Episode thirteen

Felix sat back in his chair, staring blankly at the spot where Aaron had stood just moments before. His mind was racing, emotions churning beneath the surface as he tried to make sense of the tight knot twisting in his chest. He forced himself to take a deep breath, trying to calm the unsettling storm within him.

This isn't love, he told himself firmly, clenching his jaw as if he could force the thought into submission. It's not. He closed his eyes for a moment, willing away the image of Faerie's mocking smile as she spoke to Aaron. It's just... pity. Yeah, that's it. I just pity her.

He repeated the words to himself like a mantra, hoping that if he said it enough times, it would become true. She's had a rough time here. The rumors, the judgment, the way people look down on her for being a scholarship student. Anyone would feel bad for her. His grip on the edge of his desk tightened again, his knuckles pale against the dark wood. It's not like I care who she spends her time with. Or what Aaron wants with her. That's none of my business.

But even as he tried to convince himself, the memory of Faerie's cool indifference, the way she had dismissed him without a second thought, lingered like a thorn under his skin. It stung in a way that pity never would, the sharp ache of rejection gnawing at his resolve.

Felix's gaze drifted back to Faerie, who was still engrossed in her book, oblivious—or perhaps uncaring—of the turmoil she had left in her wake. She looked so calm, so utterly unbothered by the whispers that surrounded her, as if she existed in her own world. It was maddening. How could she be so unfazed while he felt like he was coming apart at the seams?

Stop thinking about her, he ordered himself, dragging his gaze away from her and staring down at his own hands. She doesn't matter to you. Not like that. It's just... It's just...

But no matter how many times he repeated it, the hollow ache in his chest wouldn't go away. It lurked beneath the surface, a constant reminder that maybe, just maybe, he was lying to himself.

Faerie made her way through the school corridors, slipping through the crowds of students heading to their next classes. She had no intention of lingering inside, not when Aaron had practically summoned her with his cryptic demand. She wasn't about to be intimidated by him—or anyone, for that matter—but she was curious about what he wanted this time. And besides, she thought with a smirk, this could be fun.

She pushed open the front doors of Hera Academy and stepped out into the cool morning air, her steps light as she headed toward the front yard near the gates. The area was quieter than the bustling hallways inside, with only a few students hanging around the benches under the trees. But there, standing alone with his back against one of the brick pillars, was Aaron Blackwood, his expression unreadable as he watched her approach.

Faerie sauntered over, her head held high and a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. She stopped a few feet away, casually crossing her arms over her chest as she looked him over. "Well, here I am, just like you wanted," she said with a raised eyebrow, her tone dripping with mock curiosity. "Though I have to admit, I'm surprised. I thought you were done telling me to stay away from you."

Aaron's expression tightened, and he straightened up from the pillar, taking a step closer to her. His eyes were cold, but there was a flicker of something deeper behind them—something he was trying to keep hidden. "Don't get the wrong idea," he replied, his voice low and edged with frustration. "I didn't call you out here because I wanted to. You just... need to hear a few things, that's all."

Faerie's smirk widened, and she tilted her head, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Oh? And here I thought you missed my company already. How flattering, Aaron."

He scowled, his jaw clenching as he closed more of the distance between them. His presence loomed, casting a shadow over her, but she stood her ground, refusing to back down. "You think this is a joke, Faerie?" he snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut through the crisp air. "I don't know what your game is, but I'm not interested in playing it." He said

She let out a soft, mocking laugh, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "Come on, Aaron. If you're going to act all serious, at least make it convincing. You dragged me out here, remember? If anyone's playing games, it's you." She took a half-step closer, her chin tilted up as she met his glare without flinching. "What's the matter? Afraid someone might see us together?"

Aaron's eyes darkened, and he leaned in, bringing them almost nose-to-nose. The tension between them was palpable, a charged energy crackling in the few inches of space that separated them. "I don't need anyone thinking I'm associated with you," he bit out, his breath warm against her face. But even as he said it, his voice wavered slightly, betraying a hint of uncertainty. "You're not as tough as you pretend to be, Faerie. Underneath all that attitude, you're still just a girl trying too hard to fit in."