Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"We meet again miss."

The two stare at each other before the silence was broken by Noah.

"So the two of you know each other?"

The black haired male opened his mouth to answer but Aria beat him to it.

"I bumped into him while I was out with Layla. "

He saw his father's eyes gleam at the girl's words. He could already feel a headache coming and felt pity as his eyes landed on Aria who just looked at him blankly. Aria already knew what his expression conveyed and it irritated her but she chose to just be polite. He tried to excuse himself saying he would go outside to get some fresh air. He was about to go outside when Noah suggested that Aria should accompany him lest he get lost. The said girl tensed at the mention of her name at her brother's suggestion. Silently cursing her brother in her head, she brushed away the feeling of wanting to run and complied to her brother's suggestion. The two exited and Aria lead him to the garden for a walk. They were silent before it was broken by the black haired male.

"I'm sorry I bumped into you before. My name is Evan Clifford."

"It's fine. Aria Collins."

"I'm sorry you got dragged of having to accompany me."

"It's fine."

The male unconsciously flinched at the girl's rather distant reply as silence falls once again.

"Do you hate me?"

Aria stopped walking and looked at the male beside her. Her head starts to hurt as soon as she looked at him.

That expression. Why is it so familiar?

"Why are you asking me that?"

"You're being distant."

"Am I supposed to act like I know you when I clearly don't?"

Aria replied to him rather bluntly. She expected him to get mad and reprimand her. To her surprise, he did not.

"Point made. But you don't have to be so cold you know."

Before Aria could retort, her phone rang signifying that someone had texted her. Upon checking she saw it was Asher who contacted her. The latter asked if she was alright and how she was doing. Upon seeing text, a wave of calm washed over her. It was nice to receive such texts from time to time. She quickly replied and hid her phone away from Evan's prying eyes. Evan was about to ask what made a small smile appear on the ginger's face but was cut off by Rebecca telling them that it was time for dinner. The evening went by smoothly. After bidding farewell to the Cliffords, she retired to her room rather exhausted. After doing her nightly routine, she layed in her bed while clasping the necklace in her hand. She was still pondering about the event that occurred earlier. She took out her phone and stared at the text Asher had sent her. Her heart swelled with warmth the the latter's sweet yet simple gesture. Yet her hand shook as the thoughts flooded her head. She had filled the male in about her day and his her. She glanced at the necklace and decided she would think about it tomorrow. She placed her phone and the necklace on her bedside.

A suffocating feeling went over her and swallowed the warmth she felt before.

It'll be all over soon.

She closed her eyes and fell asleep.