It was a typical morning in Aria's house, with the sun filtering through the windows, casting soft beams of light on the walls. Aria was sitting at the kitchen table, her eyes scanning the schedule for her new classes. She had just advanced to the next grade, which meant a new set of classes, including Guardian, a subject she was both excited and nervous about.
She looked over at her mother, who was busy preparing breakfast. Aria had been dreading this day for a while. It was a subject that required a lot of reading, and she didn't have the required books yet.
"Mom," Aria called out, looking up from her notes. "I need a book for Guardian. Do you know where I can get it from?"
Her mother, turning around with a plate of eggs in her hand, looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "Well, you know, Aiden is a class above you, and his books might be the same as yours. Why don't you ask him if you can borrow one?"
Aria's stomach dropped at the thought. The mere mention of Aiden always seemed to trigger a strange feeling in her, especially after all the awkward moments they had shared. But her mother had a point; it was a logical idea, and there was no harm in asking. After all, they were neighbors.
"Okay, I'll go ask him," Aria said, though a little reluctantly. She didn't want to admit it, but there was something about being near Aiden that made her feel strangely nervous.
Her mother smiled. "Good girl. I'll give Aiden's mom a call and let her know. You can meet Aiden outside and get the book."
Aria nodded and stood up, grabbing her jacket. She had no choice but to go out there and face him, even if it was just for a brief moment. As she headed out the door, she could feel her heartbeat quicken.
---
Aria walked toward the gate, her mind racing with thoughts. It wasn't like she was afraid of Aiden, but there was always a tension between them. She could never quite figure out why it was so awkward around him. Maybe it was because he always seemed so distant, like he was hiding something. Or maybe it was just the fact that every time they interacted, it felt like there was something unsaid between them.
As she approached the gate, she paused for a moment and looked around. There was no sign of Aiden yet. Her mother had told her he'd come soon, but it seemed like she would have to wait for a little while.
Minutes passed, and Aria stood there, staring at the road in front of her. She glanced at her watch—ten minutes had gone by. She sighed, feeling a little frustrated. She had better things to do than stand around waiting for Aiden. Why was this taking so long?
She shifted on her feet, her impatience growing. Just as she was about to turn back inside, she caught a glimpse of someone walking toward her from a distance. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized him immediately.
It was Aiden.
He was walking towards her with a calm, almost casual stride, a few books in his hands. Aria stood up straighter, trying to compose herself, but she couldn't shake the strange feeling of anticipation that bubbled up inside her.
Aiden reached the gate, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. There was a slight hesitation before he spoke. "Here you go," he said, handing her the books. "I hope this is what you needed."
Aria took the books from him, their fingers brushing lightly in the exchange. She quickly pulled her hand back, feeling a sudden warmth on her skin. Was it just her, or did it feel like the air had thickened with unspoken words?
"Wow, that was quick," Aria said, trying to break the awkward silence. "I didn't expect you to be here so soon."
Aiden gave a half-smile, shrugging slightly. "I wasn't doing much. Plus, I figured I'd get this over with."
For a moment, Aria found herself looking at him. There was something different about him today. His usual detached expression seemed to soften slightly, and for a brief second, she saw a glimpse of... something. Was it kindness? Maybe even an attempt to be a little more friendly?
The thought made her heart flutter, and she quickly looked away, trying to regain some composure.
"I guess I'll let you go now," Aria said, feeling awkward once again. She wasn't sure what else to say.
Aiden nodded. "Yeah, I've got some things to do as well. I'll see you around."
Just as he turned to walk away, Aria called out, "Aiden…"
He paused, looking back at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Thanks," she said quickly, her voice softer than usual. "For the book."
Aiden gave a slight nod and then walked off, disappearing down the street. Aria stood there for a few moments longer, her mind racing. She wasn't sure why that small exchange felt different, but it did. Something had shifted between them, just a little. Maybe it was the fact that they had spoken more than they usually did, or maybe it was the way he had looked at her. Whatever it was, Aria couldn't deny that it left her with a strange sense of... something.
---
Inside the house, Aria's mother greeted her with a smile. "Did you get the book?"
Aria nodded, still lost in thought. "Yeah, I got it. Thanks, Mom."
Her mother didn't seem to notice how distracted she was. "Good. Now come inside you and I'm glad it worked out. Now, let's get you ready for your first day of class tomorrow."
Aria nodded absently, still staring at the door. She couldn't help but think about the way Aiden had acted earlier. It was so different from how he usually was. What did it mean? And why was she suddenly so curious about it?