Luna

Chapter twenty-six

Tossing and turning.

That's all I have been doing for these past hours.

Sleep didn't want to take me to the consuming darkness because my own thoughts were preventing it.

The fight between Aiden and me was playing again and again in my mind like it was a record that got stuck.

Overthinking was something I always seemed to do in these sorts of situations.

I turned at my side for the umpteenth time this night, looking over at the dim light my alarm-clock was emitting.

1 am.

Why was it impossible for me to just forget the situation for a few hours? Instead, guilt ate me alive and forbade my mind to wander off to any other topic.

I forced myself to close my eyes and count sheep.

Two hundred and fifty-one sheep later, I heard my door open.

My back was facing the door, so I didn't see who was entering my room. It was oblivious the person didn't know I was wide awake because he sneaked to my bed and silently sat on the side.

I rolled over to my other side to face the intruder. I was sure it was one of my brothers, who else could it be?

I blinked a few times, so my eyes could adapt to the darkness.

The dark brown orbs of Aiden looked back at me. His eyes perfectly captivated Aiden as a person. At first, you only saw the blackness, but when you continue to stare into the depths, you can see the softness and warmth he has to offer.

"I guess I'm not the only one who has trouble falling asleep," he mutters to himself.

I sit against the headboard and slide to the right, so Aiden can sit next to me. Before he placed himself on the bed, he puts on the small bedside lamp.

Now I could clearly see the tiredness and guilt written on his face.

We both need to work this out if we want to have a few hours of proper sleep.

"I have been thinking about our little incident in the stairwell and tried figuring out why I acted like a complete ass. After hours of thinking, I still don't know why I lashed out at you like that," he said while nervously fiddling with his fingers.

He took a deep breath and finally met my gaze.

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry for what happened. I hope you can forgive me," Aiden added.

I was taken aback by his words. I have never heard him admit his mistakes and sincerely apologize for it.

It's not like he had shouted at me. Loud voices still scare me, and my brothers try their best to never raise their voice in my presence.

His words had cut deep through me, maybe because I directly associated it with Nick. Also, the double standards that applied in this house infuriated me.

"I just don't understand why you were so angry at me for talking to Sam," I said honestly.

"I can't stand the thought of you being alone with a boy. It's not that I don't trust you. It's them I don't trust. I know how they think, it's disgusting. You suffered more than anyone should. I don't want Sam to hurt you more," Aiden explained.

Well, I didn't expect that.

"Sam is my friend. He would never hurt me on purpose," I told him.

I saw the guilt roaming in his eyes.

"I let the anger consume me and worked it out on you. I'm so sorry, Luna. I vowed no one would ever hurt you again, and tonight I broke my own promise. How ironic," he laughed bitterly.