Chapter 258 CHAPTER 258

Chapter 258 CHAPTER 258

ARIA’S POV

The next morning, I woke up with a Strange mix of excitement and nervousness rushing through me.

For the time in weeks I was getting ready to return fully to School and the thought made my heart beat faster.

I Stood in front of the mirror Carefully adjusting my uniform while Staring at my reflection.

My Stomach was Starting to Show a little. I Could not help Placing my hand over it with a small Smile.

I was going back to Classes, Preparing for my final exams and trying to balance everything happening in my life.

I took a breath, Picked up my School bag and walked out of the room.

Cassian was already waiting downstairs when I arrived, and the moment he Saw me, his eyes immediately Softened.
“Must you go back today?” he asked, his voice filled with Concern.

I nodded and Smiled. “I have to Prepare for my final exams, don't I?”
He walked toward me and gently fixed a loose Strand of hair behind my ear.
“I know, I just want you to take things at your own Pace.”
I wrapped my arms around him briefly before whispering, “Okay baby.”

He kissed my forehead and held my hand for a few Seconds before letting me go.
“Call me if you feel tired, uncomfortable, or if you need anything.”
I Smiled because he had repeated those instructions at least five times that morning.

“I will, Cassian.”
“You’re Saying that now, but you'll forget the moment you get around your friends.”
I laughed Softly, then finally walked toward the door.

The drive to School was quiet.
I watched the buildings outside the window while memories of everything that had happened flooded my mind.

There had been fear, arguments, betrayal, tears and moments when I thought I would never feel normal again.
But now, with Tom and Vivienne gone, the thought of returning didn't feel terrifying anymore.

I Still felt nervous but underneath that nervousness was a Strange feeling of relief.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I Could Simply be a Student again.

When I entered the School gates, Several Students immediately turned to look at me.
Some Smiled, others whispered quietly and a few waved when they recognized me.

I Smiled back, trying not to let the attention make me uncomfortable.
Then I heard Someone yell my name from across the hallway.
“Aria!”
I turned around and Saw Mila running toward me.

Mila reached me and immediately wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
I laughed Softly and hugged her back but She Suddenly pulled away as if She had remembered Something important.

Her eyes immediately dropped toward my Stomach and her expression Changed from excitement to Concern.
“Wait,” She whispered, her eyes widening. “Did I hug you too tight?”
Before I Could Say anything, She gently Placed both hands near my Stomach looking at me nervously.
“Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”

I Couldn't Stop myself from Smiling at her Concern.
“Mila, I'm fine.”
She looked at my Stomach again before Carefully touching it once more.
“You're Sure?”
I nodded. “I'm Sure… Everything is fine.”
She released a deep breath and finally Smiled.

“I was So excited to See you that I completely forgot there’s a baby in there.”
I laughed and Pulled her into another hug.
“I missed you So much.”
“I missed you more baby,” She mumbled against my Shoulder.
When we Pulled apart, She looked at me Carefully again.
“You really look different.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Different how?”
“You look more like a grown-up,” She Said, Smiling. “And there's a little bump now.”
I instinctively looked down at my Stomach and Smiled.
“I know right.”
Mila's expression Softened immediately.
“I Still Can't believe there's actually a baby in there.”

“Neither Can I Sometimes.”
Before we could Say anything else, I heard familiar voices behind us.
“Look who finally decided to return back to School.”
I turned around and Saw Alex walking toward us with David beside him.
Alex had a huge Smile on his face while David looked equally happy to See me.
“Awwn, you guys!” I exclaimed.

Alex opened his arms. “Come here.”
I laughed as he Pulled me into a brief hug before Stepping back.
David Smiled and gave me a gentle hug as well.
“You look good, Aria.”
“Thank you.”
Alex glanced at my Stomach and immediately grinned.

“So that's the famous baby bump.”
I Covered my Stomach instinctively, laughing.
“Don't Start.”
David Chuckled.
“I know Cassian would have become so Protective now.”

