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So without further ado, the chapter-

Too engrossed in the hug, I didn't notice the kitchen door opening until a cough resonated through the room. We both moved back from the hug to see Aaron and Avalon stood and the door- Avalon looking at the ground and Aaron looking straight at us.

The look on his face, however, I could not decipher. His eyes diverted from staring at me to staring at Justin and I stood uncomfortably for what seemed like centuries.

At long last, Aaron opened his mouth to speak.

"What's going on here? You've been in here for quite a while." He said in an unemotional tone. My eyebrows furrowed; he was acting differently.

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"What is the bitch doing here?"

Aaron turned away from Avalon at the sound of Justin's voice. It was with but one glance into his steely grey eyes that made Aaron stand up abruptly.

"Justin, hear me out. " He said before Justin could say anything else. He said this because he knew of his best friend's nature, especally when it came to Avalon. They had grown up together, so close and then- because of him- they had drifted. If he hadn't dated Avalon, he wouldn't have ruined their friendship; it was his fault. It was entirely his fault for how closed off Justin had become and he hated it. He hated how he had made Justin so cautious and uncertain of everyone.

Aaron spared one look at Justin's stiff form before he glanced back to where Danny and Lexi were stood behind him. He fought the urge to fix onto her doe eyes in the fear that he'd drown into them. Instead, he turned away, taking in a breath as he spoke,

"I've forgiven her, Justin. It's her second chance." Was all he said but- even then- there was no conviction to his words. A mere few months ago and he would have been so elated at Avalon coming back. Yet, why did it now feel as though this wasn't the case? Why did he only feel restless as though something was missing? He had forgiven her, yes, but had told her he could only offer her friendship. There was no more of that yearning love for her and it confused him; he wondered why his emotions had shifted so abruptly.

Even now, when he turned to her to see her smiling, it did nothing to his heart as he thought it would. Despite his confusion, he still forced a smile to her before turning back to Justin, awaiting his response. Perhaps, Justin could help him in clearing up the fog in his brain; perhaps, he could help him in making the correct decision.

At long last, Justin sighed heavily, opening his mouth to speak.

"I know... I just don't trust her, Aaron." His voice was strained but as honest as always, making Aaron smile. He knew that Justin was concerned for his emotions and it made him feel relief that, even if other people in his life were not consistent, then at least Justin and Danny were. They would never fail him and the thought brought him solace.

Avalon clearing her throat brought him out of his reverie and he turned with furrowed brows as she walked towards Justin, a sad smile on her face. It was silent for a moment as she stared up at him with tender eyes whilst he looked to her with the same, unchanging steely eyes,

"Your anger is justified, Justin. You have every right to be upset at me, after what I did, but please try to understand. People do change and they do deserve second chances. Are you not going to forgive me?" She pleaded, looking up at him with glassy eyes and Aaron wondered why he didn't feel it when the same tears cascaded down her face. The confusion frustrated him; why did it feel as though things were changing in ways he did not anticipate? Why did nothing ever stay the same?

He turned away from the teary sight, to not slip further into the dark thoughts. It was then that his eyes found her petite form by the door. He couldn't help but feel his chest constrict almost painfully at the sight of her, not wanting to look away. It was clear, however, that she didn't feel the same as she wasn't even looking his way and he turned to where her eyes were glancing. He couldn't explain why, but his body stiffened slightly when he saw her eyes solely on Justin. She didn't look away just staring at him with those beautiful eyes in a way that made the frustration within him increase. Yet, before he could delve further, Justin let out a sigh, looking to Avalon,

"You can stay." Was what he simply said to which Avalon moved in to hug him, but he stopped her in her tracks, holding her back in a way that Aaron knew he would do. He was so averse to touch, to begin with, even more so with those he did not have a liking too.

"But, I haven't forgiven you. I respect Aaron's decision and that's why I'll tolerate you. If it were up to me, I'd throw you out. People like you don't deserve second chances." His voice was dark and blunt and, with that said, he walked out of the room and made his way into the kitchen. At this, Avalon began to sob into her hands and Aaron let out a sigh, knowing she wouldn't stop until consoled. It was always the case and he neared her just as Danny ran towards the TV with a squeal.

"He hates me, doesn't he?! I don't deserve his trust, I know, but I didn't think it'd be like this!" She cried, her body shaking as she glanced up at me with those glassy eyes that still did nothing to his heart. Still, he felt bad for her plight and he gestured to the door with a hand.

"Justin is never one to hold a grudge; he'll get over it if he sees that you mean it." He reassured her or was he reassuring himself?

"How can you be so sure? It seems as if he's a closed door now." She sniffled as she wiped at her tears and Aaron's smile lit up at her words instinctively.

"I thought that too until Lexi came along; it took her less than two weeks to get close to him. I've never seen him that comfortable around someone so quick." He urged out, feeling happy at the fact that two of his favourite people were so close. If Justin hadn't approved of her, would Aaron still think so highly of her?

"Wow, Lexi sure seems to be great." Avalon smiled up at him, searching his eyes for a response and he couldn't help but nod without hesitation. In his mind, there were countless synonyms that were more fitting than the word 'great'; so much more ways to describe her infinite positives and he feared it would tumble out of his mouth before he control it. So, instead he just shrugged nonchalantly, not able to stop the smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah... she's great." Was the only way in which he could agree and then he was looking around the room to find her familiar form. He frowned when he felt her absence before moving subconsciously towards the door. He could hear the sound of footsteps behind him, but it phased out as he focused on looking. It was silent for a moment before Avalon clicked her tongue from beside him, following him as he walked.

