Chapter 10 - He's in pain deep inside

"Hey Aria! Talk to me! How can you compare me to that monkey Damian?!" he shouted at me. But I ignored him. I sat down at my desk and grabbed a book to review for our quiz.

But he took the book I had placed on the table. He's really annoying me now, and I'm completely out of patience with him.

"What's with you, Cairo?! Give it back to me!" I snapped at him.

"I'll give it back if you tell me I'm more handsome than that monkey Damian." he said, holding the book up in the air. I couldn't reach it because he's taller than me, and I'm not very tall.

"You're so infuriating! You're like a child! Just give it back to me!" I yelled at him, my neck veins almost bulging from the force of my shout.

"Tsk, you're not getting this until you say what I want to hear. The book stays with me." he said, and then he left with my book.

I was so annoyed that I couldn't even follow him. Our professor arrived, and the quiz was about to start. I tried to calm myself down. He's just as bad as Damian. They're both demons! Arghhh...

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Lunch break>>>

I wasn't in the mood to eat, so I went to the bench area to rest and maybe nap during lunch break. But while I was sitting there, a very beautiful girl approached and sat next to me. She had stunning eyes, long curly hair, a mestiza complexion, and she was tall and sexy. I felt like she might be a model.

"You're Aria, right?" she asked. How did she know my name? And why does she know me?

"Uh—yes." I replied, puzzled.

"I'm Hannah. I'm friends with the Four Princes." she said.

I didn't realize they had friends. I thought only the Four Princes were friends with each other.

"And they told me about you." she added with a smile. Her smile was so genuine, and she seemed very kind and she's so pretty and stunning.

"R-really? Why would they mention me? I'm not close to them." I said, still in disbelief.

"I heard that Cairo has been bullying you." she said. That's why she knew about me.

"Yeah, and there's not a day he doesn't annoy me. He's so childish... I'm really irritated with his behavior." I said irritably. Hannah laughed.

"Sorry about him. His behavior can be hard to understand. But Cairo is kind, just a bit arrogant." Hannah said.

I almost wanted to say that Cairo isn't just slightly arrogant but really a demon.

"But his behavior is so annoying. I don't know when he'll stop bothering me." I replied.

"I've known Cairo for a long time, since we were kids. Cairo was bullied when he was in elementary school. He was bullied in the States where he studied. He was overweight back then and became the target of teasing. I don't know what kind of bullying he went through in the States, but since then, his behavior changed. That's what Asher and the others told me. I met Cairo right after he came back to the Philippines from the States, and his attitude was really bad. He was angry all the time and hated everyone.

Except for his friends Sade, Denzel, and Asher. He was kind to them. He was still overweight when I met him, he was actually quite cute back then. I don't understand why he was bullied just because he was overweight. But I persisted with him. The more he pushed me away, the more I cared. Eventually, I became part of their friendship. I even motivated him to lose weight and get fit. I'm happy I was able to help him. But his behavior, I couldn't change. I know deep down, he still holds grudges against those who wronged him, and he still doesn't trust people. He hates people." Hannah explained.

I was speechless. So that's why Cairo is the way he is. He's in pain deep inside. I understand him a bit more now, but it's wrong for him to project his pain onto others and punish them.

"So please just be patient with him. I know you're a good person, Aria. I'm really sorry for Cairo." Hannah said.

"I'll try to understand him…" was all I could say.

"Thank you, Aria." she said, smiling at me. I smiled back.

"Can we be friends as well?" she asked, which I hadn't expected. Someone like her, I knew she was probably wealthy too, but I didn't think she'd want to be friends with someone like me.

"Y-yes, of course, but I'm not rich." I said.

And she laughed.

"Don't worry about it, Aria. Wealth has nothing to do with friendships. I can feel the beauty of your soul. And that's enough reason for me to want you as my friend." Hannah said.

Hannah speaks English. It really suits her; she's beautiful inside and out. I just smiled at her. A moment later, she took something from her bag and handed me an invitation card.

"I want you to be there, Aria. There's a welcome party at my house on Sunday. Please come. I just got back from Australia, and there's a welcome party at home. Please be there." Hannah said.

I looked at the invitation card. I wanted to go, but what would I wear? I didn't have any decent clothes for a party.

"O-okay, but I'll need to check. I don't have any proper party clothes." I said awkwardly.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Just please be there." Hannah said. She's so kind and beautiful. Even though I felt embarrassed, I just nodded.

"Oh, I have to go now; I need to fix my class schedule." Hannah said.

"Ah, okay. Thanks for the invitation." I replied.

Hannah left, and I was left alone. I looked at the invitation card again, which had the address of Hannah's welcome party venue.

A moment later, the large TV screens on the grandstand lit up. I could see it from where I was.

"Attention to all students. Please listen." I heard from the speakers installed throughout the university. I tuned in to find out what was happening.

"There is a high school student from another school who has entered the university. Due to the rule prohibiting any outsiders from entering the university, he must leave immediately."

Soon after, a picture appeared on the TV screen on the grandstand.

"This is the student. The picture was taken by one of the students who noticed that this individual was walking around inside the university. Please, if anyone sees him, escort him to the Dean's office."

When I looked closely at the picture, I realized it was Kai, my brother. I suddenly felt anxious. Why did he come here to the university? My heart raced with fear. What if something happened to him here? What should I do?