“He's always been protective, but he's worse now.”
Alex Shook his head and laughed. “Typical Cassian.”

I looked at all three of them and felt warmth Spreading through my Chest.
“I missed all of you,” I admitted quietly.
Alex's Playful expression Softened.
“We missed you too.”

David nodded. “School hasn't been the Same without you.”
I looked around the hallway and noticed Several Students watching us.

For a moment, I wondered what they had been Saying about me while I was away.
But then I realized Something.
There were no hostile eyes glaring at me.

No Vivienne Standing nearby with that familiar look of hatred. No Tom appearing from nowhere to make Some cruel Comment.
The hallway was So peaceful.

I realized just how much I had needed that Peace.
“Final exams are fast approaching and we're going to help you Prepare for it.” Alex Suddenly announced.
David lifted the books in his arms.
“We've already Started Preparing from our end.”

Mila nodded Proudly. “And you're joining us.”
I Stared at them in Surprise.
“You guys really don't have to do that.”
Alex Scoffed. “Of Course we do, we're graduating together and nobody is letting you fall behind.”

I looked down, trying to hide my emotions.
After everything that had happened, having People who genuinely Cared about me felt overwhelming.
I Swallowed hard and forced myself to Smile.
“Thank you guys.”
“You're welcome.” They Chorused.

We walked toward our Classroom together, talking about the upcoming exams.
The Closer we got to the Classroom, the more nervous I became.

Our final exams were approaching quickly and there was Still So much to Study.
I had missed Classes because of everything that had happened and now I needed to Catch up.
But with Alex, David and Mila beside me, the task didn't feel impossible anymore.

It felt manageable.
When we entered the Classroom, I immediately noticed how different the atmosphere was.
There was no tension hanging in the air. Nobody was whispering maliciously about me.

Nobody was deliberately trying to Provoke anyone else.
Students were Simply talking about their exams and graduation Plans.

I Sat beside Mila while Alex and David took the Seats behind us.
Our teacher walked into the Classroom Carrying a large Stack of Papers.
She Placed them on her desk and looked around the room.
“Good morning, Class.”
Everyone answered together.

She Smiled.
“Your final examinations are very Close.”
I Suddenly became nervous.
Mila leaned toward me.
“Don't Panic, babe.”
I quickly opened my notebook and Started writing down everything the teacher Said.

The examination timetable was Projected onto the board and I Copied every date Carefully.
There were only a few weeks left and I realized how much work waited for me.
During lunch break, the four of us Sat together and Created a Serious Study Plan.
Alex volunteered to help with the Subjects he understood best.

David offered to explain anything I Struggled with while Mila Promised to Study with me every afternoon.
I listened to them while feeling incredibly grateful.

I hadn't expected returning to School to feel this Comforting.
“You're awfully quiet,” Mila Said.
I looked up.
“I'm just thinking.”
“About the exams?” Alex asked.
I Shook my head. “About everything.”
My fingers instinctively moved toward my Stomach.

“I can't believe I'm going to graduate while Carrying a baby.”
Everyone became quiet for a moment.
David Smiled.
“You'll be fine.”

Alex nodded.
“And you'll Probably be the most memorable graduate here.”
Mila laughed Softly too.
I laughed with them, but tears Suddenly gathered in my eyes.

Mila immediately reached across the table and Cleaned my tears.
“You're Such a Cry baby, Aria.”
I looked at her and Swallowed hard.
“I'm not Crying.”
“I See.” She laughed.

The rest of the day Passed quickly as we moved from one Class to another.
I took notes, answered questions and forced myself to remain focused whenever exhaustion Started Creeping in.
Whenever I looked confused, Alex explained the topic again.

Whenever I missed Something, David Shared his notes with me.
And whenever I became overwhelmed, Mila reminded me to breathe.

When the final bell rang, everyone began Packing their bags.
I Closed my notebook and leaned back in my Chair, feeling exhausted but Strangely Proud of myself.