As Faerie walked away, her heels clicking on the pavement, Aaron leaned against a nearby tree, observing the scene unfold with a smirk playing on his lips. He had watched their conversation from a distance, an amused glint in his eyes as he took in Felix's vulnerability. There was something oddly satisfying about seeing Felix so exposed, desperately pleading for a girl who had just shoved him away.
Aaron felt a rush of unexpected satisfaction at Faerie's rejection of Felix. For reasons he couldn't quite understand, the sight of Felix's tear-filled eyes stirred something in him—a thrill, perhaps. Watching the rich boy falter felt like justice in some twisted way.
"Looks like your fairy-tale ending just flew out the window," Aaron called out mockingly as he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Felix turned to him, his eyes red and glistening with unshed tears, a mixture of anger and embarrassment painted across his face.
"Shut up, Blackwood," Felix snapped, wiping his eyes roughly with the back of his hand. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, but I do," Aaron said, crossing his arms with a smirk that deepened at Felix's obvious distress. "I just witnessed the best show I've ever watched. The charming rich boy gets turned down by the poor little scholarship girl. It's almost poetic, don't you think?"
Felix glared at him, rage boiling just beneath the surface. "You think this is funny? You think it's amusing to watch me get hurt?"
Aaron took a step closer, leaning in with a condescending grin. "Come on, Felix. She chose me over you, and you know it. Can you really blame her? I'm the one who knows how to give her a good time, while you're just… well, you. The pathetic little puppy chasing after her. It's a wonder she even looked your way."
"Don't act like you know her," Felix shot back, his voice shaky but defiant. "You don't know anything about her or what she's been through."
"Oh, but I do," Aaron replied, feigning innocence. "I know she's not the type to fall for the pity party you're throwing. She's more interested in someone who can match her intensity, someone who doesn't pretend to be a hero just because he has a silver tie."
Felix's fists clenched at his sides, anger boiling over. "You're just trying to get under my skin, Aaron. It won't work."
"Is that so?" Aaron leaned back, his smirk widening. "Because it looks like it's working just fine. You're practically trembling with rage. Face it, Felix—she's not into you. You'll always be the rich kid with a savior complex. Meanwhile, I'm the one who knows how to play the game."
Felix took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. "You think you know everything, don't you? Just because you're a spoiled brat doesn't mean you're better than me."
"Better? No, Felix. I'm just more interesting," Aaron replied, his tone dripping with mockery. "You can keep pining for her, but we both know she's only going to get closer to me now. Enjoy the view from the sidelines, my friend. It's going to be a wild ride."
With that, Aaron turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Felix seething with anger and hurt. He watched Aaron walk away, feeling a storm of conflicting emotions swirling within him. The bitter taste of jealousy lingered, mixed with a sense of defeat that gnawed at his insides.
He wanted to be angry at Aaron, but he was even angrier at himself for allowing Faerie to slip away. The tension of the moment hung heavy in the air, and as he stood there, he knew he had to figure out how to win her back before it was too late.
Felix stood alone in the yard, the weight of Aaron's taunts hanging in the air like a thick fog. His heart raced, a mix of rage and desperation coursing through him. He had always been the one in control, the charming prince everyone admired, but now he felt like a jester, exposed and mocked. How could Faerie have walked away from him so easily? How could she brush aside his confession as if it meant nothing?
He couldn't shake the image of her leaning in to kiss Aaron, the way their lips had barely touched but had ignited a fire in his chest that felt like it was consuming him. That kiss wasn't just a fluke; it was a declaration of war, and he was losing before he even realized he was fighting.
Felix took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. He needed a plan. He couldn't just let Aaron swoop in and take what was his. Faerie was different; she was unlike anyone he had ever met. Her fierce independence and raw honesty drew him in, yet he couldn't help but feel that he was just another name on her list of conquests. He had to prove to her that he was worth her time, that he could be more than just the silver-tied boy she dismissed.
But how? Felix's mind raced with possibilities, but every time he thought about approaching her again, he recalled the scorn in her eyes when she told him she didn't want him. Each word echoed painfully, slicing through his resolve. He couldn't show weakness; he had to be strong, the hero he pretended to be. But the more he thought about it, the more he felt like a fraud, especially when it came to Faerie.
Just as he turned to leave, Felix spotted her at the edge of the campus, her silhouette framed against the setting sun. She was talking animatedly with some friends, a smile lighting up her face. For a moment, he felt a pang of jealousy again—why did she have to look so carefree, so happy, while he was spiraling into despair?
He hesitated, caught between the urge to confront her and the fear of being rejected again. What if she really did prefer Aaron? The thought gnawed at him, but a flicker of determination ignited in his chest. He would not give up without a fight.
Felix squared his shoulders, deciding he wouldn't let fear hold him back. He stepped forward, his resolve hardening. He had to talk to her, to clarify where they stood, and maybe—just maybe—he could sway her back into his orbit.
"Faerie!" he called, his voice rising above the noise of laughter and chatter. Her head snapped in his direction, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked. Felix felt his heart race, the weight of their history heavy in the air between them.
As she approached, her smile faded slightly, replaced with an expression of guarded curiosity. "What do you want, Felix?" she asked, her tone neutral but wary.
"Can we talk? Just us," he said, trying to keep his voice steady, even as his heart raced. "I need to explain… everything."
Faerie's eyes narrowed, her defenses clearly up. "I don't know if there's anything left to explain," she replied coolly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Please, just give me a chance," Felix implored, desperation creeping into his voice. "I can't let this end like this. Not when I finally realized how I feel about you."
Faerie hesitated, glancing back at her friends. Felix could sense the struggle within her, the way she weighed her options. He could only hope she wouldn't let Aaron's shadow intimidate her into silence.
"Fine," she said finally, her voice firm yet laced with uncertainty. "But make it quick."