Tangled Hearts

Chapter#7

Katherine had been avoiding Ethan, Nicholas, and Noah for the past two days, taking different routes to her classes and eating lunch in the library. But on the third day, she felt a sense of relief wash over her as she walked across campus, thinking she had finally escaped their notice.

As she approached her favorite spot under the oak tree, she pulled out her phone and dialed Aiden's number. "Hey, where are you?" she asked, looking around.

"Turn around," he replied, his voice low and smooth.

Katherine spun around, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw Aiden standing behind her, a hint of a smile on his face. "Oh, hi," she said, feeling a little shy.

"How are you?" she asked, taking a step closer to him. "Have you healed?"

Aiden nodded, but as she reached out to touch his wounds, he took a step back, his eyes flashing with a warning. Katherine felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she realized her mistake.

"Sorry," she muttered, feeling awkward.

But then she remembered the lunch box in her bag. "Hey, I made this specially for you," she said, holding out the box.

Aiden's expression softened as he took the box from her. "Thanks, Kat. You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to," she said, smiling. "So, how's your day going?"

Aiden shrugged. "It's going. Just trying to avoid those three."

Katherine nodded in understanding. "Yeah, me too."

They stood there for a moment, eating their lunch in comfortable silence. Then Aiden spoke up.

"Hey, Kat?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for checking up on me. It means a lot."

Katherine smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Anytime, Aiden."

As they finished their lunch, Katherine realized that she had been standing there for over 20 minutes, talking to Aiden like they were old friends. It felt natural, easy.

As they stood there, talking and laughing, Aiden's eyes suddenly filled with anger, his gaze fixed on something behind Katherine. She followed his gaze and saw Ethan, Nicholas, and Noah approaching them, sneering and snickering.

"Let's go, Kat," Aiden said, his voice low and urgent. "They're coming."

But it was too late. The three of them surrounded Aiden and Katherine, their taunts and jeers filling the air.

"Look at Aiden with his little Minnie friend," Ethan sneered. "What's next, Aiden? Gonna start wearing bows and ribbons, you fucking loser?"

"Yeah, you're a real motherfucker, Aiden," Nicholas chimed in. "Thinking you can take on all three of us?"

Aiden's face darkened, his fists clenched. "Shut the fuck up, Ethan. Leave us alone, you piece of shit."

"Oh, we're just getting started," Noah said, his eyes glinting with malice. "You think you're tough, Aiden? You think you can take on all three of us, you fucking coward?"

Katherine stood tall, her heart pounding. "Leave him alone. He's done nothing to you, you assholes."

But they just laughed. "Oh, look at the little girl sticking up for her boyfriend," Ethan taunted. "You're just a fucking joke, Katherine."

Aiden took a step forward, his eyes blazing. "I'm not her boyfriend. But I'll defend her against you three motherfuckers any day."

As the verbal sparring continued, Ethan suddenly said, "You know, we've been wanting to have a little chat with Katherine here."