The morning after the presentation was... interesting. Very interesting. Aiden couldn't walk five feet without someone mentioning the photo.
"Bro is DOWN HORRENDOUS."
Whoever had posted it was public enemy number one. At least according to Aiden. According to everyone else, it was the funniest thing that had happened all year. As he walked through the hallways, students kept smirking at him. Some even made heart signs with their hands. Aiden wanted to disappear. Unfortunately, Noah was enjoying every second of it.
"Oh look," Noah said as they walked toward class. "Another fan."
A girl walking past them laughed.
"Morning, Romeo."
Aiden groaned.
"I'm transferring schools."
"No, you're not."
"Watch me."
"You'd miss Mia."
Aiden nearly walked into a wall. Noah's laughter echoed through the hallway.
When Aiden entered the classroom, Mia was already there.
For some reason, seeing her immediately made his day better. Then she looked up. And started laughing. Again.
"Not you too."
"I'm sorry," she said, failing miserably at hiding her smile. "But your face in that picture is priceless."
Aiden dropped into the seat beside her.
"I hate everyone."
"You'll survive."
"That's what you always say."
"Because it's true."
Mia smiled before returning to her notes. Aiden watched her for a moment. Then smiled too. Unfortunately... Someone else was watching.
The classroom door opened. A girl walked inside. The room immediately went quiet. Even Mia noticed. The girl was beautiful. Long blonde hair. Perfect makeup. Confident smile. And based on the way everyone was staring... She was popular. Very popular. The girl's eyes immediately landed on Aiden. Then she smiled. Not a friendly smile. A familiar one. An intimate one. Mia frowned. Something about it made her uncomfortable. The girl walked directly toward their desk. Aiden's smile vanished.
"Oh no."
Mia looked at him.
"What?"
Before he could answer, the girl stopped beside them.
"Hey, Aiden."
The way she said his name made Mia's stomach twist. Aiden forced a smile.
"Hey, Sophie."
Mia immediately noticed the awkwardness. Sophie looked at her. Then back at Aiden. Then at Mia again.
"Oh."
Her smile widened.
"So this is Mia."
Aiden blinked.
"How do you know who she is?"
Sophie laughed.
"Please."
She gestured around the room.
"The entire school knows who she is."
Mia suddenly wished she could disappear. Sophie crossed her arms.
"I've heard a lot about you."
Mia offered a polite smile.
"Good things, I hope."
"Depends who you ask."
The comment wasn't rude. But it wasn't friendly either. Aiden immediately sat up straighter.
"Sophie."
"What?"
"Don't."
Sophie rolled her eyes.
"I'm joking."
The bell rang before the conversation could continue. Thankfully. Because the tension was becoming impossible to ignore.
Throughout the lesson, Mia found herself distracted. Not by Aiden. Not by the teacher. By Sophie. Who exactly was she? And why had Aiden looked so uncomfortable? Eventually, curiosity won. The moment class ended, Mia turned toward him.
"Who was that?"
Aiden sighed.
"Sophie."
"Yes, I got that part."
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck.
"We used to date."
Mia froze. Of course they did. Why was she even surprised? Aiden had practically dated half the school. Still... The answer bothered her more than it should have.
"Oh."
Aiden immediately noticed her change in mood.
"Mia."
"What?"
"Why do you sound upset?"
"I'm not upset."
Aiden stared at her. Then grinned.
"No way."
"What?"
"You're jealous."
Mia's jaw dropped.
"I am not jealous."
"That's exactly what I said about Lucas."
"This is different."
"How?"
Mia opened her mouth. Then closed it again. Because she didn't actually have an answer. Aiden's grin grew wider.
"Oh my God."
"Stop smiling."
"You are jealous."
"I am not."
"You totally are."
Mia grabbed her notebook and hit him with it. Aiden laughed so hard he nearly fell out of his chair.
At lunch, things got worse. Much worse. Because Sophie sat with them. Uninvited. Aiden looked horrified. Mia looked annoyed. Noah looked entertained. And Sophie looked completely comfortable.
"So," Sophie said casually. "You two spend a lot of time together."
Neither answered. Sophie smirked.
"Interesting."
"There is nothing interesting," Aiden said quickly.
"Oh?"
"No."
"Right."
The smile on Sophie's face suggested she didn't believe him. Not even a little. To make matters worse, Sophie kept leaning toward Aiden whenever she spoke. And every time she did, Mia felt increasingly irritated. Which was ridiculous. Completely ridiculous. Because Aiden wasn't her boyfriend. And she definitely didn't like him. Probably. Maybe. Okay. She wasn't entirely sure anymore.
Later that afternoon, Mia was gathering her books when Sophie suddenly appeared beside her.
"Can I talk to you?"
Mia blinked.
"Sure."
The two girls stepped into the hallway. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Sophie sighed.
"Look."
Mia waited.
"You're nice."
The statement caught her off guard.
"Thank you?"
Sophie laughed.
"I'm serious."
Mia relaxed slightly.
"Okay."
Sophie looked back toward the classroom. Toward Aiden. Then back at Mia.
"Just be careful."
Mia frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Sophie hesitated. For the first time all day, she seemed uncertain.
"Aiden's a good person."
Mia blinked. That wasn't what she'd expected.
"But?"
Sophie smiled sadly.
"But he's really good at making people care about him."
The words lingered in the air. Before Mia could respond, Sophie turned and walked away. Leaving Mia standing alone in the hallway. Confused. Thoughtful. And more uncertain than ever. Because for the first time since meeting Aiden Scott... She was starting to wonder if protecting her heart was going to be harder than she thought.