Steps Of Fate

I don't know by what absurdity or what flies stung me when my steps led me to the cafeteria. It was my first time in this hostile and suffocating atmosphere. It was too late when I realized where my carefree actions led me.

I was in the middle of the large room when a heavy silence suddenly fell on us. Typically it's a noisy place where noises of utensils, bursts of laughter, and mockery split in the air like enlightenment.

Stunned and curious looks replace this usual chaos. Feeling the tension of those eyes lingering on me, despite the music I was listening to at an excessive volume, which is considered dangerous for the auditory system. I still exceeded the maximum threshold despite the warnings I received.

I usually listen to thunderous music but not when I am wearing headphones. Unintentionally, I increased the sound as I walked through the yard with all these students who targeted me, looking at me as if they saw me for the first time.

I hear the buzz of a past bee, I don't know how far it was flying, but I assure you I heard it in the current silence of the cafeteria.

The panic that invades me is more visible and unbearable as the second pass. I was on the verge of blowing a hose when I felt a hand fall on my shoulder in a friendly way.

It was reassuring and scary at the same time since I don't particularly appreciate the touch of others. I quickly tapped twice on the left auricle of my earpiece, which cut off the music.

I turn around abruptly to find myself face to face with a beautiful, elongated, smiling face topped with a pair of bright round eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

Without knowing what was happening to me, he dragged me running towards the door opposite the one I entered the room a few minutes ago.

He let go of my arm only when he reached the doorstep, his breath hitching. "So, I saw that we finally decided to mingle with the crowd. It's not too early, huh?" he said with the same hint of mischief he had in his eyes that I now heard in his deep and warm voice.

"No, I don't know how I got here, I was absorbed in my thoughts while listening to music, and it wasn't until I stood in the middle of the room that I realized where I was." I retorted. Oddly, he doesn't stress me out but instead pushes me to be suspicious.

He held out his hand to me with a big smile. This time, the naughty side disappeared from his look and his laughter.

"My name is Jade," he said, still smiling with pretty white teeth. I stare at the outstretched hand in front of me hesitantly before deciding to shake it myself.

"Call me Aim." That's what I hear myself answer.

No sooner had I finished my sentence than he launched into an animated monologue while walking without realizing that I was not following him.

A few steps from me, He stopped, turned in my direction, and told me in a tone of good mood, almost teasingly.

"You're not going to let me do the talking alone, friend? I just got you out of this mess, so you should listen to me a little, at least."

I opened my mouth to find an excuse not to follow him, but he narrowly caught me.

"No, no, no," he hastened to say while shaking his head vigorously. "I don't accept any excuses. You owe me that, and you have to follow me. I know you're not attending class, so follow me, or I'll conclude that you're not a man of honor."

He's got some nerve, and how does he know I'm not going to class? What's the deal with him?

He returns to me and grabs my forearm by force, dragging me again in his wake without considering my reluctance or attempts to release myself from his grip.

He has quite a grip, the guy. It's curious because he doesn't look like someone physically strong, or I misjudged his physical strength.

I brushed off these thoughts about assessing his strength with one hand to focus on my steps; otherwise, I would flatten on the ground face down, and I didn't want to find myself in such a position. I'm weird enough to put on such a show for people. It won't help my situation; it will only make it worse.

He led me towards a small group sitting on the grass, having fun playing. I don't know what game yet. As we approached, they stopped to pay attention to the new arrivals.

Then suddenly, a flash of surprise appears on their faces when they see me, immediately giving way to amazement, gradually dissipating to an agitation that leaves me speechless.

How can they pass from one state to another in such a short time without it bothering them?

It's almost impossible for me to understand what drives them so much, so I don't try to understand. One of them, a blond with light gray eyes, jumped up and started making introductions.

These four young lads form a funny mix, a group of four people including a blond, a redhead, a half-breed with silky and curly hair, gorgeous curls that make you want to slide your hand through his hair, but I don't think he would like that, he seems rather reserved and less crazy to me unlike the rest of the gang. Then there's this one who hasn't stopped making me run all morning, an Indian.

How could they end up together? It's far too strange.

"I am Hensley;" placing his right hand on his chest as if he was talking to a child, he starts pointing at the redhead guy; "he is Hart," who greets me with a sign of his hand, "and then the swarthy is Ethan" who gives me a slight bow of the head with a smile, a beautiful smile, he is gorgeous.

I stared at him for a moment before turning back to Hensley.

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Aim."

They cast furtive glances at each other for a moment before lingering on me with four pairs of laughing eyes. Ethan didn't take his eyes off me; he shifted from his place and gestured for me to come to sit down while patting the grass next to him.

Without flinching, I sit there close to him with my feet crossed under my buttocks. Hensley and Jade did the same, and that's how we formed a circle on the grass, a mix that gets weirder and weirder.