My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 34

Ivy, back then...

The buzz of my phone against the cold metal of the locker jolted me from my thoughts. I snatched it up, heart skipping a beat when I saw Aidan’s name flash on the screen. "Meet me after school. The spot," the text read, short and cryptic. It was normal for him to be so blunt, so I was used to it.

But all day, there’d been a gap where Aidan should’ve been – his chair in English, mocking me with its emptiness. With every class we shared that ticked by, concern wormed deeper into my mind.

He never missed school. Not without spamming my phone with messages about how bored he was at home. I chewed my lip nervously as I tried to focus on what the teachers were saying, but it was like trying to listen underwater.

"Probably just sick," I muttered to myself, but the words felt hollow. Aidan wasn’t one to get sick, and even if he did, he’d be dramatic about it, making sure everyone knew he was dying of a mere cold.

I leaned back against my locker, fiddling with the strap of my bag. His absence gnawed at me.

I missed him.

"Where are you, Aidan?" I whispered.

"Talking to yourself?"

I whipped my head around and smiled as I saw Lila. "Hey."

"Why are you just standing there mumbling?" Lila asked.

"Just... thinking out loud, I guess," I replied, trying to brush off my momentary lapse into self-talk. "What’s up?"

Lila raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by my excuse. "Uh-huh, sure. Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to grab some food after school. My treat."

I hesitated. "That sounds great, but I can’t."

She raised her eyebrows. "Why not?"

"Aidan asked me to meet him after school," I said, nearly blushing after mentioning him. After that night at the pool, I couldn’t help but crush on him, and it made me feel so lame!

Lila frowned. "I still can’t believe you’ve been hanging out with him after how he treated you."

I sighed, knowing Lila was referring to Aidan’s past behavior. "I know, but things have been different lately. He’s been... nicer."

Lila’s expression softened, her concern evident. "I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Ivy. You deserve better than someone who treats you like that."

"I appreciate your concern, Lila," I said, giving her a grateful smile. "But he really did change."

Lila nodded reluctantly. "If you say so."

With a quick wave, Lila headed off toward the Bus parking lot. I knew Lila hated the idea of me being so close to Aidan. Despite being nice to me, he still had a bad reputation. He was still mean and bold and every bit of a bully. But with me...he was different now.

My fingers fumbled over the combination lock, but I didn’t need anything from inside. What I needed was to see him, to make sure he was okay.

I weaved through the crowd of students, my heart slamming against my ribs as if it wanted out.

"Excuse me," I breathed out as I sidestepped a couple holding hands, oblivious to the world.

I dodged another group, my mind replaying Aidan’s absence, the empty chair beside me in every class. This wasn’t like him.

"Watch it!" someone called after me, but I couldn’t slow down, not even to apologize.

I burst through the doors at the back of the school, the cool afternoon air slapping my cheeks and sending my hair into disarray.

I took the corner sharply, nearly losing my footing as gravel crunched underfoot. The secret spot was just ahead, tucked away where teachers rarely ventured, a place that had been ours.

I finally reached our spot in the woods.

Then, my gaze landed on him, and my heart stopped.

Aidan lay crumpled against the base of the tree, his figure half-shrouded in shadow. His jacket was torn, revealing angry patches of bruised skin that covered his arms.

His face was swollen and discolored.

"No," I gasped, stumbling towards him, my hands trembling as though they were no longer part of my body. "Aidan!"

His name ripped from my throat, a strangled sound that seemed too loud in the quiet of the woods. My mind raced, frantic thoughts tripping over each other. Did his father do this to him again?

I crouched beside him, my fingers hovering just inches from his bruised cheek, afraid that even the slightest touch might cause him more pain. His chest rose and fell with shallow, uneven breaths, the only sign that the boy who’d always been invincible to me was still clinging to consciousness.

"Please, open your eyes," I whispered, my voice laced with a desperation I couldn’t hide. "Please."

His eyelids fluttered. I took his hand, cold and limp in my own, squeezing gently, willing some of my warmth into him.

"Aidan," I urged, my voice catching on the sharp edges of panic. "Talk to me, please. What happened to you?"

He winced, a soft groan escaping his lips as he tried to shift his position.

