught you smoking pot. I would have invited you out much sooner if I knew.” Elle winks and focuses her attention back on driving. Aden feels like he’s having a heart attack right there and then in the best possible way. Elle thinks about him too?! Oh gosh, this can’t actually be happen.
Just be smooth. Be smooth Aden. You got this.
“Oh yeah I smoke the pot all the time.” Aden confidently says and Adria shots him an amused smirk.
“That was your first time smoking, wasn’t it?”
“What?! No of course no- yeah yeah it totally was.” Aden facepalms and groans out in embarrassment. “How could you tell?”
“Well for starters you said that you ‘smoke the pot’ and that’s a really weird way to phrase that. Plus, everyone knows you're one of those golden boys who do no wrong.” Elle laughs when Aden groans out in embarrassment again.
“Don’t be embarrassed Aden. It’s not a bad thing. Quite frankly, it’s a breathe of fresh air. Everyone I know is obsessed with partying and sex. But you’re different. I like that.”
Elle pulls up to a red light so she puts her hand a top of Aden’s and squeezes his hand before releasing it and driving again. Aden’s heart has never gone faster.
They arrive at the party and everyone is already drunk and high out of their minds. This is Aden’s first party..unless you count birthday parties with party hats and clowns from when everyone was still young and sweet like Aden still is. Aden scrunches up his face at the overwhelming smell of weed. He didn’t like the smell or taste the first time but now this was just overbearing. The blonde is a lot like his mother though and schools his features to appear stoic.
“Hey El ya made it! Better late than never.” Preston slurs and sloppily throws one arm around Aden and the other around Elle. Preston looks at Aden and does a double take.
“Holy shit? Aden Woods man! How are ya doing buddy? Never thought I would see you at one of these.”
It’s not that Aden isn’t well liked in school. Aden is well known actually. He’s a straight A student and a track star so everyone knows the youngest Woods. He’s just quiet so not many people know him beyond cordialities.
Aden, Preston, and Elle small talk for a few more minutes before Preston walks away to grab another beer. The drunk senior turns around and calls out to them.
“Oh the candy is upstairs in the bathroom. I know that’s your favorite El but take it easy on Woods, alright?” Aden looks confused and Elle’s face is guarded but her eyes scream desperation and need. She hasn’t had anything for quite some time now. She doesn’t want to pull Aden into that scene though. No fucking way in hell.
///
The party is in full swing and Adria is already many drinks in, eagerly looking around for Lincoln. She needs him. Not just for a fuck either (although that wouldn’t be half too bad). No, she needs her best friend. Her heart is hurting after that altercation with Clarke. So yeah she needs him but she can’t find him. She can’t find him and he didn’t even bother to mention the party tonight. Adria feels like he’s slipping away and she doesn’t know why. Everything is great between them.
“Well well well if it isn’t my favorite poet Adria Woods.” Adria spins around as soon as she recognizes the voice. Paul Tilling. Paul is on the hockey team with Lincoln and a part of the frat. She’s hooked up with him a few times. He’s easy on the eyes and half decent in the sheets.
“Hey Paul.” Adria turns up her charm and smiles.
“You look beautiful as always.”
“Well thank you. You look handsome.”
Adria looks over his shoulder as he slightly blushes and sees Lincoln finally enter the party.
“So can I get you another drink and we could maybe catch up?” Paul hopefully asks but all Adria can see in Lincoln in this moment. He is looking right back at her with a frown on his face and he shakes his head and walks away. Adria frowns at the sight. What is going on with him?
“Uhh maybe next time Paul. I’m sorry I have to go talk to Lincoln.” Adria quickly mumbles and hurries off to chase after her best friend who is currently ignoring her.
“Linc! What’s up with you today?”
“Me? Nothing.” Lincoln mumbles as he grabs a beer from the cooler in the backyard.
“Don’t be like that. What’s wrong? Did I do something?”
Lincoln scoffs and looks up. Adria swears she sees immense pain flash through his eyes before it disappears.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it Dri.” Lincoln pats her on the back and walks away, leaving a dumbfounded Adria in his wake. Lincoln walks up to a group of his hockey friends and Adria shakes her head, stunned into silence that Lincoln just blew her off. She sees Lincoln’s ex longtime girlfriend walk up to the group and smile and the muscular hockey player.
Adria sees red. Octavia and Lincoln dated on and off in high school. The girl went to a college across town so she comes to some parties at UCLA sometimes. Lincoln and her still occasionally hook up when she does. Adria doesn’t know why she cares anyways. They’re best friends who sleep together but there are zero feelings beyond that. Right? Right, because feelings are bullshit and will only break your heart. Adria reminds herself before wondering off into the house to find Paul.
