Chapter 2 part 2: Things Are Never That Simple

I head back to my seat. It seems like these guys want me to have lunch with them. I still don't know why, but I didn't say no. Not that I really plan on going anyway. I need to talk to Oli about Violeta during lunch.

Class drags on, boring as ever, until finally the bell rings, signaling the lunch break. I decide to head to the cafeteria to find Oli. I need to understand what he's thinking.

Just as I'm about to reach the cafeteria, I feel someone grab me from behind.

—"Aaron, you're late! Let's go eat."

It's the guys from the other day. They probably want to talk about Violeta the whole lunch. I need to get out of here.

—"Sorry, but I already..."

—"What do you want to eat? By the way, I wanted to ask you a few things."

They completely ignored me. Damn, this is going to be torture.

—"Aaron, you're late!"—the familiar voice is a lifeline, offering me instant relief.

Oli grabs my arm and quickly drags me away with him.

—"Where are you going?" one of the guys asks.

—"I already made plans with him, sorry guys."

Phew, you've saved me again, Oli.

—"You looked pretty miserable with them," Oli says with a half-smile.

He always gets me out of these situations. But it's time for me to help him now.

—"You know, I think I'm getting better with my trauma. I could have stayed with those guys without you, and maybe soon I'll make new friends."

Oli looks at me in disbelief.

—"I don't see that happening anytime soon, judging by what I just saw."

—"What I'm trying to say, Oli, is that you don't need to stay mad at Violeta... because of me."

His expression changes instantly. He puts on an aggressive face, one I've never seen on him before.

—"Did she tell you that?" His voice is hard, almost cold. "Listen, I'm never going to forgive her. And it's not because of you, Aaron, it's because of what she did."

Before I can say anything else, Oli stands up and storms off, furious.

I don't understand what's going on with him. But I know that somehow, it's my fault, even if he doesn't want to admit it.

In the end, I ate alone. I finished quickly and started wandering around the school with the time I had left before class.

Without really knowing why, I end up in the gym, standing in front of the basketball court, staring at the lines on the floor that bring back painful memories. I get lost in my thoughts until I hear someone calling me from behind.

—"Aaron? Is that you?"

Oh God, not again. I don't want to find out who it is this time.

—"No, sorry," I reply without even turning around.

—"Haha, you're still as funny as ever."

That voice... I recognize it instantly.

I turn around and find myself face to face with a radiant beauty, as if no time has passed.

—"Iris…?"

—"Yes, silly, who else would it be?" she responds with a smile.

I never thought I'd see her again.

—"What are you doing here?" I ask, still in shock.

—"I study here. And you? Did you switch schools this year?"

—"Yeah..." I stammer, not knowing what to say. She looks exactly the same as I remember. She hasn't changed at all.

—"Well, I hope we run into each other more often at school. I'd like to catch up with you."

—"Sure..."

The words don't come out. This is all too much for me.

Iris... She was my first love, and it seems she still affects me in some way. Does she not know what happened? Or is she just pretending not to know? No, she definitely doesn't know. Someone as pure as her wouldn't talk to me if she knew about the incident.

Although... not everything was joyful with my first love. But those are memories I shouldn't bring up to her. I could hurt her, and that's the last thing I want.

Just when I thought the conversation was over, Iris looks me in the eyes for a second before turning to leave.

—"By the way, Aaron..." she says suddenly, in a tone that throws me off guard. "There's something you don't know."

—"Something I don't know...?" I reply, puzzled.

—"Yes... something important. I'll tell you when the time is right." Her smile mixes with a hint of mystery, and before I can respond, she walks away, leaving me with a thousand questions in my head.

What could she mean? What is it that I don't know? Why now?

POV Iris

What a crazy thing. I never thought I'd see you again, Aaron.

After what I did to you without you even realizing it... Or maybe you did know, but still, you talk to me as if nothing happened.

This is my chance to make things right, for you to forgive me, and for us to get along again, like before.

And this time, in an honest way.