6

Chapter 6 - The bullies

Aria’s POV

Girlfriend.

The word alone made me want to throw a pillow at the wall.

Me?

Luca Silver's girlfriend.

Fake or not, the thought sounded completely ridiculous.

I dropped onto the bed and let the mattress take all of me. The springs groaned like they were tired too. I let out a loud sigh of relief. For once, nothing was on fire. Mylo was back in treatment. Appointments had been booked, with the best doctors treating him and the right medication. And I won’t have to worry about Mother's rent as well.

I should’ve felt relieved. I did, for about ten minutes. Then my brain caught up. I’m now Luca’s girlfriend. Saying it in my head still sounded wrong. I was used to fighting with him over who gets into the shower first, about workout routines, and even up to something little like using the paste. I was used to him stealing my cereals and me pretending I didn’t notice.

I wasn’t used to this label as his girlfriend. I didn’t know what a girlfriend was supposed to do. Was I supposed to text him "Good morning, babe?" Smile at him in public? Hold his hand? Stop threatening to break his nose every time he annoys me? I had no idea.

How am I supposed to go on with my normal activities once everyone finds out about our relationship? I'm sure his ex-girlfriend wouldn’t like it.

I dragged my hands through my hair and tied it up. Enough of Luca Silver. I need to get him out of my mind if I don’t want to get attached to him. I should go to the boxing ring instead. Practice would clear my head.

The room smelled like old sweat and floor cleaner. The training hall was empty; even Coach wasn’t in sight. I grabbed my boxing gloves and began practicing, every punch an attempt to get the thought of being Luca’s girlfriend out of my mind.

The punching bag swung violently.

Left hook, right hook, and jab.

Every punch carried Luca's stupid smile.

Every kick carried the contract I'd been foolish enough to sign.

I was halfway through drills when I felt eyes on me. Immediately, I realized someone must have stepped into the training room.

I raised my head up, and that was when I saw two girls walk into the room. I looked closely to see if they were part of the boxing team, but I didn’t recognize them.

"Look who it is,” one of them said, walking towards me. She had long blonde hair in a tight ponytail. "The charity case.”

The other one let out a loud laugh. I looked at her, confused. "So this is what a homewrecker looks like…Didn't know scholarships also covered stealing other girls' boyfriends.”

"Sorry, who are you?” I demanded.

"I should be asking you that instead.” The first girl said, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I'm only here to practice.” I said, going back to boxing.

"Yeah? I’m sure practice keeps your hands off other people’s guys?” The first girl said, stepping into the box with me.

"I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Poor girls really do anything for money. Well, maybe I should let you see for yourself then!” She shoves her phone in my face.

My face went pale as my eyes caught sight of the picture. It was a picture of me and Luca Silver walking out of the room. I had even put on his hoodie that night because he dipped mine in the bathtub. The photo was updated in the school chat, and it was filled with so many comments and reactions.

My face went hot, then ice cold. "That's not what it looks like.”

"Then what does it look like?” She snapped. "Because it looks like you moved into the academy and decided to go for the hockey captain next.”

"That's not true,” I said, and my voice shook. I hated that it shook.

She didn’t care. Cold coffee exploded across my face before I could move. The room smelled bitter as it dripped down my eyelashes. My shirt clung to my skin.

Somewhere… I could hear laughter.

I choked on it. It dripped into my eyes. I saw the other lady lift her hand to hit me on the face. I braced for it but just then, someone stepped between us.

"Put your hand down, Kayla," a voice said in a flat tone. "Unless you want everyone to see that video of you wiping out at regionals.”

Kayla froze and dropped her hands to her sides.

"Don't act like you don’t know what she did!”

"Well, don't act like you don’t know the punishment that comes with preying on a new student.”

The girl in front of me had curly hair and the kind of stare that made people move. She didn’t even look at me. She just stared straight at them.

"Leave," she said.

For a second I thought they’d swing anyway. Then Kayla muttered something, and they both walked off, but not before the other girl looked back at me like she was memorizing my face for later.

My hands were shaking.

The girl turned around and held out wipes. "You've got coffee in your eyebrows.”

I took them. "Thanks."

"I'm Lily.” She nodded toward the door. "That's Kayla and Maren. They think they run this academy. Don’t let them get to you…. You box right?”

I stared at her a bit shocked. "Yes."

"Good. Next time don't let them throw coffee first," she said.

I dabbed at my face. It still burned. "Why'd you help me?”

Lily shrugged. "Because you looked like you were about to punch those two. And that would set a bad record for you as a new student.”

"It won’t. Not for a while.” She bumped my shoulder with hers.

"Just don’t get into trouble with Kayla and her friends.”

And with that, she turned around and left the room.

~~~~~~~~~

When I stepped into the room, I was hit by the smell of chicken soup. Luca had brought in a tiny pot of chicken soup to the room. He looked up and his eyes met mine.

"I've been calling you. Where were you?” he asked.

"Practice," I said. My voice came out smaller than I wanted.

"You're late.”

"I had no idea I have a curfew," I said, setting my bag down. My hands were still trembling.

"Well, it wasn’t stated in our dating contracts, but I need to know your every move, and you have to keep to what I say.”

He frowned, noticing my trembling hand and stained shirt.

"Aria, what happened?"

"I'm fine,” I lied. I’m sure he has no ideas of the pictures.

His eyes traveled over my shirt, the coffee stains, red eyes, and then my trembling fingers.

His expression changed instantly.

"Who hurt you?”