Chapter 2 - Hello Love

Morning classes passed in a blur of syllabus reviews, icebreakers, and introduction to the new syllabi. Teachers welcomed the seniors with the usual mix of over-exaggerated excitement and warnings about college applications. Most of them droned on about how their senior year was pivotal and would “separate the ivies from the safeties”.

Most of the students moved through the motions. The school was reeling with the energy from summer, and there was a mixture of excitement and anxiety as they realized that this would be their final year in high school.

By lunch, the cafeteria buzzed with restless energy. And no one was more restless than Asteria. She hadn’t seen or heard from Damian all day, and from what she could gather, neither had anyone else in the school.

Asteria had just grabbed a tray when the double doors at the far end of the cafeteria burst open with a roar.

A motorcycle – sleek, black, and very clearly not meant to be inside a building – came revving straight into the cafeteria. There were gasps, laughter, and murmurs of confusion as students whipped out their phones to capture the moment.

The rider skidded to a stop at the center of the room, dropping the front wheel with a soft thud. Then he killed the engine and yanked off the helmet.

Damian Windsor.

His dark hair was tousled from the helmet and jet lag. His even darker eyes scanned the room with that signature cocky smirk. “Welcome to senior year, Blackwell.” He boomed. “Let’s get this party started.”

The cafeteria erupted in cheers and applause. A teacher shouted for him to get off the bike immediately, but Damian just dismounted with lazy grace, handing the helmet to a wide-eyed freshman like it was nothing.

“See, I told you he would show.” Oliver said, suddenly appearing behind Asteria.

“Yeah, but you forgot to mention the tiny detail that he was going to pull up to school on a literal motorcycle.” She hissed.

“To be fair, I did not know he was going to do that.”

Damian finally spotted the two of them, smirked in their direction, and started his approach when he was stopped by the same teacher who had told him to get off the bike.

Ms. Todd was a bit paradoxical in the sense that she was both one of the oldest and newest teachers at Blackwell Academy.

She was considered one of the newest because she’d only started teaching there towards the end of the last year. But in chronological age-wise, she was one of their oldest teachers as she was already in her sixties. Still, she had made her mark on the student body by being known as a no-nonsense disciplinarian.

Somewhere along the line, Ms. Todd became “Ms. Toad” to the student body, a cruel nickname inspired by her toad-like appearance. Most of them kept it to whispers, but a few daring ones said it to her face.

“Mr. Windsor.” She started. “It’s just the first day, and you are already violating school rules and regulations.”

Damian shrugged. “Oh, really? Show me where it says in the school handbook that I can’t ride my bike in the cafeteria.” He challenged.

Ms. Todd could only purse her lips together in annoyance. Technically, Damian was right. There was nothing in the school handbook that explicitly stated that his actions were wrong.

And for Ms. Todd, who was frequently heard quoting exactly which part of the school handbook a student had violated, that was particularly irksome.

“Well, just because something doesn’t go against the aforementioned rules and regulations doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.” She said. “I had hoped that you would have developed some ounce of common sense and responsibility over the summer, but it seems like you’re still the same old Damian.”

“And I had hoped you would have done something about that face, but it seems like you’re still that same old Toad.” He shot back.

“That's it!” She croaked. “To the principal’s office right now!”

“But I haven’t even said hello to Asteria yet.”

“You should have thought of that before deciding to become a delinquent.” She hissed. She grabbed onto his arm and dragged him away.

Damian could have very easily freed himself from her grasp, but Asteria had shot him a look that told him she didn't want him to get into any more trouble than he already was in. So, this time, he behaved.

“And besides, she’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” Ms. Todd hissed to him. “One day, she’s going to realize that you’re not worth waiting for.”

* * * * *

The library was quiet during free periods. It was a sprawling space with dark wood shelves, leather armchairs, and massive windows overlooking the courtyard.

Asteria had a free period for her class after lunch, so she had headed there. It was quiet, well air-conditioned, and properly stocked with history books, so it was one of her favorite places in the school.

