Beyond the Pack’s Law: My stepsister or nobody else

Hayley’s POV With the skirt being a lot shorter than I thought and my crop top riding up every time I tried to make it longer in front of the mirror, messing with my outfit had me second-guessing. It was weird that my mom had made me wear these clothes, but I still looked great in them. It was all it took for me to leave, and I quickly debugged my phone before racing out the door. When I closed in on the picture house, Mina and Mona were standing down at the front, talking away like fury. Their eyes immediately fixed on my new outfit and widened in shock. “Whoa, Hayley! Look at you!” Mina cheered, nodding for approval at me. “Yeah, you look amazing!” Mona repeated, playfully nudging me. “What’s the occasion?” So I did my best to shrug it off. ‘Just thought I’d fancy a change,’ was my reply to be met with why that should matter from mom, still on the same level of confusion. We went into the cinema and took our seats. It was dark in the theater, with all those big-screen pre-show ads going on. We took our seats, and for some reason I could feel that there was something about tonight… We began with the movie, as I was drawn into watching the horror on screen. Mina and Mona were huddled together, shrieking at each jump scare, while I valiantly attempted to keep my composure, especially assisting his second half of the game, which saw him win a few squeals from all three of us. Halfway through the movie, I was tapped on the shoulder. I glanced behind me and saw an old friend, Aiden. My heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here? What was that mischievous smile-the one that drove me crazy again? “Hayley…” he whispered, so as not to garner the attention of his fellow audience members. “Mind if I join you?” For a minute, I was at a loss for words and had my thoughts racing in different directions. Why now? Why here? Mina knew Aiden was in sight before I could say anything, her elbow jabbing into my side aggressively. “Of course, Aiden! Sit down!” she exclaimed in no uncertain terms. Mona, however, sends me a secret smile, as if she knows better. Aiden leaned back in the chair next to me, barely a smile passing between us. We had never gotten closer to each other since everything happened. The movie kept going, but I was no longer paying attention to the screen. Instead, every one of Aiden’s side-eyes prickled all over me, and I could feel everywhere that his arm brushed mine whenever he reached across for popcorn. Once the film concluded, Mina and Mona promptly exited, leaving Aiden and me all in the theater. “Can we talk?” Aiden said, his voice nothing but genuine. I nodded, still not sure of what to say. After the movie ended, we all waltzed out of the theater and into a blowing cold night. We sat at the table, and there was an uncomfortable silence between us until Aiden decided to speak. “Hayley, I fucked up,” he started, looking me in the eyes. “However, I have been dwelling on you a fair bit. I miss you.” I took a deep breath. “Aiden, you hurt me,” I whisper, saying the word properly to pull it from my lungs. It has taken me a lot of time to get over it. “I know,” he said softly. “And I’m sorry for all of it. But I want to make it right. Can we start over?” The echo of his words reminded me they carried the power to change things clearly as I stood there, gravitating between those rooms in my head. Some part of me wanted to believe him and offer the benefit. On the other hand, another part of me was afraid to be hurt again. Right then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Then I received a message from my mom: “Hope you’re enjoying yourself!! Be cautioned; life is unpredictable.” I glanced at Aiden; his eyes flashed to me in silent agony, and then I acknowledged my mom. There were always surprises in life, and sometimes you had to take a risk. Mmm… ok.” I smiled slightly and coyly at him. “Let’s give it another shot. But this time, this do or die. Aiden’s face brightened up with relief and glee. I agree. He held my hand into his and said, “No more secrets.” Again, hand in hand… Down the street, for a split second, I felt hope as we were obsessed with all those books. Perhaps this was the beginning of a new, good thing. What came next was something that I knew was meant to be for me. The entire walk back with Aiden, through the thick of that night air, filled me with a new sense of possibility. We did not talk too much, but the nothingness was a convivial one-a silent resolution, perhaps to keep it casual and play by ear. “How about we grab a coffee?” How about there? Aiden chimed in, pointing down the street towards a small cafe. I folded my hand around his, gently saying, “Sure.” The coffee shop was cozy and welcoming, playing easy-listening music. We sat in the corner of a booth. Aiden ordered a latte, and I chose to have hot chocolate. There was so much unsaid before our coffee arrived… I could feel it sitting between us. So, what have you been doing? Breaking the silence, Aiden inquired. Deep breath, I thought: Fearlessness came from honesty. “I’m just trying to keep busy. School and time with Mina and Mona You know, the usual.” A hint of seriousness crossed his face, and he nodded. “I’ve been doing the same. On my music grind, staying’ focused. But in your absence, it has been brutal. I stared into his eyes, trying to find deceit, and was only met by pure remorse. “Aiden, why now? Why come back now?” He made a sound and ran his hand through his hair. It did afford me plenty of time to reflect. About us and about what I did. And that’s when I knew-that I had just made a huge mistake. And I could not stand to lose you. Our drinks arrived, and we sipped them, taking a moment to let the heat work its way into us. The silence had been transformed from a position of awkwardness to one in which we could both gather our thoughts. Finally, I decided to say, “I don’t want to take steps quickly.” We gotta go all slow and get the trust back. Aiden gave a small chuckle and just nodded. “I understand. Whatever it means, I’ll do.” Then, hours and hours of talks about the good old times and also just talking openly face-to-face. We clicked like old times, but also slower, as if we were more curious and felt the need to peel back layers that had set during our absence from each other. As we exited that cafe, I felt more clarity and hope than anyone had in a very long time. We walked back to my house and stopped before the door as Aiden. Well, that was fun,” he said somewhat nervously. “It was,” I agreed, smiling. “Let’s do it again sometime.” He came in with a little kiss on my cheek. “I’d like that. Goodnight, Hayley.” I could see Aiden’s figure disappear, saying “Goodnight” in return. I stepped inside, my brain reeling with what had transpired. My mom had a smirk on her expression in the living room.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“How was it?” Her eyes twinkled with intrigue as she asked. “Um, I mean,” sitting beside her, “a surprise. “Aiden showed up.” She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? And how did that go?” “We talked things through. We are going to ease into it and see where things lead,” I said in excitement as well as trepidation. She nodded approvingly. “I’m glad, Hayley. We have a double life. Sometimes, life gives us a second chance. It’s up to us how we utilize them. I wrapped my arms around her and thanked the heavens. “Thanks, Mum. For everything.” She kissed the top of my head and said, “Anytime, sweetheart. Now go get some rest. Tomorrow’s a new day.”

Still in my mum’s embrace, with my eyes closed, suddenly I heard her calling me. “Hayley, Hayley?”

It sounded like she had been shouting my name and from a distance like from the kitchen downstairs.

In a flash, I opened my eyes and saw myself in my room.

Could this be a dream, a hallucination or what?