Chapter 004

"William…” Chloe said with a smile, and William smiled back at her.

William was tall. However, he was not as tall as Aaron. While he was 6’1, Aaron was 6’2 an inch taller than him. He had black hair and blue eyes. Of course, he was masculine. But again… Aaron was a little bit more masculine than him.

Chloe and William hugged so tightly.

“I missed you so much!” Chloe confessed, her grip around him tightening even more. She closed her eyes, forgetting about everything for a split second and basked in his embrace. Forgetting...about her annoying Stepbrother too.

When they pulled back from the tight hug, William pecked Chloe on the lips. Elara cleared her throat, and they both turned to look at her.

“I think… we’ll see each other in mathematics class?” Elara informed Chloe, and she nodded at her words, feeling a little flushed. El walked away, giving Chloe and her boyfriend some privacy.

“How are you holding up?” William asked in concern. “Pretty good, just getting used to the new environment and… the new faces, you know,” Chloe responded with a shrug.

“Did he try to do anything stupid?” William asked in annoyance.

‘Oh, he did! A couple of times,’ Chloe wanted to say it out loud but decided to keep it to herself because she didn't want to cause chaos on the first day of her senior year.

Chloe knew how much Aaron and William hated each other since they were rival teams. There was a time that they fought on the field during a football match, causing the cancellation of the match, and they were both given detention as punishment.

“I don't like him being around you. I think it would be better if you stay away from him, Chloe,” William said in concern.

Chloe saw the worry in his eyes. She understood where he was coming from, and she didn't blame him for feeling that way given the history between the two.

William was a good guy. Even though he was eighteen years old and Chloe was a year older than him, he behaved maturely unlike most boys. Chloe had tried to tell him that she was a little older than him when he first approached her. However, he said it was not a big deal, making Chloe feel more comfortable.

_

“I think… that makes the two of us. I don't like him either,” Chloe said nonchalantly, looking in the crowd and spotting Aaron. He was kissing a blondie, grabbing a handful of her ass.

Chloe was not that surprised considering Aaron's reputation. However, she could not explain what the hell was wrong with her. She felt this dull ache. Chloe clenched her hand as she felt Aaron’s warm touch on her hand still lingering like a ghost. Taking a deep breath, Chloe turned her attention to her boyfriend. A subtle smile spread across her face.

“You don't need to worry about anything. You know I love you,” She assured him.

"I know. I'm just worried about you. You know how much of a troublemaker Aaron can be sometimes."

“I think we have a way to deal with him…” Chloe's lips curved into a smirk when a perfect idea popped into her mind.

“And… what is it?” William asked with a raised eyebrow, curiously.

“What we always do. Win against his team! This time we will train much harder than usual to make sure that The Falcons team finishes the year strong against his team,” Chloe explained her idea, the smile on her face stretching even more.

Chloe usually helped William to train since she knew a few things about football because her uncle, Kevin, was a football coach. Sometimes Chloe used her uncle’s playbooks and tips to help her boyfriend learn some helpful loopholes to use to his advantage. And most of the time, William's team won against Aaron's.

“I think that is a good idea,” William supported, his blue eyes shining brighter than before

________

A FEW DAYS LATER

Chloe groaned when the alarm's annoying siren cut through the quiet air, waking her from deep slumber. Hesitantly, she tossed the warm blanket away, the cold breeze brushing against her flawless skin, making her shiver. The urge to crawl back under the warm blankets was too strong.

Chloe lazily climbed from the bed, grabbed a towel, then headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

The warm water was so soothing against her skin that she couldn't help but close her eyes, enjoying the warm caress. She allowed her mind to wonder and events of the week replayed in her head.

It had been a busy week back at school and her Stepbrother didn't make things any better at home. Senior year students were juggling endless schoolwork, which was a little overwhelming.

Chloe had to admit that senior year was not a joke. Just like always, she minded her business back at school, concentrating more on studies and avoiding unnecessary drama. However, sometimes it was a little bit hard, especially when Aaron was around.

The relationship between Aaron and Chloe wasn't perfect. However, it wasn't bad either. The two were trying their best to get along even though Aaron couldn't stop getting on Chloe's nerves sometimes. As much as Chloe tried to ignore Aaron, he always found a way to annoy her no matter how hard she tried.

“Can’t wait to get back at you!” Chloe mumbled, the corner of her lips curving into a smirk.

Today was the opening match of the football game, and Chloe was so excited about it. Being a supportive girlfriend that she had always been, Chloe had been helping William train every single day after classes. She even asked her uncle to send her some training tips so that she could help her boyfriend sharpen his skills.

When Chloe was done in the bathroom, she went back to her room, dressed, then headed to the dining room to have breakfast. Everyone was already settled at the table when Chloe entered.

“Good morning everyone,” Chloe said with a smile, walked to the empty chair next to Aaron, and sat down.

“Good morning…” They said in unison as though it were some sort of song. Chloe's mother flashed her a warm smile, and she smiled back at her. Jacob did the same too.

However, Chloe didn't pay that much attention to Aaron because he had been a pain in the arse for the entire week.

Chloe could feel Aaron's eyes burning on the side of her face, but she didn't pay him any attention, ignoring his entire existence beside her. However, his strong cologne did not make things any easier.

Aaron's lips curled into a smile, finding Chloe's actions intriguing in some twisted way. Normally, Aaron was used to girls flocking around him, desperate for his attention.

It seemed as though Chloe wasn't one of those, and that stirred something deep inside him. He was tempted to push the limits to find out for how long she would keep ignoring him.

Aaron was the kind of person who liked challenges. And, that was a perfect challenge for him. The corner of his lips twitched into a smile when he thought about it…

When Chloe was done at the table, she bid her mother goodbye, and they left for school. Jacob dropped the two at school then headed to his workplace.

“Chloe!”

She was about to turn around and walk away but stopped when she heard Aaron call her name. Chloe inhaled sharply, not expecting it. There was something about the way her name rolled over his tongue that she couldn't explain, and… it kind of annoyed her.

Chloe's brain screamed at her not to turn back. However, it seemed as though her body had a mind of its own. Slowly, she turned around.

“Tell your boyfriend to bring his A-game today. I'm not going to be easy on him." The corner of his lips curled into a teasing smile.

Chloe knew very well what he was talking about The football game between the two teams later in the day.

“Perhaps you should follow your own advice, dear brother. He won't be forgiving either!” Chloe said sarcastically, the corner of her lips curling up into a smirk, matching his.

Chloe turned around and walked away confidently, very sure about what she said.

Aaron remained standing in the same spot, staring at Chloe who never cared enough to look back at him.

“Well, let's see.” He mumbled, the corner of his lips twisting. Aaron couldn't explain why. However, there was this strong will deep inside him that wanted to prove to Chloe that he was way better than her boyfriend. Aaron could not explain what was happening to him because...he had never cared enough to prove anything to anyone.

He raked his hair roughly. What the hell was happening to him?