Chapter 68
“Earth to Arial” Asher waves a french fry in front of my face. “You’ve been in a daze all day. Are you okay?
“I’m sorry” I murmured, picking my salad. “I’m just tired”
Maya giggles, shaking her head. “You’re looking terrible” She’s seated on my other side dince revised her co
our table.
“Arial There you are,” I look up to find Sasha Collins, flanked by the usual two other cheerleaders Theard you absolutely killed it at the auditions. Everyone’s talking about it.”
Asher leans back, crossing his arms with a smirk. “What’s up, Sasha?”
“None of your business, Asher,” she says, glaring at him.
“It’s not? You’re talking with my sister, my sister is my business.” He retorted.
“Micheew!” She hissed, rolling her eyes. “Aria darling, I would not love to take a no for an answer this time”
“Nobody loves a no for an answer.” Asher mumbled
Sasha ignored him “We have our first big competition in three weeks, and trust me, every girls dream spot is to be in the team”
I sighed. “Sasha, your offer is tempting, damn tempting and I really appreciate it. But my answer hasn’t changed.”
Her smile fell. “Look, I know you’re busy settling in, but this is a prime opportunity. It looks great on college applications, it makes you popular…”
“It’s not that,” I interrupt, “My schedule is just… full. I made the callback list for Twelfth Night and rehearsals are intense. Plus, I’ve joined the newspaper club too.”
Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows shoot up. “The newspaper? You’re choosing homework over cheerleading
“It’s something I’m interested in,” I shrugged.
One of the girls behind Sasha, a blonde with a high ponytail, scoff’s softly. “What a waste of beauty. It’s not like the drama geeks are going to win you any spirit awards.”
Sasha holds up her hand, silencing her teammate. Her gaze is still locked on me, and she looks slightly frustrated. “So that’s it? You’re officially too busy for us?”
“I’m officially committed to other things,” I correct her gently. “I’m sorry, Sasha.”
“Fine.” She smiled. “I tried my best. Good luck with your… play.” She turns on her heel but turned back immediately and handed me a card. “Here’s my number, chat me”
“Ok…ay?” I slowly collected the card.
Chapter 68
Maya lets out a low whistle as soon as she was gone, “Damn, Aria. Turning down Sacha Coffins two Your or building a reputation.”
“I’m just trying to find my footing.” I say.
Asher nudges my shoulder. “Speaking of footing, my first big game in Friday You’ll be three, rig 1 meer say good luck charm
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I nodded.
“Awesome. Just a heads–up, Coach is riding us hard. Extra training every day this werk on I won’t be us drive you home. Call mum to send you a driver.
“The bus is fine,” I assure him. “Where is Nolan?” I finally asked.
“He’s assisting the couch with something. Don’t worry, I’ve taken some snacks to him” Kai winked
“I’m not worried.” I mumbled.
I slowly walked out of the school, towards the bus station.
“Wassup queen?”
The smooth, familiar voice comes from my left. I turn to see Jamal leaning against the brick school wall beside the gate, his camera bag slung over one shoulder, and a small smirk on his pink lips.
“Jamal. Hi.” I adjust the strap of my backpack. “Just waiting for the bus. Asher has practice.”
“Hmmm.” He pushes off the wall and takes a few steps toward me. “How about I give you a ride? I’m heading your way.”
I hesitate, “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know,” he says simply. “But I want to.”
I gulped. The offer is tempting. The bus is loud and overwhelming. Is this a bad idea? “Okay,” I hear myself say, “A quiet ride would be… great. Thanks.”
“Excellent queen.” His smile widens, and he leads the way to a surprisingly pink sedan.
“Pink?” I chuckled
“It’s sexy” he winks and holds the passenger door open for me with a little bow.
“I could never tell you would have anything in pink, especially not your car.”
“Wow,” I breathe, buckling my seatbelt and running a hand over the smooth armrest. “It’s… a lot nicer in here than I expected.” The seats are plush leather, and the dashboard glows with the soft, blue light of a high–end sound system.
Chapter 68
Jamal slides into the driver’s seat, a look of mock offense on his face. “What? You thought the inside would be a chaotic pink explosion? Please, queen. I have taste”
He starts the engine, and it purrs to life. “It’s meant to disorient. To challenge preconceptions” He glances at me, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. “Much like its owner. I’ve been told
I let out a small laugh, feeling some of the day’s tension begin to melt away.
“So, you, uh… you definitely have your license, right?” I ask, trying to sound casual and not at all like I’m questioning his ability to operate a vehicle without crashing us into a ditch. I still love my life.
He throws his head back and laughs, he looks so sexy‘ I gulped. “Yes, Aria. I am a fully licensed, wate approved driver, since I’ll be turning sixteen over the summer, I just had to speed up the wait with a line connection.” He glances at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Why? Do I not seem the responsible type?”
“It’s not that,” I say quickly, my cheeks warming. “You just seem… I don’t know.”
“What about you? How old are you?”
I gulped, according to the hospital records, they said fourteen. I hesitate, picking at a loose thread on my jeans. “Why don’t you guess?” I whispered with a smile.
“Hmmm” his eyes flickered from the road to my profile, studying me. “Hmm. It’s tricky. You have these… siren like ancient eyes.. ” He taps a finger on the steering wheel. “I’d say… fourteen? Maybe a very young fifteen?”
I nod, forcing a smile. “Something like that.”
“Fifteen,” he confirms, mostly to himself.
“Since we’re playing guessing games and asking questions,” he begins, his tone losing its playful edge and becoming almost careful. “I have another question for you. And I want you to be straight with me, no deflecting. Please It’s for your own good.”
“Okay…?” I prompt, warily.
He takes a deep breath. “Do you like Nolan?”
“What? No, ewww” I replied way too quickly, and stare straight ahead at the road, refusing to look at him. “Why would you even ask that?”
“Because I saw the way he looked at you after your audition. And more importantly, I saw the way you looked at him when you thought no one was watching.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter, my face burning.
“Aria, look at me.”
Reluctantly, I turn my head.
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Chapter 68
“I don’t want you to get hurt” He pauses, palming my cheeks. “Nolan West is a playboy.”
“He does not have a type,” Jamal continues, his gaze locked on mine.
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“You don’t know him,” I whisper, a defensive heat rising in my chest. “You don’t know what he’s like”
“Don’t I?” he counters, a bitter smile touching his lips. “I’ve been going to school with him since we were kids. I know exactly what he’s like.
He pulls into my driveway, the car rolling to a gentle stop.
“We’re here,” he says softly, the engine idling.
I don’t move. I just sit there, staring at my hands clenched in my lap.
I finally unclipped my seatbelt. “Thanks for the ride, Jamal,” I say, smiling. “And for the… advice.
“Anytime,” he replies. “Remember the draft. I’ll be waiting.”
I step out of his car and shut the door. I did not look back as I walked to the front door but I could hear the soft sound of his car pulling away.
Thanks for joining me and Avery on this journey
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
