Amelia's POV
The first class was canceled, so we found ourselves sitting in the corner of the football ground, seeking refuge under the shadow of a large oak tree. France, Rose, Maya, and I were gathered in a circle, the early morning sun casting dappled light through the leaves.
Rose, leaning back against the bleachers, kicks off the conversation with a playful grin. "Alright, spill it, team. How's the competition prep going for everyone?"
France chuckles, stretching out his legs. "Rose and I have been diving deep into market research. We're trying to figure out what makes our target audience tick," he says, his tone lighthearted.
Maya nods, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Sounds like you two are on the right track. As for me and Rayden, we've been brainstorming ideas like crazy. Trying to come up with something that'll really wow the judges," she adds, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Rose grins, leaning forward eagerly. "I love it! The more creative, the better. Amelia and Aiden are cooking up something interesting too, I bet," she says, her enthusiasm contagious.
"We've been brainstorming ideas for our business venture," Rose started, her voice filled with excitement. "We're thinking of launching a digital platform that connects local farmers with consumers, promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting small-scale farmers."France nodded in agreement, adding, "Our platform would allow consumers to directly purchase fresh, locally sourced produce while also providing farmers with a fair and transparent marketplace to sell their goods."Maya and I exchanged impressed looks, intrigued by their concept. "That sounds like a fantastic idea," Maya remarked, her interest piqued. "Have you considered how you'll scale the platform and attract both farmers and consumers?"Rose smiled, appreciating Maya's question. "Definitely," she replied. "We're planning to start small, focusing on building relationships with local farmers and gradually expanding our reach through targeted marketing and community outreach initiatives."
France chimed in, his expression thoughtful. "In addition, we're exploring the possibility of incorporating features like educational resources and virtual farm tours to engage consumers and foster a sense of connection to the food they're buying," he added, his ideas sparking enthusiasm.As they continued to share their vision for the business, Maya and I listened intently, offering feedback and suggestions along the way. It was clear that Rose and France were passionate about their idea and had thought carefully about its potential impact.
I was enjoying the conversation at the same time I couldn't shake the confusion and unease that had been gnawing at me since the disastrous dinner with France. Gathering my courage, I turned to him. "I'm so sorry, France. We never really had a proper conversation about what happened," I said, my voice tinged with regret. "I really want to make it up to you."
Rose and Maya, sitting across from us, exchanged puzzled glances, clearly unaware of the dinner incident. Trying to avoid unnecessary drama, I quickly explained, "France and I had dinner, but unfortunately, it got cut short. A dead plant situation," I added, hoping to gloss over the details.
France smiled, but it didnât reach his eyes. It was a bitter, almost resigned smile. "It's okay, Amelia. I understand," he said, though his tone suggested otherwise. After a moment, he continued, "But I can't help but notice something. Ever since the business competition started and you partnered with Aiden, it seems like youâre a bit too engrossed with him. Look at your life these daysâit's all about you and Aiden. I thought you didn't like him."
His words stung, and I felt a defensive retort bubbling up, but I swallowed it down. "It's good that you're making new friends," France added, "but it's concerning that your interaction is with someone who caused you so much trouble."
Rose and Maya looked at me expectantly, waiting for my response. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.
After our conversation on the football ground, the school day resumed its usual chaotic pace. As I navigated the crowded hallways, my mind kept drifting back to France's words. Was I really spending too much time with Aiden?
....................
As I walked into the cafeteria with Rose, I couldn't help but groan about how awful that last class was. "God, that class felt like it would never end," I said, rubbing my legs. "My legs are killing me from sitting in the same position for so long."
Rose nodded sympathetically. "I know, right? I thought I'd be stuck in that chair forever."
"Thank God it ended," I said, rolling my eyes. "Or else I would have been ended."
Just as we were finishing our complaints, the blonde girl reached usâit's Emily, how can i forget the girl who tried her best to cause me painâher eyes locking onto me. I chose to ignore her, not in the mood for whatever drama she might bring. Instead, I headed straight for the counter with Rose.
We both started filling our plates with the cafeteriaâs offerings. As usual, I went for the ramen, my go-to comfort food. Rose, always the health-conscious one, added some salad to my plate.
I looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. "Salad, really?"
"It's good for your health," Rose said with a smile, plopping a cherry tomato on top.
I sighed, knowing she was right but still eyeing my ramen with more enthusiasm. "Yeah, yeah," I muttered, grinning back at her.
We were about to take our seats when Emily suddenly blocked our way. She looked straight at me, her expression a mix of anger and disdain. "Amelia, how shameful of you," she spat. "Remember how you despised Aiden, how you hated him, how he humiliated you, and still, here you are, being the low being. Teaming up with Aiden for the competition just for the sake of winning."
Her words stung, but I refused to show it. Instead, I straightened up, meeting her gaze head-on. "Emily, it's called strategy, that you lack. It's about being smart but how will you know." Rose giggled at my remarks making Emily fume in anger.
Emily, her face flushed with anger, struggled to control her rage as she spoke. "Let me teach you a lesson," she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. She scanned the cafeteria, her eyes blazing with intensity. "And all of you," she continued, her gaze sweeping across the room, "let me tell you guys how to treat a bitch." Her eyes bore into mine, emphasizing the word "bitch" with venomous intent.
