Demons From the Past novel Chapter 21

"She was struck by the simple truth that sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people..." -Nicholas Sparks, The Lucky One

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"You're going and that's final. Who cares about that moron anyway?" Skylar announced.

I eyed her warily. I knew she wasn't going to give up that easily.

We were currently sitting in Aiden's lounge. Skylar was still staying with him, she was still a little shaken about the fact that someone had broken into her house.

The Winter-Gala was tonight and the memory of Nate turning down my invitation still made my heart ache. We hadn't talked much after that, he'd completely avoided me in the apartment, leaving the room with a feeble excuse every time I walked in.

"I don't even have a dress." I tried to argue.

"Good thing I bought two dresses then." She responded cheerfully.

She did what?

Damn she was good.

"I'm not going Skylar." I said firmly.

She sighed, "You know Verena, just because Nate turned you down doesn't mean you have to stay at home and sulk."

Okay, ouch.

My eyes flashed, "Well, at least I had the guts to ask him! I didn't chicken out like you. You didn't even try asking Aiden." I bit out angrily.

Her face flushed and I knew I'd gotten her.

"Don't judge me! I'm scared to make the first move okay? I've been in love with him since the past four years I just can't go up to him and tell him how I feel!" Skylar argued.

"Why not?" I countered.

"Because. . . Because. . . Ugh! I don't know. I just can't!" She stomped her foot stubbornly.

"Hey, what's all this racket about?" Aiden's voice suddenly broke in, we both stopped talking.

Aiden entered the living room and stretched his arms above his head, "Can't a guy sleep in peace? What's gotten you two so worked up this early?"

"Early? It's two thirty in the afternoon!" I told him in disbelief.

"Two thirty in the afternoon is considered early if it's the weekend." Aiden replied with a wink.

"That makes no sense." I said as a matter-of-factly.

He just chuckled, "So what are you two bickering about?"

"Nothing." Skylar retorted as she stomped out of the room.

"What was that all about?" Aiden asked with a confused expression.

"Nothing you should be worried about." I reassured.

"So about the dance tonight, you going?" He asked casually.

"Are you?"

"Probably."

"Do you have a date?" I found myself asking.

I could see the blush creeping up his neck. "No, not yet. You know actually now that you've bought it up, I was wondering if yo-"

"I think you should ask Skylar!" I blurted out, cutting him off.

He looked taken aback.

"Skylar, really? He asked in confusion.

"Yup, she's pretty bummed out about not having a date to the dance. I think you should ask her." I said, hoping my explanation sounded convincing.

Aiden looked even more confused, "If she wanted a date so badly, why did she turn down half of the guys in college who asked her?"

Really, Skylar?

Could this be any more complicated?

"Look just ask her, okay?"

"Okay, but are you sure she'd be cool with that? Would she even want to go as my date?" He still looked unconvinced.

I tried to hide my smirk, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"I'll ask her but on one condition, you have to come to the dance too. Deal?" He affirmed.

I groaned inwardly.

"Deal." I said begrudgingly.

Skylar, you owe me big time.

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"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Skylar chirped.

I rolled my eyes at her and stepped out from behind the screen, smoothing down my dress.

Skylar's eyes bulged, "Oh my God Ver! You look hot."

"It's a nice dress." I admitted finally.

It was a nice dress.

It was white and elegant, the bodice had delicate embroidery. It came to fit snugly around my waist and then it spread out gracefully into a skirt.

I'd decided to let my hair down and kept the makeup minimal.

I eyed the black strapless dress Skylar was wearing, she looked breathtaking.

I found my lips forming into a genuine smile.

"You look beautiful Skylar." I told her truthfully.

"Really?" She asked, biting her lip nervously.

"Yes really! Aiden won't be able to take his eyes off you." I said as I linked my arm through hers.

I quickly looked around to find that there was no one within hearing range. We were the only two people in that corner.

I mentally cursed myself for isolating myself from the others.

"Do you want to dance?" He asked as he took a step forward. I could tell that he was drunk.

"No, I'm good." I said evenly

"Why not?" He taunted as he took another step forward making me step back.

"Because she's dancing with me." Aiden's voice broke in.

I sighed in relief when I saw him standing a few feet away.

Ethan eyed Aiden for a while, contemplating his next move. Finally, he stepped back probably deciding against creating a scene.

"Thanks for that." I breathed as I followed Aiden towards the center of the room.

"Don't mention it." He mentioned with a lopsided smile, he scratched the back of his head before his gaze settled on me.

"Where's Skylar?" I asked him.

Aiden's bright expression darkened.

"She talking to one of the jocks." His voice was laced with annoyance.

I followed his gaze and I saw Skylar talking to one of the players from the college's soccer team.

Oh My God.

Aiden is jealous!

Skylar is going to love hearing about this.

I tried ti hide my smile.

"Do you want to dance?" He asked over the loud music.

I was just about to take his outstretched hand when the sound of multiple gasps caught my attention.

I could see people whispering and pointing towards the entrance.

"Shit, what is he doing here?" Aiden muttered under his breath.

It was like the world was suddenly moving in slow motion.

My eyes searched for the cause of the commotion and my breath caught in my throat when I found it.

Our eyes locked.

Fire meeting ice.

Suddenly everyone else from the room disappeared. No one else mattered.

It was just the two of us.

"Nate." I heard myself breath out his name in disbelief.