Falling for Aphrodite

03

Chapter Three

In which someone comes back.

[Lucas Ambrose]

The door opened with a soft push as my five friends entered my room. 

All of them were already fixed in their uniforms while I was still in the middle of doing my tie. Not that they were complaining. We even got time in my hands, and I am set to have this tie set into perfection, as I always do. My eyes spare them a glance before looking back at the mirror, focusing on the task in my hand. 

“Do you have a different approach now?” Matthias breaks the ice. 

I frowned at his words, confused at his choice of topic. “Whatever do you mean, Matt?” 

“Well,” Chasen answered for the man before flopping into one of the sofas. “You did just—”

My lips managed to hide the groan. I cut his words, rejecting any idea that formed in their head. “No. That was just against the rules. I was just following what my aunt told me, so it doesn’t mean anything.”

“Yes. Of course, you would,” Braden agreed with a snort. “Because you care so deeply about the rules, and you had no other choice but to intrude yourself.”

K scoffed. “Besides the fact that you almost sent him to the hospital, sure. But to be frank, you are not fooling anyone here.” 

Gone was my need to fix this in perfection as my eyes pierced to one of my friends. He didn’t even seem slightly distraught as K did nothing to my glare. He even shrugged it off, flipping me off in the process. A sigh surpasses my lips upon a smirk escapes his lips; he’s a lost cause. 

“Lucas, are you sure about this?” Seth questioned, looking quite worried than others. As the youngest of our peers, it was customary for him to be the sensitive one, and it is one of his traits that never really changed over the years.

I nodded, not even giving another second to glance at him. “Positive.”

“Like your HIV,” Chasen grumbled as he fixed his tie carefully.

We looked at him, clearly appalled at his choice of words. Then little by little, there was this slight grin forming into our faces; it didn’t even take a full minute before we all burst out laughing. Well, almost all of us. K just has his usual grin, one that you could see that he’s glad but still, well... K.  

Spending almost a couple of minutes in my office seems like hours when you spend it talking with people who you don’t give a crap with when you’re just a version of yourself. We were on our way to the car, smiles plastered to our faces as the conversation continued to ooze. We then all halted upon hearing soft footsteps from the staircase. 

“Lily,” I called, gathering her attention. Her eyes were torn away from the phone as she glanced back at me. Offering a small smile, I questioned. “Did you already have your breakfast? We’re about to leave. You can come with us.”

Her eyes squinted, even though an adequate amount of makeup was covering her face, I already knew that she cried. My sister is the type of person who doesn’t usually fret much, making me worry. Trying to hold herself back, she uttered a response, “I am not joining you for today. I am sorry. Kingston offered me a ride.”

“Is there something bothering you?” A frown formed on my lips, checking her forehead for her temperature. Upon realizing that she wasn’t in any ill condition, did I let out a frown. “You’re not sick.”

She shook her head, dismissing her emotions. Yet... I could see that her eyes told me a different story. Noticing that I needed some answers, Lily let out a sigh. “Something came up with Ayne, and I am worried. That’s all.”

Ayne...? 

Lily didn’t even make me offer a response before passing right by us. Confused, I was about to step towards her, but it didn’t take a second before a truck stopped by the door. Kingston came into view, and as soon as his eyes met mine, he did a courtesy nod to my way before offering aid to Lily up to his truck. The man, even with my disagreements with Ayne, never really failed to show me some respect. 

We’re the same the f*****g age.

“What the fu…” Seth muttered, baffled. Not that it would surprise me; he was away for what seems like a week and missed Lily’s arrival just a couple of days ago. His eyes followed my direction, seemingly insulted, as he glared back at me. “You didn’t tell me that your sister was in town.”

My eyes met his, confused at his words. Seth’s words seemed to be laced with annoyance and a hint of anger. Something about Seth seemed weird, gaining a questionable stare from me. “Why would that matter to you?”

