The guy who had just walked in was the exact replica of Aaron. I had to wipe my eyes and make sure tears were not making my vision blurry to the extent where I was beginning to see double. But I was not seeing double. My eyes were not playing tricks on me, this guy was the spitting image of Aaron. In fact, he was the mirroring image of the guy. My problems forgotten, I stared dumbly at the guy.
"What are you doing here?"
Aaron's voice was sharp and held zero emotion.
"Is that any way to greet your twin brother after being far away for so long?"
This new person. The Baron guy wore a cheeky look. There was this air of arrogance and confidence about him.
"Baron, what are you doing here?"
Lucas stood from his position. He clearly could not believe his eyes. This was the Baron guy Lucas had unintentionally mentioned one night, Aaron had scolded him for It and he apologized. It was conspicuous there was bad blood between Baron and his brothers, especially his twin brother.
It was the first time I was seeing Trenton looking that surprised, the guy rarely ever showed any emotion. Zach was shocked too and speechless. My gaze strolled back to this Baron guy, who was he? What had happened between him and his brothers? Why was he not part of the people I'd met when mom and I arrived here? Even David had not mentioned him. This was strange.
"Do I not have any right to be here anymore?"
He was beginning to get irritated by their unwelcoming attitude and the questions.
"No, you don't."
Aaron replied.
"Don't use that tone with me, Aaron. If you remember why I left in the first place, you'll realize you don't have the right to be angry. I should be the angry one."
I could feel the tension. Aaron's expression became less taut. The anger lost its place on his face. It was melting away to reveal something like regret. The Baron moved away from his twin brother a little and his eyes roamed the faces of his other brothers who had gone quiet and just stared at him.
That was when his gazed landed on me and I tried not to be caught staring so openly. If Ilooked myself in the mirror, I'd know the terrible looking reflection I'd be greeted with; tear stained cheeks, solemnly depressed puffy eyes. But even as I tried to remove my eyes, I could not. We held each other's gaze for quite awhile. He was as handsome as the rest of the Salvatore boys. He had the same gray eyes as his twin brother, Aaron.
"Who are you?"
"I-I…" My gaze quickly strolled through the faces of the boys, they were watching what was happening or going to happen between me and Baron. What was going to happen? Nothing, that's what. I did not even know the guy. I stood up from the floor I had initially made my new position, I held the wall behind for support because I felt weak. The events of the day had drained me physically, emotionally and psychologically. The events of the day. Stealing. I'd been accused of stealing. Now everybody would see me as a common thief. Fresh tears streamed and a sob escaped my lips even as I tried to be discreet about this new stream of tears.
I needed to be alone. To go to my room and try to understand what happened. To understand why it had happened. Who I had offended so bad that'd have gone to this extreme to bring shame and insult upon me this way.
"Where are you going to?"
Aaron's voice stopped me.
I slowly turned to him but I was scared of meeting his eyes.
"My room."
My voice barely came out as a whisper.
"Are we done?" He asked. "Are you done explaining yourself?"
"I don't have any other thing to say."
I replied. I was beginning to get hurt. I know they've not known me for so long but they could have at least believed me when I said it was not me. How would they think so bad of me? All four of them? Thinking I had something to do with stealing that girl's phone. Yes, I had admired her phone. But when did admiring someone's phone become a crime? Maybe I should not have accepted it when the girl had given it to check it out.
"Why did you become nervous all of a sudden?"
I raised my face to let my eyes bore into his. He must have seen the confusion swimming in there with tears.
"Katelyn pointed out your nerves. You'd been tapping your legs."
"I was pressed and wanted to pee."
I sniffled, making an effort to explain.
"You wanted to pee?"
He did not believe me and I kept shut. The pee that had been worrying my bladder had disappeared as soon as I saw Aaron holding the phone and my bag back in class.
"What is going on here? What did she do?"
Baron inquired.
"It's none of your business."
Aaron shut him off.
"Hey, I said mind your tone with me."
"Or what?"
Aaron was now glaring challengingly at Baron.
"And you guys seat there and watch him bully her?"
"No one is bullying anyone, Baron."
Zach replied, his tone edged with anger and displeasure.
"Everything happens for a reason, Baron. You don't know this one."
Lucas said. My gaze automatically went to him. It hurt me the most that even Lucas would not believe me. He thought I was a thief. I should not care what they thought. I should not bother myself thinking about that but I thought Lucas liked me. He was the closest to me. He was the first to warm up to me. I expected him to be with me in these trying times, but I guess I should learn not to expect anything from anybody.
"All I see is four of you trying to oppress one girl. Just take in her state and see. Look at how scared and depressed she is."
"If you knew what had happened, you won't be saying those things."
Lucas told him again.
"What had happened then? Tell me, what crime did she commit?"
"None of your business."
Aaron repeated.
"You don't even know her."
Zach spat.
The Baron took in my appearance, giving me a scrutinizing once-over.
"That's true. Who is she?"