An hour later, Adria and Paul are together “catching up” in his bedroom upstairs. When they finish, Adria leaves Paul in his Star Wars boxers and strides out of his room. The upstairs of the fraternity is off limits during parties...unless you’re a part of the frat and live there of course. So that’s how Adria stumbles on Octavia and Lincoln in a heated makeout session in the hallway. The brunette stops in her spot and her mouth falls to the floor in a gasp. Lincoln and Octavia part. Lincoln wears a guilty look until he looks behind her and sees Paul hurrying out of the bedroom buttoning up his shirt. Then the tattooed ‘big ol teddy bear’ looks as if he’s physically in pain. He mutters an apology to Octavia, something along the lines of “I can’t do this anymore” and hurries off to his room alone. Adria, Paul, and Octavia awkwardly stand in the hallway unsure of what just happened and unsure of what to do next.
“Uh well I’m just gonna go.” Octavia awkwardly mumbles before going back downstairs.
“Hey. You okay? What just happened?” Paul places his hand on Adria’s shoulder and she has to will herself not to flinch from the touch. She suddenly feels wrong and remorseful.
“Yeah everything’s fine. I’m going to go check on Lincoln.” Adria falsely smiles and Paul unsurely nods before heading off downstairs. The brunette blue eyed girl takes a deep breath before walking into Lincoln’s room without knocking (she never knocks).
“Hey..can we talk?”
///
“Hey I’ll be right back. Grab us two beers?” Elle whispers in Aden’s ear and scurries upstairs. When she comes back, Aden is sitting on the couch with one beer and one water. Elle looks dazed and her pupils are blown.
“Hey you.” Elle says as she saunters into the room and plops down next to Aden. She sees the one water and frowns. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you drinking?”
“I would but one of us has to drive your car later.” Aden confidently says.
“Do you have your license?”
“No I’m not sixteen yet. But I have my permit so I know how to drive.”
“Okay are you sure though? I’ll be sober in a few hours. I want you to have some fun tonight and let loose.” Elle flirts and Aden softly smiles.
“Next time I promise.” Aden says and his cheeks turn flush once he realizes he insinuated there will be a next time. Elle just smiles along and grabs his hand.
“You know, you’re a really stand up guy. I want to show you something. Follow me.”
The pair ends up in Preston’s empty backyard, laying in the grass and gazing up at the stars. Elle’s hand is so close to his. All he has to do is move his hand a few more inches and he could be holding her hand. He gulps nervously and takes the plunge. Her hands are so soft and warm. When she squeezes his hand and doesn’t let go, Aden’s face breaks out into a grin.
“Tell me about your life.”
“My life? There’s not much to say really.” Aden mumbles.
“Come onnn! That’s a lie. You’re interesting Aden Woods. Start with the basics. What’s your family like?” Elle prods, her dilated eyes focused on the stars but her ears focused on the boy next to her nervously telling his life story.
“Um well I have two moms and one older sister. Moms are a painter and a writer.”
“Lexa Woods right? Everyone in school knows how famous she is.” Elle curiously interjects and Aden nods a ‘yes’ to the question. “What was it like growing up with such a famous mom? How cool is she? Her books are awesome!”
“Honestly, we were just like any other family. And my mom is definitely not cool. She’s really a dork and I mean that in the best way possible. You should see the way she squeals when she reads the back cover of a book she likes. She’s such a nerd but I love her.”
Elle smiles. She likes to hear about families that aren’t broken..families so contrasting from hers.
“What about your other mom? The painter?”
“Oh yeah. Her name is Clarke. She’s really talented and she’s actually pretty famous in the art world. I guess you could say they were a power couple.” Aden quietly whispers the last part. The past tense of ‘were’ is not lost on Elle.
“They aren’t together anymore?” Elle gently asks and Aden sighs heavily.
“No they just got divorced. I transition between both houses. It’s really hard. We used to all be so happy.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“I’m not entirely sure. It just started to become more and more apparent that they weren’t really talking to each other. They just broke apart. But there might be more to the story that I don’t know. I’m too afraid to ask but I think my sister knows something I don’t. She refuses to talk to one of my moms. I love them both too much to pick a side. I try to make them both happy but it's hard because I know it's never good enough." Aden sadly mumbles the last part. He really does try to fix everything but he just can't.
"Do you blame yourself?"
Aden ponders the question for a moment before responding. "No. I know it's not my fault. But I wish I could have done something to keep the family together." He knows the divorce wasn't his fault by any means, but that doesn't stop him from wishing he could have changed the outcome. I mean what kid doesn't want their family to stay together?
Elle shuffles closer to the boy and rests her head on his chest. She smiles when she feels how fast his heart is beating.
“I’m sorry Aden. Having a broken family is not something I’d wish on my worst enemy.
