Periclum (old version)

Chapter 9

Mia walked happily through the hall of her school, almost dancing with every step she took as she clung to the books in her arms. Maddox texted Mia earlier to go to her locker to grab her books since she didn't have time to do it herself. Mia frowned at that text since she knew that Maddox had a lot of time between her lessons but was happily able to do it for her.

She was walking to her locker where Maddox told her to meet up. As when Mia walked her mind drifted off to all kinds of things and one of them might have been one typical guy. He was acting at least... decent around people even if she knew he barely knew how to act like that. With glares, he threw at people every second, snapping words that shall not be repeated at some people that apparently 'pissed him off' in his exact words, and pushing some kids into the lockers that were 'in his way', Mia could say that stuff was quite fine.

Aiden was a quiet guy that didn't always talk but he wasn't afraid of telling people a piece of his mind. His honest words could break a heart but Aiden didn't care enough to stop. Usually, it was only bad words coming out of his mouth and Mia almost having a stroke each time she heard him speak in such a language. She knew that Aiden cursed a lot but not as much as he was around Mia. She smiled.

There was one time in math class some kid apparently was 'too annoying' and 'irritating' for Aiden's taste he eventually snapped in harsh words towards that guy in the middle of the lesson that Mia didn't want to repeat and that guy stayed quiet the rest of the class— probably stayed quiet the rest of that school day too. And as for Aiden, he got a scolding from the teacher he seemed unfazed of and detention after school but that wasn't anything new. All he had to do was not get to any fight at his last year and he would be fine, the rest he could do without getting a suspension.

And Ember was there at math class too and would sometimes throw warnings to Mia as she shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She didn't know why Ember was still after her. Wasn't enough with the cut she had on her cheek that was still visible?

Like a week, and two days after Aiden and Mia made up after what happened at the party. They often found themselves crossing each other between the lessons. Mia gave out a shy smile every time and Aiden did a nod. Sometimes Mia found herself saying a shy 'hey' or 'hello' to Aiden when they saw each other or when they had the same class— especially math since Aiden was sitting behind her. And he would often say hey back to her or just a nod, corner of his lips pulling up weakly when he didn't feel like talking.

Mia's heart fluttered in happiness each time, happy that he recognized her, and her cheeks always steamed in heat— like they always did around Aiden.

But it wasn't more than that.

Mia pulled back the smile she didn't know she had on her face and cleared her throat awkwardly as she looked around if someone saw her grinning like a freak. Just when she pulled her head back and continued to walk to her locker, a couple of feet away from her, the door to the janitor closet swung open and out walked Lucas and Maddox.

Mia stopped walking as she stood in the middle of the hallway, staring at the two of them like they grew a second head. Lucas was fixing his jeans as Maddox adjusted her top so her bra wouldn't be seen. Mia frowned as she saw both of their hairs were messy and they were panting quite heavily, lips were swollen and red.

She tilted her head. What were they doing? Mia thought.

Mia found herself walking up to them as Lucas ran a hand through his hair and Maddox was patting down the mess on her hair. Both of them snapped their heads to Mia when they saw her coming, books close to her chest as a deep frown laid on her face.

Mia noticed Maddox's cheeks were flushed— something she hadn't seen ever and that deepened her confusion of what they were doing.

"W-What were you doing inside the janitor c-closet?" Mia asked unsurely as she took a glance at the janitor door and then back at the two of them that were gazing at each other discreetly. Maddox sucked in a heavy breath, still panting but not as heavy as before just as Lucas blurted out quickly, "cleaning."