Falling for Aphrodite

Falling for Aphrodite Book #1  i. epigraph ❝...his words were  nothing like him, and I will wait  until his own sound finally, mimic  the beauty of his  s o u l.❞ ii. foreword Ambrose High has a system of hierarchy- as all schools do. However, our school does not have the usual food chain where the cheerleaders have an automatic spot at the top. Even the notorious soccer players or those who engage in any field of sport do not have an easy pass to be part of this hierarchy. Then again, it is not like that they were not appreciated, of course. Women will always run to sweaty handsome men who can act like they will be the hero that will save them from some dark s**t that they have going on.  All were unaware of how this whole idea had started, but those posed as the so-called popular kids always hold the title of the gods and goddesses. I am sure these deities are insulted by such manners, but we seemed just to brush that idea aside. While it seemed stupid, it does seem fitting. Students love the idea to praise these people as if they were a higher being.  Unfortunately, I hold one of those titles, and it is for some forsaken reason that I still needed to realize. I briefly walked through the halls, noticing a few glances I received as I passed through the hallway. My lips push up a smile to recognize their attention, making most of the guys groan in appreciation while some of the girls smile. But then, of course, there’s this couple of girls who rolled their eyes at the very sight of me. That part is highly understandable. As to now, I still don’t quite get why people recognize me as the school’s so-called “Aphrodite.” Gaining that title drives some of the girls to have actual communication with me. No, they didn’t engage in some conversation with me to be all socialite. The whole idea of talking to the people to hold such a title is just a form of tactic in order to gather some bit of attention. It may not last, but some people feel validated in experiencing such thrill in their High School life. Sick, right?  Why waste energy and time just for some attention?  It took me a while to be able to accept that kind of fact. People will use you; that’s just a thing that someone should realize all together. While some of them didn’t use me or try to put some actual conversation with me, they still hated the daylight out of me. Not that it’s a surprise, anyway. Once you realize that high school is nothing but a place full of desperate hormonal teenagers, you have no other choice but to live with it.  “Oh, that is indeed a foul view.” My dull eyes met the cold and intimidating eyes of no other than Lucas Ambrose, the guy who must think that it is his regular job to insult me in every way that he possibly can. I paused, noticing that I needed to raise my head higher than they used to. Why do walls find it amusing to talk to people?  Lucas Ambrose is a household name in this school. The man holds the title of Zeus, and he does hold the power to terminate any student that he wants to. After all, his family does own the place. Five men appeared by his side, making me want to push my head back as I groaned in annoyance. These boys are most likely the main reason why most girls hate the s**t out of me.  I mean, I don’t believe that it is my fault that these idiots don’t pay any attention to any girl other than me. And that’s not a good thing, I tell you.  I rolled my eyes, aggravated as to what was set to happen. No matter how much I just wanted an average day, they could not even hand that to me. “Why must you annoy me every time you see me? Is this going to be an everyday thing? Are you that bored?” Lucas chuckled, eyes twinkling in mischief. He looked like a child who finally had the toy that he wanted. “Already asking for more. She sure is tough.” But then again, I would like to trade my life for theirs if getting “noticed” by these boys means having your self-esteem stand lower than an ant. One would be surprised to still have confidence upon hearing nothing but insults from these boys who are supposed to be their “gods” or whatever the f**k.  Like surprise, surprise. They hold titles of the gods, probably taking all of it since they are nothing but kings in this place.  “If I was tough, I would have already punched the wall standing before me,” I replied, offering the most sinister smile that I could probably muster. It took only a millisecond before I fixed my expression. “Now, if you would excuse me. My neck is cramping.” Lucas did not even flinch, let alone change his expression. That face always annoys the s**t out of me. “A small puppy acting like she has claws. It is always fun to watch you threaten me,” He shrugged nonchalantly before showing me a mischievous grin, one that I am now somewhat familiar with. As much as my mouth can cut through people, I hate the fact that Lucas knew me better to know that I am all talk. I would never have the guts to harm anyone, let alone him. “You should probably ask yourself the same question. Looking at you every day annoys the s**t out of me.” I absentmindedly bit my lower lip, losing every ounce of confidence that I had. Despite how strong I wanted to appear from the outside, he always knew just what button he needed to press to get some reaction out of me. Lucas has a set of eyes that tell all of his thoughts. It is clear as day that he is nowhere near being amused to hear about my school title. To honestly blurt it out, everyone knows how much he takes the whole thing in the cruelest way possible. The day he heard about that title was possibly the worst day of my school life.  “Oh puh-lease, I’m the school’s Aphrodite—” Lucas released an amused snort, which made me stop my supposed-to-be-rant. Like always, he always has the upper hand in this situation. To why I always seem to grow meek when he insults me is f*****g beyond me. His eyes darted into mine, and this coldness surrounding that abyss made me see that his emotions were now guarded. I don’t even know how he feels right now, and that’s what drives me insane every freaking time.  