Chapter 2 - Boxes to Tick.
1666 Words
Aries’ POV
The flash of cameras, the calls of my name, and the chants of “Mr. President!” felt like static noise now.
“Aries Lancaster! I love you!“ A voice echoes through the crowd that is forming.
Still, I smiled and lifted my hand in a lazy wave — casual, practiced, effortless. A few girls near the fountain screamed like I’d just proposed marriage. One nearly dropped her phone.
This place hadn’t changed.
Neither had they.
Behind me, the hum of an engine roared through the air as a sleek black Maybach rolled into the school parking lot, followed closely by a dark green Range Rover Velar.
I didn’t even need to turn around.
Scott.
Sure enough, the Maybach door opened and out stepped Scott Prince William — tall, sharp-jawed, with tousled black hair that looked like it had been styled by the wind itself. Scott always had that intense aura — the kind that drew people to him, and also kept them terrified of getting too close.
From the Range, two guys stepped out — Cameron and Elias — our other childhood friends and longtime shadows.
“Hey man,” Elias greeted, bumping fists with me.
“Had a rough morning, huh?“ I asked, as Scott slowly walked up to me.
“It was hell out of one,” he said, putting both his hands into his pocket.
“No need to say. Your hair says it all.“
I smirked as we all started walking toward the Great Hall together, it was like watching a movie on campus. Everyone shifted. People followed. Phones raised and voices murmured.
Scott chuckled under his breath. “Are we walking to orientation or shooting a music video?”
Cameron grinned. “The President’s entourage effect. What can we say?”
“Tsk, smart guy,” Elias said.
I shrugged. “I asked for peace. The universe handed me chaos.”
We passed by the crowd who was standing by the entrance of the Great Hall, and I caught a glimpse of a girl with mismatched eyes watching us for a second too long.
She blinked and looked away quickly, looking for something in her small bag that has hung around her shoulder.
I narrowed my eyes. Was that... Angella Vega?
I didn’t stare. Just kept walking. I looked back, and she immediately looked away.
But her face stayed in the back of my mind longer than I wanted to admit.
---
Angella’s POV
“Okay, I know I say this every year,” Tiffany whispered like we were in a high court trial, “but damn. They really look like the cover of a billionaire bachelor calendar.”
I couldn’t even argue. I was still trying to catch my breath.
The four of them walked like they owned oxygen — coordinated, confident, and carved straight from a w*****d fantasy.
But him? Aries?
He didn’t walk. He glided.
Every movement was smooth, calculated but casual, like he didn’t care that everyone was watching — because he already knew they would.
“I know the others are hot,” Tiffany murmured as we walked into the Great Hall. “But I get why you’re obsessed. He’s the main course.”
I didn’t answer. My heart was still somewhere in my throat from the state that Aries just gave me. I hit my chest several times as I followed behind Tiffany.
Jordan caught up to us, tossing his car keys in the air. “Yo, who was the guy that stepped out of the Maybach?”
I blinked back into reality.
Tiffany stopped abruptly, turned dramatically, flipping her hair. “That’s Scott. Prince. William,” she said, emphasizing every word. “Aries’ childhood friend.”
“Royal name. Makes sense,” Jordan muttered as he walked off toward the guys’ dorm.
“I'll see you guys later,” he yelled from a distance away and I waved him goodbye with a small smile on my lips.
“Come on,” Tiffany dragged me, rushing towards the stairs that led to our dorm.
Tiffany and I made our way to the girls’ dorm. Room 314.
It smelled like lemon air freshener and cardboard boxes — the signature scent of back-to-school unpacking. No sign of our other roommates yet. Just us and our chaos.
Tiffany collapsed dramatically on her bed, phone already buzzing with group chats. I dragged my suitcase toward the wardrobe, unpacking my stack of mental health journals, some self-care candles, and a worn-out “Coffee and Coping” hoodie.
“So...” Tiffany’s voice sang from behind. “Let’s talk about your future boyfriend. How-to-get-a-boyfriend-mission 101.”
I froze mid-unfolding a sweater. “You’re delusional.”
“You literally paused reality when he got out of the car. Angie, admit it. You want him to press you against the bulletin board and whisper mental health affirmations into your ears.”
