Uncharted Love: From Casual to lovers

Aria

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday chaos - students chattering, trays clattering, and the occasional burst of laughter. I was seated at a table with two other girls from my group, and we begrudgingly worked on our project after the rest abandoned it.

As the door swung open, the sudden hush spread like ripples through the room. A girl with an air of confidence, framed by perfectly styled hair and vibrant makeup, strolled in. I squinted, trying to place her, her features naggingly familiar.

The cafeteria's atmosphere shifted subtly as the stranger approached our table. Whispers slithered across the room, and heads turned in unison, eyes fixated on the unfolding drama. A collective gasp swept through the students, their attention captured by her presence.

She got to our table and asked, "ARIA CARTER?" A ripple of curiosity cascaded through the crowd.

My brows furrowed as I attempted to discern the girl's identity. Nearby, someone from an adjacent table muttered, "Isn't that Ruby Hayes?" The mere mention of the name set off a chain reaction - students craned their necks, straining to catch a glimpse of the high-profile model in their midst.

Phones materialized like magic, capturing the unfolding scene. Flashbulbs flickered, creating a surreal tableau of the cafeteria drama.

Murmurs of "Is that really her?" and "What's happening?" circulated, heightening the tension in the room.

"And here I thought the girl sleeping with my boyfriend was prettier than I was," she scoffed, leaving me utterly baffled.

"Boyfriend? What the hell are you talking about?" Bewildered and stunned, I struggled to comprehend the unexpected revelation. The onlookers, their curiosity now tinged with a hint of judgment, added an uncomfortable layer to the atmosphere.

"Listen up, bitch. You're probably one of those college, poverty-stricken girls who think they can climb the social ladder by cozying up to rich boys. Well, not with my man. Consider this a warning; I can do much worse," she spat, venom lacing her words.

"Hold up," I interjected, attempting to process the barrage of information. The cafeteria buzzed with hushed conversations, and the realization that people were filming the scene unsettled me. Fame was the last thing I sought, especially through such drama.

"Don't you think you're being rude to someone you just met? What do you mean I'm sleeping with your boyfriend? Who the hell is your boyfriend? And poverty-stricken? Girl, do you even know who you're talking to?" I fired back, my patience wearing thin. While I seldom flaunted my family background, this situation warranted a reality check.

She sneered, leaned in, and slammed her hand on the table. "Rude? For someone of your caliber? I don't think so. I don't give a fuck who you are, honey. Stay away from Lucas Walker! My final warning."

Her warning echoed through the cafeteria, drawing a final gasp from the audience as she made a dramatic exit. As she strode away, leaving me in my wake, the lingering shock in the room transformed into a murmured aftermath of speculation and gossip.

I dialed Lucas's number repeatedly, the ringing echoing in the quiet of my room. Each unanswered call intensified the knot in my stomach. What if she was really his girlfriend? I thought to myself. The thought alone left me restless. What would I do if but turned out to be true?

Unable to endure the uncertainty any longer, I decided to confront the situation head-on. I drove to Lucas's place, a location I hadn't visited in this academic session due to his seemingly perpetual busyness. As I stood before his door, my heart pounded in sync with the urgency of my emotions.

A tentative knock yielded no response, and just as I contemplated knocking again, the door creaked open. To my surprise, Lucas's supposed girlfriend stood before me, her wer hair clung to her shoulders, and an oversized shirt screamed familiarity. My chest tightened at the sight, the implications sinking in as the accusing eyes of the morning resurfaced.

"Did you forget your password?" she quipped, mistaking me for Lucas. Her eyes met mine, a fusion of defiance and subtle triumph shining through. The shirt, an emblem of intimacy, draped casually over her, heightening the palpable tension.

"Never thought you'd sink any lower after this afternoon," she scoffed, folding her arms, a disdainful posture against the door frame.A whirlwind of emotions engulfed me - disbelief, hurt, and simmering anger. Her words hung heavy in the air, leaving me grappling with the emotional turmoil sparked by the unexpected scene.

Lucas materialized from behind Ruby, his presence accentuated by the allure of sweatpants that hung low on his hips, revealing a toned chest adorned with glistening beads of sweat. Surprise flickered in his eyes, swiftly replaced by a guarded expression as he registered my unexpected presence.

"Hey, Aria. What brings you here?" His voice, once comforting, now carried an undertone of tension.

Ruby clung possessively to Lucas, her fingers tracing circles on his bare chest. "Baby, do you know her?"