“It sounds like you’re speaking from experience.” Aden softly says.
“I am.” Elle says and looks up into Aden’s blue eyes. “My dad works for a big fancy company and is never home. My mom divorced him a long time ago and is on husband number five. Neither of them are ever around but when they are, they still aren’t around.”
“That sounds really lonely.” Aden quietly says, returning her equally intense gaze.
“I’m used to the feeling. But for some reason, I don’t feel all that lonely right now.” Elle murmurs before slightly leaning up. Aden’s eyes widen. He closes his eyes and leans the rest of the way, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss is at an awkward angle and short but it still causes butterflies in his stomach. When she pulls away, Aden opens his eyes and smiles.
“What the fuck Elle?! You found someone new that quick?!” A booming voice angrily echoes from behind them. Elle is quick to stand up, leaving a confused Aden to slowly get up and turn out.
As soon as he turns around a fist connects to his jaw and then his stomach, sending sharp searing pains racking his body. Aden stumbles over and before he knows it, another punch to the face is thrown his way.
“Tristan stop! Stop it, you’re hurting him you piece of shit!” Elle shoves the taller, older boy and he shoves her right back. Aden never really fights but he knows how thanks to Lexa’s teachings. He could take the punches this kid was throwing his way but as soon as this Tristan character pushed Elle, he was done for.
The younger blonde boy winces in pain before tackling the brute to the floor. He punches him in the face once and knocks him out cold. The crowd that surrounded to watch the fight roars in excitement that the small quiet “golden boy” Aden not only got into a fight and won but did it with just one punch. Tristan groans out in pain, and starts waking up. Aden really doesn’t want to give this kid a concussion so he helps Elle up and whispers to her “it’s your turn to follow me now.”
Aden runs with Elle to her car. He drives her home and walks her to the door of her mother’s husband’s massive mansion. The car ride was silent. Neither sure how to start the conversation. Elle lightly touches Aden’s eye and he winces in pain.
“I’m so sorry that Tristan did this to you, Aden.” Elle’s hand lingers on the blonde boy’s bruised and battered face.
“I’m okay as long as you’re okay.”
Was that too cheesy? Oh god, I can’t tell if that was too cheesy or if that was smooth.
“I’m okay.” Elle bites her lip and smiles. “Listen about Tristan. He’s my ex. We broke up like last week.”
“Oh.” Aden’s heart sinks. Is he just a rebound? Is he anything at all?
“I know it seems recent but I … we weren’t happy for a long time. Maybe ever. It’s different with you Aden. You see me for who I am not who you want me to be." Elle presses a kiss to Aden’s cheek and both her lips and his skin feels like it's tingling. "Get home safely. I'll see you at school in a few hours.” Elle whispers before going inside her house. Aden starts walking a few blocks to his house, in awe that all of that actually happened.
It’s already morning and the sun is out, meaning that his mom is probably up and he’s caught. There is no way he was going to be able to hide his bruised face anyways. But it was all worth it because he got the girl.
///
“Hey, can we talk?” Adria asks as she closes the door to Lincoln’s room so they can have privacy.
“We have nothing to talk about.” Lincoln firmly says as he takes out his dress shirt and throws on a much more comfortable tank to sleep in as he slips out of his pants. “Just go Adria. I want to sleep.”
“No Lincoln, we need to talk!” Adria stubbornly sits on his bed, unmoving with her arms crossed defiantly.
“Adria.” Lincoln says, clearly a mixture between annoyed and upset.
“Lincoln. Talk to me. I’m your friend.”
That seems to do it. Lincoln tenses and swiftly turns around.
“Exactly! That’s the problem Adria.” Lincoln whisper yells.
“What do you mean?” Adria hesitantly asks.
“I love you! I love you and not like a friend would. And you’re too afraid to take a real chance on us. You’re too afraid to love me back. That’s the problem.” Lincoln is full on yelling now.
Adria’s eyes bulge out of her head and her mouth keeps opening and closing like a fish. Ok so maybe she was aware Lincoln might have feelings for her. She knows that she loves Lincoln but love and commitment are two very different things. In the end, they will both end up heartbroken. It’s too much pain.
“Lincoln I..”
Lincoln kneels down and cups her cheeks.
“Just tell me that there’s a chance. I’ll wait for you. If you tell me that you need time, I will absolutely give you that time. But please Adria, don’t lie to me right now. Tell me how you really feel. Don’t be afraid.”
“I..I can’t. I’m so sorry.” Adria has tears streaming down her face as she sprints out of her best friend’s room, ignoring Lincoln calling her name. She can’t be here. She’s broken and before she can pick up the pieces, she needs to go to the source. She needs to talk to her mom.