MORE THAN A FEELING

CHAPTER 2: THE UNEXPECTED GUEST II

The dinner felt like a dream and a nightmare all at once. The clinking of silver forks against fine china was the only sound filling the gaps in conversation. While the parents laughed and toasted to "new beginnings," the air between Aria and Cassian was heavy enough to suffocate.

Cassian’s older brother, Killian, leaned over and whispered, "Careful, little brother. If you stare any harder, you’re going to melt her ice."

Cassian didn't even blink. He didn't care if his family noticed. He had spent months wondering if she was okay, if she was eating, if she was smiling. Seeing her here, sitting just three feet away, made his chest ache with a mix of relief and stinging pain.

"Aria, dear," Cassian’s mother said softly, reaching across the table to pat Aria’s hand. "We are so happy you're back. We’ve missed your light in this house."

Aria gave a small, polite nod. "Thank you, Mrs. Thorne. It’s... good to be here."

Her voice was different. It used to be like a song; now it was like a whisper in a library. Cold and quiet.

"Cassian will show you around the school tomorrow," Arthur Rosemont added, looking at Cassian with trust. "He’ll make sure no one bothers you. Right, son?"

"Always," Cassian said, his voice deeper than usual. He finally caught Aria’s eyes. He wanted her to see the hurt in his gaze, but all he felt was his heart softening the moment their eyes locked.

After the dessert was served, the parents moved to the lounge to discuss a new car-and-fashion collaboration. The protective Rosemont brothers, Silas and Dante, wandered off to the game room with Killian.

Finally, the room was empty. It was just the two of them.

The silence was deafening. Aria stood up, smoothed out her silk skirt, and headed toward the glass doors leading to the balcony. She didn't ask him to follow, but she didn't close the door behind her.

Cassian followed her out into the cool night air. The scent of her expensive rose perfume hit him—the same scent she had worn the last time he saw her.

"Why, Aria?" he asked, his voice cracking just a little.

She stood at the railing, looking out at the Thorne vineyards. "Why what?"

"You left," he said, stepping closer until he was standing right behind her. He could feel the warmth radiating off her, even though she was acting so cold. "No text. No call. You just disappeared. I stayed up for weeks waiting for a sign that you were okay. Do you have any idea what that did to me?"

Aria’s shoulders trespassed. She didn't turn around. "I couldn't, Cassian. Everything was breaking. I felt like if I spoke to anyone who actually cared about me, I would just... shatter. I had to go quiet."

"You didn't have to go quiet with me," Cassian stepped around to face her, forcing her to look at him. "I’m not just 'anyone.' I’m your best friend. I was the one who held your hand when we were five, remember? I was the one who promised to always protect you."

Aria looked up at him, and for the first time that night, he saw a tear shimmer in her eye. "That’s the problem, Cassian. You’re too good. And after what he did to me... I don't think I deserve 'good' anymore. I don't trust the feeling of being happy. It feels like a trap."

Cassian reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he touched her cheek. It was the first time he had touched her in months, and the "More Than a Feeling" spark was so strong it felt like an electric shock.

"It's not a trap," he whispered, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "It's just me. And I’m not going anywhere. Even if you try to run again, I’ll just follow you."

Aria didn't pull away. She leaned into his touch for just a second a tiny moment of weakness before she masked her face again and stepped back.

"Don't get too close, Cassian," she warned, her voice turning cold again. "I’m not the same girl you knew. That girl is dead."

As she walked back inside, leaving him alone in the dark, Cassian watched her go. He didn't believe her. That girl wasn't dead; she was just hiding. And he would spend every second at their new school proving to her that love didn't have to hurt.