Falling for Aphrodite

01

Chapter One

In which schools are not fun.

[Ayne Kent]

“Is that correct, Ms. Kent?” 

I blinked, snapping out of my trance. “Yes, that is my last name.” 

Some students let out a chuckle, only to hide it in with a cough afterward. My mind is still loading at this point that I looked at our professor dead in the eyes. The second that he c****d his brow, I knew I had to welcome the inevitable. 

I mean, please don’t assume that it is my fault that I have no idea what the hell is coming out of his mouth. His lessons are all so damn dull, and solving a complicated math problem is not on my agenda for today. Whenever I was forced to bear this kind of torture, my defense mechanism would be to doze off and blindly agree to whatever he said. 

But it seemed like I had made a grave mistake.

Nodding gently at him seems to piss him more, resulting in me answering whatever the f**k he wrote on the board. 

“Please, Ms. Kent, on the board.” He carefully instructed as he handed me a marker. All judgment that his eyes could pass was shown, knowing how bad I’ll do with his example question. There was no denying that this kind of problem was way too advanced for my brain. Not that I also know what is happening, as my mind is blank at this point. “Any minute now.”

Must he taunt me? I am trying my best here! 

But before the pen could even touch the surface of the board, there’s this great invention that a school has. The bell. It cast a familiar chime, indicating that the class was finally over. Hallelujah! 

I did not even need another second to waste before grabbing my bag and headed out of that room in a dash. Okay, I might have to study that book before I sleep to perfect that particular equation but still! That was so freaking close, and I was that close to embarrassing myself early in the freaking morning.

“Come with me, Ms. Aphrodite.”

A squeal escapes past my lips, feeling a hand clasp my wrist. The person didn’t even make me access everything before it took me into some maze in the school, running around in circles as the pace got even faster. I let my eyes wander into the back of my offender, and upon seeing the familiar brunette hair of my best friend, Kingston, I finally managed to release the breath that I was holding. 

Then again, he is the only person who will have the courage to pull me with such force.

His pace got slower until we came to a complete stop just outside the cafeteria. There was some chairs prompt here, and I made that as an invitation to sit my ass down. Kingston always finds the best places for us to have some private time that we need. 

Since he is known throughout the whole school, it was not a surprise that I needed to look over my shoulders once in a while. It did not matter once I gathered a title in the school, but it used to bug me to be in people’s eyes. To be claimed to be someone who is, and I quote, “stealing” Kingston from them. When in reality, Kingston already has a girlfriend. 

He was not theirs for me to steal. 

Not that I ever would. 

“Now.” I started but stopped dead in my tracks as I was surprised to see his hair all messy. A frown formed on my lips as my mouth blurted out the words. “What the hell happened to you? Did a hurricane pass by me, or your hair just seeks attention right now? Either way, fix yourself.” 

“That is not what is important here. I need you to tell me everything.” He injects slowly, and I almost laughed, knowing that he is doing all of these ‘girl talks’ to me because I don’t have a decent female friend to talk about these things. 

I nodded softly, making him smile in my response. Oh, little did you know, my good friend, “Well, it started with some major cramps in the morning, like as soon as I woke up. I had this type of feeling before, but like most girls, I decided to check. That’s when I pull my underw—”

“Ayne!” he gasped as his face turned into a mortified expression when he realized where I was going with my story. I saw him shake his head, but I could still see the evidence of fear in his eyes. Why do these boys get nothing but scared with the idea of periods? I am confused. 

Feigning innocence, I simply blinked before him. “What?”

“I’m talking about your argument with Lucas and not... f**k. The horror.”

I giggled softly before pinching his soft pink cheeks, making him wince in pain. Kingston responded by throwing me one of his glares, but I just gave him a toothy grin in return. I already know that he’s used to me pinching his soft cheeks even though he keeps on saying that he’s not. 

Our friendship grew from way back. And he is the only person in this city who had not swayed his relationship with me despite everything I had done. Looking at the view before us, I could see the changes that happened in the place. It broke my heart to think about what I had missed, and while I knew that I wanted to be here, to begin with- no one would believe me.

“Are you okay?” A soft voice asked, beaming before me.

Well, no one but Kingston. Seeing my silence as a form of weakness, his hands dangle around my shoulders as he then proceeds to rob both of my cheeks. I grunted, pushing his hands away, but he kept on just doing it over and over again. 

I swear, someday I will stab him. 

“Kingston, get the f**k away from m —ouch!! You idio —ow! That f*****g hurts! Stop it!”

He laughs, doing everything he can to uplift my mood. “Say that you’re sorry, Ayne!”

“Get off of me, you toad!” I hissed. 

As soon as his torture was over, I noticed it again. 

