Warne Valley Academy

She woke up again in her bed. She looked around and spotted Zeuss standing by the window staring out with a cell phone to her ear. She turned to Aria and smiled. “Hey, mom I gotta go. Aria just woke up, I’ll call you back later. Yes, yeah, okay! I'll invite her. Alright mom, goodbye.” She hung up the phone and ran to Aria , throwing her arms around her and squeezing her. “I am so glad your awake! We've all been so worried. The doctor said you'd be tired but we didn't think you would sleep for two days straight! I’ll go run and get you some food, and some water, and I have to get the girls, and oh yeah! My mom wants you to come to our house for thanksgiving! Alrighty, I’ll be right back!” Z ran out of the room like a girl on a mission and shut the door on her way out. Not even five minutes later, the door slowly opened and Chris waked in. He had tulips in one hand and a teddy bear in the other. Her heart raced as he approached and her stomach had knots. She thought she would be sick, but it felt good.

“Hey, how are you feeling. I didn't know what sort of flowers you would like so I got you these.” He smiled at her. He was sincere with his kindness. Aria couldn't understand how this was Justin's twin. The thought of Justin sent chills through her. He was dead now, but she felt like it was her fault. Maybe if she had skipped class and maybe if she had known what her friends were doing, maybe it wouldn't have happened. What she really didn't know was whether or not she would want Justin to still be alive.

Chris looked at her sadly. He studied her face, placing the flowers and teddy bear on her bedside table. There were flowers all over the room, but Zeuss must have saved that one spot for Chris. He still watched her as the worry in her began to show in her face. “Aria, It wasn't your fault. He would've done it, if not with you, with someone else. If it hadn't been for your friends, I would have never known and I would have never thought to get in that car with you.”

“Why did you get in the car? Did you already know.” So many questions raced through her mind. So many thoughts, and so many what ifs. She felt dizzy, and unsure.



He moved a piece of hair out of her face and as his fingers touched her skin, she felt an immediate, electric like sensation travel throughout her body. “I didn't know. I just hoped he was taking you to the movies. I could have driven there myself but I had this gut feeling I needed to be in that car. And I’m glad I was.”

“Why did you grab me and save me? Why not Justin? Why me Chris?”

“You were just another one of his victims. It felt like a reflex to save you. I really didn't know if holding you would do anything but I hoped, and it did. Justin did it to himself. That’s what he wanted, and he got what he deserved. He has done so much wrong in the world. I think this may be the only thing he did that was right. I don't know how someone like you could fall for his stupid charm anyways.”

“What do you mean? You don't know me.” Aria looked at this boy. He had saved her life, and now, he made her feel like jello. He made her heart race. He made her palms sweat. She didn't know what it was. Perhaps she was in love with what he did.

“I went through your files. It took some time and hard work to get a hold of them but I know you like a book. Don't get mad, I just needed to know who I saved. Your a straight A student. No office referrals, detention, or criminal record. You have absolutely no diseases and your rarely ever sick, which accounts for your perfect attendance at previous schools. Your parents are Christopher John DeMaxim, British male and an architect; and Flora Delia DeMaxim, Filipino female and a successful lawyer. You have black hair, dark brown eyes, approximately five foot five inches and you wear a size seven and a half shoe. Those are just the basics. But I don't think I need to tell you who you are.”

She looked at him weirded out by his knowing. Even more weirded out by the fact he went through the trouble of going through her files instead of waiting until she woke up so he could ask her himself. He had a calm look to him, one that even made her feel a little better. After what he had done, she felt a strange connection to him.

Zeuss walked in with a heaping tray of food with Sophie, Bonnie, and a new girl behind them. She waited for Rebecca but she didn't show up. “BONNIE! YOUR HAIR!? And wheres Rebecca?”

Zeuss did a little giggle and placed the tray on Aria's lap as she sat up in bed. “Chill it Aria. Bonnie died her hair. She decided to switch things up a bit and it's definitely working for her. The guys have been going at her like flies to honey. Even Neo noticed it. In fact he seems just a tad bit jealous. Oh and this is our new french love, Bella. Rebecca transferred to France for student switch, and we got Bella. She's totally cool. She and Damien totally hit it off.”

“It' nice to meet you Bella. It's too bad I couldn't say goodbye to Rebecca though.” Aria didn't really get to know Rebecca, but she seemed really nice.

“Oh you'll see her again. She's visiting over Christmas break.” Zeuss smiled as Bella stepped forwards a little.

She was a true a pretty little thing with long caramel hair. Her uniform fit nicely, her shoes were black heels that were on the line of fun, but mature. “c'est gentil de vous répondre. Je suis content de vontre va bien.” She gave her the sweetest smile and translated. “It means It's nice to meet you. I’m glad your doing okay.”

Aria looked at the french transfer student curiously. “Je vous remercie. il est agréable de vous recontrer aussi.”