Chapter 5- New Faces, Same Distance
"So, what do you think?" Oma asked, glancing at Aurora, who looked bored and was now chewing gum.
They strolled through the hallway, and though Aurora noticed the lustful gazes from the guys around, she didn't care. She was used to it. All she needed to do was mind her business. If only she'd done that years ago, maybe her life wouldn't be the mess it was now.
Suddenly, a feminine voice called from behind.
"Oma! Wait up!"
They both turned to see a brunette rushing toward them.
"Ivy!"
"Oma!"
They hugged tightly.
"Ivy, darling. My love-you look even prettier!"
"You too!"
Aurora rolled her eyes.
"Okay, so Ivy," Oma said, pulling back. "Like I've been telling you-this is my best friend, Aurora."
Ivy smiled brightly. "Hi, Aurora. Oma has-"
"Said a lot about me, yes. Nice for you to meet me," Aurora cut in dryly.
Oma slapped her forehead. "Auri..."
Ivy just chuckled. "Well, nice. You and I are gonna vibe well."
"Yeah, sure." Oma dragged Ivy ahead while Aurora followed casually, already feeling irritated. The endless stares were getting on her nerves.
---
LATER - IN THE CLASSROOM
Students were busy with their usual chaos. Loud conversations, open PDA, and the familiar buzz of gossip filled the air.
Aurora, Oma, and Ivy entered, drawing attention immediately. In A.E.C., a new student showing up always triggered a wave of whispers and rumors-it was practically tradition.
?? Who the hell is that?
?? Too much black.
?? Being girly is a flex. Why wear all black?
?? Her eyes, though...
"Okay, Auri," Oma leaned toward her. "Any random guy might walk up to you for a one-night stand. This college? Always full of drama. You might have already drawn Leo and Ricky's attention, but don't worry-they're harmless."
Aurora raised a brow. "And...?"
"All thanks to me, you and Leo might become-"
"Don't." Aurora's glare was icy.
"I wasn't gonna say lovers! I meant friends! Leo might be nuts, but once you get to know him, he's actually cool," Oma defended.
"No, he's not," Ivy cut in. "He's a jerky bastard. Rude and rebellious."
Aurora was seated between the two of them-Oma on her left, Ivy on her right.
"Oma's literally the only girl close to Leo in this school, that's why she thinks he's cool," Ivy added with a shrug.
"I don't care who he is. I just want peace," Aurora said, blowing a bubble.
"And by the way," Oma smirked, "Kimberly's definitely jealous of you now. So expect drama. And DON'T break anyone's nose."
That was when Leonard and Ricky entered the classroom, followed by other guys, causing the usual uproar.
?? Where's Mason?
?? And Jaxen?!
?? LEO!!!
?? Ricky's outfits never disappoint.
Leonard and Aurora locked eyes again-and neither of them looked away. This time, they smirked simultaneously.
Oma nudged Aurora. "That's Leo. And the other one's Ricky."
The guys headed straight to the back.
"Dude..." Ricky grinned. "Legend has it, bad girls moan the loudest."
"You need medical attention," Leonard muttered.
Kimberly entered with Amelia and Tiffany. Her short pink dress clung tightly to every curve.
Then, the lecturer walked in.
"Morning, students."
Silence.
"Grumpy delinquents," he muttered under his breath. "A lot of new faces here. How was summer?"
?? Boring...
?? Horny!
?? A catastrophe!
?? Too short!
?? I miss BTS...
"A lotta Armies here," Oma mumbled.
"Okay, that's enough," the teacher snapped. "I'm Mr. Roland Chapel. Sometimes a vibe killer, sometimes cool. It's a flex being his favorite," Oma whispered.
"Ivy didn't even write his exam last semester but got the highest score," she added with a glare.
"Don't look at me. Glare at her," Aurora replied calmly.
"Hey, I was sick!" Ivy defended.
"You were on your period," Oma narrowed her eyes.
"Same thing," Ivy said.
"Quiet," Mr. Roland warned. "We have three new students today. One's Indian-interesting."