Aside from our synched laughter and the banter that followed suit, something added to the equation. Some people seem to be gushing about the idea of both of us being in a relationship. Most were doing everything they could to “help us realize our feelings,” which is how they phrase it. I still don’t know why someone pushes us to each other. 

Kingston has been many things in my life. He had been my father, brother, sister, and the best friend that I could ever ask for. But being my boyfriend wouldn’t be one of them. He helped me through thick and thin and has been there for every situation that I needed him to. The point is, we were both perfect at being each other’s rock. And that’s just where we’ll both stand. 

Besides, he has a girlfriend... and she’s my girl best friend. 

Yes, I am a professional in being the third wheel, and it is probably the only thing that I am quite skillful of. All their pictures and most date plans, along with some written apologies and understanding, usually go through me. By now, I still evaluate if I am the best friend or just their therapist. 

“Lily probably arrived by now,” he whispered as he continued to check his phone for updates. His expression morphs to worry as he sees not a single update from the person he wants to hear from.  

I never knew why he continued doing this to himself. Kingston seemed to enjoy being tortured by his girlfriend. “You do know that updating you is the last thing she will ever do, right?”

“Yes, you both have the exact annoying trait...” Kingston complained before flipping his phone, “..and that is to piss me the f**k off.”

A teasing gasp escaped my lips, letting the man chuckle in reply. “My good sir! How can you say to us!” 

“So, I heard that Lucas confessed today?” He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly attempting to change the topic. 

From his words, I cringed. The whole problem I had with my math professor just erased that entire interaction in my brain, and being reminded of it is just terrifying at this point. 

My face wanted to stay neutral, determined not to make him see anything that might reveal everything. Kingston paused, his brows twitching at my reaction. Not only does my face provide some evidence, but I feel like my hand is shaking. I wanted to keep the facade and let him believe just for a millisecond, but I couldn’t. It didn’t even take a second before I laughed loudly. Kingston knew me well enough to realize what actually happened between Lucas and me. 

There was no way that the asshole would confess to me. 

He shakes his head, but the amusement still lingers in his eyes. “You do know that you two are acting like five-year-olds, right? When will you both learn to grow up?”

I just shrugged, not even fazed at his constant nagging. By now, I accept the fact that Kingston is nothing but a mother who only wanted to care about me. “Hey! He started it! He decided to become a big douche ever since I returned.”

Kingston flinched at my words.

Confused, I looked back at him. There was some emotion in his eyes from my words, but it had escaped from the second I looked at him. I knew that something had happened in the city when I was away, but Kingston was not really willing to tell me anything, and it was not like I could force him to be reminded of that awful time. 

“I don’t really understand why you two just can’t express your feelings for each other.” He uttered after composing himself. His words were too sudden that I coughed. He shot a knowing grin as if he was proving a point, which made me roll my eyes. To how he always comes to this conclusion makes me want to strangle him alive. “The longer you wait, the higher you fall.”

“And the louder you mouth those words, the higher the chances of my hands landing into your throat,” I hissed quietly, making him laugh at my attempt threat. 

I mean, I do know where he’s laughing at. I’m as intimidating as a ladybug.  

“When will you stop pairing me to that jerk?” 

He shrugged unamused. “When you finally realize that I am indeed and definitely right.”

I was about to sass him, but some loud cheer interrupted my thoughts. 

Casting my eyes away from my friend, it followed the guy that most girls were cheering for. His face doesn’t show any hint of emotion as his eyes, body, and hands focus on the game. This whole game seems like he’s playing poker rather than soccer; his feelings were formed into nothing, continuously manipulating the ball as he tricks his opponents into his future actions. As he kicks the ball right in the goal, he finally released that adorable heart-shaped smile before flipping his wet hair. 

Oh my gaaaah! 

“Ayne, here have some.” Kingston carefully handed me a tissue, and I gave him a confused look, not knowing where I would use that. Already knowing the question in my mind, the i***t replied. “I think you have... a drool.”

“Oh, shut up!”

Another set of squeals made me look back at the soccer players. They were hauling another game, and his playful side was long gone as he continued to watch the ball and formulate some actions to make it to the goal. Chris kicks the ball in his direction as he passes on some guys around and some maneuver before he kicks it, leading it straight to the target. 

“Let’s go, Ten! Let’s go! Ten! Ten!” the girls continued to chant his name. 

Tristen’s curious eyes moved in their direction before he carefully waved at them as his adorable aura returned to life. Loud, high pitch screaming surrounded my ears, and I shook my head in amusement at what he could actually do to girls. He’s the ace of the soccer team, which made him one of the most popular boys in the school. With his kind and warm personality, everybody automatically loved him. 

Including me! Me!

Why can’t they ever pair me with him and not my best friend or that spawn of satan? 

Like what is up with the universe to always pair me with people that I have no interest in? 