I braced myself for whatever verbal assault she was about to unleash, but what came next took me completely off guard. Emily raised her hands, her intention clear: she was going to hit me. My heart lurched in my chest, fear gripping me as I realized she was about to resort to physical violence. I wasn't prepared for this, not at all.
Just as her hand was about to make contact with my face, a sudden intervention stopped her in her tracks. A firm, muscular hand, veined and powerful, intercepted Emily's hand mere inches from my face. Time seemed to freeze as I stared in shock at the hand that had come to my rescue.
Here he was, my destroyer, my savior. His hand, strong and steady, held Emily's trembling fist in place, preventing it from reaching its intended target. I looked up at him, my eyes wide with a mixture of relief and gratitude.
Aiden.
In that moment, as our eyes met, I saw something unexpected flicker in his gaze. It was a brief, almost imperceptible softening of his expression, a hint of concern that belied his usual aloof demeanor. It was as if, for just a moment, he had let down his guard, allowing me to see a side of him I had never witnessed before.
But before I could dwell on it further, Aiden released Emily's hand and stepped between us, his presence commanding and protective. "That's enough, Emily," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
The students in the cafeteria were already abuzz with the gossip girl drama unfolding before them, but now with Aiden, the enigmatic figure who seemed to command attention wherever he went, stepping into the spotlight, the atmosphere crackled with heightened excitement. It was as if a scene from a high school drama had come to life right before their eyes, and they couldn't tear themselves away from the spectacle unfolding before them.
As I stood there, feeling the weight of all those curious eyes on me, I couldn't help but feel a wave of discomfort wash over me. I had never been one to seek attention, preferring to blend into the background and avoid unnecessary drama. And yet, here I was, at the center of it all, thanks to Emily's outburst and Aiden's timely intervention.
I looked around hesitantly, acutely aware of the whispers and stares directed my way. It was as if the entire cafeteria had paused to watch the drama unfold, their food and gossip momentarily forgotten as they eagerly awaited the next twist in the tale.
Emily's cunning smile sent a chill down my spine as she locked eyes with Aiden, her gaze dripping with deceit. I watched in disbelief as she began to spin her web of lies, attempting to manipulate Aiden and paint herself as the innocent victim in all of this.
My jaw practically hit the floor as I listened to her words, incredulous at the audacity of her deceit. Her Oscar-worthy performance was almost laughable if it weren't for the seriousness of the situation. I couldn't help but roll my eyes inwardly at her shameless attempt to twist the truth to suit her own agenda.
But before Emily could say another word, Aiden's voice cut through the tension like a knife, his words sharp and commanding. "Enough, Emily," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "You better control your hands before they are chopped off."
His words hung in the air like a warning, and for a moment, the cafeteria fell silent, stunned by the unexpected turn of events. I could practically feel the collective shock rippling through the room, mirroring my own astonishment at Aiden's words.
Emily's face turned an even deeper shade of red, as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her cheeks in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Her eyes darted between Aiden and me, a flicker of fear and vulnerability betraying her usual confident facade.
With a voice tinged with hurt and fear, Emily addressed Aiden, her words trembling slightly. "Aiden, now you're going to threaten me for this low life?" Her voice wavered, the weight of humiliation and the potential destruction of her reputation hanging heavy in the air.
But before she could say another word, Aiden's response cut through the tension like a knife, his tone steely and unwavering. "Emily, say something like that about her again, and I'll show you who the low life actually is."
His words were like a warning shot, silencing Emily and sending a ripple of shock through the cafeteria. For a moment, the air seemed to crackle with tension as Emily stared at Aiden, her expression a mixture of disbelief and wounded pride.
She was looking at Aiden as if she was losing something very precious.
As Emily walked out of the cafeteria, she turned away, feeling as though she had lost all her strength. The resolve she had entered with seemed to vanish into thin air.
As I kept my eyes fixed on Emily, I suddenly felt Aiden's presence looming right beside me. Startled, I glanced up at him, my frown clearly conveying my confusion and irritation at his close proximity. He merely smirked in response, evidently understanding my unspoken question.
"I'm waiting," he said, his tone laced with amusement.
I furrowed my brow, still puzzled. "Waiting for what?" I asked, genuinely perplexed.
"A thank you?" he suggested casually, his smirk widening. "Apparently, I just saved you."
I scoffed incredulously. "Saved me from what?" I retorted, crossing my arms defensively.
Aiden's expression hardened slightly as he replied, "From the pain of a slap, humiliation."
I narrowed my eyes at him, unimpressed. "Oh really?" I challenged. "Look around, Aiden."
He met my gaze directly, his face unreadable. "This is the exact place you humiliated me by bending me onto my knees," I reminded him, my voice tinged with bitterness, "Trust me I remember everything."
Aiden's demeanor stiffened at my words, his features hardening in response.
"I did you so many favors, became a hero, and all you remember is the situations I played the villain in," Aiden said, his voice tinged with frustration.
I gripped his collar tightly, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I will remember that all," I declared, my tone cold and determined. "I will not forget it, not until I return those favors, not until I serve my revenge cold."
With those words hanging heavily in the air, I released my grip on Aiden's collar and stepped back, my eyes flashing with resolve. It was a promise I intended to keep, no matter what it took.