Chapter <b>400 </b>
Rachel shrank back, eyes downcast, and nodded softly. “ves.
Ondo’s expression turned even colder. After making sure Aria hadn’t recognized Rachel, he sneered, “I used to think you took Lity in out of kindness Guess I gave you too much credit. Stay away from Rachel, or I won’t hesitate to have Lily transferred to another school even during SATS”
Aria’s lips curled into a chilly smile. “You’re wee to try!
Only someone like him would care suggest transferring the city’s top student right before the SATS
Rachel looked at Ondo, as if wanting to say something, but couldn’t get a wond out.
Olivia’s threats still echoed in her mind. She hit her lip, and tears began to fall, quickly soaking the edge of her mask
Ondo’s gaze sharpened. “Did Lily bully you?”
Inside the ssroom, thest teacher had just finished a few reminders for the holiday. “When youe back, it’s mock exams. The SAT is right around theer, so don’t get <b>too </b>wild over <b>break</b>.”
A student groaned, “With all the homework you gave us, there’s no time for fun anyway
Laughter andints followed.
The teacher rapped the <b>desk</b>, grinning. “Watch it, or I’ll <b>keep </b>you here longer.”
The student immediately raised <b>a </b><b>hand</b>, all puppy eyes. “<b>Sorry</b>. My bad<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Everyone chimed in, “Sorry!”
aht, ss dismissed.”
He shook his head, amused. “Wright<b>, </b>
“Yeah!”
Lily, knowing Aria would pick her up, had already packed her books and was the first out the <b>door</b>–just in time to hear Ondo’s sharp question
<b>Rachel</b>, seeing Lily, went red eyed and shook her head furiously, “No.”
Ondo didn’t buy it for <b>a </b>second. He shot Aria a frosty re. “Seet Lily’s bullying her.”
Sometimes one just had tough <b>at </b>the <b>absurdity</b>.
<b>Aria </b>reached out, ruffling Lily’s hair. “Her <b>guardian </b>doesn’t <b>want </b>you <b>hanging </b>out with that girl”
Lily saw right through Ondo’s hostility toward Aria and instantly hardened her expression. “I won’t y with her anymore.”
For her, no one mattered more than Aria.
<b>Ondo’s </b>warning was ice–<b>cold</b><b>,</b>” hope you both remember what you said today.”
The hallway was filling up with students, and sonte overheard the <b>exchange</b>. One from the crash course <b>ss </b>couldn’t help but mock, “Please, it’s always Racheling to our ssroom to find Lily–how’s that Lily’s fault?”
“Exactly! Lily’s been using her free time to teach Rachel basic elementary <b>school </b>stuff<b>, </b>right before the SATS”
“Honestly, <b>if </b>you enro kid thatte, shouldn’t she be in first grade?”
“Lily, don’t bother with her anymore. People might start thinking you <b>did </b>something to her.”
<b>Rachel </b>just stood there, ent tears rolling down her cheeks, shoulders trembling. Ondo looked about ready to explode, but Ana
“il you mally care about her, maybe try talking to the homeroom teacher. Or, you know, talk to her yourself if you can’t actually protect her pretending your controlling is for her own good.”
Ondo snapped. “I don’t need you lecturing me. Just keep Lily in line. Rachel, let’s go.”
But for the first time, Rachel didn’t move. She stood rooted in ce, finally whispering. “They didn’t bully m
She looked up at Ondo, voice trembling but determined. “No one bullied me. I wanted to be friends with Lily”
<b>“</b>The ones who really hurt me <b>have </b>always been you!
Ondo froze, caught off guard.
Aria let out a short, mockingugh. “You’ve spent so long ying Daniel’sckey, you’ve turned into Idiot Number Two.”
Ostic frowned. “Why number two?<b>” </b>
A kid at the back shot back, “What, are <b>you </b><b>stupid</b><b>? </b>That means there’s already an idiot Number One.”
“So who’s idiot Number One?” someone else asked, <b>ncing </b>at Nathan, who sat nearby in awkward silence.
Nathan’s deskmate quipped, “Aria’s Lily’s big sister now. If you want to know, ask Lily”
Sensing the tension, the group wisely fell <b>silent</b>. “Let’s just ask next time…
Ondo’s jaw clenched so hard his temple throbbed, but before he could lose it, Rachel suddenly turned and walked away. He hurried after her, “Rachel, what’s wrong?”
She didn’t look up. Her voice was muffled and t. “<b>Aria’s </b>really nice.”
When she was with Lily, all they ever talked about was Aria
In Lily’s stories, Aria was strong, kind, and good–nothing like Olivia.
Rachel honestly wished she could meet someone like Aris in her own life.
Ondo thought Lily had influenced her too much, but he held his <b>tongue</b>, deciding to keep a closer eye on Rachel at school.
Aria watched them go, then turned to Lily with a gentle smile. “Let’s head home.”
<b>She </b>reached for Lily’s backpack,
ck, but Lily dodged her, shaking her head. “<b>You’re </b>still hurt–‘ll carry it myself”
“You’re hurt?” Nathan immediately straightened, eyes fixed on Aria.
“I’m mostly better now,” Aria replied calmly.
Lily’s <b>worry </b>showed. “Still, you should take it easy.”
After saying goodbye to their ssmates, Aria and Lily left together.
After dinner, Aria was about to head out when Owen grabbed her wrist. “it’s time to take your stitches out.
Lily, deep in thought over a tough math problem, was already at the door and missed the brief struggle between them.
<b>2/4 </b>
Aria lowered her voice. “I can do it myself”
But Owen didn’t let go. His look said everything No, I’ll do it.
Aria sighed, resigned, and called out, “Lily, go start your homework. I’ll be there soon
“Okay!” Lily answered cheerfully.
Owen released her hand and waited until the door shut behind Lily before asking quietly, “How’s your recovery?”
“I feel pretty good,” Aria said.
“I’ll grab the med kit.”
“Alright.”
set the
He set the box on the coffee table and went to wash his hands.
Aria was wearing a shirt with buttons today, <b>easy </b>enough to undo. As she unfastened them, Owen finished disinfecting his hands.
“Hey…” He turned around and caught a glimpse of bare skin, immediately whipping his <b>head </b>away.
“Sorry,” he muttered, cheeks <b>and </b>ears burning red.
Aria nced down, realized what he’d seen, and quickly pulled the shirt aside to bare just her left shoulder. “Ready.”
Owen took a steadying breath, then turned back and carefully <b>began </b>unwrapping the bandages, “Honestly, you probably could’ve taken the stitches out two days ago.”
little<b>.</b><b>” </b>
He warned, “Might sting a litt
“I’m fine,” Aria replied.
He started cleaning the area, the cold antiseptic stinging a bit.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, voice low, so close it felt like a whisper at her ear
She swallowed the sudden flutter in her chest. “No, it’s nothing”
The stitches came out quickly–whatever pain there was, Aria hardly noticed.
Owen disinfected the wound one more time, speaking softly, “Gauze for tonight. You can switch to band–aids in a couple <b>days</b>.”
“Got it”
With her wound healing well, Owen found his mind wandering, unable to focus. H
<b>is </b>knuckles brushed against her warm, soft skin as he wrapped her shoulder.
His heartbeat quickened.
He finished the bandaging in record time. “All dope.”