A girl entered.
"Sorry I'm late. Couldn't find the class."
?? Damn!!!
?? Indian girls are dope.
"I expected scarves and long skirts... but this is shocking," Mr. Roland said.
Girls rolled their eyes.
"I'm hotter," Kimberly muttered.
"Come on, introduce yourself," Mr. Roland gestured.
"Hi, everyone. I'm Asha Mehra."
"Welcome, Asha!" a guy shouted.
"Thank you, hottie," Asha winked.
?? Whoa!!!
?? Slut!
?? She's hot...
"You didn't even say Namaste, Asha," Mr. Roland joked.
"I'm more of a cool girl," she shrugged.
"More like hot girl," another guy said.
Asha explained she was born in Dallas and recently moved here, then took her seat.
"Whoa," Oma whispered.
"I smell drama," Ivy sighed.
Two more students introduced themselves-Alaya and finally...
Mr. Roland turned to Aurora. "Last newbie. Go ahead."
Aurora stood.
?? Again-who the hell is that?
"I'm Aurora Raven."
"That's it?" Mr. Roland asked.
"Yes."
"I got a packet of condoms in my pocket, sweetie!" a guy hollered from the back.
?? OH!!!
"Trust me-you'll love it," the guy added with a laugh.
Aurora turned to face him.
"Make sure they don't go to waste. Find someone pathetic enough to match your level after class," she replied coldly.
?? WHOA!!!
"Damn!" Ricky's eyes widened.
"What did you just say?" the guy, Alvin, stood up.
"Watch your mouth!" Oma snapped.
"Shut up! I'm not talking to you."
"Besides, he might be right," Kimberly added.
"You being cheap doesn't mean your words carry weight," Ivy shot back.
"No one mentioned Leo, slut!" she added.
"He doesn't even care about you or your trashy, miserable self!" Oma spat.
?? Ohhhhhh!!!
"How dare you?!" Kimberly lunged forward.
"Sit down, Kimberly!" Mr. Roland barked, also gesturing for Aurora to sit.
"I'm not done with you!" Alvin said.
"Put the fries in the bag, bro," Ricky murmured.
"Every semester it's something," Mr. Roland sighed. "Especially with Alvin and Kimberly. This better not happen again. Yes, it was fun-but never again."
Kimberly glanced at Leonard-only to be met with a sharp glare.
---
LATER...
"Hold up! One more thing," Mr. Roland announced as the class was about to end.
Groans filled the room.
"First project of the semester. Groups of four-I already made them. Tomorrow morning, you'll know who you're grouped with."
After dismissal, Alaya went over to Asha.
"We're both new. Let's be friends."
"Totally. I already like someone here." Asha watched Ricky leave.
"Duh. He's hot. But I want the other one," Alaya smiled.
"Leonard?"
"Yeah."
"I like you already."
"What does Asha mean?"
"Hope."
"Aww!"
---
CAFETERIA - HOURS LATER
Aurora joined Oma and Ivy. She was irritated, her pens and rulers already victims of her rage in earlier classes.
"Hey," Oma smiled. "Got your favorite."
Leonard and Ricky walked in. Asha instantly went to Ricky and sat on his lap.
"Seriously?" Ivy glared.
"Does he hook up with every girl?"
Aurora felt eyes on her again.
Leonard.
They locked eyes.
"This is the third time," Oma noted.
"Do you like her?" Asha asked Leonard.
He glared at her.
"Dude, chill," Ricky said, rubbing her thigh.
"Do that somewhere else. She makes me sick," Leonard muttered.
"You don't even know her!"
"Find someone else to play with. Let me have my fun," Ricky replied, smirking at Aurora.
---
"Kiara!" Oma waved.
"She always eats with us. Chill," she said to Aurora.
"Coming!" Kiara called, but as she walked over-SPLASH!
She slammed into someone, and her smoothie exploded all over them.
"Knew drama was coming."
Aurora rolled her eyes as all eyes turned to the scene...
TBC...
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