Please listen to this masterpiece while reading.

Enjoy!!

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January had started with more cold breeze when I stepped back in school after a whole boring week. The corridor was crowded with students but it was a different scene in front of my naked eyes than usual carefree aura. It was clear from the look of books opened in their hands and the mantra stuck to their tongue just to paste that in their heads that it was the exam season.

I adjusted the strap of my bag and walked towards my locker which was somehow through this buzzing storm of students. Though few heads turned my way in a more curious way than before, some scowled, some waved, some from game night who remember me, cheered and threw me thumbs up but they didn't even know the real me. I swear If anyone knew what went in my head every single second they'd think before even glancing my way.

Sick of these voices in my head.

Being a popular talk of Ravenwood High and Ace player of our Hockey team, I had more attention than some cheerleaders. Even the walls of this hall knew about my accident but I couldn't care less.

All this past week my ambition was my exams, cause no matter what I had to get a good GPA so I could persuade my dream of going to a good college and become a psychiatrist.

Far from this mess.

For a fact that I had some errands to run before winter break, it didn't distract me from my path. Blake was still here, staying with us in New York. Whatever that Chinese agent had to do, it'd take few days for him to accomplish it.

Patience was all I could breathe...

Opening my locker, the first thing that caught my eye was this picture stuck right behind my locker. A beautiful reminder of the day me and Ethan were together. Scratching it off from the locker roughly, I crumbled it before tossed it in my bag just like he used me and threw my existence under the bus.

This picture was one of things that'd make sound of our love every time I'd look at it so I decided I had to silent every single melody of him from my life and return it to him.

Whatever had been happened painted my soul black and cleared that our love had went cold in every possible way.

"Hey! my Queen, what's up! how have you been?" A voice behind called me so I closed my locker quickly but before I could turn Gwen hugged me tight and placed her chin on my shoulder.

Rolling my eyes playfully I said. "You're asking me as if you haven't been visiting me everyday Gwen,"

I hugged her tight before continued. "Where is your not so funny boyfriend?"

"BOO!!"

Shrieking I jumped before turned to found Leo having a whole belly laugh and chewing on his gum.

Douche'

As if deja vu hit me so hard, it felt like the same day I came back for my senior year after everything that had happened in the past. The only difference was that in the past I was broken now I wasn't.

I had fears now I was fearless.

"Good to see you back muffin. It feels good to have you back and that sweet voice of yours, damn missed it so much," We shared a hug before he tucked his palms in his jeans pocket and raised his shoulder amusedly.

"We do but stop scaring us, you ruined our talk. I'm already so nervous for my exam. I just can't remember these equations," Whining out loud she pouted cutely before mouthed something squinting her eyes in air which looked like she was revising the equations.

"Swear on my life I will murder who introduced this stupid chemistry. This motherfuc-" She growled as Leo clasped his hand over her mouth before she could curse but she made a choking gesture with her hands instead.

"You should have told me, I would have given you private home tuitions frosty," Leo said wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"I know at what cost," Gwen made a face.

"Well a kiss for a chapter won't be that much. I'm not asking you more than that," He shrugged sheepishly.

"Guys I know it's not easy but it's not that hard too. If you know molecular mass with given mass for the substances you can easily find number of molecules and for balance equations, see if it's basic or acidic first then by adding H2O on left-" I stopped explaining in mid as silence fell around me.

Both Gwen and Leo stood their with their mouth hang open as if I just stated some hidden formula of the Atomic bomb. Looking over their shoulder I found Nate smiling and walking my way with his bag slung over his shoulder and books in his hands while glasses tucked to his nose.

Top student of course!

Frowning at Gwen and Leo, he hit them with his books on the back of their heads breaking their trance.

"What struck in your heads so hard? What's going on?"

"Nothing Aria was explaining us some chemistry which went straight through our head," Flying his hand over head Leo whistled.

"Yah! You talk about yourself... I got that. If you know molecular mass than problem solved. Like molecular mass of Zinc is 35.5-

"It's 65.38!" Nate and I corrected together. Doubt took over her expression.

"It's okay we are a team Frosty, one unit. Don't worry I'll help you," Leo huffed in exclamation before Gwen rolled her eyes to him. "As if you know."

"I know everything frosty, try me," Leo challenged adjusting his collar.

"Oh really than tell what's the oxidation number of Manganese in Potassium manganate?"

Shocked with confused Leo asked. "What the hell is potassium magnate? We have a compound like that?"

Shocked before everyone laughed out loud, throwing our heads back before sobered up and discussed a little about chemistry which was suddenly a new subject to Leo Evans.

"Is that you Aria?"

Behind our small circle of bodies coach Lee appeared holding some files looking straight at me with relief.

"It's me coach," I trailed off nodding with straight thin lips.

"I heard what happened. I hope it's not that bad," He said sympathetically eyeing the scar on my forehead. "Kids these days are so clumsy. You should've watch where you were going."

