It’s highly disorientating when I remove the headset, and realize I haven’t moved once. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that we hadn’t been in the real world. Although it shouldn’t be that hard. There, he was simply Aeron. There was no Sir, and his surname didn’t carry enough weight to bring a country to its knees. We were just fools in love. He designed and built computers, I didn’t even know that was something he wanted to do, and I owned a simple bakery. The nights between us were wild, and the state of my panties tells me that my body reacted, even if the touches and sensations had all been inside my mind.
“So, what did you think?” He has a slight blush to his cheeks, it’s adorable and so off brand for the Aeron I know and love.
“That was incredible, I didn’t know you were passionate about things like that,” I say simply, more aware than ever how one sided our knowledge of each other is.
“I’m not sure that I am. I’m still trying to figure it out. Every time I come here, I’m doing something different. My favorite one so far however was when I was working with my hands. Building custom bikes and making repairs, I think that’s what I’d like to do.” He blows out a breath of air, before leading me out of the room.
“That sounds amazing, I could see you doing something like that.” I stroke my fingers across his jaw and his eyes flicker. “Aer, before you take me to the next place and no doubt get me so drunk I forget my own name, there’s something I need to say.”
“Can it wait?” He looks past my shoulder, and I shake my head.
“Aeron, I love you.” It falls passed my lips on a whisper, and his eyes snap to mine, before I’m pushed up against the wall and he’s cradling my face between his hands.
“You really mean that?”
“I do, it took me longer than it should to realize how I felt but now that I have, there isn’t a shred of doubt in me.” I smile softly as his takes over his face. Right as his mouth connects with mine, and I experience the softest, sweetest kiss of my life.
“You know what, Little Zero? I don’t feel the need to get fucked up tonight. Let’s have a dance, and for once, I’ll make sure I’m the sober one when we leave.” He kisses me again before delinking our fingers.
“I don’t need a drink, Sin. I just need you.”
“Mark my words, my love, you will always have me.”
My heart stutters at his endearment, and I fall apart only to be rebuilt even stronger. I believe him, no matter what happens, I don’t think there will ever come a day where Aeron isn’t in my life. One of the stars that lights up my life, and gives me a reason to always hold onto hope.
45
The End Becomes Clearer
Luna
It’s a strange place to be, the Academy, when no one is trying to kill or hurt you. It’s not to say that they don’t want to, but ever since Emmet’s declaration in the mess hall, things have been easier, not just for me, but Maddie as well.
Of course, with it being March, there is also a tangible amount of anxiety coursing through every girl that still remains. There isn’t time to tear each other down, with finals only two months away, and graduation not long after, we can all feel the sense of goodbyes in the air. It doesn’t matter that half of us have never spoken, or that those who have probably only did it to be vicious. No, this close to freedom, no one wants to risk being made to leave.
“Please, tell me I’m not the only one scared for May to come,” Caitlyn squeaks out as she drops her head down on the table in the mess hall.
D and I share a grin, before patting her on the back. These are my girls, but they’re not the only ones who stop at our table now. Elena and Nicole also say hello every morning. Elena makes sense, but Nicole doesn’t. Unless she thinks she can use my new declared status to her own gain. Not that I’m going to ask her, it’s never nice to assume this kind of thing. Maybe, like everyone else, she just wants to pretend the last three years never happened.
That being said, I never really noticed her until she made her opinion on me clear. Who hasn’t in this place though? I can’t exactly hold it against her.
“Hey, One, Three, Five. How are you girls today?” Elena asks with a smile.
That was the most surprising part when I came back from my weekend away with Emmet and Aeron. Five was long gone after strapping me to those fireworks, and Caitlyn had been made to Five. It was a huge jump, and I can’t imagine she didn’t get any stick for it.
“We’re good, thanks. Just talking about the finals. How are you feeling about it?”
“Not too bad. I mean, it’s good to be nervous, right? Means I want it, even if my appetite has all but disappeared by the time I make it down here.” Elena cringes, as her mouth twists up.
“Huh, maybe you’re pregnant,” Nicole says with an eye roll, as a tray falls to the floor, and Tucker is suddenly at our table.
“Excuse me? You better be joking, little heiress, your perfumes and jewellery won’t help you here,” he growls.
I bet everyone thinks he’s just being a typical Harkwright, but I understand where this is coming from. Look at what happened to him with Rachel, I doubt he wants that to happen to anyone else.
“She was, it’s just nerves. I swear, I’m definitely not that.” Elena’s cheeks heat, as she stares at his feet and his chest starts to slowly deflate.
“That’s a serious allegation to throw around. You really should choose your words more carefully.” His voice has dropped to Arctic levels as he stares Nicole down, before stalking back over to his table. He’s tightly strung, and I don’t think it will take much to make him snap.
“Thanks for that, remind me why I put up with your bullshit,” Elena growls, and it seems so strange.
“Because I’m not fake, or trying to get ahead. I never have been a poser, that’s why, sweetie.” She taps her on the cheeks, before walking away.
“Hey, Luna. Have you got a second?” She isn’t meeting my eyes, and her eyes are starting to glisten. Shit, I think she’s about to cry.
“Yeah, of course. I need to head to class anyway.” I give my friends a quick smile, before following her outside.
We walk down the hallway, until she pulls me into an empty classroom. Darius waits outside the door, but not before checking the room thoroughly first.
“Are you okay?” I pat her awkwardly on the back, feeling so far out of my element as her shoulders start to shake. She hides her face in her hands, as he sobs work their way through her.
“No, shit, Luna. I think Nicole may be right.”
Her words weigh heavy in the room, as she sinks to the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. I can’t move, barely fucking function. If Elena is pregnant, that which spawn of Satan is this poor child going to be stuck with as a father? I know that’s a harsh way to think, considering how I feel about four of them, but that doesn’t mean I’m suddenly team Harkwright.
“Hang on, aren’t you on the rod?” I rub at my temple, trying to stave off the headache building furiously.