Chapter 8 HUNTED 8

As Alex found his foot, he left the house and headed home. As he trudged home, his mind was consumed by the kiss he shared with Kaiden.

He knew It was wrong as he didn't know Kaiden well enough. However, the memory lingered.

As he approached his front door, Amaya's voice greeted him. "Hey, stranger! Where've you been?"

Alex ignored her, pushing open the door.

Amaya's eyes narrowed. "Everything okay?" She asked, in an unexpected calm voice. "You slept out without informing anyone."

Alex didn't respond. He walked past her, shutting his bedroom door behind him.

The familiar sounds of home faded into the background. Collapsing onto his bed, Alex buried his face in his pillow, trying to clear his head. Suddenly, knocks on the door broke the silence.

"Alex, honey, is everything alright?" Charlotte called.

Alex remained still.

"Alex, open up!" She shouted as she kept knocking. "You're scaring me, Alex."

Her voice faded and all Alex could hear was the noise.

More knocks.

More calls.

However, he didn't budge. He wanted solitude, to untangle his thoughts, to deal with his messed-up self. And most especially, alone.

The knocks eventually stopped and the house grew quiet. However, Alex's thoughts refused to calm. Kaiden's face hunted him. Those piercing eyes. That kiss. Alex's emotions swirled.

Confusion. Guilt. Attraction.

He couldn't shake off the feeling. That kiss had awakened something. Something he couldn't ignore.

Hours passed, but Alex's turmoil didn't subside. His mind replayed the kiss, analyzing every detail with a mix of anxiety and fascination. Kaiden's soft lips. The gentle pressure. The spark of electricity.

Alex's face burned with embarrassment and longing. Why did he feel this way? He barely knew Kaiden. Yet, the connection felt real, and terrifying.

A knock on the door broke the silence, startling him.

"Alex, dinner's ready," Amaya called, her voice laced with concern. Alex checked his time, he didn't know he had stayed hours alone all thanks to thoughts of Kaiden.

Alex ignored her, not hungry, and feeling emotionally drained.

"Come on Alex, you're scaring mom, she's been calling for hours and has cried her eyes out, you can't be without emotions."

Alex exhaled, she was right. He dragged himself from the bed and opened the door before heading back to the bed.

"Phew," Amaya exhaled, entering the room and looking around. "So, what's been eating you up?" She asked.

Alex didn't answer her or look at her.

"Okay listen, I'm not here to taunt or abuse you, I just want to know what's wrong. I'm being caring for the first time in forever, you should treat this moment as special, because you might never get it again."

No answer.

"Okay. So, you've been locked in here for hours," she asked gently. "What's up?"

Alex shrugged, avoiding eye contact, and feeling vulnerable.

Amaya sat beside him. "Something happened, didn't it?" she pressed.

Alex sighed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Maya. I just feel... lost, scared, and confused."

Amaya's expression softened. "Talk to me. I'm here for you," she urged.

Alex hesitated. Amaya could really be a pain in the ass and he knew she was the not the one to confide in but he needed someone to talk to, but who could it be.

He opened his mouth to speak but stopped, he knew her too well, she could act nice now but later she'd taunt him. The fear of judgment and rejection held him back.

He inhaled, ready to say something that might make her stop asking many questions when his phone buzzed.

It was a text from an unknown number: "Still thinking about me?"

Alex's heart skipped a beat. It was Kaiden. How did he get his number?

Alex's fingers trembled. A mix of emotions swirled inside him.

Fear. Excitement. Curiosity.

Should he respond? Or ignore him?

Alex's eyes locked onto the message. His mind racing. His heart pounding.

What would he do?

Amaya noticed Alex's distress and touched him. "Hey, cuz, what's wrong?" she asked.

Alex quickly hid his phone, not wanting her to see anything "Nothing," he lied.

Amaya's eyes narrowed. "Seriously, Don't hide things from me," she said.

Alex sighed, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know what's happening," he admitted. "But I know it's not supposed to happen.

Amaya's expression softened. "Tell me," she urged.

Alex's phone buzzed again. Another text from Kaiden:

"I know you're thinking about me."

Alex's face burned. He felt trapped. Exposed. Kaiden's words echoed in his mind. "Think about me."

"Alex, focus," Amaya's voice brought him back.

Alex took a deep breath. Trying to calm down. But his heart refused to listen, It pounded faster. With every passing moment. Kaiden's presence consumed him.

"I'm fine, you need to go."

Amaya scoffed. "You think I came all this way up to listen to this? Come on, Alex. Tell me, is someone bothering you, threatening you?"

Alex didn't answer, his hands trembling.

"What's wrong, Alex?" she pressed. "Is it a threat message?" She made to touch his phone and Alex's frustration boiled over.

"Nothing, okay? Just leave me alone!" he snapped, startling her.

"Oh, no," he whispered, regret instantly washed over him. "Amaya, I'm sorry-"

But she was already hurt. Her eyes flashing with anger. "You're always like this," she spat. "Shutting me out, pushing me away." Her voice trembled.

"That's why I hate it when you're like this, that's why I stay away, cause I can't keep up with this."

Alex felt a pang of guilt. "Amaya, please-"

"No, Alex," she cut him. "I wish you'd just suffer alone."

The words stung. Alex felt a lump form in his throat. He watched, helpless, as Amaya stormed out, slamming the door shut behind her.