My Clichéd Love Life

Chapter 13 I LOVE YOU

“Lucas, what do you think about the party?’’ Mum asked Lucas.

He drew a blank at my mother’s question and asked, “What party?”

‘’The Engagement party, what else? Now that you both are together, it’s only natural that we throw a party to celebrate and you both can get mated next year. That way we will have ample time to prepare for the mating ceremony. You know how extensive the preparations are for such things.’’ My mother once again successfully launched a grenade into a conversation, at the most inopportune moment; killing any chance of a segue into another topic.

‘’Sarah, it’s too early to discuss this. We should give the kids time to get to know each other.”

‘’Yes. Of course dear, but what does that have to do with the engagement party?’’

‘’Oh Dear GOD!!’’ I exclaimed while failing to understand the inner workings of my mother’s brain.

‘’Mum, I am late for the academy, so I will get going now’’ I said while trying to escape my mother’s clutches.

‘’I will drop you off.’’ Lucas offered which I declined, “Yeah…..no need I am good.’’

‘’What nonsense! Lucas just said he will drop you off. You are going with him.’’ After my mother’s rebuke, I begrudgingly accepted Lucas’s offer to drive me to the academy and we both left for the academy.

The drive to the academy was so uncomfortably quiet that I heaved a sigh of relief when we entered the academy. My entrance into the parking lot with Lucas was seen by several people and that must have been the reason why I was accosted with vicious gazes when I entered the academy. Lucas’s popularity was unparalleled in our circle, he was fancied by almost all unmated girls who dreamed of becoming Mrs. Black someday. The very same girls who represented half the female demographic of our esteemed academy and I was pretty sure, the reason I was being glared at by most of the female population present at the academy was because of the very same reason. Little did they know, I didn’t have any interest in their idol, nor was I at risk of developing an interest in him anytime soon.

‘’Elena! Oh my God! Is it true that Lucas Black dropped you off at school?’’

My dear friend Chloe asked enthusiastically after I entered the hallway leading to the classroom.

‘’Yes, don’t tell me that everyone knows.’’

‘’Of course, you know, how news travels like fire’’

‘’ What? Really? How? Why? Tell me everything.’’ Ashley asked after finding herself out of the loop.

 ‘’Haven’t you heard they are mated? Everyone knows it’s the hottest topic right now.” Chloe brought Ashley up to speed on the current affairs. While I wondered how everyone found about my mating status.

‘’What do you mean by everyone?’’ I asked.

‘’I mean everyone. You found your mate in front of the whole council, what did you think would happen?’’

Ashley complained, ‘’Why didn’t you tell me you found your mate? It’s such a big deal! Elena white mated at last.”

‘’I am not mated! I mean he is my mate, but I am not mated to him. You know I like Aaron.’’ 

Chloe said,‘’ Yeah, but that was before you found your mate. Surely you don’t think you can still be with Aaron?’’

‘’Of course, I do nothing has changed.’’

‘’Elena, you can’t be serious! He is your mate, you can’t choose someone else over your mate. Besides the mating bond isn’t something that goes away just because you don’t want it.’’ Chloe was resolute in making me see things her ways despite my unwillingness. Thankfully Ashley advised us to stop our discussion for the time being.

‘’Chloe, I think we should stop for now. everyone is watching us. We can talk about this some other time lets head to class or we will be late.’’

After attending all my classes. At last, the time for physical defense class arrived. I practically ran towards the athletic center but Aaron was nowhere to be seen. meanwhile, our regular instructor came in and started speaking.

‘’Students today we will practice……..’’

I asked Chloe, ‘’Where is Aaron?’’ 

‘’I don’t know. Pay attention.’’

‘’I am going to go look for him. Cover for me.’’ I whispered in her ear, as I stealthily sneaked out of the gym. While Chloe and Ashley called out for me in hushed tones.

Elena! Elena!

I went to the instructor’s office to look for Aaron but found it empty. So, I decided to ask the next person I saw about Aaron’s whereabouts. luckily a nice elderly janitor had seen him heading upstairs towards the roof. So, I decided to head to the roof as well.  When I reached the roof after climbing an absurd amount of stairs. I was greeted with numerous rows of plants and herbs in front of me. The roof was being used as a greenhouse for growing various plants that were no doubt used for creating enchantments and medicinal remedies. The greenhouse covered a vast area which made it difficult for me to find Aaron so I decided to call out to him

‘’Aaron!’’ ‘’Aaron!’’

‘’Here,’’ he answered from the corner of the roof. I headed towards him and reached him in haste.

‘’I was looking for you everywhere.’’

‘’Why?’’ he asked indifferently.

‘’What do mean, why? I wanted to talk to you. we haven’t had a chance to talk after…’’

‘’After you found your mate?’’ He finally turned around to look at me but indifference marred his face. 

‘’No, after you said that you liked me. Why are you acting like this?’’

‘’I am pretty sure I did not imagine you finding your mate yesterday at the council meeting so forgive me if I am not overjoyed by your presence.’’

‘’I have told you before, that I like you. finding my mate doesn’t change that.’’

‘’Doesn’t it? I saw you keel over in pain because of that damned mating bond and you’re telling me that nothing’s changed, believe me. Dear, everything has changed.’’

‘’My feelings haven’t.’’

‘’ We cant…..’’

‘’No! Don’t say it. you said you had feelings for me. Unless those feelings have spontaneously evaporated. You can’t tell me that you don’t want to be with me or that we can’t be together.’’

‘’Come on Elena. Can you say the same when the pull of the bond will force you to submit? It’s better if we stop now before we do anything we regret.’’

‘’Regret, do you regret confessing your feelings or do you think I regret falling for you? I will break the bond if I have to. but, please don’t break things off with me. I can’t imagine my life without you. Please don’t.’’ my voice was starting to break, I felt tears sting my eyes as I pleaded. I never knew even the thought of a life without Aaron would cause me such unimaginable pain. Why didn’t anyone understand? What I felt for Aaron wasn’t going away just because of a predestined bond? So I said the only thing I could say to at least make him understand.

‘’I LOVE YOU.’’