Chapter 9: A Day of Chaos and Clarity

The next day began on an unremarkable note. Aria reaches school early as she wanted to finish her homework. Ethan was, as always, late to class; he sauntered in with a smirk on his face and raised his hand to the teacher, who only sighed.

"Good of you to joing us, Mr. Carter," said Mrs. Patel dryly.

Ethan just sat beside Aria in his chair. I wouldn't give it up for anything.

Aria rolled her eyes but smiled a little as she did it.

Gym class took a chaotic turn that day. The teacher organized a volleyball match by forming teams in class. And the coincidence was that Ethan was on one team while Aria was on the other.

"Bring it on, Bennett," Ethan said over the net with a grin.

"Not chance, Carter," said Aria, as she glared at him.

The match was intense. Despite his aggressive volleying and spiking, Ethan smirked everytime his team scored owing his competitive nature. Although he kept trying to get a rise out of her, Aria did not go along with that rose, instead matching his energy with surprising skill.

It was a close call by the last round. At the tie in the score, there was a cheering shout in the gym.

Ethan served the ball over the net. Aria jumped in to save it but got sent flying back at her. The rally continued on without either side being willing to concede.

At long last, Aria saw her opening. She jumped at the perfect time to spike the ball right in the middle of Ethan's court.

The game was over with the blow of a whistle. Aria's team cheered and she turned to Ethan with a smile.

"Good thing you are so lucky," she said teasingly.

Ethan's face was neutral as he walked over. At first, she thought maybe he was actually upset.

To her shock, he smiled then. "Not bad, Bennett. I could really be shocked.

"Quit looking so shocked," Aria said, laughing.

---.

The happy moment didn't last.

As Aria was walking to the library later that day, she heard something that made her stomach drop.

Have you heard the newest gossip on Aria and Ethan?"She whispered to her friend."

Sure," responded the other girl. They've been spending a lot of time together apparently. She is probably trying to make Ryan jealous, I bet.

Aria stopped her moving, gripping her books tightly. She hadn't even thought of how people may take her words with Ethan.

She nearly bumped into Ethan himself when she turned the corner.

"Yikes! You are going too fast," he said, steadying her.

"We have to talk Ethan," Aria said.

His brow furrowed. "What's wrong?".

"People are discussing us," she informed me. She thinks that I'm using you to get back at Ryan.

Ethan's expression darkened. I don't care what they think.".

"I care," Aria said. "I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea."

And what's the correct idea?"Ethan was like that, wasn't he?"

Aria was caught off guard by his question.

'Yeah', Ethan said, his voiced soothing. "Let them talk. "We both know the truth."

Aria stared at him in frustration, which then turned into something. His self-assuredness, his unwillingness to allow others to direct his actions, was both maddening and reassuring.

"Fine," she said finally. If someone asks, we are project partners only.

Ethan smirked. "Whatever you say, Bennett.".

---.

The day got over with an unexpected revelation.

Aria sat in her room, going through her notes when her phone buzzed with a text.

Ethan tells Bennet not to worry about them. You're better than that.

She looked at the screen and smiled a little. Despite all his teasing and arrogance, Ethan had a talent for saying what she needed to hear.

And for the first time, she wondered whether there was more to him than she had ever realized.