I scoffed and turned. “Shut up, Tiff. Your mind's dirty.“
“Hmm hmm,” she sounded.
“I admire him. Big difference.”
She raised a brow. “From afar. Always from afar.“
“And…? What do you want me to do?“ I asked.
“Look. You’re smart, cute, and have heterochromia — that’s like... main character material.”
I sighed, flopping beside her on the bed. “Tiff, he’s Aries. He breathes confidence. I breathe social anxiety. He’s engineering. I’m psychology. He’s Mr. President. I’m... Academic Director with a hobby for digital planners.”
“That’s it.” Tiffany snapped her fingers. “That’s your angle.”
I blinked. “What angle?”
She smirked. “You want him to notice you? We give him a reason.”
Before I could respond, the door swung open.
“Hi!” a soft voice chirped. “Room 314?”
“Didn't you look at the door?“ Tiffany blurted out. I gently nudged her by the arm.
She smiled. “Yes. Come in.“
Two girls walked in, each dragging pink suitcases.
The taller one had olive skin and long black curls. The other had a nose ring and purple box braids.
“I’m Luna. And this is Dakota,” the one with the nose ring said warmly.
I stood up. “Angella. This is Tiffany.”
We exchanged greetings — polite, warm, the beginning of something new — before Tiffany turned to me and said, “Come. Let’s go clear our heads and get snacks before I forget my genius plan.”
I gave a small nod. Before exiting the room, I turned to Luna and Dakota who were unpacking their suitcases. “Uhm… we'll head out now. We've got something to do. See you later.”
“It's fine. Bye,” Luna said, excitedly.
“She's so cheerful,” I said with a small smile on my face. “You didn't have to be so rude.“
“I wasn't. It was clearly written on the door. Even a partially blind man can see it.“
---
The hallway buzzed with chatter and footsteps as we walked down the stairs.
Then — as we turned the corner, Tiffany nudged me.
She leaned in. “Okay. Here’s the deal. You're aware that the Freshers’ Welcome Party is this Friday. The perfect setting. Music. Lights and fake courage.”
I stared, looking around. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“Simple. You walk up to Aries. You tell him you like him. Straight up. No games.”
I stopped mid-step. “Are you crazy?”
“Just enough.”
“What kind of ridiculous plan is that?“ I swallowed, nerves and caffeine churning in my stomach.
“Then you can die a spinster, babe,” she blurted out. Students in the hallway, looked at us as I told her to quiet it down.
“What if he laughs at me? Or worse... doesn’t even remember my name?”
“Have you met him before?“
“Yeah… That was in my second year.“
FLASHBACK
I sat down in the empty Great Aurelian Hall where ceremonies and important events held. Strolling through my phone, I sighed deeply while waiting for Jordan. I checked the time and it was already past thirty minutes from our meeting time. In annoyance, I opened the door to exit the hall as I bumped into a hard surface.
Warm hands caught me by the waist, my eyes widening as I saw a tall figure, staring down at me.
“Sorry,” I said as he unhanded me.
“It's okay.“
He leaned in closer, his warm minty breath fanning my face. “You've got beautiful eyes. I love them.“
I widened my eyes, adjusting my glasses as admiration sparked in my eyes. He was so perfect. His nose, eyes and jawline. Gosh!
PRESENT.
Tiffany looped her arm through mine. “You crazy girl. See how you're drooling.“
I snapped back into reality, realizing my mouth was slightly opened.
“Don't worry. If the plan fails… we cry. But we cry knowing you tried. Besides, you’re Angella Vega. Nerd queen. GPA goddess. You’re a force, babe,” she said, hitting my arm.
As we continued walking, I spotted them — Aries and Scott, side by side, headed toward the faculty block. People moved aside like water parting for royalty.
My heart leapt, feet wobbly as I held onto one of the pillars.
“What's up with your legs?“ Tiffany asked, crossing her arms and staring at me. I motioned with my eyes for her to look straight ahead.
She immediately turned and she nearly collapsed. “Scott Williams is walking towards us,“ she shrieked.
I stared at Aries intently but instead of looking away, I smiled.
Not at them.
At myself.
This year… I’ll tick all my boxes. Grades. Confidence. Growth.
And maybe — just maybe — the last box too.
Get Aries Sebastian Knight Lancaster to fall in love with me.
- Writer
