Chapter 25 - Asher saved me

I can't stop thinking about what Denzel said, and I don't even know how I should feel anymore. Should I be angry or relieved? But despite everything, I'm really annoyed because I stayed up all night finishing these projects.

Only to find out that their project wasn't real at all. As I walked back to the room carrying my drawings, my steps felt heavy.

I passed by a trash bin and immediately threw the drawings away, thinking they were useless after all.

I couldn't focus in class. My mind was filled with nothing but Denzel's words and the changes I've noticed in Cairo recently. But I know deep down that those things shouldn't be the reason for me to believe what Denzel said.

By the time lunch break came, I packed up my things. I was surprised when I stepped out of the room and saw Hannah in the corridor. When she saw me, she quickly approached.

"Ah, hi Hannah, what brings you here?" I asked her. "Yeah, I'm here because I need to tell you something, Aria." Hannah said seriously.

"Really? What do you want to say?" I asked her.

"Let's go. Follow me. We need to talk." she said, her face still serious.

I started to feel nervous, but I followed her. We went to the library.

"Aria, do you like Cairo?" she asked, which shocked me. I couldn't respond immediately.

"Yes or no, Aria. Is it really that hard to answer my question?" she added. Was she angry with me?

"Y-you're mistaken, I don't like Cairo." I said.

"Tsk, if that's the case, then why does it seem like you're trying to get his attention?" Hannah said.

I looked at her, and I could see the frustration on her face—completely different from the kind and gentle Hannah I knew. She's really mad at me now.

"That's not true, Hannah. I'm not trying to get his attention." I calmly said.

"If that's the case, then please stay away from him. You even ruined my welcome party yesterday. You just love making scenes to get attention, don't you!" she said angrily.

Why? Why is this happening? I never intended to grab attention. I didn't even want to fall into the pool yesterday. I wasn't trying to be noticed. Why is Hannah acting this way?

"I thought you were a decent girl, but it turns out you're just a flirt. You're not satisfied with Asher, and now you're trying to get Cairo's attention too." Hannah said.

"That's not true, Hannah." I replied.

"Then stay away from them, and stop causing scenes." she said. I didn't respond.

"I hate you, Aria. I don't want to be your friend anymore! I've liked Cairo ever since we were kids. So who are you to steal him from me?" Hannah said, and I saw the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Go away! I don't want to see you with them ever again," Hannah said before leaving.

Once again, I was left alone, confused and unsure of why the situation had turned out this way. I don't even like Cairo, and I'm definitely not trying to get his attention. In fact, I wish he would stop bothering me altogether.

But he's the one who keeps messing with my life. Where am I supposed to stand in all this? So much has been happening lately, and I'm exhausted. I couldn't help but cry, but I quickly wiped away my tears.

So Hannah likes Cairo. How could I have been so clueless? If I had known, maybe we'd still be friends. But now she's angry with me. I thought I had finally made a friend here, but maybe I was just fooling myself. I really don't belong in this place.

I was just standing outside the library building when suddenly, someone grabbed my arm from behind and pulled me forward. The force of the pull made me stumble into their chest, and I heard something break on the ground. When they let go of me, I looked up.

"Asher?" I asked, surprised.

"Aria, are you okay? Please be careful." he said, and I saw the concern in his eyes—or maybe I was just imagining it.

I quickly stepped away from him after remembering what Hannah said about staying away from them.

Then I looked at what I thought I heard break on the ground. I was shocked to see a broken flower pot, with the plant and soil scattered on the floor. What does this mean?

"I saw someone drop the flower pot from the second floor. If I hadn't pulled you, it would've hit you." Asher said.

A chill ran down my spine at his words, and my heart started racing in fear.

"Aria, wait here. I need to find out who's doing this to you. Stay here and watch your surroundings." Asher said.

I just nodded, my heart still pounding from the fear. Then Asher ran quickly into the library and up to the second floor. I was left staring at the broken flower pot on the floor.

What did I do to deserve this? Why do I feel like I'm such a horrible person that they would do this to me? I couldn't take my eyes off that flower pot, and my whole body was trembling with fear. If it had hit my head, I might not be standing here right now.

"Aria..." I heard Asher call my name, so I turned to look at him.

"I've been calling your name for a while now." Asher said. I hadn't realized he had already returned from inside because I was so lost in thought about everything that had been happening.

"I didn't see anyone on the second floor who might have dropped the flower pot. There was no one there when I got up." Asher said.

"S-sorry... and thank you." I replied, bowing my head.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. I still felt like I was trembling. I was startled when Asher came closer and hugged me.

"Don't worry, Aria. I'll protect you. I won't let them hurt you, don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, I won't let anything bad happen to you," Asher said gently while still holding me in his arms.

When he let go of me, he held my hand tightly. I tried to pull my hand away because I didn't want him to feel that I was still shaking.

"Aria, let me hold your hand. I know you were scared. But I want you to feel that you're not alone, that I'm always here for you." he said.

I just stared into his eyes as he said those words. Somehow, his words lightened the weight on my chest. I felt like, as long as Asher was here, nothing bad would happen to me.

I feel safe every time he's around. It seems like I can't avoid him, and I'm sorry, Hannah, but I don't think I can do what you're asking me to.

We sat down on a bench.

"Are you feeling better now?" he asked.

"Yes, thanks a lot, Asher. I owe you so much." I said, and he just smiled.

"It's not a debt. I like doing this... I like protecting you, and making you happy." he said. My heart skipped a beat at his words.

"Sorry for what happened yesterday, I wasn't able to save you." Asher said, referring to what happened at Hannah's welcome party.

"Oh, it's fine. Cairo saved me anyway." I said. He just nodded.

"Wait for me here, I'll go buy some food from the cafeteria." I said.

"Okay." he replied.

Then Asher left and headed to the cafeteria.