“She—”

Seth shut his words almost immediately after K secretly tapped his shoulder. My forehead creased, ready to form questions, but the sound of the car horn abruptly stopped my words. I nodded at Seth, dismissing the idea. No one dared to speak in the car; no one could. It wasn’t like I would listen to their advice, anyways. I looked outside, carefully thinking about everything behind my past. A bitter smile escapes my lips as I experience that same pang in my heart.

It still hurts.

Many people have been wondering as to why Ayne became a pest in our lives —or mostly mine. Nobody even knows, except us. I doubt that she would also remember. Everyone else doesn’t have the strength to ask us as they wouldn’t also get a reasonable answer from us.

She might be the Aphrodite of the school or even the prettiest person that everybody thinks, sure. She can be everything that she would like to be; I wouldn’t even care. For me, she’s nothing. Nothing but a nuisance.

Shaking my head, I grumbled in my mind. I’m really messed up.

.

.

[Ayne Kent]

Today is a weird day. 

I tilted my head to think things rationally or even see things from a different angle so that I could only make sense of everything. The professor who decided that it’s good to hurt my wrist and drive my nerves into haywire —in the wrong way, I might say, was fired. 

Yes, I said it. 

He was fired.

Shocker, right there. Everybody was shocked to see a new teacher in the room, and as soon as she broke out the news that the creep was fired and gone, I seemed to have noticed that almost all of the female students gave out a breath of relief. I guess... he was a p*****t. There was no chance of me knowing due to my fears, but I am glad that I fought that motherfucker back. 

Well, I tried to fight anyway. 

After discovering what happened, many girls came to me, and I got to hear some snippets of what the i***t had done. The horror that they had gone through was terrifying. I was surprised that they didn’t tell anyone before now. I managed to get them all to sue him, knowing that I have many lawyer friends to back them up—they all did nothing but agree. Lucky for me, I dodged that situation when I needed it to. My hand creeps to my heart, and just like before, I could hear it beating loudly, erratically.

And all these fears are just because of what that i***t has done.

If... 

“Ayne, you seem so lost,” Lily muttered, eyes were as concerned as a mother could be.

I shook my head, pushing the issue aside. Part of me felt like something was quite weird, and I could not put my finger on it. “I was just thinking…”

“Y-you’re what?” Kingston gasped in a flamboyant tone before he teasingly wipes a fake tear. “and people wonder what being transferred does to people.”

“Ha ha, you’re hilarious. I could almost hit you in the nuts and dump your body in the ocean,” I mocked, looking back at Lily, who’s now busy looking at the handout papers, “Lily... you didn’t talk to your aunt about this, right? I do not want to be the reason for this.”

“About that creep?” She looked at me, frown formed on her lips, “Oh, no. I wished that I was the one who disposed of him so that I could stab—”

Kingston held out her hands that she extended, possibly planning to stab the air. “Okay, baby. I really, really need you to calm down. You have been ready to amputate anyone since this morning.”

She just crossed her arms before looking back at the person speaking in front. Tomorrow, the batch will have a tour on who the hell knows where. It’s an annual thing, and usually, they would dispatch three sections at a time. Each one will be set in different locations, and these teachers will leave us with necessities and then check a couple of days later if we’re still alive. 

Yes, the tour is this whole wilderness, first aid, and all the primary things you will probably never need in your career or even remember by next semester. 

Through all of the talk, I mostly zoned everything out. As I have always been accustomed to doing everything on tour, I seem to have these things memorized from every detail. I mean, I could even outlive everyone if my life depended on it. Kingston and Lily were gushing out about the day’s relaxation; they would probably see this as fun.

As for me... 

My eyes followed the back of a familiar figure along with those idiots. Through those last years of the tour, I was free from his wrath in the wilderness. I mean, do you realize the horror of being possibly hunted and tortured by this i***t? Unluckily for me, this year... I’ll spend all the days on tour seeing their faces. 

And I am possibly getting killed by one of them... maybe Lucas.

No, not “probably”.

I am sure that he will definitely kill me.

“Don’t worry,” my eyes followed Lily, who laughed at my inconvenience, “They never really joined any of the tours, as far as I can recall. Aunt didn’t even bother to invite them, and Lucas said that it’s useless and not at all interesting.”

