The Fallen Angel

10.Invitation

Isabella Pov

As we gathered with Aiden, Aria, and the other girls, playful teasing ensued directed at Aria's ex. Aiden's possessive reaction to the banter elicited a chuckle from me, much to Aria's disapproval as she frowned and rolled her eyes. Aiden's stern warning to cease the teasing was met with compliance from Aria, who promptly intervened and urged everyone to stop. As they left the cafeteria together, I shared a laugh with the remaining girls, amused by the situation despite Aiden's protective demeanor.

As one of the girls excitedly mentioned the party at Hazel's Villa, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. Despite the excitement in her voice, I knew all too well that Hazel had a reputation for being a mean girl. The idea of attending a party hosted by her didn't sit well with me, and I hesitated to express my reservations to the group.

When I declined the invitation to the party, Emelia tried to convince me by highlighting the grandeur of Hazel's Villa. "Come on," she urged, "her villa is incredibly spacious and luxurious. You won't find another place like it to enjoy." Despite her enthusiasm, I remained hesitant, unable to overlook my concerns about Hazel's character.

"I know it could be fun," I responded as I stood up, tray in hand, "but Hazel and I don't exactly see eye to eye. I'd rather not risk any drama by attending her party." With a sense of resolve, I left the table, leaving Emelia and the other girls sitting in disappointment, but firm in my decision.

As I sat on the lush grass, embracing the solitude, a gentle breeze caressed my skin, carrying with it the melodic strains of music. With each note that danced into my ears, I found myself tapping my toes in rhythm, completely immersed in the enchanting melodies. The music seemed to seep into my very being, igniting a symphony of sensations within me.

The verdant grass beneath me provided a comforting cushion, while the cool breeze whispered secrets of the world around me. Above, the sky stretched out in a breathtaking expanse of cerulean blue, adorned with wisps of fluffy clouds drifting lazily by. The chorus of birdsong added to the tranquil ambiance, intertwining harmoniously with the melody of the music.

In that moment, I felt a profound connection to the beauty of nature and the power of music, as if both were speaking directly to my soul. With each passing moment, I savored the serenity of the scene, grateful for the simple yet profound pleasures that surrounded me.

As I closed my eyes, allowing the music to envelop me, a sense of calm washed over my being. However, as I opened my eyes slightly, my peaceful reverie was abruptly interrupted by the sight of two heels looming before me. With a sinking feeling, I lifted my gaze to find Hazel standing there, my longstanding adversary. Instantly, the tranquility of the moment shattered, replaced by a tension that crackled in the air between us.

With a disdainful gesture, Hazel tossed an invitation in my direction, the paper landing unceremoniously against my cheek before fluttering to the ground. Her cutting words pierced through the air, dripping with contempt. "Low class," she spat, "you are invited to my party." The insult hung in the air, a stark reminder of the animosity between us, as I felt a surge of indignation rise within me.

I picked up the invitation, meeting Hazel's gaze with a defiant smile. "I'm not coming," I declared firmly, refusing to let her taunts affect me. With a sense of liberation, I turned away, leaving Hazel standing there, her invitation now rendered meaningless in the face of my resolve.

As Hazel ran to intercept me, mentioning Adrian's presence at the party, I felt a pang of conflicting emotions stir within me. Despite the allure of Adrian's company, I refused to let Hazel see my inner turmoil. "So what?" I replied nonchalantly, masking my true feelings behind a facade of indifference.

Continuing with a calculated retort, I added, "I heard you invited the whole school. I'm sorry, I can't make it to the party unless you properly invite me." With that, I maintained my composure, refusing to let Hazel's tactics sway me, even as the thought of Adrian's potential attendance tugged at my heartstrings.

Hazel's sigh revealed her genuine desire for my presence at the party. Despite her attempt at extending a kind invitation, her eye roll betrayed her frustration. Her beautiful brown eyes spoke volumes, even in the midst of our strained interaction. With a smile, I responded, "I'll see if I can make it," leaving her behind as I savored the cool breeze against my skin, pondering the decision ahead.

As I made my way through the bustling crowd of students on the grounds, I heard Aria's footsteps approaching rapidly from behind. "Are you coming to Hazel's party?" she questioned, her voice tinged with excitement.

With a frustrated roll of my eyes, I displayed the invitation to Aria and exclaimed, "See? I don't think I'll make it. She really annoys me."

Aria's plea for me to attend the party, coupled with her excitement over her outfit choice, irked me. "You know she doesn't like me, and you can't force me, Aria," I retorted, frustration evident in my tone. A wave of sadness washed over her as she mumbled, "Okay, I'm sorry."

Unable to resist Aria's enthusiasm and genuine desire to have me by her side, I relented with a smile. "Can we go shopping? I'll be there. Don't worry," I reassured her. Her joy was palpable as she jumped in happiness and enveloped me in a tight hug, gratitude and excitement evident in her embrace.

As we walked and discussed the party plans, we passed by Adrian's classroom. I couldn't help but smile shyly at Aria before pausing, my gaze drawn irresistibly to Adrian through the window. His serene demeanor, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the window, captivated me. With each word he read, his lips moved slowly, his concentration palpable. His eyes, like small rays of sunshine, danced across the pages as he glanced around the room, exchanging smiles with his classmates. Mesmerized by his presence, I found myself momentarily lost in the beauty of the scene.

Aria playfully teased me for being captivated by Adrian's beauty and the charming sound of his laughter, which elicited giggles from me even from a distance. Secretly, I harbored a desire to remain close to him, drawn by his presence and the allure of his infectious joy. Despite Aria's teasing, my heart longed to linger by Adrian's side, yearning to share in the warmth of his laughter and the magnetic pull of his aura.

As the homeroom teacher's voice boomed across the classroom, summoning Aria and me to help carry books to the staff room, I felt a surge of anxiety. It dawned on me that Adrian's homeroom teacher had likely noticed my lingering presence. With a gulp, I hesitated at the threshold of the classroom, feeling awkward and uncertain about how to navigate the situation.

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