Crossed Spells

Chapter 7: Family Tensions (Part 2)

The drive to Ravenswood High was a whirlwind of thoughts for Lucas. The confrontation with his father had left a bitter taste in his mouth, and the unanswered questions swirled in his mind like an angry swarm of bees. As he parked his car in the school parking lot, he spotted Aria walking, her bag over her shoulder and her blonde hair shining under the morning sun.

For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Lucas felt his heart leap in his chest. There was something in Aria's eyes, a depth, a light that seemed to call to him. But his father's words still echoed in his ears: "Stay away from Aria Luminosa."

Reluctantly looking away, Lucas quickly headed towards the school entrance, ignoring the pang of guilt he felt seeing the hurt expression on Aria's face. He knew he would have to talk to her at some point, but for now, he needed time to think, to understand what was really going on.

The morning passed in a haze for Lucas. He was physically present in his classes, but his mind was elsewhere, oscillating between his father's cryptic warnings and the mystery that was Aria Luminosa. During math class, he found himself absentmindedly drawing in the margin of his notebook - patterns of intertwined shadows and light that strangely reminded him of the symbols he had seen in his house's basement.

"Mr. Blackwood," the stern voice of Mrs. Hawkins, his math teacher, pulled him from his reverie. "Perhaps you'd like to share with the class what's so fascinating in your notebook?"

Lucas started, suddenly realizing that the whole class was looking at him. "Sorry, Mrs. Hawkins," he mumbled, feeling his cheeks flush. "It won't happen again."

"I should hope not," she replied dryly before resuming her lesson.

It was a relief when the bell finally rang for lunch break. Lucas headed to the cafeteria, hoping that the company of his friends could distract him from his troubling thoughts. But no sooner had he walked through the doors than he heard a familiar voice calling him.

"Lucas! Over here, man!"

It was Marcus, waving from a table at the back of the room. Next to him were Ivy and, to Lucas's surprise, Aria. His heart leaped in his chest, torn between the desire to join them and his father's warning still ringing in his ears.

After a moment of hesitation, Lucas headed towards the table. He sat down next to Marcus, across from Aria, trying to ignore how his heart raced when their eyes met.

"Hey everyone," he said, trying to appear casual.

"Hey, the mystery man deigns to honor us with his presence," Marcus teased. "We were starting to think you were avoiding us."

Lucas forced a laugh. "Sorry, I've just been... busy."

"Busy avoiding certain people, you mean," Ivy murmured, casting a significant look between Lucas and Aria.

Lucas felt his cheeks flush. "It's not..."

"Don't worry," Aria interrupted, her tone light but her eyes serious. "I understand. Things have been a bit... intense lately."

Lucas looked at her, surprised by her understanding. There was something in her gaze, a depth that seemed to say she understood much more than she let on.

"Anyway," Marcus intervened, breaking the tension, "we were talking about the history project. Have you guys found anything interesting about the founding families?"

Lucas stiffened imperceptibly at the mention of the project. He glanced at Aria, who seemed just as uncomfortable.

"Not really," he replied evasively. "With football practice ending late every night, it's complicated."