Fifteen: Free Fallin'

Chapter 18: TEN

Aria literally bumped into Stefan outside of Ellenton dorms. She was so lost in thought she hadn't seen him coming. "Stefan," she said shocked. "What are you doing here?" He blushed slightly and ran his hand across his neck. "I was looking for you. Faye said you never came home last night."

Aria was going to kill Faye for not being able to come up with a lie of some sort. "I'm sorry." It was all she could offer and thankfully he seemed fine with that. "I don't think we can make it to the café, but we can have breakfast here if you want." Aria smiled at him and nodded.

Why can't you just focus on Stefan? Her mind asked as they made their way to the pancakes and waffles. Because as amazing as he is, Stefan just isn't Caleb. Her inner diva retorted. Lately, she was definitely getting an angel versus devil vibe from her inner conscious and it was confusing.

When they sat down, they began talking about classes and just catching up on how intense things were in comparison to Fish Fest. "You still nervous about your solo?" Stefan asked taking a bite out of his waffle. "More than anything," Aria replied. "We find out our second assignment for the show and I'm just praying I get a good group that can outshine my flaws." Stefan chuckled. "You don't have any flaws Aria Jane. I know that and so does everyone in that dance company."

As if someone had turned up the temperature. Aria began to feel hot and felt a pair of eyes on her. She didn't have to search long for them as she knew blue eyes would be peering at her. Caleb made his way to the eggs and sausage station, but Aria paid him no mind. "I'm going to head out to class and get a head start on my solo." Aria said getting up to put up her used plate and utensils. "Okay," Stefan smiled. "See you at lunch in Abington with the rest of the gang." Stefan smiled at her before pulling her in for a kiss. "Of course," Aria replied with an expression he couldn't read. "Have a good Tuesday."

With that she was gone and Stefan was able to do what he wanted to since he left Abington that morning. He made his way to the table Caleb was sitting at and sat down. "I'll get straight to the point. You're not into her. I don't know if this is a sick game to you, but I really care about her and want her to be happy so back the fuck up and leave her alone!"

Caleb stared at him with an amused expression. "I'm the one playing games, huh? At least I'm not going around bragging about intimate things done behind closed doors. I wonder, St. Stefan, how is Aria going to feel when she finds out you told everyone about your time together in Austin?"

The anger and fear were blatant on Stefan's face. "You know you're not good enough for her. You try and act like this confidant guy, but you're just an asshole who knows he's not worth shit. Get out of the way and let the right person for her do the job." And with that he was up and out of the cafeteria leaving Caleb to ponder on the things he had said.

He is right. I'm not good enough for Aria. I'm just like my father and I will end up breaking her heart. He thought as he downed his glass of milk. I need to keep my feelings and emotions in check when I'm around her. That's the only way I can get through this until I leave for California. With a plan in place, Caleb felt more at ease, but the more he thought about leaving for California the more he had to ask himself why.

*****

Faye had been texting Tatum all night and now all morning much to JT disapproval. "I can't believe you're fooling around with your TA. Isn't that against the school rules?" Faye scoffed. "He's not MY teacher's assistant and what are you getting so worked up for. I'm not breaking any laws or any of your rules."

She had a point and JT knew it, but he still didn't like the idea of someone else touching her. Stefan had told him he was falling for her and he laughed in his face. JT didn't fall for anyone. Girls fell for him. He wanted to remind himself of this and decided to hit up the campus bar with Avery and Preston last night, but every girl seemed like a dud in comparison to the great Faye Hamilton-Ito.

"Want to meet up later tonight?" It had been three days since they last had sex and JT was fiending for her. "Yeah, sure." Faye replied nonchalantly and JT was over the moon. He was going to blow her mind tonight and remind her why he was more than enough for her.

Class went on without a hitch and they were both ready to meet everyone for lunch to catch up. School was proving to be harder than any of them expected, well maybe not Elsa and Olivia. But they made a point to make time for one another.

Everyone would meet up for lunch at Abington, while dinner was reserved for them all at Ellenton. Fridays were game nights where they all went to support Caleb and Saturdays were morning swim meets where they supported Avery. They were all determined to stay a unit.

*****

"We're going to be late for lunch," Brooke moaned as Jaden sucked on her neck. "Who cares?" He continued the assault earning another moan. "Babe, we care. These planned meetings are important to all of us." Jaden knew she was right so he begrudgingly stopped. "You're lucky you're so cute." He pecked her lips as the headed out of his townhome and towards his car.

"I'm looking forward to Caleb's game on Friday." Brooke offered fixing her hair in the mirror. "Yeah me too, but I don't think I have any clothes that are school colors." Broke gasped loudly. "JADEN!" Brooke exclaimed looking at the deep red hickey that was forming on her neck. He smiled to himself as he kept his eyes on the road. "What?" He offered up innocently.

"You just wait I'm going to mark you tonight." Brooke huffed closing the mirror. "I can't wait. I want the world to know I belong to Brooke Brunson." Brooke chuckled. "Is that why you announced it at the top of the Empire State Building?"

Brooke laughed thinking back to the week before Fall semester when she visited Jaden in New York. It took some serious convincing and a long conversation between her grandmother and Jaden's dads before she could go, but she was beyond thrilled when she did. Being back in New York felt different, but that's because she was different.

Jaden had acted like a tourist the entire time and hit up major landmarks before taking her on dates that were fit for kings and queens. She was in love with his dads who seemed to take a strong liking to her despite her family's dealings. The person she adored the most was Ms. Nina, the Zazo-Kepner housekeeper. She reminded her of a gentler version of her grandmother and she loved it.

They had a blast that trip and solidified their relationship on her last day in New York. Jaden had told her about the girls in his past, including a despicable girl named Jenna, and how he knew she was different. He knew Brooke cared about him and not his family's money, because she knew better than anyone that it could be here one day and gone the next. He wanted to be with someone who embodied kindness, grace and growth and that was all the things he saw in here. Brooke was his by the end of that trip.

"Damn, Jaden! You did that." Daisy cheered as Brooke sat down beside her. "Shut up, Daze!" She retorted earning her laughs. Avery could see the brash hickey mark on her neck and it angered him. He knew he couldn't be mad. Brooke had a boyfriend now that could do whatever he wanted to her, but it just felt that not too long ago he was the one giving her hickeys in a snow-covered cabin in Colorado. Those days are gone. Avery thought.

They all were together and it felt nice. Each catching up on what was going on in the others' lives. Stefan wrapped his arm around Aria and tried to revel in her closeness, but something just seemed different. Off. They both could sense it, but both chose to ignore it.

Daisy had shared that she had been sober for 3 months and they all cheered. "We have to celebrate," Tyler offered giving his good friend a squeeze. "Well you know what I want to do." Daisy grinned. "Game Pavilion!" She and Preston shouted. They loved that place. It was a glorified Chuck E. Cheese but for adults. "Okay, how about we go Saturday after Avery's meet?" Aria offered. "That sounds perfect," Daisy agreed and everyone marked it down.