Chapter 7: Let us walk you home

Chapter 7: Let us walk you home.

Aria suddenly realized what she was doing and released her, backing away in horror.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

Chloe rubbed her neck in pain . "You scared me,you psychopath! Why did you just behave like a freaking animal?”

"I'm sorry," Aria said, sinking to the floor.

“Something is definitely wrong with you,psycho,” Chloe said in between her ragged breathing before dashing out of the room quickly. Aria sank into her bed,hitting her foot on the bed covers.

She was slowly becoming an animal!

This wasn’t good.

The cafeteria buzzed with the sound of chatter and clinking cutlery as Aria settled into a small booth, her tray of food before her. She glanced around, searching for her friend Zoe, who had promised to join her for lunch. Spotting Zoe in the distance, Aria waved her over, a smile forming on her lips.

As Zoe approached the booth, her expression turned serious. "Aria, I'm so sorry, but I have to go. Professor McAllister needs to see me immediately. It's about that project we're working on. Can we catch up later?"

Aria's smile faded, replaced by a hint of disappointment. "Of course, Zoe. Don't worry about it. Good luck with the meeting." She watched as Zoe hurried off, blending into the crowd.

Left alone at the booth, Aria sighed softly and picked at her food, her thoughts drifting. It wasn't long before two guys, known troublemakers, sauntered over and took seats across from her, smirks etched on their faces. Aria's brow furrowed as she realized they were the type she usually avoided.

"Hey there, beautiful," one of them said, his voice dripping with false charm. "Mind if we join you? We've been dying to get to know you better."

Aria's eyes narrowed, her grip on the utensils tightening. She had no interest in entertaining their advances. "Actually, I'd prefer to eat alone," she replied coolly.

The other guy leaned forward, his grin widening. "Aw, come on, don't be like that. We just want to have a little chat. What's the harm?"

Aria's discomfort grew, but before she could respond, a voice interrupted the tense atmosphere. "I think the lady said she'd like to be alone."

Aria's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. Leo stood beside the booth, his presence commanding and confident.

His dark curly hair was styled messily today and his piercing blue eyes seemed to hold a hint of mischief.Did he look even more handsome with each passing day?

No wonder the girls were going crazy every time they saw him.

The two troublemakers exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from smugness to unease. Sensing the tension, Leo leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening. "I suggest you listen to the lady and find somewhere else to be. Trust me, you don't want any trouble,especially from me.”

The bullies hesitated for a moment before finally standing up, their bravado evaporating. Without a word, they scurried away, leaving Aria and Leo alone at the booth.

Aria spoke immediately.”You again?”

“Is that the thank you I get?” He asked back immediately.

"Thank you, but... what are you doing here? You didn't have to step in like that. I did not need your help.”

Leo shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "I happened to be passing by and noticed you needed some assistance. Besides, those guys are notorious for being jerks. I couldn't just let them bother you."

“Well that was unexpected,” she sighed deeply.”But thank you anyway.”

Leo took a seat across from her, his eyes fixed on her face. "You know,you seem different from everyone else. More real, you know?"

"Different? How so?"

He shrugged again, his smile sincere. "You're not caught up in all the superficial things that most people obsess over. You're genuine, and that's refreshing."

"I guess I've always preferred authenticity over superficiality," she replied, her voice soft but resolute. "Life's too short to waste on pretenses and trying to fit in."

Leo nodded, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "I couldn't agree more. It's refreshing to meet someone who shares the same perspective. I've been wanting to get to know you better, Aria, to see the world through your eyes."

Aria's gaze flickered with a mix of curiosity and caution. Leo's sudden interest both intrigued and puzzled her. She had always considered herself an average person, never expecting someone like him to take notice.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity. "There are so many other people around campus. Why did you choose to approach me?"

Leo's smile softened, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath his confident exterior,and of course that stupid deep dimple. Argh.. "There's something about you, Aria. You have this quiet strength, a way of standing out without even trying. I find myself drawn to that, to you. I want to discover what lies beneath that calm demeanor."

“You really wouldn’t give up,would you?” She asked.

“Never.” He answered back.

******

Aria walked into the library, a sanctuary of quiet and knowledge, with a sense of anticipation. She had been looking forward to this moment all day. The smell of old books and the hushed whispers of fellow students created a comforting atmosphere that embraced her as she navigated through the aisles.

She found a secluded corner, away from prying eyes, and settled into a plush armchair with her chosen book. The words on the page came alive, captivating her attention from the first sentence. Time seemed to slip away as she immersed herself in the story, losing track of the world around her.

As the minutes turned into hours, Aria felt a faint sense of awareness tugging at the back of her mind. With a start, she glanced at her watch and realized that she had been reading for far longer than she had intended. Panic coursed through her veins as she hastily gathered her belongings.

As she hurried out of the library, a sense of deja vu washed over her. She remembered a similar situation of how she had been bitten by a creature on a night illuminated by the full moon. However, this time, the moon was nowhere to be seen. It was a detail that sent a shiver down her spine.

Lost in her thoughts, Aria didn't notice the two familiar figures approaching her until they were standing right in front of her. It was the same pair of bullies from the cafeteria, their grins filled with malice and entitlement.

"Hey there, sweetheart," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "We noticed you all alone. How about we keep you company?"

Aria's heart sank, her previous encounter with them still fresh in her mind. She mustered her courage and replied, her voice firm, "I appreciate the offer, but I prefer to walk alone."

The bullies exchanged smirks, clearly amused by her response. "Come on, don't be like that," the other one chimed in. "We just want to make sure you're safe. Let us walk you home."

Aria's unease grew as they edged closer, their hands grazing her arms. She tried to step back, but their grip tightened, making her feel trapped and vulnerable. Fear clenched her chest, but at the same time, an energy began to build within her, an unfamiliar heat that burned beneath her skin.

“I just told you that I could go home by myself.Don’t you get it?”

“Relax baby girl. We got you.”

As their touches grew more aggressive, Aria's heart pounded in her ears.

“This seems to be a nice jacket,” one thrusted his hand forward to grab her jacket by the collar.Her eyes widened in terror, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own. Slowly, imperceptibly, her fingers began to elongate, the nails transforming into sharp, deadly claws.

Just before the bullies could notice the transformation, a voice boomed from behind them. "Back off, now!"

Startled, the bullies released Aria and turned to face the source of the voice. It was Leo, his eyes blazing with determination. He stood tall, a protective shield between Aria and her assailants.

The bullies hesitated, a mix of surprise and uncertainty crossing their faces. Leo took a step forward, his voice seething with warning. "I suggest you leave before things get worse for you."

“Why is he here again though?” One of them muttered.

“You both don’t got no ears? Would you leave this instant or do you want me to make you?”

One of them boldly said,”Just cause you are Leo Argent don’t mean we can’t handle you too. We handle everyone in this school ,”

The other sneered and cackled.

“Oh really?” Leo crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yeah. We just haven’t had a situation one on one. We just let you go today just so we don’t attract attention to ourselves. But now we are all here alone,we might as well do the needful.”

“Yeah it’s two against one,what you gonna do about it? Cry and run away to your Mommy?” Bully number two chimed in and they both broke into a feat of disgusting laughter.

“Actions speak better than words,you sick fucks,” Leo said and in like a flash,he had grabbed both of them,going a quick punch to one’s stomach and a kick to the other’s head. In few seconds,both of them were down to the floor writhing in pain as he dealt with them.

Leo’s strength was something unusual. How was he able to do that like it was nothing? Aria knew for a fact that those bullies were strong but they didn’t even get the opportunity to fight back. She had to admit that he looked more sexier in that moment though,like something out of an action movie.