Never For Love

CHAPTER 1

4 YEARS LATER

"ARIEL HURRY UP! WE ARE GONNA BE LATE FOR SCHOOL!" Aiden shouted from downstairs.

"Okay am coming!" I went down the stairs quickly taking a piece of toast from his plate before heading off to our car.

As usual I had won my black adidas hoodie with black ripped jeans with my hair in its usual ponytail. Hiding behind the hoodie had always been me. Made me go unnoticed. Aiden had worn a navy blue clinging shirt with black jeans. Though casual, he still looked like a model. He got into the BMW dad bought for us and started the car before speeding off with the music on full blast. It was his way of saying good morning to the neighbors.

"Jeez Aiden! Do you have to be so dramatic. I mean seriously its Monday morning,"

"Not everyone's as grumpy as you Ari," I rolled my eyes at this and kept silent. It wasn't a lie after all.

"Oh that reminds me mom said there's somewhere she has to take you this summer break. I think she mentioned retreat or something like that.

"What!?!"

Why the hell would she sign me up for such a thing and she knows I hate being around people. The rest of the drive I was silent as my mind got occupied with the retreat. By 7:45 we pulled up at our school, Primrose High or as I liked to call it, Hell. I let out a sigh as I unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door but it didn't. I looked back at Aiden and he had that face he gave me everyday before school.

"You're sure you'll be okay?"

"Of course" I said with a smile once again lying to him. To us this was like a daily routing. He asks I lie we move in or rather he moves on. I just ending up moping on how am never okay. He unlocked the door as we both cane out of the car and I quickly separate myself from him too scared he'll attract attention. I walked into school with my head low and hoodie covering my face. I waked silently with my guard up heading directly for my locker. My appearance since when I was 12 hadn't changed. I was still my chubby self and was even rocking the freckles on my cheeks. NOT! I opened my locker taking the books I needed and went off. Instead of smooth sailing, I hit a brick wall. I fall on my butt with my books sprawling everywhere. I quickly gather my things and stand up ready to face my one and only bully, Bryce. Imagine the shock on my face when I met eye to eye with striking grey eyes that sent chills down my spine.

"Watch where you're going next time," he said in a husky voice.

I wasn't even listening. He's face mesmerized me beyond recovery. For sure he must have been favored by that guy up there! His jaw looked like it could cut through anything. His lips were perfect with its pink plumpness. Everything about his face screamed demi-god but the most was his eyes. I was scared that if I stared for too long I would get lost in them. But of course anxiety got in the way and I drifted my eyes from his murmuring a small sorry before scurrying away. OMG! I just spoke to The Lucas Ricci! The most wanted boy in Primrose High!

I got into class and sat at the farthest back seat at the right corner of the class and kept my head down as the warning bell rang and students started piling up in class. It was not long before our English teacher came into the class and started teaching. As you probably guessed am a straight A's student so the teachers loved me. Well I wouldn't really call it love since they knew what happened to me in school and never really did anything to stop it. I think the best word for it was pride. They took pride in my grades saying it was all them not knowing I never concentrate in their lessons. I never complained though. Too much attention!

"So I hope all of you did my assignment because one of you, of my choice, will do a presentation of the essay," Ms. Robinson said as her eyes scanned the class. I kept my head down as my heartbeat picked up.

"Aah yes! Ariel, why don't you do it!" she said as the whole class turned their heads towards me.

My eyes widened like saucers as I shook my head disagreeing with the teacher.

"No, no come on right up " she said with a motion of her fingers.

I suddenly felt like the air was being sucked right out of me as I stood up. My legs felt like they would give in at any time. I walked slowly to the front avoiding any eye contact with anyone. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. My throat felt so dry.

"Gosh she's such a freak! Uggh! Does she even know how to speak? I wonder hw she got adopted into the Dawson family. It obviously was a mistake. I mean look at her!" I heard Kristine, Bryce's girlfriend, whisper to Riley.

Tears blurred my vision making me think I would break in front of the whole class. Saved by th e bell is what many say. For me it was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Ms. Robinson said.

