- Aria's POV -

"Are you crying?" He questions, and I can hear his footsteps getting closer.

I quickly wipe my tears and lift my head, giving him my best annoyed look.

"No. Why would I be crying? What are you doing here?" My voice comes out a little raspy.

He runs a hand through his hair, and suddenly I have the urge to jump on his back and weave my hands through his soft-looking, blond locks.

"I don't know, why would you be crying?" He ignores my second question.

"What do you want, Miles?" I groan.

He's about to say something until his eyes land on Stitch and a smirk replaces his worried frown. Suddenly, he snatches Stitch from my grasp.

I screech and jump off the bed, trying to grab Stitch back. He holds him up above his head, too high for me to reach.

All I feel right now is pure panic.

"Miles, give Stitch back!" I punch at his chest but he doesn't even budge.

His smirk grows wider. "Nah."

"Miles. Give him back." I glare.

"Nah."

"Oh my god, Miles. Just give him back!"

"Hmm. Let me think." He looks up, and then it's like he's in a trance.

"Miles?"

No response.

"Miles? Dude!" I clap my hands in his face.

He blinks. "Did you paint all that on your walls?"

I roll my eyes. "Heck no. Stitch did it."

He seems to remember Stitch in his hand. "Why did you get so hyped up when I took Stitch?"

I frown. "He's my soulmate."

He shakes his head in amusement.

"Why does he mean so much to you?"

"My mom gave him to me," I say quietly and look at the floor.

He furrows his eyebrows. "So? Can't she just get you a new one?"

No, because she's dead.

"She's busy." Why can't I just tell him the truth? Everyone else in town knows. Everyone. Even his parents! I don't think he was paying attention when his mom addressed Lydia as my aunt. Why do I keep lying, like it's a reflex?

"Miles, please." I really just want Stitch back.

He shakes his head. "You're going to have to find a way to reach, Shortcake."

I huff and cross my arms. I climb and stand on the bed, then pounce at my target, tackling Miles who was underneath me.

And he's laughing.

Miles is actually laughing, something I thought I'd never hear. But even I can't deny, his laugh is one of the best sounds I've ever heard. And his smile . . .

Not the right time, Aria!

I focus back on Stitch and grab him from Miles' hand, then throw him back to safety. He lands on my bed in between my pillows.

"Hey, Shortcake?"

"What?"

Miles smirks, and my eyes widen when suddenly we've switched positions. With me under him, he starts tickling my sides.

"Miles—HAHAHA! S-Stop it—HAHAHAHA! Ugh!" I'm laughing and kicking my legs, trying to escape.

"I told you, you should have watched out!" He continues to torture me.

"MILES PRES—HAHA! LYDIA!"

"Who died?!" Lydia and Mrs. Prescott storm into the room.

"I'M ABOUT—HAHAHA—TO!" Miles still hasn't stopped.

"Aw, look at these two lovebirds. They're so cute, let's plan their wedding." Lydia coos and Miles' mom laughs.

"No! Save m—HAHAHA!" They leave the room and my sides start to ache.

"Say you're sorry for the Mentos prank." Miles orders.

"Never!"

"Okay." He continues to tickle my stomach and my neck.

"Fine! I'm sorry!"

He stops and sits up. "That wasn't so hard now, was it?"

I don't respond since I'm catching my breath and sprawled out across the floor.

He winks. "Now I know Stitch is your weakness. Don't worry, Shortcake. I'll keep your secret."

He stands up and offers me his hand to pull me up. I shoot him a glare and stand up on my own, stumbling a bit. There's a knock on the door and Mr. Prescott's head pops in.

"We're leaving." He says.

Miles nods and walks out the door with me trailing behind. He slips his shoes on and waits beside his dad.

"Aria, feel free to come over whenever you'd like. You're always welcome. Oh, and call me Kristen." Mrs. Prescott smiles at me.

"Ah, and I'm Gabe." Mr. Prescott says.

"And I'm Miles." He grins.

Kristen rolls her eyes and smacks his arm.

Lydia laughs and says, "Same for you, Miles, you're always welcome here whenever you want."

He nods in thanks and shakes Paul's hand before they leave. Lydia closes the door and flashes me a toothy grin.

Before she can say anything embarrassing, I run back up to my room and lock the door. I close the curtains, remembering that Miles' room is across from mine and change into my pajamas before brushing my teeth and braiding my hair.

I grab Stitch and turn off the lights, my thoughts wandering to the boy next door until I'm finally asleep.