Chapter 55 Aria
I knew Avery was up to something the second I walked into the cafeteria. The air had that storm-warning tension, the kind where everyone pretends they’re not staring while absolutely staring.
And Avery? She was the lightning.
She stood with her perfectly curated group and phone in hand like it was a weapon. I didn’t know what she was plotting but with Avery, the plan is always personal.
I’d barely taken three steps when Nora grabbed my wrist. “Okay, don’t freak out.”
Which, of course, made me freak out.
“What did she do now?” I hissed.
“She might be spreading something.”
Before she explained, a group of sophomores glanced at me and whispered behind their hands. One giggled. Just great.
“Awesome,” I muttered. “So excited to hear what my social doom is today.”
Max, who’d been behind us with his tray, snorted. “It’s Avery and it’s automatically terrible.”
“You know what she said?” I asked.
“Not exactly,” he said, “but I heard her talking about sending screenshots to ‘everyone who deserves honesty.’ That’s high school code for disaster.”
My stomach dropped. “Fantastic.”
Max gave me the look of someone preparing for battle. “Want backup?”
“Yes,” Nora answered instantly.
We marched toward Avery’s table. Well, Nora marched, Max strolled, and I was praying I didn’t trip. Avery spotted us halfway there and smiled like she’d been waiting.
“What?” I called out. “Want me to stand on a stage for you?”
A few kids snorted.
“Oh, Aria,” she said sweetly. “Didn’t think you’d show up so fast so I could warn you.”
“Warn me about what?” I crossed my arms. “Your inflated ego?”
Someone choked on their juice and Avery’s smile wobbled.
“I just thought everyone should know what kind of girl you really are,” she said. “Luca’s little… charity case.”
“Wow. Creative,” I said flatly.
Nora stepped forward. “Avery, seriously? You look ridiculous.”
Avery ignored her. “If Aria wants to flirt her way into Luca’s life—”
“That’s not a crime,” I snapped. “Unless breathing near him is a felony.”
Avery raised her brows. “Suspicious when someone acts like his girlfriend.”
Max stepped in. “She’s not acting like anything. She’s just talking to him.”
Avery glared. “Why are you even here?”
“Because you’re being a jerk,” Max said. “And someone should tell you.”
The cafeteria erupted in whispers with Avery flushed bright pink.
“You’re defending her?” she hissed.
“Yeah,” Max said. “Because she didn’t do anything wrong.”
Avery looked me over like she was assessing garbage. “Of course you’d fall for this. You always liked attention.”
That hit harder than I wanted, but I held my ground. “Avery, I know your issue,” I said. “You hate anyone who doesn’t worship you.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“But I’m not your audience or your rumor-of-the-week,” I continued. “If you’ve got a problem with me, say it to my face. Stop hiding behind your followers.”
The cafeteria froze. Someone whispered, “Damn!!”
Avery’s jaw locked then she snapped her phone off, grabbed her tray, and stormed away with her friends scrambling after her.
Nora immediately threw her arms around me. “Aria, that was iconic.”
I laughed shakily. “My legs almost gave out.”
Max set his tray down. “Mine actually did. I nearly passed out.”
I grinned. “Thanks for stepping in.”
He shrugged with a soft smile. “You deserve better than the garbage she pulls.”
I needed quiet so I slipped away to the library during lunch. It was deserted so I found a farthest corner table, dropped into the chair, and buried my face in my hands breathing heavily. Footsteps echoed against the floor and I looked finding Luca. He stopped a few feet away with his gaze locked on me like I’m the only thing in the room that matters.
“I heard what happened,” he said. “The whole cafeteria thing.”
My throat tightened. “It was intense.”
He dropped his bag on the table and stepped closer. “You okay?”
I nodded, even though my hands were still shaking. He studied me for a beat then he reaches out and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch was so gentle it made my breath catch.
“You were badass out there,” he said quietly. “Everyone saw it. I saw it.”
Heat crept up my neck. “I didn’t feel badass. I just didn’t want to be invisible anymore.”
“You’re not invisible, Aria.” His voice dropped lower. “Not to me. Not ever.”
My heart does that stupid flip. He took another step close enough that I could smell the faint cedar of his cologne mixed with the clean sweat of someone who just ran across campus. His hand slid to my cheek, his thumb grazing my jawline.
He leaned in slow and pressed his lips to mine. My hands found the front of his hoodie, fingers curling into soft fabric. His other hand cupped the back of my neck brushing the sensitive skin just below my ear and tilted his head just enough that my lips part on a quiet gasp. His tongue brushed mine slow and exploratory memorizing the taste of me. Heat pooled low in my stomach and I rose onto my toes without thinking, pressing closer till he made this small involuntary sound in the back of his throat that sent sparks down my spine.
My fingers slid up to his shoulders into his slightly damp hair. I tugged gently and he groaned against my mouth the sound vibrating between us. His hands dropped to my waist pulling me flush against him until I can feel the rapid thud of his heart matching mine. The edge of the bookshelf pressed into my back but I barely notice cause all I felt is him and how kissed me like he’s been waiting forever.
RIIIIING.
The bell screamed through the quiet stacks like it personally hates happy endings. We broke apart, breathing hard, and foreheads pressed together. He let out a breathless laugh. “Worst timing ever.”
I laughed. “This school literally wants us dead.”
Luca gave me a boyish grin. “Worth it.”
He brushed his thumb over my bottom lip and leaned in to steals one more kiss. “Come on,” he murmurs against my mouth. “I’ll walk you to class and maybe steal another one in the hallway.”
I smiled so wide it hurts. “Deal.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
This chapter was so fun. Nothing hits like a heated cafeteria showdown followed by a kiss that absolutely destroys Aria’s ability to think straight. More chaos incoming, so stay close my lovelies💛.