“If you keep on implying that you like him, you should confess to him.”

I glared at Kingston, not liking the way that he was stating my feelings. The man always double guesses if I am attracted to Tristen like it is surprising that I could ever like someone. “I do like him, and I can’t just confess to him! We barely even talk. If I did confess to him, he’d probably think like I’m all about the looks—to which I am not, by the way!”

“There is a huge possibility that he likes you too, you know.” I mentally squealed at his words, which made him smile. He softly nudges me before whispering in my ear. “I mean, he does pay attention to you a lot.”

I looked in Tristen’s direction only to find Rhett whispering in his ear. His response to the words being addressed to him was a frown, but he seemed more confused than annoyed or angry. Tristen mouthed some words back to him, and before I could even comprehend things, his eyes darted into mine. It seemed to be in synch with their conversation, so it made me wonder if they were talking bout me.

No, that is impossible.

The moment his eyes caught mine ignites a surprised gasp from me. 

I never publicly admit that I liked him, and sure I see him from time to time. We greeted each other, sure. But I didn’t seem to remember him paying this kind of attention to me. To see me eye to eye, or whatnot. 

Rhett seemed to mumble another set of words that set Tristen’s frown back to his lips just before looking back at him. They seemed to be passing out comments before Rhett shrugged and left, running back to Chris’s side, where he appeared to be doing the same to him. As soon as my eyes left him and back to Tristen —it caught me off guard that he was looking right at me— again. 

Then as if the universe decided to give me a great day, he smiled softly before throwing me a shy wave. Oh s**t, did that just happen? Damn it, your eyes! Your height! I did a mental dance in my mind as he was still carefully looking in my direction. 

What is the... I shot an annoyed emotion at Kingston before mentally cussing at his actions. His eyes held nothing but amusement. Then, in an instant, I woke up from my reality. Who the hell just stares at the person when they’re waving at you!? Smiling back at Tristen, I decided to shake again at him, making his friends look in my direction. They all looked at him in surprise while everyone was teasing him. It made me wonder why Chris and Rhett didn’t even bother to tease him. They were frowning, actually.

“He is waving at you again.” Kingston blurted out. 

My eyes caught Tristen to see him smiling brightly, waving at me with all his might. A laugh escapes my lips. He’s really adorable.

My lips let out a mental sigh as I fondly looked at Tristen. Every time I see a fraction of him, I swear I could hear the bells ringing... wait, bells!? Oh, my gods! Looking back at the cafeteria, I noticed that there’s not even a fragment of a student in this place but for me and, well, Kingston. Since he’s in a different class, his class starts at the next bell, which means—oh, damn it! 

Dashing out of place, I cursed at myself for losing my attention to the time. Our next professor is a rigorous one, and he doesn’t allow any late students in his class. Usually, if there’s one, he would conduct a quiz the day after. No, no! 

I. must. arrive. in. that. class! 

As if the world decided that today was not my day, I automatically stopped as I came across with no other than the demon itself— yes, I am talking about Lucas. Why does this man live to annoy me? His friends followed him in a matter of seconds, and I did a mental curse at my situation. There is no way that I can escape from their grasp after what I did this morning. 

“Halloween is coming pretty early this year, isn’t it?”

His friends chuckled at his words, which made me wonder if this whole thing was scripted or not. I would never understand why Lucas decided to put this entire scene in action. As much as people keep on saying that my ‘relationship’ with these boys is “cute” or “adorable” —to which, let me tell you, right now is pure s**t. They have been nothing but rude and self-proclaimed assholes to me. The only relationship I would love to have with them is with me ruling the world and these idiots to kiss my feet as I do so. 

They do nothing but lower my self-esteem, something that I struggle to build every single day. That’s not fun or cute or freaking adorable; it’s a freaking nightmare. 

“Can’t you all just disperse?” I cross my arms as I huff, “you’re all blocking the way.”

He mockingly titled his head, “Says who?”

“Says by the girl who just dumped you. I suggest you move out of the way,” I replied casually, which made him clench his fist in annoyance. My lips twitched, now amused by how he was reacting to my words. It seemed to be the very few days that he was reacting in such a way. “I am also a goddess. So yes, bow before me, peasant!” 

He shook his head, “You think of yourself too highly, don’t you?”

It isn’t like there is someone in the world who would do that for me. If the world had fallen and all I did was degrade myself more, I just ruined my own life. Regrets are the one thing that tied me from the past, and I wanted no association from that. There is no way that I would like that kind of thinking a few years after this. 

“Who in the right mind would think low of themselves? Stupid,” I rolled my eyes before looking for an escape. He must have noticed it because he grins, “Seriously, I don’t have time for this!”

