Strawberry Milk Candy

Chapter 5: I Never Did

       Since hearing Ethan talk about her behind her back on Thursday, Arystia had lost all hope in him, and their friendship. Out of spite, she started trying to actively avoid Ethan, which was a much easier task than avoiding her classmates since they were from different grades. She tried not to be too obvious and direct on it out of fear he would say something about it, but she ignored his texts when he called her from a distance, and would always use Aiden as an excuse and a shield to get away.

Friday finally came and after realizing Ethan's betrayal, the world seemed darker to Arystia. She was on the lookout at all times now for any sign of aggression from anyone and could not shake her fear away. Her anxiety constantly stayed in her head at all times, making it difficult to concentrate in anything, and she interpreted every action from any person towards her as a possible intent of harm. She also felt that she heard more gossip that day than the previous days.

After surviving the long morning, it was now time for lunch period, which became the period Arystia now dreaded the most. She tried to think of an excuse not to go, but couldn't find any that wouldn't be too obvious, so she very unwillingly dragged her feet to the cafeteria. She thought of sitting elsewhere, but the intent would be too obvious if she did, and there weren't many free spaces either. But oh, how she wished to sit and eat alone with Aiden elsewhere, away from the distasteful sight that was Ethan. They went to their usual place to eat and surprisingly, Ethan was nowhere to be seen.

In the distance, out of the two's sight, Ethan was in line buying three slices of cake just like he had done last Friday. He knew that something was wrong between him and Arystia, and she seemed angry at him, so he had decided to try and be friendlier to her, so to cheer her up and let things go back as they were. He returned with the three slices and found Arystia and Aiden in their usual seat. Having decided to cheer her up, he put behind his worries of making her uncomfortable and sat beside Arystia. She squirmed in her seat and looked uncomfortable, but she still smiled and greeted him. Aiden commented on how he had changed seats, and Ethan shrugged it off saying he wanted to experience a different view.

Ethan gave the slices of cake to the both of them, and insisted that Arystia ate it after Arystia tried to give it back to him. She complied with a smile again, but what she didn't know was that her thoughts were always very obvious on her face, so Ethan noticed either way that she was feeling uncomfortable. He didn't give up, and tried talking to her about the topics that he remembered she was enthusiastic about, and although it got her to talk more, her eyes had suspicion in them. Every time, Ethan noticed, that they were in the middle of a conversation, Arystia would start talking to Aiden, as if to exclude him. Aiden, either not having noticed or just making sure Ethan was not excluded, would then include him in the conversation.

Arystia was surprised and disgusted at how active Ethan was today towards her, trying to talk about topics she liked and all. She wondered if he was trying to get some information from her and then tell on her to other people to make fun of her. She tried to be careful with her words, and tried to talk to Aiden whenever she could so to not be forced to talk to the two-faced filth beside her, but to her dismay, Aiden would then include Ethan into the conversation. He wondered if he was with Ethan, and was plotting against her, but despite her suspicion, she still chose to trust in him.

She didn't know if it was because of the topic they were talking about, or if Ethan and Aiden looked to be enjoying themselves, but by imitating their enthusiasm, she found herself enjoying the conversation, much to her disgust upon future recalling. She was the first to finish eating, and unlike how she had done in the last few days, she didn't immediately excuse herself. She was in a good mood. She was relieved to see that the girls were nowhere to be seen in the cafeteria, which loosened her caution, so she decided to leave once Aiden had finished his food. The two then left the cafeteria on a happy note, and Ethan was glad to see Arystia finally loosen up around him.