CHAPTER 2: AIDEN BRYCE

Aiden’s POV:

“Have you settled everything?” I asked Dad as he was drinking in the living room.

“Yes. Everything is settled, Aiden. You are good to go now” Dad said after taking the last sip of his drink.

“But remember one thing…” Dad said pointing his finger at me. “You must focus on your purpose. You know that is very important for you and your future” He added.

“Yes, dad. I know and I will. Unless no one pokes me” I said bitterly.

“Aiden…” Dad got restless and continued, “Don’t you dare do anything stupid. You know what happened at your previous school. We don’t want another scandal on you” Dad said. I rolled my eyes and didn’t reply.

“Dylan, Lucas…” Dad turned to them and added, “Please say something to him”

“Um… Of course Mr. Kevin. I will see to that” Dylan said, sitting up straight in front of him. Dylan is my best friend since childhood. I trust him more than anyone. I looked at Dylan angrily while he bent his face down.

“Dad… No one needs to watch me over. I can take care of myself” I said in my defense.

“Absolutely… You can take care of yourself, for sure. But what about the others. They need to take care of themselves in front of you” Dad said. I sighed angrily and leaned back on the couch.

“Mr. Kevin… don’t you worry. We’ll handle everything” Lucas said. I gazed at Lucas who looked here and there.

“Mr. Kevin… Here’s your ticket” Mason came running in the living room.

“Oh thanks, Mason. What would I have done without you” Dad said and patted him on the shoulders. Mason chuckled. Mason and Lucas are also my friends since childhood.

“I am leaving now, Aiden” Dad said and stood up from the couch.

“Sure. Take care, dad. When do you plan to return?” I asked while we walked him to the door.

“Not soon, son. I will do my work in New York and you do yours over here” Dad said. I nodded.

“Let me know if you learn anything” Dad added.

“Sure” I said.

“You guys…” Dad pointed to them and added, “Take care of him. Okay? Do not let him be himself”

I rolled my eyes while dad chuckled and headed outside the house.

“So… ready for tomorrow?” Dylan asked as we moved back again to the living room.

“Not much” I said seriously.

“Why, Aiden? Missing St. Peter’s so much?” Lucas asked we sat down and Mason poured us drinks.

“I am not missing St. Peters. It’s just that… Everyone knew me well there. And now once again I am going to be the new student in school. Once again I’ll be the arrogant guy. Once again people will try to piss me off” I said and took a sip.

“So don’t be arrogant. Don’t get pissed off” Dylan said.

“You know that’s not easy for me. I get frustrated easily. It would be better if no one pisses me off” I said and drank the whole glass in one go.

“Or else...?” Mason asked.

“Else he will pay. Once again” I said bitterly.

“What if there will be a she who pisses you off?” Mason asked.

“Then she will pay” I said and placed the glass on the table while they all looked at me.

I took a deep breath and stood up. “I got to go and sleep now” I said and left the living room. I entered my room and thought about tomorrow. I had to complete my senior year and I had to go to Lincoln Park High. It was necessary for me as well as for my future as dad said. I put a pillow on my face and went to deep sleep.

In the morning, I woke up and took a shower with warm water to calm my nerves down before going to Lincoln Park. I chose to dress in black and took out a black full sleeves t – shirt with a black jeans and brushed my hair in haste. After folding my sleeves up to my elbow, I put on my shoes and left the room. As I climbed down the stairs, I noticed that we were all dressed up in black, coincidently.

“What a coincidence. We all wore black today” Mason said.

“Yeah… we are like 4 Men in black” Lucas said and chuckled.

“Why are you so fresh?” I said in frustration.

“Because I am excited for today. We are going to meet some girls too” Lucas said in excitement.

“And why are you so frustrated, Aiden? Calm yourself down” Dylan said and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah… Whatever. Let’s go now” I said and sighed and we all headed out. It was a 10 minute drive to Lincoln Park High School. As we reached there and walked to the building, some girls started walking with us while some stood in their places, checking all of us out.

“They all are checking us out, right” Mason whispered.

“Of course they are” Lucas said in excitement while he walked proudly. I rolled my eyes and ignored everyone around me.

As we entered the building, I saw girls looking at us all over and whispering something to the one’s standing next to them. We walked towards the locker rooms and stood there looking here and there trying to figure out where to go.

“Excuse me?” Dylan stopped a bald guy and added, “Where are the seniors going to gather?”

“In the B – 1 gymnasium. We all are going to roast the freshers today” The bald guy said excitedly.

“Okay thanks, buddy” Dylan said and patted him on the shoulders. He went away. We stood there, discussing whether to join the other seniors or not when someone called us from behind.

“Hey you four…” I heard and turned around to look at a girl with pale ivory skin and walnut brown hair touching her shoulders and I noticed her sterling gray eyes as she looked at us skeptically…  

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