25 Chapter Twenty-Four

Aiden

She was so beautiful. I couldn't help but be jealous of her dancing with Cameron. I could feel my heart stop and stomach turn in a bit wrenching pain as I saw them dancing. What I really wanted to do was march over there and tell her how much I wanted her to be mine but, I know that I can't do that.

I know that she doesn't see me that way. If she did, surely she'd tell me. Right?

I mean its not like she's shy. Remember when she called me in the bathroom to help her choose a dress? Yeah, not shy.

At all.

So, once again, instead of telling her how I feel, I'll make sure she's happy. Even if it's without me.

Honestly, she looked like she was having fun with Cameron. Which, I'm happy for her. I love seeing that smile on her face. No matter how bad it hurts seeing that smile for someone else.

"Aiden?! Hey, what's up?"

I turn and see Kelsie smiling up at me before looking all around me. Her eyebrow furrow in confusion before she looks back at me.

"Where's Bambina?" She asks me.

I point over to Bambina and Cameron dancing. She scoffs as she narrows her eyes at me.

"Why is she dancing with Cameron?" She demands.

I sigh in frustration as I continue to watch Bambina dancing the night away. "It's a long story..."

She places her hands on her hips. "I know about Bambina."

My heart stops and I freeze before looking at Kelsie like she's grown another head.

"What are you getting at, Kelsie?" I ask nonchalantly.

"What are you getting at, Kelsie..." She mocks, causing me to chuckle. "You know exactly what I'm getting at. I know that Bambina.." She looks around before leaning in close. "Is a mermaid."

My mouth drops open in shock at her words. How in the world does she know that? Did Bambina her?

"Did Bambina.."

"No." She cuts me off. "I was walking the beach one morning with Alex and I saw you guys talking and then I saw her stripping. Which, by the way, I thought you guys were going skinny dipping. I was about to turn my head when, out of no where, her legs were replaced with a freakin' tail."

To be completely honest, I was glad she found out, as long as she doesn't say anything about it to anyone, because now, I have someone to talk to about it.

"Does Alex know?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "No. By the time he noticed me looking in that direction, she was already gone. Besides, Bambina is my friend. I wouldn't rat her out. She obviously doesn't want anyone to know. "

I nod in agreement.

"So, tell me. Why is she dancing with Cameron. You need to protect her at all costs. Why would you let her dance with a stranger?" She demands.

I roll my eyes at her stubbornness. "Bambina is seventeen. She can make her own choices. And Cameron is not a stranger. He's a good person with dumb friends. That's all."

She glasses at me and I sigh before telling her why she was dancing with Cameron. I tell her everything her mom said about her needing to fall in love with someone before her birthday.

"But, you like her. Why can't you make her fall in love with you?" She rolls her eyes, putting her hands back on her hips.

"Because... You know what, it doesn't even matter. Can we drop it?"

She stomps her foot childishly before crossing her arms.

"No, we can not drop it. I don't want to lose Bambina because you're too stupid to tell her how you feel."

"Kelsie..."

"You have to tell her you like her, Aiden. Before it's too late. Do you want to miss your chance? Who knows, which I'm pretty sure I do, she might actually like you back!"

I shake my head, ignoring everything she just said. "Just drop it, Kels. Okay? She's my best friend. I don't want to take the chance and ruin that." I argue. "If she doesn't feel the same... Let's just say, I'd rather just be her friend than nothing at all.. Besides, I told Bambina I would help her, so that's what I'm going to do."

"Kelsie!"

Kelsie turns around and screams as she hears Bambina's voice and pulls he in a hug. I look away because I can't look at Bambina right now.

What if she heard our conversation. What if she knows that I like her? She'll probably think I'm a weirdo and might not wanna hang out with me anymore in the fear of hurting my feelings later on. After a second, I look up at her and smile.

"Did you like him?" I ask her as I wink at her, trying to make it seem like that's exactly what's I want.

She shrugs, which makes my heart smile that she's so unsure, but her next words made my heart drop. "He seemed okay. I'm meeting him at the park tomorrow night so, we'll see."

My jaw clenches but only for a split second before I realize what was happening so I quickly mask it with a chuckle.

I lean down slightly as i push her hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear, trying to get a reaction out of her. I just want her to be affected by my touch as much as I am to hers. Her cheeks turn a cute pink as she blushes causing me to send her a quick wink. That blush gets my heart pumping quickly every time I see it.

And, although I hated my next words, for her to be happy, I say,

"It'll be great, Bambi. He's a good guy. You'll really like him."