There’s this long pause before he shrugged casually. “Aphrodite is a goddess of love, desire, and beauty,” he casually announced before he shook his head in a very distasteful manner. I have a bad feeling about this. “I think she’ll be deeply offended being compared to someone you.” The way his words struck inside me made me cringe. His lips twitch, indicating that he noticed my inconvenience. This f*****g prick! I grip my hand on my backpack as I see no other people around, probably because his friends decided to throw them all out so we could have a ‘private conversation.’ Since all the students know that Lucas could easily kick them out of the school if they interfere, they must have no other choice but to comply.  My eyes moved towards Lucas, seeing that his feature somewhat changed into that cold, annoyed expression slightly soft, unlike before. It was a feeling that he never really showed anymore. Without wasting another second, he pushed up a smirk before turning up his heel, making his friends go along with him. On the other hand, I only have to throw my book at his back like a freaking five-year-old. What’s wrong with me?  “Ow!” he winced before giving me faint attention and his friends, who seem to have finally found the whole thing amusing. Wow, thanks. Lucas grunted as utter disbelief ran through his brown eyes. “What the f**k was that, Kent?” I gave him a sweet smile, which made his eyes grow wide. “That was me, throwing the book at you, you prick! Just because the whole school bows on your feet, it does not mean that you have the right to treat people like this. You arrogant asshole.” “What did you just call me?” his jaw is clenched, and I could feel the anger radiating from him. I didn’t even know that those types of words would trigger someone like him. He always gets annoyed at the most childish of insults that I could even throw. For someone who seemed to be tough, he does seem triggered by such minor insults. It looks like someone is a tad bit defensive about something.  “Well...” I dragged the word softly before bringing my left hand up as I counted through my words, “I think I called you a prick at first... and then... along the lines of an asshole, which was... ah! Conceited asshole. Yeah, that!” “You—” “—are, positively, and just marvelously beautiful?” I cooed, interrupting him with glee, letting his dark aura out of his system as his forehead creased. His mouth opened, indicating that he would object to my words, but I cut him off by flipping my hair, “Thanks. I mean, I know that I am but still, thank you for always reminding me!” “I didn’t—” “—meant to say those abusive words earlier?” I added more volume in my voice, stopping him in whatever he wanted to say. I then noticed that there are now some students that are listening to the conversation. Small smiles are shown on their faces with the scene presented to them. All of them were probably enjoying the discomfort in Lucas’s face. His face turned a shade darker than red, which made me grin. Like always, I got him where I wanted him to!  “Oh well, it is all forgotten. I do not harbor such ill feelings to what you are doing,” I added with an innocent smile. He would have known that something was up on usual notes, but he seemed to be triggered by my common insults to be bothered until now. “Don’t you worry, Mr. Ambrose.” He clenched his fist and stepped closer to my figure, “Listen to me, I am—” “Yes, I know that you like me and stuff like that.” At my words, which surprise all of the students –even me, might I add— Lucas suddenly halted in his steps as his breath hitched. It seemed like the words that escaped through my mouth were too much for the man even to function.  If I wasn’t close on the verge of his wrath, I might gush at how adorable he’s being. He looked like a five-year-old kid who just got exposed for liking a classmate of his. If, you know, this so-called five-year-old kid has a small horn, a figure of a man that needed to lean down in order to people, and people call him mini satan.  Then, that is probably him.  I have never seen a man so speechless about my words. He always had something to say and words to throw at everything that I tried. No matter what I say or utter, he would still have something ready as if he’s preparing for this s**t. This day was the first time he was speechless, and can I say that this is indeed fun!  As he finally realized the situation, he opened his eyes to defend himself, but I cut him off by looking at my non-existing watch.  “Well, would you look at the time? I’m late. Bye!” “Would you—” “My day is booked for today, so I can’t go on a date with you. I’m very sorry.” By this time, all of his friends burst out laughing at him while he looks like he’s constipated or some sort. While I do not understand the gravity of my actions, seeing how the situation took a sharp turn made it amusing. The urge to laugh at his priceless face was incredibly high, but I thanked the heavens above that I managed to hold those urges and kept a sorrowful look towards the man.  Before he could even talk, I carefully flipped my hair, “Letting his friends dispose of the students so he could confess secretly. Oh gosh, this is an addition to my Aphrodite Problems.” Some of the students mentally made a noted symbol on their air before chuckling. I, thank the heavens, managed to pass his shocked and embarrassed face in a hurry. I heard him release a kind of loud call in my direction, which just made me walk faster than humanly possible. If there’s one thing that the oh mighty Lucas Ambrose did not want, it’s being embarrassed and cut off in the vast mass of people. Well, it sucks for him.   iii. synopsis She cursed all of the boys she used to call friends, the only people who made her feel nothing but more insecure about her physical appearance. Ever since she returned home after some years of disappearing, these boys didn’t have anything more productive to do than exploit her ‘flaws’ to the public. Earning the ‘Aphrodite’ title made it worst. Especially in her old best friend, Lucas’s case. The man would do almost everything possible in the world to make her feel that she did not deserve the title. Especially knowing that it was her ex-girlfriend who used to hold that very title. He always believed that there was nothing special about her, which was stupid. I mean, duh? She’s not the Ambrose High’s Aphrodite for nothing.