I breathed a sigh of relief when I entered Andrew’s classroom and saw Aaron sitting in his usual seat, next to mine. I sat down and felt calmness permeate my body. I turned to smile at Aaron, but it slowly faded when he did not return it.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes.
“I’m fine,” I told him. “I was just going to ask you the same thing. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said, finally smiling. “I missed you, that’s all.”
His cheeks colored slightly as he blushed in embarrassment.
“Happy Monday, everyone,” Andrew said, walking into the room with the bell. “The activity sheets are up here on my desk. Don’t forget that a report is due at the beginning of every class. Be sure to carefully document your conversations and other activities as that is all part of your grade. Also, be prepared for the occasional pop quiz. See you all tomorrow.”
He strode from the classroom and I had no doubt that he was headed back to the teachers’ lounge to drink some more coffee and read a book. The class filed up to the desk and out of the room.
As Aaron and I walked to the library, we again walked very closely. I realized that I was holding myself back from holding his hand, even though I had no reason to think that he would object if I did hold his hand. I laughed to myself and he glanced at me curiously.
I took careful notes, trying to distract myself from the knowledge that we were alone. It was clear from the first words out of his mouth that his Italian was just as good as his English and far exceeded my abilities.
When the bell rang, Aaron offered me his hand. I took it, grateful that he had saved me from working up the courage on my own. The entire walk to the Dining Hall we were quiet. I wondered how on Earth any of it was happening to me. It seemed like things had developed so quickly between us, and I was afraid it could go away just as fast.
I sat next to Aaron, much closer than usual, with a bowl of fresh fruit and a chicken sandwich. I eyed my sandwich and wondered what pseudo-meat was impersonated chicken. We hadn’t spoken since sitting down, but I was surprised that it was a comfortable silence.
“Hey,” Jaden greeted us as she sat down.
“Hi. How’s your day going?” I asked.
“It’s been completely uneventful. I’ve never been so bored in my life. It’s actually more torturous now than it ever was before. I mean I understand the importance of learning things that will help us in the Mortal-“ Jaden cut off suddenly and Aaron gave her a sharp, angry look. She looked away, not meeting anyone’s eye. “I just mean that the teachers should try experiencing real life if they’re going to try teaching it,” she clarified.
I looked back and forth between my friends, unable to decipher Jaden’s unusual tone. She sat staring down at the table, while Aaron glared at her.
“Okay,” I said. “I was more than willing to believe that this sudden weirdness was because of my birthday, but now it’s gone too far and it’s time to spill. What is with you two?”
My anger edged into my voice and Jaden glanced up at me. She recognized the warning in my tone and knew just how mad I had to be before it became so obvious. I could see the explanation on her lips as she nervously twisted her hair around her finger, but she said nothing.
“It’s nothing,” Aaron answered, harshly.
His tone surprised me. I’d never heard him sound so severe. He turned to look tame and the coldness in his gaze caught my breath. My anger giving me the ability to quickly recover from the look in his eyes, I glared back at him.
“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth.
I grabbed my tray and left the table, too angry for further words. I threw away my uneaten food and left the hall without looking back.
***
When my classes were over, I was still furious. I didn’t want to see Aaron until I’d calmed down. I knew it would only take one look from him and I would forget why I was still mad. I went back to my room and took a hot shower, hoping that it would melt all of my frustrations away.
Chapter 11
Aaron
Classes were finally over for the day. I walked to dinner with a clear plan of apologizing to Shaylee. I’d felt horrible all afternoon, allowing centuries of anger and secrecy to cloud my judgement with the one person in the world I couldn’t bear to be parted from.
Jaden sat alone at our table and I paused just inside the door to scan the room looking for Shaylee.
Jaden joined me by the door and said, “She isn’t here.”
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know. I thought she was with you.”
“This is bad, isn’t it?”
I already knew the answer.
“Yeah,” Jaden agreed. “She never gets mad. Not like this. Nice work.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would get so angry. I shouldn’t have spoken to like that. I don’t even know why I did.” I glanced around at all of the curious eyes that were watching us. “This isn’t the place.”
We left and headed for the relative safety of Andrew’s apartment. We climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on apartments two thirteen.
The door opened and Andrew’s head poked out. He glanced down the hallway in both directions before he opened the door all the way and waved for us to enter. He shut the door quickly and locked it.
“You’re early,” he said, motioning for us to sit.
I sat down next to Jaden on the ratty old green sofa, just as I
