Chapter two_ The cold one
955 Words
Aria's Pov
I got up, showered, and got dressed in my best attempt at looking normal. I even took a second to look at the mirror before stepping out. The reflection staring back looked a little less tired than yesterday. A little more alive.
Today was my first day at Maple Heights College.
New school. New city. New life.
Maybe new peace, too.
Outside, the morning air was crisp and bright. I locked the door, adjusted my bag, and walked down the stairs of the apartment complex.
I didn't expect to see them again so soon, the boys from last night.
Ethan stood by the car parked in front of the building, laughing with two other guys. His laughter was loud, effortless, like he was born to be the kind of person people looked at twice. Leo stood a few feet away, leaning against his bike.
Just seeing him again made my chest tighten.
Ethan caught the sight of me first. "Hey, Aria." He called out with a friendly grin.
"You heading to school? Which one?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Maple Heights College."
His eyes lit up. "OH, same as us!"
"Really?"
"Yeah." He gestured towards the car. "You can ride with us, if you want. It's your first day right?."
One of the guys laughed and nudged him. "Dude, the car is already full."
Ethan sighed and turned to Leo. "Then she can ride with you."
Leo didn't even glance at me.
"Bro, come on," Ethan insisted. "Don't be a jerk for once."
Leo's response was the deep growl of his bike's starting. His head lifted slightly, then he revved once, sharp and loud, and drove off without looking back.
The air that followed felt colder than before.
My mouth hung open. "Wow."
Ethan groaned. "Sorry about that. He's..... complicated."
"I can tell." I muttered.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Don't mind him. He doesn't talk much_ ever since...." He stopped himself, forcing a smile. "Anyway, come on. We will squeeze you in somehow.
I got into the car, careful not to bump into the drum case taking half the seat. The ride was noisy but warm, filled with laughter and half-arguments about upcoming gigs. I mostly listened, learning names I might later forget later _ Jake, Mason.
But not Leo, that one was already branded in my mind.
When we reached the school gate, the campus buzzed with life. The school was bigger and more beautiful than I'd imagined. A blur of uniforms and noise.
As we pulled in, I noticed a group of boys gathered near the parking lot. They were loud, cocky_ the kind that made every girl's eyes follow them. We got down from the car but, their leader, a tall guy with neat dark hair and a gold chain, spotted Ethan's group and smirked, he matched towards us.
"Well, if it isn't Maplewood's noise makers," he called. " Where's your Precious lead guitarist? Too scared to show his face again?
Ethan froze beside me. "Blake."
Blake walked closer, confidence dripping from his grin. "Tell him I said hi. Or maybe don't_ cowards don't deserve greetings."
Before anyone could stop him, Ethan stepped forward and punched Blake square in the jaw.
The sound cracked through the air like a snapped string.
Gasps followed. A few students stopped walking. Blake staggered back, clutching his jaw before laughing quietly. "You will pay for that."
"Try me," Ethan shot back, breathing hard.
Blake spat on the ground and walked off with his crew, muttering under his breath.
I stood there, half-shocked. "What just happened?" I asked no one in particular.
"Sorry about that," Ethan muttered, flexing his hand. "He deserved worse."
I just nodded, unsure what to say. He asked about my course and led me to where my class is.
The rest of the morning blurred into introductions and lectures. I tried to focus but my mind kept drifting back to the sound of the guitar. "Could they be rehearsing that time, or was he the one playing it for himself?"
I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it.
By the time class ended, the sun had climbed higher, and I felt both drained and restless. I walked towards the, pulling my bag close when I saw Leo again. He stood beside his bike.
I hesitated, then took a small step forward. Maybe it was stupid. Maybe I was curious. Maybe I just wanted to ask about the guitar.
"Hey," I called softly.
No response.
I tried again, a little louder. "Hey, I'm talking to you"
He didn't even turn. He just brushed past me as if I was a shadow.
My breath caught in frustration.
"Seriously."
"Fine," I snapped under my breath. "I wasn't planning on chasing friendship anyway. Get lost. Jerk."
The words slipped out harsher than I meant, but I didn't care. My chest burned from the anger.
I turned quickly and matched towards the direction that led to the gate.
In my haste, I didn't see the guy walking out of the classroom. I bumped into him hard, my books nearly tumbling out of my arms.
"I'm so sorry," I said quickly, bending down. A small object had fallen_ something shiny. A bead, maybe. I picked it up, ready to hand it back.
But when I lifted my head_ he was gone.
I blinked, looking around. No footsteps. Nothing.
"Uh... Okay," I murmured, frowning. The bead rested cool against my palm, an unfamiliar symbol carved into it. There was a faint blood stain on it, but I shook it off, maybe it was just a paint.
I slipped it gently into my pocket. "Guess I will keep it. Maybe he will look for it later."
- Writer
