The fire crackled in the center of the clearing, casting wild, golden light over the crowd of teenagers dancing, drinking, and shouting over the bass thumping through portable speakers. Aiden kept to the outskirts, scanning the noise and color with a kind of detached curiosity. He'd only come because Angela asked, and he didn't want to seem rude, especially after she'd been the only one at school who treated him like a normal person from day one.
He wasn't expecting to bump into Ben so soon—or for the guy to look at him like he was a threat.
"You and Angela seem close," Ben said, nodding toward the fire where Angela laughed with Jessica.
Aiden frowned. "Yeah? We're friends. Classmates."
Ben's jaw twitched. "She's been talking about you a lot lately."
Aiden crossed his arms. "What do you want me to say? I'm not into her like that."
"But she's into you," Ben snapped. "Even if you won't admit it."
That pulled a dry, humorless laugh out of Aiden. "She's not. And even if she was, it wouldn't change anything. I'm not trying to step on your toes, man."
"Then stay out of the way."
Aiden stared at him, expression cooling. "You've got bigger problems if you think I'm the issue."
Ben shoved him.
It wasn't hard, just enough to cross a line.
Aiden took a breath, fists curling—not out of anger, but instinct. But he didn't want this. Not here. Not for something so stupid.
Still, Ben swung. Aiden ducked it, quick and calm, and swept Ben's legs out from under him before he could get his balance. The other guy landed on his back with a thud and a grunt.
Aiden stepped back, offering his hand. "You done?"
Ben stared up at him, chest heaving. After a moment, he took the hand, letting Aiden haul him back to his feet.
"She means a lot to me," Ben muttered, brushing dirt off his sleeves.
"She's a good person," Aiden said. "But she's not a prize to win, man. You want to be with her? Be better. Don't fight over her."
Ben looked like he wanted to argue—but then, finally, he nodded. "Alright."
They walked back toward the fire in silence, both quiet, both tense.
Angela spotted them and frowned. "Seriously? What happened?"
"Guy stuff," Ben said with a shrug.
Aiden gave her a lopsided smile. "Nothing you need to worry about."
She narrowed her eyes. "Did you fight?"
"No," Aiden said immediately. "We talked. And cleared things up."
Angela didn't quite believe it, but she let it go. "Well, if either of you throws a punch near me again, I'm decking both of you."
Aiden laughed. "Deal."
As the night wore on, Aiden kept close to the edges, chatting with a few classmates, quietly watching the stars when no one was looking. He didn't belong here—not really—but he was starting to realize he didn't need to. People were starting to see him. Not the version from Chicago. Just... Aiden.
And for once, that felt like enough.