"Go and clean up the mess you made in the room," Lucas shrugged her off with a dismissive air, leaving Ruby to pout and retreat, her lingering kiss leaving a bitter aftertaste in my heart.

"Why didn't I know about any girlfriend until now?" My voice cut through the strained atmosphere, my fists clenched in a silent demand for answers.

"Didn't think it was necessary. Besides, she's cool with it," Lucas replied casually, his indifference sending a surge of frustration through my veins. The lack of denial about their relationship stung more than the public embarrassment.

"She's okay with it, and she pulled the stunt she did in the cafeteria this morning? For fuck's sake, Lucas, my face is all over the school forum, hashtag the man snatcher, and you say she's okay with it?" Frustration spilled from my lips, tears welling up as I struggled to comprehend how I fell for someone seemingly indifferent to my feelings.

The pain went beyond the embarrassment; it cut deep into the illusions I had harbored of a special connection. I berated herself for being delusional, for believing I held a unique place in Lucas's life. The realization of my naivety was a bitter pill to swallow.

"I am so sorry about that. She knew we were in a casual relationship. I didn't think she would do that." Lucas's feeble apology fell short as he tried to touch me, only to be met with my recoiling form.

"Let's end it here. Whatever it is that we're doing, let's just end it all." I declared, my voice a mix of hurt and anger as I stormed away, leaving behind a shattered connection that had promised more than it could deliver.

In the privacy of the elevator, I succumbed to my emotions, sinking down and allowing the tears to flow freely. The rules of our casual arrangement, once clear, now lay in tatters. The pain of rejection and betrayal enveloped me, questioning the choices that led me to this heart-wrenching moment. If only I had resisted at the beginning or halted the moment I realized my feelings, perhaps the hurt wouldn't cut so deep.

◇◇◇

"The driver will whisk both of you to the mall this afternoon. I want you to find yourselves fabulous dresses; there's a party we must grace, and I want us to outshine every woman in attendance," Mom announced during breakfast, and I let out a heavy sigh, regretting not following Dad to Paris when he extended the offer.

I loathed parties, especially the ones my mom coerced me into attending. They felt like a congregation of people using each other for personal gains. Mom liked to call it 'creating business partners,' but to me, it was more like being forced to wear a smile I had no genuine interest in.

"I'll pass," Ivy declared, fully aware that I couldn't refuse Mom, and I'd be left to navigate the party solo if she refused to comply.

"It's not up for discussion. This is Operation 'Get One of My Daughters to be an In-law of the Walkers,' and we will succeed tomorrow," my mother casually declared, prompting an involuntary spray of water as shock rippled through me.

"The hell, Aria?" Ivy's scream echoed, her face twisted in disgust as she hastily wiped her arm. Unfazed by Ivy's outrage and the pending apology, my focus honed in on the intriguing revelation of the host of the party, sparking a surge of curiosity about the details my mother had just disclosed

"Which of the Walkers?" I inquired, my gaze fixed on my mom, desperately anticipating a different response.

"Do you know any other Walkers? It is George Walker's birthday" Irritation laced her words, a clear disapproval of my lapse in manners and the seemingly trivial question.

Of course, it had to be about the family of the last person I wanted to hear about. Lucas Walker, that infuriating jerk, I haven't seen him since after graduation, and the news left me with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

"Apparently, his last son is getting engaged to the daughter of the Hayes, so he's off the market. I can only rely on one of you to snag the other two men. I can't wait to be an in-law," Mom squeaked, raising her brows mischievously.

"Oh," I replied, my voice a mixture of surprise and disbelief. I hadn't anticipated the bombshell that my mom casually dropped. The seemingly nonchalant revelation about the engagement sent a ripple of unexpected emotions through me, leaving me caught between shock and the absurdity of the situation.

"None of them are my type though, and the other daughter of yours is somewhere in Paris getting over her broken heart or else you meant marrying into the family considering you are divorced," Ivy said, standing up and ready to run incase my threw something at her.

"Very funny, Ivy, but as you know, I and your father are still very much in love with each other, so no thanks. Why don't I join you guys for shopping? I need to pick something extra sexy for you two," Mom smiled, practically skipping out, not giving me a chance to refuse.

"She meant for you; she obviously hates your boyfriend, not that he islikeablee in the first place. So I support her in this," Ivy whispered.

"Go fuck yourself, Ivy," I rolled my eyes walking away.

It was just a party, right? I would enter with my mom, greet some elders, and sneak away before anybody sees me, easy peasy. What could possibly go wrong?