"Hey..." His voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper, each syllable laced with agony. "Sorry, I fell asleep."

"Who did this?" I pressed, scanning his battered form for any sign of what could have led to this violence.

"Doesn’t... matter," he managed to say, a shadow passing over his expression, hinting at secrets too heavy for his bruised shoulders to bear.

"Of course, it matters!" I retorted, my fear morphing into frustration. "You’re hurt—look at yourself! Aidan, you can’t just—"

"Drop it, Ivy," he cut me off sharply, a flicker of the old fire burning in his gaze. "I called you so we could hang out. Not for you to sit here and feel bad for me."

"How can I not?" I barked. "Look at the state you are in. This is worse than other times. Your father did this to you, didn’t he?"

"Who else? It’s fine, Ivy. I am used to this. He just went a little far this time with his fists. It’ll take some time to heal, but I will be fine,"

I reached for my phone again, the screen’s glow a harsh contrast to the fading light around us. "I’m calling someone, Aidan. You can’t just sit here all night."

"No," his voice was firmer this time, but it broke halfway, betraying the pain he was trying to hide. "No doctors. No hospitals."

"Are you insane?" I snapped, my fingers hovering over the call button. "You need help."

"Please, Ivy." The plea in his eyes hit me harder than any cry for help. "Just help me up. I’ll manage."

"Like hell you will," I muttered under my breath. But I pocketed the phone and scooted closer, slipping an arm behind his back. He tensed at the contact, a shiver running through him.

"Easy," I whispered, as much to calm myself as to reassure him. "On three, okay?"

He nodded once, grim determination setting into his features. We counted together, and on three, I pulled. His body was a dead weight against mine, and a soft grunt of pain escaped him as we struggled to get him upright.

"Okay?" I paused, searching his face for signs that I was causing more harm than good.

"Just... keep going," he breathed out.

"Stubborn mule," I grumbled, though my heart raced with worry. With one arm wrapped around his waist and his arm slung over my shoulder, we stumbled forward. Each step was a battle against his weakness and my fear.

"Tell me if it’s too much," I said, though I knew he wouldn’t.

"Can’t be worse," he managed to reply, a shadow of a smirk on his lips despite the swelling.

"Stop trying to be charming. It’s not working," I shot back, but a small smile tugged at my own lips. Fear still gnawed at me, but there was comfort in our familiar banter.

"Never works on you," he said, a puff of laughter turning into a wince.

"Because I know you’re an idiot," I retorted, my tone lighter than I felt. The secret spot was behind us now, the school’s back entrance creeping closer with each labored step.

"I am your idiot," he corrected quietly, and it struck a chord deep inside me.

"Yes," I whispered, feeling his weight lean heavier against me. "But don’t think this means I’m letting you off the hook. We’ll talk when you’re not looking like a punching bag."

"Looking forward to it," he murmured, and even in the dimming light, I could see the gratitude in his eyes.

"Shut up and walk," I said, hiding the tremble in my voice with a pretend scowl.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"To my car," I said.

"Since when do you have a car? Oh, right, I totally forgot you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth," he remarked, dripping with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes but didn’t let his rudeness get to me.

"It’s my Mom’s. She lets me borrow it sometimes. And luckily, I have it today," I said. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

We made it to the parking lot, my relief palpable as I spotted my car in the distance. With renewed determination, I guided Aidan towards it, ignoring the ache in my arms and the knots of worry in my stomach.

"Just a little further," I encouraged, the words as much for myself as for him. "We’re almost there."

He leaned heavily on me, his breath coming in ragged gasps that spoke of his pain. But he didn’t complain, didn’t ask for help, just gritted his teeth and soldiered on.

Finally, we reached my car, and I helped him ease into the passenger seat, hissing in sympathy as he winced at the movement. I wanted to say something, anything to comfort him, but the words caught in my throat, choked by the sight of his battered form.

Instead, I closed the door gently, the soft click echoing in the stillness of the night. With one last glance at Aidan, I hurried around to the driver’s side, my hands trembling as I fumbled with the keys.

As the engine roared to life, I stole a glance at him, his head tilted back against the headrest, eyes closed as if sleeping.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked, still with his eyes closed.

"My house," I replied.