BAD OMENS ✬ luke hemmings

0.0 | prologue

Aria is, of course, late to school.

The bus has a habit of morning congestion, or traffic, that causes her to arrive late to class. How funny is it? The first day of high school and she's already late.

She's texted Luke a million and one times, asking him where they're going to meet on the first day, but he hasn't replied. Which is strange considering he's not the type to leave her on delivered for minutes, or hours on end.

She runs towards the school doors, checking the schedule on her phone – along with the multiple emails – looking to see where she needs to be. The girl has never set foot in this building before, so figuring out where 'the gym' is, is like giving a baby a math test.

Aria wanders around the first floor, searching for the gym – where she's meant to be – and of course, no one is around to help her. She's lost, doesn't know where to go, or where to look, and there's not a person in sight that can help her.

"Are you lost?" She spins around, seeing a boy standing behind her. "You're either new, or a freshman. And by the looks of it, you're the latter." He closes his locker before approaching the girl, "I'm Ashton. Sophomore, obviously."

"Hi," the girl smiles, "Aria."

"So, where are you meant to be, Aria." Ashton says, "It's not common for people to turn up late on the first day, let alone a freshman."

"I'm trying to find the gym, but I have no idea where that is and my friend isn't responding to my texts." She explains.

"Oh, I'll take you there." He offers, "I don't have anything to do anyways. Follow me!"

Aria walks beside Ashton, through these unfamiliar halls, looking at all the posters hung up and the seemingly endless amount of lockers. She's glad that someone – like Ashton – found her and decided to help. Whereas, he's getting out of his homeroom where all they're doing is small talk about people's summer.

"So, Aria, where are you from?"

"Well, I was born in the Philippines – my mother is Filipino – but I have a Canadian passport, my dad is Canadian." She says, "I'm kind of from all over the place, you know, traveling and whatnot. You?"

"I'm Australian." He replies, "If I may ask, what brings you here? I mean, you've obviously lived in other countries, so why here?"

"Oh, well, my dad's job brought me here. He's a lawyer, and one of his friends offered him a job to oversee contracts and what not." Aria says, "Though, I've lived here for, like, three years already."

"Any siblings?"

Ashton keeps asking all these questions because he doesn't want to walk in silence, not to mention, he's getting a good insight on Aria. He's learning about her, deciding if she's worth the time he's spending or not.

So far, nothing is wrong.

"Uh, one older sister." She answers, "Riley, she's leaving for university in a couple of weeks and it'll just be me and my dad after that."

"Any passions in life?"

"I haven't really thought about that," she hums, "I like music, and cooking. The only thing is, I can't see myself pursuing those passions in the future, like, as a job. I'd prefer journalism, or politics, maybe even management?"

"I don't see why you can't pursue those passions." He comments, "I'd like to be a professional drummer one day, in a really cool band. That way, I can love what I'm doing, and make money from it."

"A drummer?" Aria says, "Well, have you found your band yet?"

"I'm still on the hunt, none of my friends are into the idea, let alone know how to play any instruments." He shrugs, "Maybe I got to put myself out there. Hey! Want to be my manager? I can't give you any money, but I do have connections with the owner of this really cool diner."