Though he was fully concerned with a hint of anger and disappointment, his tone was soft and cautious. Being our coach for two consecutive years we'd been close than anyone else so his solicitude was equitable.

Dad must have informed the authority about the reason of my absence from the accident and illness. More of that some student body must have published it in school magazine 'Youth' too. Gossips were needed as a daily dose of the day.

After assuring him about my health, he proudly patted my head like a father figure with so much warmth and wished us our best for our exam before he was gone.

My eyes roamed around in search of someone but couldn't find him. The bell dings with the last and final announcement for the first shifters to be in their examination halls. Mine was second so bidding with Gwen and Leo as they skidded away, I made my way to the library with Nate followed behind like a long lost puppy.

His aura was different and for sure he had questions regarding the night of the match. For what I had done. I didn't tell anyone so curiosity was killing his nerves. Nate had been with me since last year too but his presence was more like I had always felt in a comfortable way. Though through thick and thin, no matter how worse the situation was, he never put a blind eye on it.

Putting my books on the table I dragged the chair before took a seat. Nate took the one across from mine, desperation dripping from his eyes.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked raising his brow at me more on the scar from accident on my forehead. I sighed looking up to him before my gaze fell over his shoulder behind to someone who had stepped in this heaven. None other than the boy who broke my heart.

Even there was nothing left to feel in myself I still felt fire burning inside me as Ester wrapped her arm around his bicep with a victorious smirk plastered on her face like she won the game.

What she didn't know I had a surprise for her too in my closet. 'We just had to wait Miss Reed, your attitude which you've set up so high will collapse with in seconds.'

Ethan froze looking at me. His eyes showed something which I couldn't read. He looked like a mess. His eyes had dark circles like he haven't been sleeping, his cheeks deflated making his cheekbones poked through his skin higher.

But all this charisma was like a dull stone to me.

Like a volcano my face triggered my eruption, the madness. The hatred I tried so hard to contain set my skin on fire with it's intensity but I didn't show anything.

I just threw him a meaningless smooth small smile which Ester couldn't take and rolled her eyes to me as they made their way to the other side and sat. I turned to Nate again who had seen Ethan too. I only heard from gossips around in the corridor that he found somebody else. My subconscious told me that it could be a lie.

I guess it wasn't...

"So what was that you wanted to ask? Cause I have only thirty five minutes left and I have a lot on my plate already Nate. I can't afford any chance with my studies," I urged as I twirled my pen it in between my fingers.

"Why did you do it?" He asked but before I could open my mouth he continued. "Look Aria, I don't know what it is and I can't sit here thinking there's something that you're hiding in yourself from me. I'm your friend. I want nothing but you to be fine. I just want to help you."

Closing my eyes shut I took a deep breathe then met his awaiting gaze. All I could see was worry and it was heartwarming.

"What I did has nothing to do with anything Nate. Some things can't be shared as an answer with anyone. It's better if they stay undiscovered. I know you mean no harm but peace but it's not that easy than you think it is to let it out to anyone. Just to set your heart at ease I'm telling you I'm completely fine."

"But being a friend you can't shut me out like I mean nothing in your life Aria? You have no idea what I felt that day. My thoughts were haunting me every second you were unconsciously lying on that bed."

His words rushed a strong wave of guilt inside me. I knew he cared but I didn't want to feel anything anymore. Feelings always hurts to the core so I had to make myself bulletproof to surrounding.

So I continued to stared down and read my equations in my book and taking it as a hint that I didn't want to talk about it he sighed. "Okay than I know my limits and if that's what you want I won't ask but you've to promise you will never try something like this ever and I mean ever again Aria."

Feelings a pair of eyes on me, I knew even he was sitting far at the corner watching me. If this school would had nowhere left to be, still library would've been least possible place I'd ever thought to be encountered with him. Gulping my sanity I raised by head before smiled at Nate genuinely.

All my life I had cared for the people who are important in my life more than me. Placing my hand over his on the table I tapped twice. "Thank you for understanding Nate. If life ever gave me lemons, I'll give them to you so you'd squeeze the life out of them."

Laughing our loud he sobered up quickly as we were in library. Neither of my friends asked me about Ethan nor I told them about us not being together anymore but from their body language I guessed they knew things were complicated again.

Frowning and dropping my pen on my journal I mumbled. "By the way, where is Rachel? I haven't seen her all day?"

Sudden guilt expressed on his face, making him pale. "She's leaving for California tonight."

"What?"

My eyes widened as I choked on a gasp to avoid any sound as there were some students in there with us before muttered under my breathe. "And you're here making a fool of yourself with me?"

"I have a exam silly," He hit lightly with my pen on my nose making my mouth turn into o'. "I can't skip it. She was here just for some weeks. I'll leave as soon as I'm done with this exam."

Smiling widely to him I whispered. "You really love her, don't you?"

