Eclipsed

Chapter 3

"Hazel, hold up." I stopped upon hearing someone shout from behind.

It was Aidan.

"Good morning." I greeted.

"Morning."

He smiled and his eyes crinkled slightly at the edges. His blue eyes looked more welcoming than the day before when I had first met him in this very spot.

"I didn't see you yesterday."

It was more of an accusatory statement than a question.

"I don't have classes on Tuesdays. So, I stayed at home." I meekly justified.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you an ex-student?" I asked before I could think as if he could no longer come to this university.

He looked amused rather than annoyed.

"I am sorry. That's not my concern."

He shook his head. He took a sip of his coffee while we walked towards my class.

"It's okay to be curious. I have some business here."

We trudged in silence, enjoying the sound of the crisp leaves breaking underneath our feet. I found it ironic and almost sadistic as to how we can sometimes find comfort when things break.

"I have never seen you around before. Where are you from?" He asked, softly.

"I was born in Sicily. My mom lived here before. She wanted us to move back. You know, midlife crisis. Going back where she once belonged." My voice was hesitant.
But he seemed to have sensed that there was more to what I was letting on because he looked at me as if he was trying to read my mind. I shivered and looked ahead.

"Surely, it must have been a big change for you- leaving behind your whole life and move here, where the sun does not even-"

"Hazel!" I turned and saw Tasha. I breathed in relief. I was not ready to tell him that we were still coping with my father's death. Though we were doing better in this past month than we ever did in the past 20 years, I did not want the pity.

Aidan looked furious that he was interrupted. He threw daggers at Tasha who cowered behind me.

"Aidan, meet my friend, Natasha Scott."

"Natasha, this is Aidan Valtoran" I tried to dispel some of the tension in the air.

Aidan nodded at her.

"Maybe next time you could wait until the conversation is over, Miss Scott." He spoke sharply.

Natasha flushed and murmured that she would see me in class.

I gaped at Aidan.

"Why did you have to be so rude to her?" For the first time, my voice was firm.

His eyes widened slightly and his jaw was clenched.

Natasha did not know she interrupted something. Aidan could have said the exact thing more kindly.

"Thank you for walking me." My voice was tight with annoyance.

I stomped towards my class.

Few things make me angry and insulting someone is one of them.

I took my seat in the front row and found Natasha. She looked morose.

"Hey. I'm so sorry for the way he talked to you."

She tried to look cheerful but her eyes were hooded with sadness.