We Meet Again [Aiden 2/2]

Instead of doing the smart thing and leaving I just nodded and slid my sketch book back into my portfolio before packing up my pencils and tucking them away inside of my messenger bag. Once everything was back in its place I pushed myself up but watched as he took my drawings from me. A small jolt shot through my hand when our fingers brushed and I quickly retracted my hand against the borrowed coat I was now wearing like a cape. I must have looked stupid but he didn't seem to mind as he continued to watch me for another moment before beginning to walk towards the park entrance.

My face began to grow warmer thanks to the sudden sensation of his fingers against mine along with the fact he was acting all too chivalrous with me. Was I a woman or something? My portfolio might have been a bit unwieldy but I wasn't going to snap in half from carrying. Still, it was kind of.. Nice, I guess, for someone to be willing to go out of their way for me.

But /why/?

I pondered over this as we entered the parking lot and he led me towards what I assumed to be his car. A rather /expensive/ looking car. If one knew about high class vehicles, they'd be able to ascertain that the car before me was an Audi R8 Coupe in a dark blue. The vehicle sat towards the back of the lot and I hesitated upon the realization that this handsome man was walking towards it. Ok, alright, just breathe. Don't worry about the car that cost, probably, 5 years of my current rent.

"Is it ok for me to get in? It looks expensive." I tried to joke hesitantly and rubbed the back of my neck as we approached the car. "Hn? I suppose it is. But that's fine. What's mine is yours." He said without a care in the world as he held open the passenger door for me. My stomach fluttered with butterflies and despite my better judgement I found myself stepping into his car and watching as he shut the door. Perhaps I should call someone to tell them I'm with him in case something happens? I could call my guardian but I don't exactly want to bother him with something I don't have to. I am an adult now, after all. This is more of a 'me' problem.

I nearly jumped when I heard him get in after putting my portfolio in the front trunk and I hoped briefly that everything wouldn't catch fire. That was when I realized that I didn't exactly know /where/ the engine was in the first place. It wasn't like this was a normal car. Of course this guy wouldn't set my shit on fire.. Right? I peeked over at him as he started up the car and peeled out of the lot while I was struggling to get my seatbelt on. Ok, so he drove a bit too quickly for me but who was I to complain when it wasn't my mortgage to drive?

"What did you mean by that 'What's mine is yours'? I... don't even know your name. Why did you come out to find me?" I finally managed to ask aloud before chewing the inside of my cheek anxiously. This whole situation was awkward and yet I was /happy/. He might have taken longer than I had hoped, but this seemingly-rich man had actually managed to find me again. It was a bit creepy that he managed to find me in the park which hadn't been a planned outing however. I reached a hand up to brush my bangs away from my face before returning my fingers back beneath the borrowed black pea coat that he had slung around my shoulders before.

"It's not very hard to find someone in this day and age. Especially when I've been keeping an eye on you for some time already." He announced which - Ok, that really was kind of unsettling. He must have read my face again because he suddenly reached a hand out before resting it on my thigh. Another wave of goosebumps swept across my skin and I felt a rush of warmth spread upon my face, ears and neck at the unwanted (and yet apparently craved) touch. "I'm not here to hurt you. Quite the opposite, Aiden." He said in a lower voice that left my knees weak. Could I ask him to say my name again? Would that be strange?

"Then what is it? I-I mean, if you know my name and have apparently been "keeping an eye out", how does that sound like I should really trust you?" I asked quickly and pushed myself to the far side of my seat as best I could considering there wasn't much space in this thing. Instead of taking his hand back the dark-haired man squeezed my thigh gently and let his thumb brush against the outer seam of my jeans. Yet again I felt like I was being enveloped in his flames but I pushed the thought away as I knew I needed to focus on getting these answers.

It was both a relief and a disappointment when he took his hand back to switch gears as we approached a light. It was busy now and the city was teeming with life. People flooded the large sidewalks along with people upon bikes, motorcycles, skateboards and even roller blades. Cars packed the streets with people trying to hurry home to get dinner in the oven. It glanced out of my window briefly and caught the sight of myself in the glass - No wonder this guy was trying to get me to calm down. I.. Kind of looked terrified right now.

My eyes drifted past my own reflection to his and although it was harder to see since he was farther away, he looked... Distraught? His brows had furrowed deeply which formed lines on his forehead. His eyes creased turned upwards while a frown danced upon his lips. But when I turned my head to look back at him he appeared to be cool and calm. Just what was with this guy?

"My intention was not to frighten you, so I would suggest that you stop overthinking things. As an example of my innocence, consider the fact that I've been assisting you recently with monetary issues. Although I suppose my kindness could easily be missed. I was trying to conceal my actions until the right moment." He said as if he were making a well thought-out argument. The issue however was the fact that I had /no/ clue as to what he was talking about. Why would he bother mentioning something like that as if I should be grateful? That was a bit of a dick move from h-

The rent. My school card. /I'm not sure about that $50 I found, but lets pretend it was somehow him too/. But... Why? Why was he investing that kind of money in me? It wasn't like I was in any position to pay him back. Was it for the same reason he hit me with that cheesy line before about 'what's his is mine'?

"I don't know what you want from me, but I really don't have anything worthwhile." I said in a flat tone as he continued to drive. I wasn't all that interested in playing this weird game of his. I wanted to show him how irritated I was with this whole situation but I found myself pausing at the sight of his grasp upon the steering wheel - His knuckles had gone white. Why was he gripping it so hard?

"I never said I wanted anything." He said a bit more quietly before clearing his throat and returning his voice to a normal volume, "What I want will come in time. So for now, just enjoy the ride." He said before letting out a small breath from his nose as if he were beginning to become irritated with something.

Was he upset with me? Or was there something else going on..?