Lucas shrugged before he extended both of his arms to the side, which made me raise a brow at his actions. As soon as I realized that he’s trying to block my way in a ridiculous manner, I laughed loudly, which may or may not make students look at us in colossal disbelief. I have never laughed this loud and carefree at anything that they have done, but this is just so adorable in my eyes—he must be freaking embarrassed by this point. Lucas must have realized that he looked stupid because he stood straight before putting his hands back in his pockets. 

“That was gold. I have never seen you look so stupid.” I mumbled while wiping the tears that leaked into my eyes. “Now, get the f**k out. That is enough amusement for today.”

He shook his head, “No.”

“Seriously, I don’t have time for this.”

I stride towards him, so I can just literally push him out of the way, but Lucas did the impossible. His left hand held my wrist as the other pushed me close to his body. Our eyes automatically linked at that moment, and for the first time, I saw some emotions that badly wanted to escape from his cold and guarded eyes. None of them was able to escape... well, except for one. There’s this one emotion that I can see correctly, setting a gash of pain to enter my brain.

Longing. 

Familiar flashes of events flicker in my eyes, looking for the reason for that emotion in his eyes. His grip on me tightens, which made me realize that his right hand is casually resting on my waist as the other one is on my wrist, pinning me closer to his body. The hold on my wrist loosens, almost making me sigh in relief. That idea, however, faltered as it inched closer to my cheeks.

It’s like a big drum of water is splashed into him as a door loudly shuts close, waking him up in reality as he pushes me away from his body. His whole action was not rough, and it seemed rather delicate than strong, which is just seriously confusing. I noticed that there was basically no one in the hallway; even his friends were now out of sight. A part of me was relieved that not a single soul saw what happened, especially now that my cheeks were burning.

My dull dirt-colored eyes followed his brown ones. His jaw tightens, I could see his mouth twitching — possibly to form some words, but he didn’t let them. He turns his heel on the opposite side, just slowly walking away from me. That is until I saw his friends come out of the freaking nowhere as they all sent me this knowing look to which I can’t even explain. 

“Ayne, there you are.” My eyes followed the familiar voice, letting me see Kingston’s worried eyes. “You left your bag with me, and you didn’t even make it in your class— wait, are you blushing?”

“What? Blu-what? Haha! No! Psh!” I almost throw a chair on myself as I basically stutter out a dumb. Kingston’s eyes fixed on me, setting up a nervous smile on my lips. I didn’t even need a minute before I grabbed my bag, ready to walk away from him — or in this case, run away from his mocking gaze. 

His hand caught my wrist, which just made me remember Lucas’s action. “Okay, now your face just grew a shade darker. What the hell just happened?” 

“Nothing...”

“Tristen is still on the field, so he’s not the reason for that. But I think I saw Lucas head in—” he tilted his head in my direction, as if he was looking for some clues, then his grin appeared brightly as the sun in the morning. “Lucas Ambrose just made you blush.”

Damn it. 

My eyes followed another direction as he laughed like a dying hyena. I let my arms push him away, walking towards the library’s comfort to literally hide my blushing face. He didn’t seem to understand the point of distance, so the i***t just followed me as he continued to tease me from behind. There is no way that our professor will let me attend the class now. Peter only has to help me so I can catch up with today’s lesson. He better be! 

I stopped in my tracks as I heard Kingston continue to gush around the corner. His voice is annoying enough that I had to stop in my tracks just to shoot him daggers. “Can you shut the f**k up?”

“No, I can do anything but that. You kept telling me that I am wrong, but here you are, blushing because of the man you proclaim to hate.” He replied softly, mocking me to an extent. “This is a big breakthrough, Ayne. The one you claimed to hate and didn’t actually like just made you blush.”

I crossed my arms. “What the f**k are you, a therapist?”

“Well—”

In a snap, his words halted as soon as a car stopped at the foot of the entrance. Kingston looks taken aback. Just by the engine’s sound and the driver’s familiar voice that welcomed the passenger, I already know who they are talking about. A girl descended from the car and faced the students, who looked at her in awe. 

I smiled knowingly. 

There she finally goes.

“Lily?” Kingston breathed out, sounding as if all air had just escaped from his body.

I looked at the girl carefully before flashing a soft, sweet smile in her direction. Besides Kingston, Lily Ambrose is my best friend, possibly the only girl best friend that I would ever have. She transferred to England not long before she was allowed to model in her dream agency. 

My eyes followed Kingston, who seems to be having trouble knowing if what he’s seeing is real, “Well, I guess you were right. She’s—”

The man didn’t even let me finish my words as he dashed towards Lily, engulfing her in a big tight hug. I could see him whispering things in her ear that made her laugh softly. He placed her down to his length, carefully checking if she was really by his side.

“I missed you, King.”

“And I missed you more, my flower.”