Aria and Ava walked in together again, but this time they were accompanied by Lucas. Lucas was Ava's long-term boyfriend; they had been together for almost five years, and their relationship hadn't changed one bit.
Yes, their relationship had ups and downs and it was not perfect, but they always stayed by each other no matter what and always see to it that at the end of the day, they are one another's so-called "home".
Aria often found herself third-wheeling with them, and sometimes she wondered if she'd ever have a relationship like theirs. It wasn't that she envied her friend; she simply wanted someone she could always rely on, someone who would truly understand her and simply stood by her with no questions asked.
"Hey, Lucas! How have you been?" Aria asked him, surprised that he didn't go to school yesterday, given that he was a top student with such a good academic track record.
"I'm good. I just had to take care of something, that's why I couldn't come in yesterday," Lucas replied.
Aria seemed puzzled because Lucas' must have a very important thing to do to take an absence, given that he was known for always being present at school.
"Enough with the chit-chat! Let's go; we're running late!" Ava said as she hurried into Lucas' car.
As Ava fussed with her hair in the rearview mirror, Lucas leaned over and teasingly nudged her hand away. "You look perfect already. Quit stressing."
Ava rolled her eyes but smiled. "Says the guy who took fifteen minutes to fix his tie this morning."
Aria laughed from the backseat, but the sight of their easy banter stirred something in her chest—a quiet yearning. Would she ever find someone who made her feel so at ease?
Aria was partially right—Mrs. Smith didn't have a surprise quiz planned but a first activity.
"Alright, class, we'll be having your first activity today, but it will be done in pairs," Mrs. Smith announced.
Aria started thinking about who she might pair up with. Well, obviously, she'd pair up with Ava but with Lucas around, she'd rather step aside and push for Lucas and Ava to be partners instead of her and Ava.
"I'll be selecting your partners from this bowl I prepared today," Mrs. Smith continued.
Aria felt relieved because she doesn't have to go through all the trouble of picking a partner.
Bianca ended up paired with their classmate Adrian, who was known for his constant pranks, disruptive behavior, and lack of focus. He's often seen goofing off in class, making silly jokes, and annoying his classmates. Bianca's irritation was evident on her face, as if she were utterly disgusted by her partner.
"Our next pair is Lucas and… Ava. Oh, what are the odds? You two are truly meant to be together," Mrs. Smith mockingly said, unable to hide her amusement and chuckled. Lucas and Ava couldn't contain their giddiness either.
"Our next pair is Jackson and…Aria."
It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over Aria. The moment she heard Jackson's name, she froze, unable to move or even turn her head. Her heart pounded in her chest as a mix of excitement and nervousness washed over her.
Jackson, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He simply nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. His eyes met Aria's, and for a brief moment, it felt like time stood still.
The rest of the class watched the interaction between the two, their curiosity piqued. Some whispered, while others simply stared, waiting for the next move.
Mrs. Smith continued announcing the pairs and then explained that the activity wouldn't be like a typical one. Instead, it was more like a presentation in front of the class. Each pair would pick a topic from another bowl Mrs. Smith had prepared and present it to the class the following day.
When it was Jackson and Aria's turn, they drew the topic: "Greatest Love."
As Aria read the topic, her heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Jackson, and their eyes met. A spark ignited between them, a silent understanding passing between them. It was as if time stood still, and the only thing that mattered was their connection.
Jackson, too, seemed to be lost in thought. A soft smile played on his lips as he looked at Aria. He knew this would be a special project, a chance to delve deeper into a topic that held personal significance for him.
—
After class, Aria, Ava and Lucas walked out the door but upon reaching the doorway, someone tapped Aria on her shoulder, making her look back, to see that it was Jacskon, a friendly smile playing on his lips. Her stomach filled with butterflies but she must contain her composure.
"Aria, right? Do you want to study with me in the library? So, we can finish this activity and present it tomorrow" Jackson asked. Ava and Lucas at the side were looking at them and chuckling softly while their eyes sparkled with delight as they exchanged knowing glances and shared a quiet giggle.
"Uhm-yeah sure" Aria replied, her voice barely a whisper. As she agreed, a surge of excitement and nervousness coursed through her veins. She looked at Ava with wide hopeful eyes, and she immediately understood what Aria meant. So, She and Lucas said their goodbyes and went the other direction.
—
As they were sitting in the quiet library, the only sound was the soft turning of pages and the ticking of the clock. Aria and Jackson were working on their project, but their minds were elsewhere.
"So, what are your plans after high school?" Jackson asked, breaking the silence.
Aria hesitated. "I'm not really sure. I want to study something that will help people, but I'm not sure what exactly yet."
Jackson nodded, understanding. "I've always wanted to travel the world. Experience different cultures, meet new people."
A comfortable silence fell between them. Aria glanced at Jackson, his eyes focused on the book in his hand. She couldn't help but notice the intensity of his gaze, the depth of his thoughts.
"You know, sometimes I feel like I don't really belong anywhere," Aria confessed, her voice barely a whisper.
Jackson looked up, his eyes meeting hers. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel lost, like I'm searching for something I can't quite grasp."
A strange connection formed between them at that moment. They understood each other, their unspoken fears and desires. It was a bond that transcended words, a connection that seemed to have existed for a lifetime.
"So, Jackson, if it's okay to ask, since we're uhm—discussing this topic—maybe it would be helpful if we—you know—uhm—ask each other what or who our greatest love is?" Aria hesitated, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.
She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. It was a bold move, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this was the right thing to do. She was curious about Jackson's thoughts on love, and she hoped that by sharing their own experiences, they could deepen their understanding of the topic.
Jackson smiled warmly at Aria, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I think that's a great idea, Aria. It will add a personal touch to our presentation." He paused for a moment, his gaze softening. "As for me, my greatest love was my mom and music. My mom was my rock, my guiding star. She was the reason I am who I am today. And music, well, it's my escape, my passion, my everything.
He smiled wistfully, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I owe everything to them. They shaped me into the person I am today."
Aria's heart ached for him. "I'm sorry if that was a sensitive subject to you. I know what you mean. I've never met my mom and dad, they both died when I was young. And you know, I've been alone ever since. Music has always been my solace, my escape. So, I do know what you mean and feel." Aria said empathetically to Jackson and they smiled at each other softly.
A comfortable silence fell between them. They sat there, lost in their thoughts, a connection forming between them, a bond that was both fragile and powerful.