Clumsy

Maybe I never loved to discuss my life a lot, especially with people. Opening up was one thing I barely held onto.

It feels like showing your wounds to the world, where all you get is pity or, most times, hate.

The perks of being a nerd, I guess. Even with my father's short wealth, I would always never try to show up as a rich man’s daughter.

It was always like we lived in fear, or, most times, my father was trying so hard to protect me from something.

The incident two years ago had perhaps carved me more into my shell, a burden I carry even to this day. Maybe life would have turned out differently for me? For Dad?

The weight of their attention on me was deafening. We had already ordered our meals, yet I felt some type of way eating in their midst.

An intruder.

That’s how she made me feel, the blonde girl with huge tits sitting on his lap.

The rest of the group made small talk with me often, especially Jane.

Wesley's question must have thrown me off the edge, a huge silence following.

"Any siblings, yeah?"

Seconds seemed like hours, the heavy weight of his question shimmering down on me.

Everyone's attention was on my anxious ass, yet a heavy glare trembled me more.

My gaze met his dark pupils staring down at me with a 'you-are-not-fit-to-eat-at-my-table’ kinda look. I fought the urge to run away from his death glare.

"I had a brother."

That was all I could mutter, a little more to myself. I bet they couldn't have heard shit of what I said.

The last thing I wanted was their eyes filled with pity or the words themselves. It took me a long time to forget that pain, and I would never want to go back there. So I focused on my meal.

"You sure love your food," Drey commented.

The double meat burger with fries I ordered from the cafeteria was almost finished. Of course, I loved my food, I almost screamed, yet a curt nod gave my words.

The sound of them sucking on each other's faces was one I could barely ignore. The rest of the group beamed nothing, apparently, they were used to it.

There was nothing more incredible than being the school's hottest boy or girl, and from the looks of things, both Abaddon and Laurene were the stars of Black High.

This was a first for me, being in the midst of the popular kids in school. Back at my old high, I only had two nerdy friends.

One could clearly distinguish the roses from the thorns in this situation, only, in my situation, it felt like only he saw me as one.

Everyone else seemed to want me there, except this gorgeous man. His eyes screamed it. But why?

"Aurelia, what extra curriculum are you taking this sem?" Kira asked, drawing everyone's attention to me.

"They’re all full."

Our eyes met again. It might have been faint, but I noticed a twitch of his chin before it disappeared.

"You can join our cheerleading group, then. It'll be perfect if you join. Please…"

Dancing was absolutely not my thing, more so doing it in front of a crowd. So I politely rejected her offer.

"Uh, what's your name again?"

My brow creased at her. Of course, she did not grasp my name. I’d known her only a few minutes, yet I understood she was the type to look down on people merely because her father had some paper. Her outfits gave her away.

"It's Aurelia."

"Excuse Kira's oversight, but the group is full. And even if it wasn’t, well, certainly not someone like you."

Laurene spoke with such disdain you'd imagine I were her enemy.

"What the fuck, Lauren?!"

Kira snapped almost immediately, tension brewing between both ladies.

The last thing I needed was an argument to break out between them, especially because of me. And not on my fucking first day.

"Allow me to refresh your memory, Ren, you are not the leader of that group. You never were and will never be. Aurelia joins us, and that's final."

What about my opinion?

Guess I didn't have a choice since I badly needed to join a curriculum, especially if I wanted to retain my desired grades. Everything was taken, except Kira’s opportunity.

"Not to unrule your words, but have you seen her size? You want that to join the crew? Hell no."

To say her words hurt was a mere understatement, they cut deep into my flesh. A few chuckles were heard from the neighboring table.

"Well, hell yes, Laurene. If Aurelia decides to join us, then she’s in."

This time, Jane spoke. She turned to ask me, "You do want in, right?"

His heated stare pierced through my skin, burning like a candle placed above my head.

Perhaps he also couldn't wait to hear my response.

Everyone awaited.

"I'm not very good at dancing, but I am willing to learn every step of the way, anything for a good grade."

I let the words sink in.

Turned to face a shock-filled Laurene.

"Right, Laurene?"

Left with one more lesson for the day, I quickly hurried to my class.

Luckily, the front seats were empty. I took the perfect position as the professor began his lecture.

I felt it again.

The heated stare.

The truth was, I had no idea why he seemed to hate me.

Abaddon.

He was seated behind me with his close buddy, Kiwor, who turned out to be Kira's twin brother.

Both men turned out to be less talkative.

Our eyes met whenever I looked back.

The look on their faces when Jane introduced me as the new girl, I won’t forget. Like some random news that did not matter.

Not like I did.

"The news is all over school," Kiwor had commented earlier.

Eventually, class ended with me barely catching up on anything.

Without hesitation, I bailed out of class.

Luckily, my driver was here, and all I wanted was to go home.

The next morning, as we drove to school, my heart skipped at the thought of him.

Apparently, he stormed my entire dreams and thoughts last night.

Abaddon.

There was some puzzle about him.

One I seemed eager to solve.

It was time for curriculum practice.

It was past noon already when we stepped into the field for a run.

I tried hard to keep up with Jane and Kira, yet their strength seemed unmatched.

"Meet up, weakling."

Laurene mocked as she sprinted past me.

Ignoring her, my attention diverted to the roars coming from across the field.

His chiseled body elevated him amongst others.

The wind, trees, and humans surrendered to this person.

The aura he emitted, so opulent, they pressed down on me.

Even in today's science practical.

Funny how we were paired into the same group.

The look of disdain on his face when our names matched on the same mob.

Why do you hate someone you barely know?

Yet, I was too lost in my own thoughts to realize the screams directed at me.

It was too late.

Blow!

In seconds, I lay on the ground, my head spinning from the impact of the hit.

Fuck!

A group gathered around me.

I heard familiar voices.

"Gods, Aurelia, you okay?"

"What happened to her?"

"You hit her hard, bro…"

Whispers crowded my mind until liquid trickled down my nose. Blood.

The football on the ground—evidence I was hit.

Drey and Wesley helped me up as Kira handed me her handkerchief for the blood.

"I'm fine, guys."

I tried to argue over their worries, yet I was cut off by his cold voice.

"No, you are not."

He moved closer, anger in his eyes.

His words pulled me back.

I looked back just to be certain he was talking to me. This was the first he'd spoken to me since my arrival.

"How clumsy are you? You should have dodged the hit if only you paid attention!"

"Hey, Abaddon, she had no idea you shot the ball in her direction," Drey tried to defend me, but one glare from him shut him up.

I was all alone.

So he shot the ball?

"Next time, you come into the field prepared. Not all of us have time for your scenes."

He roared before storming away, Laurene following behind his trail.

Confusion ate me up.

It was obvious the football captain hated me.