When she got to the history section of the library, she found that Damian was already there, leaning against the bookshelf like he hadn’t just caused chaos less than an hour ago.

He looked unfairly attractive for someone who was both jet-lagged and hungover. She didn’t need to announce herself; he was already waiting for her.

“Hello, love.” He greeted. “Miss me.”

“You absolute idiot.” She whisper yelled. “What were you thinking, riding a bike into the cafeteria?”

“That it would be a cool and innovative way to welcome everyone into the new school year.” He answered.

“You flew across the Atlantic after a night of partying and thought the best thing to do was to make a ‘cool and innovative’ entrance?”

“You have to admit that it was pretty badass.”

“It was dangerous.” She crossed her arms. “Do you even have a license for that thing? You could have killed yourself or someone. Or yourself and someone.”

“Well, I didn’t.”

Asteria let out something that sounded like a cross between a sigh and a groan and sank into one of the bean bags. “You’re impossible.”

“It’s part of my charm.”

Before she could continue her protest, he sank beside her. Or rather, on her, as his head came to rest on her lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. It wasn’t new. He had done this since they were younger; using her as a personal pillow/stuffed animal. She was smaller than him, softer, and most of the time, didn’t mind his weight on her.

“You smell like strawberry cheesecake.” He muttered as his eyes fluttered shut.

She wanted to stay mad. She really did. He’d been gone for most of the summer. He hadn’t texted as much as he’d promised he would. And now this stunt – riding when he was clearly not in any condition to be on the road. But the anger melted the moment he shifted closer.

He looked a lot softer like this. Not like Damian the bad boy, but like Damian, her best friend.

“Don’t fall asleep.” She said. “We both have to get to class right after this. You’ve got to get to AP Econ, and I have Studio Art. And you’re already in enough trouble as it is.”

“Aww. You memorized my schedule.”

“Someone had to. Remembering when your classes are and actually bothering to attend them aren’t part of your strong suits.”

She sighed, threading her fingers lightly through his hair without thinking. “How much detention did you get?” There was no need to ask if he got detention. With the stunt he pulled, detention was certain.

“Four days.” He answered. “It was supposed to be five starting from today, but I pleaded my case on how I had just flown in and was in no condition to stay after school. It’s basically a human rights violation.”

Asteria snorted in response. “If you say so.”

“I do say so.”

For a long moment, neither spoke. Then Damian stirred, voice slightly muffled against her thigh. “Huh… something’s different.”

“No.” She said quickly.

For a while, he accepted it, before he questioned it again. “No. Something is different about you.” Then he poked her thigh. “I knew it! You grew.” He said with a grin.

“Well, people grow every day.” She countered. “It’s one of the characteristics of living things.”

He rolled his eyes. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. I mean that you grew grew. I mean, you’ve got curves now. It’s going to take some getting used to. When the hell did that happen?”

“This summer.”

“Then it’s a shame I wasn’t around much, isn’t it?” He said, settling back into her lap with a lazy smirk. “I would have been on you all summer. You’ve got all this warm cushioning now. I don’t think I’m ever going to leave here.” He said, nuzzling deeper, letting out a contented sigh.

Asteria’s face burned instantly. She felt warm in a way that had nothing to do with the lingering aftereffects of the summer. She tried to play it off with a weak laugh, but her voice came out a little too high.

“You can’t just say things like that. You’re being ridiculous. And heavy.” She scolded, though there was no real heat behind it. “Get off before someone walks in and gets the wrong idea.”

“What wrong idea? I’m just saying the truth.” He said. “You’ve got nothing to worry about; no one’s coming in here. It’s the first day of senior year. People are going to be catching up and comparing summer stories. You’re only here because you’re a history nerd. And I’m only here because I came looking for you. So, let’s be here together. Besides, you like it when I use you as my personal stuffie. Don’t even try to deny it.”

She rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at her lips. Her fingers stayed in his hair, absently playing with the strands. For a moment, she let herself enjoy the familiar safety of his presence. It was all ruined by the weight of the secret she’d carried for most of the summer.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“Damian…” She began. “There’s something you should know.”