Lucas entered the class a bored expression on his face. He didn't even give an explanation for being 20 minutes late for class. He didn't wait for the teacher to tell him to seat down. No. He just went to the back of the class and occupied his usual seat. The teacher didn't do anything about it. in fact she seemed a bit fazed.

"Okay Ariel you may seat down. We can do this another time.

Letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding, I headed for my chair. But of course something happened. Guess who? Yap you guessed it right! Kristine! The devil put out her leg making stumble and fall on my face. The whole class burst out laughing.

"Did you guys feel that! It was like an earthquake!" Riley said, making the class laugh even more. Some even pulled out their phones to take a video.

The laughs rang in my ears making my tears surface once again. My throat tightened making it hard to breath. I CAN'T be having a panic attack right now. My breathing became heavy until my eyes were held with stormy grey ones. The beauty and intensity of them relaxed my nerves a bit but didn't stop the tear from falling. His face was expressionless and hard to read. After what seemed like forever I broke away from his hold and got to my chair.

"Ms. Daniels ( Kristine) and Ms. Peterson (Riley)! DETENTION FOR 2 HOURS! This evening!"

"But Ms. Robinson, You cant do that! Its the last day of the semester!"

"Oh but I can Ms. Daniels and I just did!"

Kristine and her groupies gave me death glares assuring me this was not over.

......

It was lunch time and I could say so far so good. As usual I hid myself in the janitor"s closet and ate my Tuna sandwich in peace. Of course, I couldn't go to the cafeteria. Not after what happened the first day in school. The janitor even knew my name and even left the place open for me at lunch hours. No one knew this was my hiding place. Not even Aiden. It was like my safe heaven. The bell rang signaling the end of lunch giving me two more hours in this hell hole before I leave for summer break. I entered my chemistry class and sat at the back as usual. Though I got A's in chemistry, it was my least favorite. Our teacher, Mr. Clark taught for what seemed like decades. Five minutes to the end of the lesson, he had an announcement.

"So you have all been assigned with new partners for next semester till you finish school here. you will come collect your assignments which you should work together with your partner to finish it," he said as the bell rang.

I waited for everyone to get out before I collected my work and checked for my partner. Imagine the shock I got when I saw Lucas' next to mine. Though Lucas was a silent type he hung out with the popular after all, he was in the football team somehow. I put a mental note to ask Aiden about him later.

Luckily the last class of the day was Art with Mr. Walker. To say it was my favorite would be an understatement. It's my one way out. Our teacher was only a few years older than us and loved art. His lessons were the best. As he waited for us to settle, he wrote the topic of the day.

"Being the last day we will be doing something different. I want you to draw something that represents your true self. Your time starts now."

I removed my iPhone X ( Coming from a rich family does have its perks) and played some music putting on my headphones. Picking up my pencil, I drew.

"What do we have here?" Mr. Walker asked.

It was a flower in the dark that was slowly dying. Some of the petals had fallen and had wrinkled up.

"Ariel, do you really think this represent you? I want you to dig a little deeper. You'll find something greater than you can imagine," he said as he walked away.

I did a happy dance in my mind when the bell rang indicating the end of the semester. I walked out of school heading for our car when suddenly I felt something poured over my head. Everyone around pulled out their phones taking videos. Their laughs ringed in my head making me a bit lightheaded.

"That's what you get for putting Kristy and Riles in detention you w***e," one of Kristine's cheerleaders spoke.

The green paint that had glitter in it dripped all over me. The tears filled my eyes falling non stop.

"What the hell is going on!" I heard Aiden say. His friends stood next to him ready to defend him. Most of them were in the football team. I mean Aiden was the captain of the football team and the most popular guy in school after all. In a flash Aiden was on top of Bryce and managed to throw a punch before his friends pulled him off him.

Bryce laughed saying, "Its not my fault your sister is a bitchy w***e"

"Come on Ari, let's go," Aiden said pulling me into him.

"Aaaw how cute," Bryce said making Aiden flinch. His though were ready this time.

When I got home, I didn't wait. I locked my door room and entered the shower. I didn't hold back the tears.

Hey readers!

I really hope the book is interesting enough. Do leave a comment on your opinion and a like!