A breath that I was holding suddenly came out, “Oh, thank f**k!”

.

.

Time to eat, time to eat! 

My lips were pressed in a smile, knowing that I would be eating well starting now. I was skipping the whole time that I was close to reaching the place, disregarding all the glutton jokes that my friends ever had. Walking around the cafeteria and looking for a decent place to sit in the most challenging day in school— well, that, and possibly math. 

I managed to fill my tray with food to what I see is normal. Kingston, however, dived in the whole treat like this is his final dinner. I swear... he doesn’t take the entire buffet thing lightly. Not a surprise if he had claimed that he will be hunged by tonight. His tray is fully occupied, but he’s not even struggling to hold the damn thing. The perks of being bulky, ugh! Finding a decent seat in this place must be the only challenge. 

There’s no available space, damn it.

“Hey, you three!”

My lips hung low as I got a glimpse of the man not far from where I was standing. His face was sparkling with happiness, and his feature changed so much from the last time that I saw him in person. Well... that was years and years and years ago, so it is not a surprise that he changed so much. 

Without even thinking logically, something that was encoded in my blood, I ran in his direction at full speed. My hands, to my surprise, didn’t even drop a single thing in the tray while I did so, which seems like a good thing to me. As soon as I reached him, my hands engulfed him into a hug that was tight enough to c***k a bone in his body; however, he seemed disinterested in my attempt to hurt his bones as his hands carefully held my tray before putting it nicely in the table.

“Please promise me that you will never ever run while you’re holding all of these things. You’re clumsy, and you could get hurt.” He carefully instructed me, and I could feel the lace of worry in his voice.

This cutie! 

Since he is the oldest member of our former and crumbled friendship, it makes sense that he would act as the mother. Even after all of the years, he did not manage to change his ways.

But that is what makes him more adorable than normal. 

I meekly nodded my head as I continued to suffocate him, something that seemed to be rather amusing to him. Lennox did nothing but chuckle at my failed attempt to choke him, prying me off of his body. As soon as I’m a foot away from him, my hands automatically hit him in his shoulder, and my feet kick his shin.

“Ouch! Ayne! Aw! Stop —no, aw!”

I gritted my teeth, clearly annoyed at him. “Why didn’t you tell me that you’ll be back!?”

“It’s not a permanent thing, so no need to be all welcoming.” He winced in pain before taking his seat, but not before he managed to mess my hair. I huffed, letting my hands fix my hair back to where it was supposed to be. “I will be here two weeks, tops. Mother has some business meeting here, and she decided that it would be fun to let me join her flight.”

That seemed wrong. 

“You mean, you begged her and input into her brain that it would be efficient for you to join her flight,” I muttered, raising a brow at him. Knowing how much his mother is easily coated by his sweet words, I could see that happening. 

“Something like that might have happened.” He automatically confirmed, making me laugh along with him. His mother has always opposed to the idea of him leaving their country, something that he was not fond of. “I missed you, Ayne.”

“I missed you too!”

I took my seat just before Kingston and Lily arrived, along with his fully occupied tray. They both took their time to let the dish sit at the table before greeting Lennox, as a reasonable person would. Frankly, it is effortless to see that I am not most people. Lily was graceful enough to hug him before taking her seat as Kingston created some sort of weird handshake with Lennox. 

Lennox isn’t a student in this school, but the perks of being friends with someone who owns the school means just busting inside the school like you own the place. He permanently moved to Paris way before we attended high school, and that seems forever. He has tons of things to fix, and there’s no absolute time to communicate with him; that’s why it’s very hard not to miss this guy.

“Baby, I got this for you.” Kingston offered, placing the strawberries in Lily’s tray. I could see the way that her eyes grew and sparkled by that. As soon as she sent him a smile, his eyes went to Lennox. “Good to have you back, man.”

Lennox tilted his head to the side as he observed the lovebirds, “It’s still weird seeing you both all lovey-dovey.”

