Dinner with Aiden was interesting. Noah had voluntarily told Aiden about his family, hoping he would receive some kind of information in return, but he did not. Aiden was just listening keenly without saying a word.
Noah noticed that Aiden didn't want to speak about his personal life, so he decided to know about other small things first.
" Now that we would be staying together, we should get to know each other more," Noah stated.
" Err... Y-Yeah..." Aiden whispered.
" We will play the question game."
" W-What's that?"
" I will ask you one question; then you get to ask me one."
Aiden didn't know what to say. What if Noah asked him something which he didn't want to answer?
Seeing Aiden's hesitation, Noah added, " You can pass the question if you don't wanna answer it."
" Okay," Noah agreed, signing in relief.
" So...What's your favorite food?" That was the first thing that came to Noah's mind as they were in the cafeteria right now.
" I can eat anything, but I like spicy food," Aiden replied. Being someone who barely got any food when he was with his biological parents, he knew not to be picky about it.
" Ohh...I thought you liked sweets," Noah said, thinking about how sweet Aiden was.
" I-I don't hate it," Aiden recalled his days at the orphanage when the other kids snatched away his deserts. At the Hunt Mansion, the food option was endless, but he was always shy to ask for it.
" What's your favorite dessert then?" Noah asked. He needed to know this for future purposes.
" Chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, chocolate mouse, anything with chocolate," Aiden said without thinking. Chocolate Cake was his favorite, but he avoided it because it reminded him that nobody bothered to get him a birthday cake for the past 18 years.
" Wow... I like chocolate too, " Noah lied. In reality, he hated it, but Aiden's smile made it worth it.
They continued asking each other about their likes and dislikes, and Aiden realized it was not as bad as he thought. Also, he didn't feel pressured to spend time with Noah because he was easy to talk to.
The following day, as per the plan, Aiden accompanied Noah to the mall. It was a new and enjoyable experience for him.
After shopping for the items they needed, Aiden and Noah went to the billing counter. The guy at the billing was good-looking, his style unique with green-colored hair, tattoos, and piercings; Aiden couldn't help but notice him. The guy caught Aiden staring and gave a flirtatious look back.
" Can I have your number?" the guy asked seductively.
Aiden blushed and wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
Noah was not happy seeing the guy flirting with his man. He scowled and handed his card to the guy glaring at him. The green-haired guy looked flustered and soon billed their items and sent them on their way.
It was an awkward moment once they were out of the department store. Aiden was still embarrassed and couldn't even look at Noah. A million things were running in his mind. Did Noah see that? What would he think of him? What if he comes to know that he was gay? Would he feel disgusted?
Meanwhile, Noah was extremely jealous. This was a first for him. He had dated a few guys earlier but never were his emotions so intense. The possibility of Aiden being with some other guy left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Noah chanced a look at Aiden, whose face was red. He was fidgeting at the corner, looking anywhere but at Noah. He looks so cute, Noah thought, and his mood was suddenly cheerful. Suddenly something clicked in his mind. Aiden didn't look disgusted when a guy flirted with him; instead, he looked flushed. Does this mean Aiden is gay? No...He can't just jump to conclusions. He had to be sure first.
The awkward moment was broken when Noah asked Aiden for lunch, and he readily agreed. Though Noah didn't comment about the incident, Aiden had been caught off guard by what happened earlier. The negative thoughts replaced his jovial mood as he had almost revealed himself in front of Noah. He felt the same tension he felt when Dylan was around. The fear of getting caught as if he was doing something wrong, though subconsciously, he knew he wasn't.
Noah noticed the change in Aiden's behavior and tried to lighten his mood, but Aiden seemed aloof and distracted the whole time. Why did that incident affect him so much? Who are you, Aiden Grey? And what are you? Noah thought and cursed the green-haired guy for ruining his happy time with his Angel.
The next day, Aiden left for his class, and his senior Stan stopped him. " Why didn't you come to the fresher's party?"
" I-I...," Aiden stuttered in panic, unable to respond properly.
" Do you think you are too great? Have you no respect for your senior's words?
Thankfully, the Professor came, and Stan scurried away after warning him. " I will be watching you."
Meanwhile, Noah was busy checking Aiden's cupboard, but he couldn't find anything of significance. There was not a single photograph of anyone nor anything that could give Noah insight into Aiden's life. In the drawer, he found his certificates and realized he had done his high schooling here itself in New york. His grades were constantly good, and Noah felt proud of him.
When Noah couldn't find any more details, he had no option left other than to get it out of Aiden himself. Take is slow. He remembered reading it on the internet during his research and realized why they emphasized being slow because Aiden was an introvert, and he needed time to open up. He recalled the previous day's incident and how it had affected Aiden. If Noah pressured him too much, he might as well push him away instead of getting closer.
At night when Aiden was asleep, Noah couldn't sleep. How could he when it was his first night staying with Aiden? He was busy staring at Aiden's sleeping form, who looked beautiful in the moonlight's glow showering upon him. Suddenly he noticed Aiden's face scrunched in pain while he was shuddering in his sleep. Was he having a nightmare?
Noah abruptly got down from his bed and rushed towards Aiden. He was about to touch Aiden but paused. What if he gets even more scared? His heart constricted when he saw Aiden squeezing his eyes and breathing heavily as if he was in agony. Noah was feeling restless, not knowing what to do. On instinct, he softly blew air on Aiden's face and ran his fingers slowly through his hair so as not to disturb his sleep. After a few minutes, Aiden's breathing got even, and he looked peaceful. Noah continued to pat him for a few more minutes, and when he was sure that Aiden was fine, he tiptoed back to his bed.
Noah went back to staring at Noah, several questions going through his mind. What's his story? Does he have these nightmares often? And why? Is it just an ordinary bad dream, or is it something related to his past?
A week swept by, and Noah kept to his word. He just focussed on developing his friendship with Aiden so that they could get comfortable with each other. It was not so bad because being with Aiden was heartwarming and fulfilling.
Aiden was a sweetheart who didn't have a bad bone in his body. He was very caring and helpful.
Noah, who was not used to doing any chores and often left his things lying around here and there, but whenever he came back from his classes, his items were already arranged by Aiden. Noah felt butterflies in his stomach because Aiden cared for him as a lover would. Even Aiden had warmed up to Noah to a certain extent. He was no longer hesitant while speaking to him, and they usually had their dinner together.
The only upsetting thing about Aiden was he seemed to be really alone. He never received any calls from his family or friends, nor did he ever mention anything about them. He didn't have any financial support from his family. His college and dorm fees were paid through a scholarship, and for other expenses, he was doing multiple part-time jobs. Noah recalled the conversation he had with Aiden a few days back.
" You are always on your laptop. Studying or playing games?" Noah asked, raising his brow.
" I am working," Aiden replied softly.
" What work?"
" Part-time jobs."
"What?" Noah was surprised. " Why?"
" I need money for my expenses," Aiden replied reluctantly.
" Your family does not support you?"
Aiden seemed hesitant to speak, but this time Noah wanted to know. " What about your parents?" Noah insisted.
" I-I don't stay with my parents. I-I am not in contact with them."
Noah was shocked. " Why?"
" I-I parted with them when I was eight. I don't know where they are right now," Aiden said, looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Seeing Aiden's sad face, Noah couldn't ask him anything more. " I am sorry."
" I-It's okay. It's not your fault," Aiden replied while Noah was dying to ask how him more but thought he would have to wait some more. Take it slow.