The nutrition department lecture came to a close, and Lila stepped out of the classroom, scanning the campus for a glimpse of Aurélia. But she was nowhere to be seen. Lila's brow furrowed in concern as she tried calling Aurélia, only to be met with silence. "Where's this little brat?" Lila muttered under her breath, smacking her lips in frustration.
Meanwhile, Aurélia was busy flirting with Isaiah by the fountain, completely unaware of Lila's frantic search. They laughed and chatted, and Aurélia's phone buzzed as they were about to kiss, full of notifications. She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening as she saw seven missed calls from Lila. "Oh my God, I think Lila is looking for me," Aurélia exclaimed, quickly standing up.
"Isaiah, I think we shall meet again next time," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance.
Isaiah's expression turned serious as he stood up, pulling Aurélia into a warm, tight hug. "I don't want you to leave me, but I guess I don't have any other option. I have to let my pony, go," he whispered, his voice husky.
Aurélia extricated herself from his arms, and that's when one of Gabriella's friends, who had been watching the scene unfold, discreetly pulled out her phone and started recording. She captured the intimate moment between Aurélia and Isaiah, a sly smile spreading across her face.
"This is going to be a big day for this little poor witch Aurélia," she whispered to herself, a mischievous glint in her eye. The camera captured every detail from Aurélia's flushed cheeks to Isaiah's possessive grip. The stage was set for drama to unfold, and it seemed that Aurélia's life was to get more complicated.
Aurélia sprinted across the campus, determined to track down Lila, who seemed to be perpetually on the lookout for her. Spotting Lila, Aurélia crept up behind her and tapped her on the back. Lila spun around, her eyes widening in surprise.
"This is creepy, Aurélia! You scared the shit out of me," Lila grumbled.
Aurélia's face broke into a warm smile. "Good to see you, Lila. I've got some juicy gossip to share."
Lila's expression softened, her curiosity piqued. "Of course, you do. Asher was utterly distraught over you ignoring us the other day. He was like a dark cloud, brooding all day."
"Asher...well, we met. But I don't think I need to spill all the beans here in the open." Aurélia said.
Meanwhile, Gabriella's friend had already forwarded the incriminating video and photos of Aurélia and Isaiah's flirtatious encounter to Gabriella's phone. When Gabriella saw the evidence, her anger reached a boiling point.
"I refuse to believe Isaiah would stoop so low as to choose that insignificant little rat over me, does he really know what I'm?" Gabriella seethed. "Who's she anyway?" She's nothing but a pathetic, kitchen–sink witch."
One of her friends chimed in, fueling the fire. "Gabby, you really need to make that bitch pay. She's no match for your sophistication and charm."
Gabriella's face twisted in a mixture of anger and jealousy as she stormed off.
Aurélia and Lila settled into a cozy corner of the cafeteria, a hub where Isaiah and his friends often gathered to have a blast. As they sat down, Isaiah's eyes locked onto Aurélia, and he flashed her a charming, a toothy grin. Aurélia's cheeks flushed as she looked away, attempting to hide behind her hands like a shy ostrich.
"Lila, do you think this cafeteria is the best spot for a heart to heart?" Aurélia whispered, her eyes darting towards Isaiah.
Lila chuckled. "Girl, we're pros at navigating this cafeteria. Unless you're trying to avoid the person you most hate most... Isaiah."
Aurélia's heart skipped a beat as Lila emphasized Isaiah's name. "Okay, let's just chill and enjoy our strawberry juice," Aurélia suggested, trying to play it cool.
Sipping their drinks, Lila turned serious. "Alright, Aurélia, spill the beans. I want the unvarnished truth, no sugarcoating. You're not exactly known for your subtlety, so go ahead and dish."
Aurélia giggled, "Okay, okay I get it. I'll be as honest as a politician on an election day."
Lila raised her eyebrow. "That's not exactly reassuring."
Aurélia grinned, "Hey, at least I'm consistent."
Aurélia dropped a bombshell: "Firstly, Isaiah and I have been dating lately." Lila's eyes widened, and she choked on her drink. "Girl, you're either hallucinating or trying to win an Oscar for most creative lie. You two? Dating? After all the trash talk and eye rolling."
Aurélia's face turned serious. "Shh, keep it down. It's a secret relationship." Lila's laughter echoed through the cafeteria. "You are serious? Rory, you're either brave or suicidal. Don't you know Gabriella's nickname is the Queen of Mean?"
"I know, but I didn't plan for this. I swear, Isaiah's charm is like a ninja move–swift and deadly." Aurélia said. Lila giggled. "I bet he is. You're like a puppy in love, tail wagging, and all."
Just then, Isaiah appeared behind Aurélia, his eyes met Lila's. He winked at Lila, and she stood up. "Oh, I've to take this call from my mom...yeah, right." She sauntered off, leaving Aurélia alone.
Isaiah playfully covered Aurélia's eyes. "Your heart skips a beat when you see me," he whispered, his voice sending shivers down her spine. Aurélia removed his hands and turned to face him. "So, you were eavesdropping on our conversation?"
Isaiah sat down beside her, his proximity making her squirm. "Maybe a little. But I've to say, I'm loving the puppy dog analogy." Aurélia rolled her eyes and pushed him away. "Control yourself in public, Isaiah."
Isaiah's grin was mischievous. "Now that your friend knows, I think it's time Asher and the whole campus know you're mine." Aurélia's face turned bright red. "You're impossible." Isaiah chuckled. "That's why you love me."
Aurélia playfully snorted, "Humph! You think so? She extended closer to Isaiah, her hands fencing him in, "This is one of the tricks boys use to attack girls, isn't it?" You all use the same old move. I think I looked like a real boy just now."
Isaiah's heart pumped fast as Aurélia's breath danced across his skin. Isaiah made her sit on his laps, Aurélia wrapped her hands around him giving him a hug. Isaiah rested his hands lightly on Aurélia's waist. Aurélia stared at him, her hands run through his hair smoothly. Isaiah touched and grabbed her face, caressing her cheek and both of them leaned into a passionate french kiss, his hands swiftly trying to unbutton her jumpsuit, but Aurélia caught his hand in mid air.
Isaiah looked at her, his face looking fierce and he seemed like begging for something. Isaiah's friends gathered around them, with applause. Aurélia removed from his laps and sat down shyly.
Isaiah's friends swarmed around him, their faces alight with excitement. "Dude, you never told us you won a bonanza! Does Gabriella know about it?" One of them joked, "I bet Asher's crying himself to sleep right now if he finds out."
Aurélia's eyes widened, and whispered to Isaiah,"Does Asher know about it?" Isaiah's expression remained calm, "They're just gambling with words, don't take them seriously. Asher doesn't know about it."
One of Isaiah's friends chimed in, "I think Gabriella knows about it, though. There's a video going viral of you two hugging passionately. What do you think, Asher doesn't know?" Isaiah's friends burst into laughter.
Aurélia's face fell, her expression sad a little bit for Asher rejecting since they have been friends for so long. But again her eyes looking at eyes, a smile came back since her heart beats for him only.
Isaiah grinned, "Let's just say, Asher will find out soon enough, isn't it true Aurélia?" Aurélia's mind was somewhere else though, "Of course he has to find out, perhaps we've been friends for too long, isn't it bonanza king?" she joked.
Isaiah's friends gave Aurélia applause, "Ahaa, Lucky King Isaiah. Your granted you a name." one of his friends joked. Isaiah grinned, looking at Aurélia, his arms around her waist."That's because she's mine and always will be."