“I know. It is a breath of polluted air.” Kingston grinned at Lily, who just smacked his head silly. My lips even pulled out a laugh. After her beating got dangerous for him, he simply chuckled as he held her hand. “Jeez, I was joking! Chill, woman.”

She raised a brow, “Only because you bribed me with strawberries.” 

Everybody seems to enjoy being together that we forgot that time managed to exist. To this day, it looks like we were all back when we were kids, teasing each other about a silly thing as we laugh endlessly, not thought of pain or problem sipping through our minds. It was a time of my life that I treasured most, a reminder that my childhood is as pure as I wanted it to be. 

“That reminds me of something.” Lennox smiled at me, eyes twinkling with mirth. I have a bad feeling about this! Before I could stop him, his mouth had sparked some issues. “Ayne, did you finally confess your feelings to Lucas? I have always remembered how you-”

I coughed loudly as the food seemed to just dive without my approval. My hands found my water, and I chugged that like I had been deprived of water for years. Lily chuckled, gently patting my back to ensure that I would still live for years to come. 

“What are you talking about!?” I muttered back, clearly perplexed by his words. 

“Why are you so flustered?” He frowned, confused to me see me baffled and the two idiots laughing. “What did I miss? Aren’t you two all lovey-dovey before? I was sure that after being departed for so long that you would both-”

“Well, we are f*****g not! We were kids!” I hissed in disbelief at his words.

Lennox frowned, seemingly confused, and frankly, I do understand his confusion. If my best friends were not here, I would be open to talking about it, but... not right now. There are things that both Kingston and Lily were not aware of. When I was away for years, it was only Lennox who I had kept contact with.

Looking at me, he offered a slight frown. “I do not understand, Ayne. Didn’t you te-” 

“Stop!” I hissed, panicking to the words that he was about to say as I frowned at him. “and keep your voice down!”

Kingston nodded, clearly wanting to tease me. “Or people might hear that she really loves him.”

“I do not! He’s not the one I like!”

“Not the one you like? Then there is someone!” Lennox grinned at me before leaning close. My mouth almost shouts out a cuss upon realizing that Lennox has to bait me into admitting that I am interested in someone. He looked at me with a smirk plastered into his lips. “Then who is it? Tell me, Ayne.”

“As if I would tell you, Lennox. You’re an illegitimate son of Cupid.” I mocked, grinning at him.

My mind could remember his version of having people tied, and I would always cringe and find it scary whenever he would know if I was interested in someone. His heart is in the right place, but his actions would even be the cause of a lover’s breakup. 

He has some f****d up ideas to do things. 

I could only pray for his happiness by this point. 

Kingston’s eyes stopped wandering, his lips formed into a dangerous smirk, “Well, there goes the man of her dreams.”

I could almost groan in annoyance as I tried to kick that same guy in the shin. Well... I could have if he didn’t run in Lily’s back, knowing full well how I manage my anger. A small giggle escapes Lily’s lips before we all set our eyes to who the i***t was pointing to, even though I already know who. 

Tristen arrived on the top of the stairs; he was in his corporate attire while looking for a free table on the spot. I think their project defense just ended, hence his outfit. I glared at Kingston, who was still hiding behind Lily like a lost little puppy.

I swear, I will freaking strangle him one of these days. 

Lennox squinted his eyes, and it stopped right in Tristen’s direction. There was a pause from the man, and I pray to the heavens that he does not know Tristen. Lennox might be friendly, but I could at least limit his skills for this one time. A small smile formed on his lips, his hands clapped in glee.

Oh, no. Here we go. 

“Tristen Dolan? We used to play soccer before. Wait, let’s call him.”

“No, Lennox. You don’t have—”

“Tristen Dolan!”

I smack my forehead lightly. Lennox didn’t just get Tristen’s attention but almost everyone in the cafeteria. It took at least three seconds of silence before the one called finally set his eyes towards our table. I could see that he scanned the people at the table before then stopping right into me. There’s something with the emotions in his eyes that makes me almost gulp. His eyes then moved back into Lennox, who continued waving at him like he is in a freaking airport. 

Gosh freaking darn it. 

