While Asher drove to school, Aurélia munched away on her snacks, making little "om nom nom" noises that made Asher chuckle. Aurélia caught him laughing and asked, "Hey, what's so funny? You're laughing at me, aren't you?"
Asher's smile grew wider. "Maybe a little. I'm just happy to be with you, and your snack-eating sounds are the cherry on top."
Aurélia playfully rolled her eyes. "Good to see you smiling again, Asher. I wish that cute smile never fades away in the future."
On their journey to school, Asher asked, "Aurélia, can I have some of your snacks too? I think they are really tasty."
Aurélia laughed. "I knew you were laughing at me because of the funny noise I made while eating. But sure, you can have some of mine."
They shared snacks and chatted, Their conversation flowed easily. Suddenly, Asher pulled over and stopped the car. Aurélia looked at him curiously. "What's wrong Asher? Why did you stop the car?"
Asher took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers. "Aurélia, I have something to tell you." He untied his seatbelt and leaned in closer to her, his face inches from hers. Aurélia's heart skipped a beat as she wondered what Asher was going to say. "What is it?" she asked.
Asher's fingers grazing her face, Aurélia's eyes met his, and she couldn't help but notice the intensity in his gaze. Aurélia made off his hand from her face, "What are you doing, Asher? Is this a new game? Catching vaseline on my face? I can buy you one tin if you want." She joked, trying to lighten the mood of the moment. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something different, something that made her heart skip a beat again.
The air in the car felt thick and heavy, and Aurélia's instincts told her to get out of there as fast as she could. "I think I'll start my journey from here, Asher?" she said, trying to open the car door, but Asher had already locked it.
"What's wrong with you Asher? You're acting weird don't you see it? What's on your mind?" Aurélia's voice laced with fear and anger as she struggled to free herself. Asher's words tumbled out in a stammering mess."I don't know how to tell you this...I didn't have another way to tell you this because you would've ignored me...I don't understand why, Aurélia..."
Aurélia cut him off, her voice firm. "I told you already that I'll make up to you and Lila. What I don't understand is why are you reacting like this?" Asher's hand closed around hers, his touch warm but possessive. "It's because I like you...I also don't know why I'm saying it right now, but I always had a crush on you the first time my eyes saw you. I really like you Rory... Aurélia!"
Aurélia's heart sank as she realized the depth of Asher's feelings. "I'm so sorry, You can't love me," she said gently, trying to let him down easy.
Asher's face fell, but he persisted. "Of course, I have to, because I like you so much, Aurélia. And the other day, I saw my brother hugging you when you were looking for me, I felt jealous."
Aurélia's voice was soft but firm. "I'm really sorry, Asher but I don't feel the same way you do." Asher's expression turned desperate. "I thought you had the same feelings as me, but how come I was so stupid to think like that? But it's not your fault. I'll give it a try until you accept me, since you don't have a boyfriend."
Aurélia's expression turned sadness. "I...I have a boyfriend, Asher, I'm really sorry. Can you open the door, please?" Asher's eyes narrowed as he laughed akwardly. "I know you are lying to me, Aurélia. I know you don't have a boyfriend, but I'll just let you go for now. I understand that you don't have feelings for me since we have been friends for so long but I believe we'll become more than friends."
The tension in the car was palpable, and Aurélia felt a sense of relief wash over her as she finally managed to get out of the car. She took a deep breath and stepped out into the bright sunlight, leaving Asher behind.
She walked away, but she couldn't help thinking what will happen if Asher gets to know about her relationship with Isaiah. Things will change if Asher knows the whole truth, she never wanted to lie to him nor letting him down. They have been friends for so long why would Aurélia feel that way for Asher but though she felt sad for letting him down because it seemed like his feelings were genuine. She hoped that with time, Asher will move on.
Watching Aurélia head to her nutrition class, his eyes never left hers. He felt a pang of sadness and heartbreak, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that she was hiding something. "I think she was joking with me," he told himself, trying to act cool. "She's a jokester, after all."
Aurélia's class lectures had begun, but her mind was else where. She wasn't focusing, lost in thought about his confession. Lila noticed her distraction and whispered her name, but Aurélia didn't respond. Lila decided to pinch her to snap her out of it.
"Ouch! Why did you do that?" Aurélia asked, finally coming back to reality.
"I wanted to get your attention,"Lila replied. "What were you thinking about?"
Aurélia didn't answer. Instead she stood up and walked out of the class. Lila followed her, but the professor's voice stopped her. "Hey, where are you heading? To follow her? Focus on your own class," the professor said.
Lila sat back down, wondering what was wrong with Aurélia. Looking around she noticed Asher's seat was empty. Aurélia rushed to the restroom to freshen up. After refreshing herself, she decided not to go back to class, still preoccupied with her thoughts. She walked through the campus and sat down at the water fountain, trying to relax her mind.
Strolling around with his friends, Isaiah spotted Aurélia sitting by the fountain. He walked over to her, and Aurélia looked up to see him standing in front of her. "What brings you here, Isaiah?" Aurélia asked. "What if you get seen by anyone when you're with me?"
Isaiah smiled. "The whole campus knows we hate each other, and they think I always want to pick a fight with you. They won't misunderstand." Aurélia smiled slightly.
"What are you suffering from, so I can get the cure? For you every cure you want from me will definitely work if you ask from me, I'll always say yes." Isaiah said his words serious.
Aurélia laughed awkwardly. "I know you are joking, right." "Of course I'm not, I'm serious and genuine when it comes to people I love unless when someone betrays me." Isaiah replied.
"I have something to tell you, Isaiah it's about a guy." Aurélia said her reaction serious.
Isaiah's expression turned serious, and he clenched his teeth. "Did you get another guy who steal you from me? Who's it? Did I do anything wrong?"
Aurélia's hand crossed his, trying to calm him down. "It's not that. I meant I broke someone's heart. Your brother gave me a ride, and we were joking as friends. But he suddenly confessed that he likes me."
Isaiah's smile returned, but this time it was tinged with jealousy. He tried to act normal, not wanting to show his possessiveness. "And what did you tell him?"
"I told him the truth," Aurélia replied. "I have a boyfriend, and I don't feel the same way he feels." Isaiah's eyes never left hers and for a moment, Aurélia thought she saw a glimmer of something more in his gaze. But it was quickly masked, and he smiled again.
"You look upset, but you are pretending to smile. Why? Are jealous that I was with your brother? I have told you that I told him that I don't feel the same way he feels, I have my boyfriend and that's you. " Aurélia said her fingers crossed his face. Isaiah wrapped his hand around around her waist pulling her closer to him, his fingers ran through her hair, gently. "Isaiah! What..." Aurélia's words were cut when Isaiah leaned in for a kiss. His tongue rolling with hers. His hand touching her thigh moving inside to her underwear. Aurélia slapped his hand, "Stop it, what if someone sees you." Aurélia whispered. "I'm sorry for being abruptly but I just want you inside me." Isaiah said. Aurélia stood up,"Okay, if that's the case, I'm heading back to my classes." Isaiah grabbed her hand back to sit.