Who's Story is it?

Chapter 2:

A few weeks had passed since their first meeting. While the connection between Neil and Ariana is still fairly new and shallow, there is much potential in it. Ariana has become slightly more comfortable around Neil. She still blushes a lot when she talks with Neil, but now when she blushes she lets out a feint giggle. Her voice is soft and gentle, high pitched but with no sharpness to it. It caresses the ears of the one who hears it and when Neil hears it only one thought comes to mind. Ariana is so adorable. Unfortunately the two did not talk all that often. Whenever they did it was a little awkward but it didn't matter. Whenever Neil looked into Ariana's light, hazel coloured eyes he knew who he was talking with. He was talking with the one made for him. Ariana would always have a little smile when she saw Neil looking at her, almost like she was telling Neil that it's okay, one day you won't be so far away from me.

Unfortunately for Neil he was not the only one who had realised Ariana's grace and elegance. Many other students, even Neil's best friend, could see she was stunning. Neil's best friend was obviously of no threat to him and very few of the other losers were either. There were two students however that di present themselves as threats. One named Noa and the other Scott. Scott's situation was not one of evil intent. He had just been in a bad relationship and there was no one in his life who he was close enough to hear his heart cry. The only thing he could think of that would help him was to befriend a beauty such as Ariana. He was simply alone and didn't want to be anymore. Noa's situation however was much more despicable. The only way to describe his behaviour around women was that he was an absolute pig. He did not see women as humans with wants, needs and emotions but rather as conquests to fuel his barbaric desires. Noa was not known for this however, in fact almost no one knew of his true nature. Only his victims and those who truly lacked emotion and were filled with only the ability to observe and analyse could possibly know his true nature. Because of this most everyone saw him as a friend, including Neil and Scott. Ariana was ok talking with Neil when only Neil's best friends was there but that was her limit. Whenever any of Neil's other friends, especially when Noa arrived, Ariana would become very uncomfortable. She would turn away from Neil and then she would leave shortly after. The expression on her face when she would leave left nothing to the imagination. It made it clear that she was not fond of these people. If her straight lips didn't say it then her tired and cold eyes did. If this is the company you keep, I'm sorry but I can't handle them, that's what her eyes would say. Neil could not understand why Ariana did not like Noa...that was until his true colours was revealed to him.

It was nearing the end of the first school term and the hot topic on everyone's lips was the end of year formal as the venue and time had just been announced. It was a little too early for guys to be thinking about who they wanted to go with. Noa however lacked emotion or passion when it came to women. He was cold, calculating, manipulative and methodical. He knew that if he wanted his next conquest to be Ariana, he would need to start laying the ground work down now. Neil's best friend knew that this is how he would operate as well. He was one of few who understood Noa's true nature. "Neil. Could I speak to you for a moment?" Neil was not completely unaware of what the conversation would be about. From the concerned tone in his voice he knew it had to be about his relationship with Ariana or something that could affect it. "Sure. What's up?"

"It's about Noa. I know this maybe a little difficult but keep an eye out for him. I know that he's gonna try and take Ariana for himself and knowing the kind of person he is...it may be difficult for you to see why but I can't let that happen. In any case it won't help your cause if he gets her anyway."

"Oh...okay. So what do you think I should do?"

"Here's the thing. We can't really do a whole lot at the moment. If we take dramatic action now, Ariana will figure out everything all at once during that incident. We want her to know eventually and over time. If it happens all at once it will not help us. For now just let him do what he wants and don't male him think we're watching him. We'll wait and watch till he slips up big and then we can strike." They both looked at each other. Neil already knew that his best friend had already thought of all the possibilities and figured out the best course of action in response to each of those possibilities. That was the kind of person he was. Neil had absolute trust in his best friend despite that fact he knew very little of his thought process and what he would eventually see and do.

The next day, after math class, Noa made his first move. He walked up to Ariana and attempted to lay down the foundation he would hope to work off of in future. "Hai Ariana." He said as he walked slowly towards her, eyes focused on Ariana's. "So how's this term been for you? I'm sure it couldn't be that bad for you seeing as you're a straight A+ student, am I right?" he chuckled as he spoke. Ariana replied with a sigh and an elongated yeah. It was clear by the 'laxed and airy tone of her voice that she did not want to talk to Noa. Noa continues anyway, "Well that's good to hear. So tell me, you obviously study a lot to get those perfect grades, is there anything you particularly like to do in you spare time?" Ariana simply looked at Noa with a fake expression of confusion. She was not confused at all but rather she could really care less about answering Noa. "You know like...I don't know, watch movies, play games, go out. Anything like that?" Ariana gently shook her head with that same blank expression she had at the beginning of the conversation. Noa slowly wrapped his arm around Ariana's delicate and narrow shoulders, "Well than, how about I take you somewhere this weekend, hmm? All our assessment is done for the term so why not?" Ariana wriggled out from under Noa's arm, "No thankyou, I'm busy this weekend." Meanwhile Neil and his best friend were closely observing Noa. Having seen what just transpired, Neil feared that Noa was trying to physically harm Ariana. "That bastard! He has no right to lay even one hand on Ariana!" Neil was furious and ready to pounce on Noa. "Hold it Neil. I know you're angry but wait. Save up that anger, this is not the slip up we want. Trust me, you'll get your time. Just wait till Noa realises he's failing. He'll leave and once he does, just walk up to Ariana and casually ask her about the conversation you had. Got it?" Soon after Noa left and Neil moved in, "So...I saw you talking to Noa just now. What you guys talk about? If you don't mind me asking." Neil was mildly surprised and eager by how Ariana replied, "I...I know Noa's your friend and all but...I don't lie him. His behaviour is crude and uncouth and he also smells disgusting most of the time." Neil felt a small victory. Having heard how much Ariana did not like Noa, Neil felt no threat from him anymore. "Yeah I know what you mean. I don't particularly like him either. He's just always around that's all." And with that it was time for the next class.

The end of another day had arrived. As Neil waved goodbye to Ariana, a feeling of relief wafted over him He no longer need worry about Noa being a threat. He also had a renewed sense of trust in his best friend. He knew that he could count on him when it mattered most. He knew that he could see further ahead than others probably should and would use this only to their advantage and never to harm Neil. Neil had however left on thing unchecked. Scott, though his intentions hold nothing of malice or similar emotions, he was still a threat to Neil's love. One Neil had carelessly overlooked.