Tristen didn’t wait for a second as he moved fast, welcoming the i***t who just caused the chaos. They continued talking about some stuff that I didn’t really care about. I can’t even move because one, Lennox keeps giving me some teasing glances that Tristen seems to be noticing. Two, Tristen is right next to me.

Lennox, please be careful, or I would smash the whole table on your freaking face.

“Tristen, do you know Ayne?”

Oh, damn it. Here it is. His idiocy is about to grace us with his beauty. I took my cup, deciding to make a small sip in massive hope that it would probably refrain me from biting Lennox’s ear off of his sneakingly annoying face.

Tristen smiled before showing me a smile, “Of course, I know her.”

“You know her?” Tristen nodded while Lennox’s eyes grew wide, “So, you like her?”

And of course, this is the perfect time to spit the drink that I just take. Tristen and Kingston laughed loudly as Lennox’s face welcomed the fresh, oozing, and warm liquid that came from no other than my mouth. He should be f*****g ashamed of the words coming out of his mouth! 

Not very ladylike, but I regret nothing.

It serves you right for that beautiful yet very reliable hypothesis. Just because he knows me doesn’t mean that he likes me. Stupid!

“Thanks for that, Ayne,” Lennox grumbled as he grabbed the tissue that Lily offered.

I shrugged, not even embarrassed. “You’re ever so welcome.”

Some people started to call Tristen’s name, which made him whip his head in their direction. There go the school’s infamous soccer players, thank you! He mumbled a soft ‘I’ll be right there’ before showing us a quiet apology. We just nodded, indicating that it’s okay.

“Wait, we should all hang out. All five of us.”

Tristen nodded, a smile printed on his beautiful face. “That sounds wonderful. Just text me.”

As soon as Tristen exited the area, I glared at Lennox, who kept wiping his face. He just shrugged before showing me a thumbs up. Oh yeah, he has something in his mind. His eyes darted into Lily, preparing to tell her the plan but—

“Lily.”

I grumbled some soft curses, which made Kingston laugh loudly at my outburst. Why must people ruin my sweet, sweet dinner? Lucas’s eyes landed on me, and I rolled my eyes, not even giving him any chance to say something offensive.

Lennox seemed confused with the area, too. I doubt that he will create some conversation with Lucas after what had happened, but he did not seem uncomfortable as he was before. Maybe they had patched things up after I had talked to Lennox.

“What are you doing here? I thought you don’t fancy the cafeteria?” Lily frowned, clearly not wanting to be in the same room as her brother. She does love him to death, but she always feels the need to show me that she wanted to kick him in the balls too. 

She’s adorable. 

Lucas grumbled at her words. “I don’t, little sister. Father is calling you.” 

“Tell him that there is this magical thing called a phone.” Her voice dropped with nothing but sarcasm as she rolled her eyes. “And I am not in the mood to talk to father.” 

Lucas’s eyes pierced through her, “Now if you must, Lily.”

She grumbled something in her mouth as she excused herself. Kingston was just looking out for her, knowing damn well that he couldn’t come. He was welcomed in the family, that was for sure... but talking to Lily’s father was always something he was afraid to do. I do not think that anyone else could speak to their father, anyway.

Mr. Ambrose is a scary man, and I was sure that after what had happened - he had become more different and unfeeling to everyone. Even before, I was scared of that man. I could still remember the memories of me hiding from the man back whenever he could come to pick us up.

Despite us being genuinely scared of him, he does protect us like his own children.

I remembered him hosting my birthday party. It was only in their backyard, but he had scheduled a whole ass party with inflatable castles and all that things. We were the only one who was allowed to come, and a huge cake was offered to me. 

He’s a terrifying man with a good heart. 

My eyes moved back to the six idiots, and to say that I was surprised to see Lucas looking at me with that smile was an understatement. What the f**k did he eat? 

I was about to mutter a tease, but he waved a yellow paper in my direction. It was one that signifies that he paid for the tour. My eyes met his, but it just twinkled, along with his teeth as his mouth formed into nothing but a smirk. 

You got to be f*****g kidding me.