MY BEST FRIEND'S COLD BROTHER

Chapter 2: A GHOST FROM THE PAST

“Josh!!! How are you here?!” I exclaimed in shock.

“Well, I transferred here,” he replied with a smile as he helped me to my feet.

“You transferred?! Since when?” I asked, dusting off my skirt.

“Well, today,” he responded.

“Weren't you in the States just last month?” I questioned.

“I got back last month and transferred here today,” he explained.

“You didn't even inform me that you were coming,” I said, visibly hurt.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just didn't want to stress you,” he explained apologetically.

“Wow! I never expected you to come back to the country, let alone transfer to this school,” I added in surprise.

“Well, I'm here now, so you have to make sure you show me around,” he said with a warm smile.

“Well, that's not a problem,” I replied.

We headed toward the cafeteria, and on our way, we encountered Aiden walking toward the class block.

I gave him a slight bow, which he acknowledged with a nod. He then cast a quick glance at Josh.

For a brief moment, he paused.

Then, without saying a word, he turned and walked away briskly.

“Who was that?” Josh asked.

“Oh, that's my friend's older brother,” I replied.

“Oh, that means he's in a senior class,” Josh remarked.

“No, he's not. He's in the same class as us,” I corrected him.

“But how?” he asked, looking puzzled.

“He was transferred here last year, so he had to be placed in the same class as ours because the academic session was already nearing its end,” I explained.

“Oh, I see,” Josh said.

When we arrived at the cafeteria, I immediately spotted Leah at the far-end table, still enjoying her meal.

“So, you haven't finished yet?” I asked from behind her.

She turned around in surprise and chuckled.

“Oh, you're here!”

Her eyes shifted toward Josh before she looked back at me curiously.

“Leah, this is Josh, my childhood friend I've always told you about. Josh, this is my best friend, Leah.”

“Hello,” Josh greeted, giving her a friendly wave.

“Hello. Welcome to Kingsbridge Elite Academy,” Leah responded with a warm smile.

“Thank you. I hope I'll have a great time here,” Josh replied.

“You definitely will,” Leah and I said simultaneously.

I ordered pistachio cookies paired with an iced vanilla latte, while Josh ordered a caramel macchiato.

We ate and chatted for a few minutes before heading back to class.

The stares and giggles from the girls at the sight of Josh were a spectacle to behold.

Josh possessed an effortlessly commanding presence, the kind that came naturally to someone born into wealth and privilege. His well-built frame was clad in an impeccably fitted school uniform.

His face was striking, with a sharply defined jawline, thick dark brows, and deep ocean-blue eyes that could make anyone lose their composure under his gaze.

Josh had always been handsome, even as a child. I used to get bullied by the girls in our neighborhood simply because I was closer to him than they were.

As fate would have it, Josh was assigned to Class B—the same class as Aiden.

We eventually parted ways and headed to our respective classrooms.

“I can't believe you've had this Greek god as your friend all this while,” Leah said incredulously, casting me a teasing glare as we made our way toward our seats.

“Well, we hadn't really been in touch until last month, when I received a call from an unknown number. The person claimed to be my old-time friend who had stumbled upon my contact in an old book,” I explained, wanting her to understand.

“Well, it's a good thing he found your contact and transferred here. At least your friendship can finally be rekindled,” Leah said teasingly.

“Well, I guess so,” I replied with a smile.

---

Aiden's POV

Aurora should have been with Leah by now so she wouldn't feel lonely in the cafeteria.

But who was that guy with her?

It feels like I've seen his face before, but I can't seem to remember where.

I thought deeply for a moment.

I guess I'm stressed, and now I'm beginning to see things that aren't there.

I dismissed the thought and reached for my assessment book.

“Aiden, what do you think of your sister and me?” Jake asked, clearly eager to start one of his annoying episodes.

“Jake, you should know your limits when it comes to jokes,” I replied, my expression hardening with disgust.

“You shouldn't take it so seriously. You know it's just a joke,” he replied playfully.

But he had already gotten on my nerves with his ridiculous remarks.

I decided to ignore him and focused on my assessment book.

A few moments later, the new guy—the same person Aurora had been with—walked into the classroom alongside the teacher.

We all rose to greet the teacher before settling back into our seats.

“Good afternoon, everyone. This is Josh, a new transfer student. I hope you'll all help him adjust to his new environment,” the teacher announced.

He then directed Josh to the empty seat across from Jake.

I glanced at him again.

That strange sense of familiarity returned.

There was something about his face that I couldn't quite place.

Where have I seen him before?

“Hey, new guy,” Jake called out.

“You mean me?” Josh turned toward him.

“Yes, you. Where did you transfer from?” Jake asked curiously.

Josh hesitated briefly before answering.

“I transferred from Harrington Academy.”

My heart seemed to stop.

Harrington Academy?

“Wait... what? Harrington Academy?” I thought, barely able to contain my reaction.

My face immediately darkened.

And then, like a door being violently forced open, memories I had desperately tried to bury came rushing back.

The accusations.

The betrayal.

The humiliation.

The shattered reputation.

The painful months I had spent trying to rebuild myself.

And now, standing before me was one of the people responsible for it all.

Josh.

He was one of the masterminds behind the nightmare I had kept buried deep within me for years.

“Oh, Harrington Academy? One of the prestigious schools in New York City?” Jake asked, clearly impressed.

“Yes, you're right,” Josh affirmed casually.

“Then you must know Wellington Crest Academy—the school our beloved Aiden transferred from,” Jake added, pointing toward me.

Josh slowly turned in my direction.

Our eyes met.

His expression was unreadable.

So was mine.

But something passed between us in that brief silence—something only the two of us could understand.

The entire classroom seemed to hold its breath as the tension between us intensified.

Just then, Leah entered the classroom.

“Aiden!”

Her voice broke the silence.

I tore my gaze away from Josh.

Before walking out, I gave him one final, icy glance.

This time, there was no doubt in my mind.

Josh was back.

And with him came the past I had spent years trying to forget.