Nodding he met my gaze shyly. "I do, I really do. God I don't know when I fell for her this hard. All my life I had denied this affection towards her. Maybe I was fooling around with myself but I can't do that anymore Aria."

His words made me smile with purity like it cleansed me from inside. Love wasn't stupid maybe. It was in different phases for everyone.

I turned my head slowly to left before looked up from under my long lashes and spot him already looking at me with stone cold glistened eyes. Clearing my throat we sat there for a while before I stood up as the bell ding and announcement happened for our shift.

What our meant here was; Me, Nate, Ethan and Ester.

"Say I miss her and tell her to have a safe flight," I conveyed my message to Nate who smiled before nodded.

"I will."

"And one more thing," Halting in my steps I spoke. "You're on phase one of love Nate. Fate will make you stand on the edge of life where you have to choose. Where you've think wisely and one wrong move will shatter everything."

When Ethan and Ester halted beside us clearly heard me. Nate frowned at me. "You'll understand my words when the time comes."

°°°°°°

After the whole forty minutes I stepped out of the examination hall and walked to the wending machine in the cafeteria as I inserted a coin before bend down to take my coffee.

I was hell tired.

Nate wasn't there around so he must've left for home. As for Gwen and Leo they were gone when we were in examination hall. So it was me now and I had other plans for today.

Sipping on my drink, I walked to my locker, put my stuff inside it before closed it carefully and smirked. When I saw max coming my way, I dumped the empty can in the near trashcan and stood straight in a normal way.

Smiling sweetly at him I corrected my bag strap before said. "Seems like you've done good with your exam, wanna grab lunch with me somewhere?"

Frowning he looked behind as if he didn't believe me talking to him.

Well neither did I.

"I'm talking to you. No need to be so shocked. I know our history and I want to make a deal. Forget our past and make a truce with me, how about that?"

Smirking he stepped forward and rested his shoulder on my locker.

My locker.

"Did that car hit you so hard on the head? or have you lost your senses? I heard Ethan left you for his whore, maybe that gave you a trauma. Well he didn't deserve you since start-

"Uh uh, correction to be made. He didn't leave me...I did," Closing the distance between us until his back met the metal of my locker completely I put my finger on his chest. "My life has hit me hard straight here...in my heart and I want a cure."

Corridor was filled with the students from second shift and Invigilators were still in their respective examination halls so it was none other than youth watching us with whispers.

"Well okay then, someone seems desperate," He chuckled. "We can go back to my house, though I don't trust you but one f*ck won't hurt."

His back completely resting against my locker. Shaking my head a bitter chuckled left my mouth as I trailed my finger down his chest to his jeans and opened his jeans button in a swift.

"Why go home when we can do it right here. It won't hurt, will it?"

Before he could stop me, I dragged his zip down as realization fell on him.

He jerked forward to stop me but couldn't move. He was stuck by his jacket to my locker by one of the hardest transparent glue I had brushed on my locker earlier. It took sometime for it to dry and he appeared at the right time.

My luck...

I dragged his jeans down his ankles in a swift along with his boxers before backed away quickly as his hands were free. He jerked forward but poor Max couldn't move an inch not even down to his jeans which was pooled around his feet.

"YOU BITCH!"

Even someone report me now, I didn't care an inch. Permissions were granted from someone high in rank whose own blood was harassed by this asshole now. The Rapist to be specific.

Laughing and recording students stood their watching his show I wasn't interested. "YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!"

Looking around I stood crossed arms over my chest as I spot Ethan emerging from the crowd. His eyes were alarmed in a certain way before fell on Max to his exposed lil friend before met mine. I just blinked and looked back to Max who was struggling against something which wouldn't set him free before Seven to eight hours.

His ugly little friend was so desperate to poke itself in so many places it couldn't have.

"You're right, you shouldn't trust your enemy. I have paid a lot don't you think? It's time for you to return the favor." I said.

'This is nothing to what's coming your way Max Michaels.'

Smirking he spat on the ground.

"Hah! You see these girls here," Je pointed around. "It's a show for them for free. They beg for it. So you did nothing to take me down Aria Williams and everyone knows who's more pathetic, who killed her own friend. Don't celebrate too soon baby."

"Again You're right. People shouldn't celebrate too soon. You've got blood on your hands Mr. Asshole and people will see the drama soon," I smiled wickedly.

"Oh yes? Well let me remind you, you've nothing to prove yourself innocent bitch cause I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! Every evidence point towards you. Your Game is over!"

From the corner of my eyes I saw some movements but I just took my bag from ground ineffectively and smiled before winked at Ethan who just blinked with those sharp eyes.

"Nah-uh that's where you're wrong again Max---cause my game has just started."

Turning around without another glance I made my way through the snickering teens and stepped out the hall to my way home.

I was heading straight for my mission. Game wasn't over but it just started for a whole roller coaster ride.

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