"So, you never mentioned what Lexi is to you?" Her words made him halt to an abrupt stop, making her hit against his back. It was her question that brought down another bout of confusion in him and his hands clenched by his side as he thought. He thought of the feel of her soft breaths against him as his lips devoured hers; he thought of her laugh as she looked to him, and he thought of her hand enveloping his as they sat on the sidewalk. The memories flitted through his mind like a storybook, yet he knew that- like every story- it had its dark side. The side in which Lexi's eyes welled up with tears due to his mistakes; the side wherein they kept secrets from each other and the side wherein they would try to hurt each other so much with their words. As much as she excited him, Lexi could equally break him and it scared him. It scared him to think she had that strong a hold on him but, at the same time, it soothed him so much so that he felt the urge to hand her his reins entirely. If he was to be under anyone's control, he would be happy for it to be Lexi.

"Aaron?" Avalon's voice broke him out of his thoughts, and he focused back to where she was looking to him, lips pursed in an indistinct expression. He realised how long he had stayed silent, so he shrugged dismissively, turning back to walk.

"Lexi is Lexi." Was the only apt explanation he could provide and then he was walking towards the kitchen, his brain muddled from all of the thoughts. It was Lexi's familiar laugh that distracted him and he frowned at the sound, wondering what had made her laugh like that.

It was only when he opened the kitchen door that he stilled, his heart clenching at the sight of Lexi hugging Justin: her arms around his neck and his around her waist. He didn't suspect anything, but the thought that she was happy in another male's company made him feel an ache like no other and he couldn't help it as he cleared his throat, wanting them to know he was there.

They turned then to him, Lexi with a wide-eyed expression and Justin with his typical blank one yet still standing so close to each other in a way that irked him. He knew they were getting closer; it was a notion that pleased him, but what happened if Lexi began to realise that there were better men for her than him? Men that were not as screwed up; that would be able to show their emotions in a healthy manner? Or, men like Justin who could so easily go with what their heart willed without fear of getting hurt?

At long last, Aaron opened his mouth to speak.

"What's going on here? You've been in here for quite a while." He said, trying to supress the jealousy and he watched how Lexi frowned at him before shaking her head and turning to look at Justin with a smile: a smile that he thought was only for him. In turn, Justin smiled back before turning to Aaron.

"Nothing. Let's get going, shall we?" He said, gesturing towards the door behind them, but he couldn't move just yet; not when he felt Lexi slipping from his fingers yet again. He searched her eyes for some semblance of care for him; for that look in her eyes before they kissed as though she was willing to become his entirely.

Yet it was nowhere to be found.

So, he dismissed it, shaking his head before sighing.

"Lexi, you want to go inside?" He asked, hoping that it would reignite the memories of what he missed. Perhaps, with the name, she'd remember how he had called her so intimately in a way that no one else could quite compare to. She may yet find better qualities in another, but no one- absolutely no one- would be able to be the first to call her Lexi so lovingly. That was a title that he alone owned.

He had hoped for so much, but she merely shook her head before sparing a glance to Justin.

"I would, but I need to bring the snacks in. You guys get going." I suggested, smiling in a way that was not genuine and it made him frown.

He didn't smile back, however, and a small frown formed on his face.

"You sure, you'll be able to carry all that?" I told you, you're small." He tried to joke as they usually would, hoping for their regular back and forth and he could sworn she was about to give in from the way she glared at him, opening her mouth to speal.

But, before she could, she was interrupted by a voice.

"I could help her. Why don't you guys get settled in the living room?" She offered and Aaron felt the annoyance twinge from how she had screwed up the opportunity for normalcy between him and Lexi. Nevertheless, he feigned a smile, looking back to Lexi.

"Yeah, I guess that's fine. Come on, Justin." He said to the grey-eyed male who turned his gaze to Lexi. It seemed like they were having a silent conversation for a moment, making Aaron's jaw clench as he watched them. Did they even notice he was there? The answer was most likely no, from the way that Lexi smiled at Justin.

"Leave then. Me and Avalon have this whole thing handled." She said to him, not even sparing Aaron a glance and he watched as Justin's eyes stayed fixed on her, his stance unmoving.

"I'll save you a seat beside me, yeah?" He muttered to only her, but Aaron heard it and he felt the colour red stain his vision. When had they gotten this close without his notice? Or, better yet, why was Lexi nodding so eagerly at his words? Just weeks ago, she had professed her love to him. He hadn't accepted it, knowing it was just a tool to get him to stay at the hospital, but still: did she not feel anything for him in the time they had spent together? As Justin withdrew from her and she gave him one last smile, Aaron couldn't help but feel the jealousy fill him.

It was then that he realised how much he wished for her words at the hospital to be true.

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Too engrossed in the hug, I didn't notice the kitchen door opening until a cough resonated through the room. We both moved back from the hug to see Aaron and Avalon stood and the door- Avalon looking at the ground and Aaron looking straight at us.

The look on his face, however, I could not decipher. His eyes diverted from staring at me to staring at Justin and I stood uncomfortably for what seemed like centuries.

At long last, Aaron opened his mouth to speak.

"What's going on here? You've been in here for quite a while." He said in an unemotional tone. My eyebrows furrowed; he was acting differently.