"Hey Maggie, I suppose it's dinner time; shouldn't we go to the cafeteria?" I informed her she was making me furious by talking about her ex-boyfriend and how she was breaking up with him while she was on vacation.
"Oh my gosh, I didn't know how late it was until we started chatting to one another. Let's go." Maggie just dumped her clothing in her wardrobe and grabbed the jacket she had put on earlier in the day.
I pulled my hair back in a ponytail over my black t-shirt and faded blue denim attire. Even though the warmth turned on, I made sure I had my jacket with me in case I needed to go for a stroll outside the campus area, and I wore my shoes when we headed to the cafeteria.
The students arrived in the cafeteria. There was a flurry of activity as they made their way to the tables to eat. They posted the menu for the day on the chalkboard, which I noted. Stillness immediately surrounded me, and it drew my attention to something of significance to the others in the room.
Hudson Vega strolled by the cafeteria, and to my astonishment, I could hear people whispering about how gorgeous he was and whatever. I noticed ladies had the same response to the Colton Barger figures and the other figure. I only saw the figures for a few seconds before returning my attention to the menu and saw Maggie's mouth agape at the sight of the attractive Hudson and Colton, I assume.
Hudson and Colton were still being scrutinized by the rest of the students, so I took advantage of the situation and ordered my meal at the counter, which came quickly after I did, and then grabbed it as Maggie stood there like a statue. Eventually, everyone recovered their composure and made their way back to their respective places.
In my experience, their attractive appearance had no effect on me. I had seen Hudson and Colton's faces several times in prior lifetimes. For a while, it was a lonely place until Maggie joined me and started chattering nonstop. To ignore Maggie for a few minutes, I put my earphones on and ate to my heart's desire while the music played in my ears. As soon as Maggie realized what I was doing, she went about her business of eating in silence.
"Are you Aria Hart?" A female voice sounded in my ears, and I feigned to be listening to music because I knew who it belonged to, and it was Eva.
Maggie responded on my behalf, "Yes, she is Aria Hart. Do you guys know each other?" I took off my headphones and glanced at her solemnly.
"My name is Eva Carter," she introduced herself. I cut her off and finished her sentence. "Rare species," I explained quietly.
"How do you know that, Aria?" Eva inquired aloud. I saw a lot of curious eyes gazing at our table, and among them, I noticed Hudson, who was sitting with a group of his buddies, and Colton, who was sitting opposite his beta and had his attention fixed on my table.
An inquisitive eye seems to be a feature of Xavier's personality. Across the room, he's talking with a buddy. Finally, Maggie breaks the tension as she screams loudly out of nowhere. "Because Aria Hart is also a rare species and has sensed comparable energy to you, implying that you are a rare species as well." Eva nodded her head in agreement.
"Eva, what brought you here?" I looked at her.
"Aria, I thought we might be friends since we are both of the same species," Eva remarked gently, her gorgeous smile, calming and persuasive, precisely like the snakes that come to chat with you and make you feel better, just to suck your energy afterward.
"I'm sorry, Eva, but I like to be alone; I am content in my company," I replied quietly and showing no signs of anger to her, but I was mentally debating about slapping her face right across. But she stopped me as I tried to go.
"I'd want to be friends with you, Aria. It must be difficult to be an orphan with no family or friends to turn to." Eva responded, gazing at me sympathetically, and the audience was now fully immersed in the drama.
"Dear Eva," I sobbed, "you care so deeply about other people. You are an angel that God sent me to be your sole friend. That's what you want me to say to you in response to your pity for me, Eva." I lock my gaze on her, and the audience suppresses their laughing when they hear my reaction to her.
"Did I ask you to be my buddy or to do me a favor? You may keep your distance from me; I have no interest in you, and I don't want to see any signs of your desperation to become my buddy, given that we are of the same species." I answered calmly. Smirking at Eva's response, I didn't give a second consideration to the fact that she was glaring at me.
"You go, girl; this b*tch deserves it." Maggie shrieked so loudly that I was almost startled at her ferocity. Afterward, Eva left because my presence had overwhelmed her in the cafeteria.
"Maggie, please tone it down and go to your room while I go for a stroll around campus to unwind." As I walked out of the café, I murmured to Maggie.
As I made my way across campus, I could take in the crisp air and see snow blanketing the ground. I came to a complete halt after catching a burst of energy that was headed my way. The power belonged to Xavier, the gargoyle prince.
"Hello, Aria." I saw his emerald eyes staring at me with interest when I turned around.
"Crown prince, Dame." I maintain a proper and calm demeanor while speaking.
"You were really courageous back in the cafeteria when Eva was going to walk over you." Then, finally, I received a response from Xavier.
"Thank you, crown prince, dame." I glanced at him for a bit, trying to figure out how to continue speaking, but he was just staring at me.
"Ugh... royal prince dame, is that all you want to speak about with me?" His appearance perplexed me since this was not a scenario from my previous life, so I questioned him.
"What are you doing here on campus at this hour of the night? I suppose I'm curious?" He inquired.
"I needed to clear my thoughts in the silence," I said hesitantly. The presence of intimate figures makes me feel more vulnerable.
"As a member of a unique species, you can adapt to the energy of your adversary. Would you mind telling me whether you have perfected learning magic?" He was curious.
"I'm learning robes at the moment, Prince dame, but why do you ask?" I answered in kind.
"Let's eliminate the formality and call me Xavier because I'm addressing you by your name. It is because I believe Eva Carter is attempting to kill me. I have approached you for aid." Then, in a severe tone, Xavier remarked.
"What... You expect me to help you, Xavier? We're complete strangers." I inquired calmly and without passion, yet I was taken aback by what Xavier said.