Chapter 3 Of girls and ghosts

Aurelia remained seated at her desk as the rest of the class began to clear out. She wasn't in any hurry. Blending in or better yet, staying invisible was exactly what she preferred.

Just then, two girls strolled up to Nico, who was still seated beside her. They twirled their hair and giggled in that rehearsed, high-pitched way that suggested they were used to attention.

"Hey, Nico, wanna join us in the cafeteria?" one of them asked sweetly, flashing a flirtatious smile.

But Nico didn't even glance at them. Instead, he stood abruptly and turned to Aurelia. "Aurelia and I already have plans," he said flatly, and before she could even register what was happening, he took her by the hand and tugged her out of the classroom.

"Hey!" Aurelia yanked her hand away the moment they reached the hallway. Her eyes flashed with irritation. "Don't involve me in your drama."

Her tone was sharper than she intended, but she didn't care. She turned to walk away, but Nico caught her hand again but this time, more firmly.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice calm and sincere. "Those girls are... relentless. But could you please come to the cafeteria with me? Just take it as a form of apology."

Aurelia hesitated for a moment, her gaze narrowing. "Fine," she muttered, "but let go first."

Nico released her hand, and the two walked side by side in silence toward the cafeteria.

To Aurelia's surprise, the cafeteria looked more like a cozy restaurant. Students were seated at small tables, and waiters moved from one group to another, taking orders based on the school's curated menu.

As they settled into a corner booth, Nico broke the silence. "So, how's your first day going?"

Aurelia let out a soft chuckle. "You don't seem like the type to make small talk."

"Well," Nico said with a smirk, "I have to when something or someone catches my interest."

She stared at him, unsure what he meant by that. "It's just been... a day. Honestly, I don't even want to be here. My aunt insisted, and there was no arguing. So, I guess something interesting could still happen but I'm not seeing it yet."

Their food arrived then, and the conversation paused briefly as they began to eat.

"You'll come to love it here eventually," Nico said between bites. "It's a nice place. Full of... things."

"Things and things?" Aurelia raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile.

He laughed lightly. "Exactly."

As she continued eating, Aurelia noticed heads turning toward their table. Whispers passed between nearby students like wildfire.

"Wow... there are so many eyes on us," she muttered, chewing thoughtfully.

"Don't mind them," Nico said with a shrug. "They're always nosy."

Aurelia giggled just a little. "You seem... different now. Warmer than you were back in class."

"Oh?" Nico asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah. In class, you were giving major cold vibes."

Nico chuckled. "Different moods for different occasions."

Aurelia nodded, and they continued eating, their conversation softening into casual gists and observations. All the while, curious eyes watched them some with interest, others with envy but Aurelia barely noticed.

After lunch at the cafeteria, Nico and Aurelia strolled back to class together, their footsteps light and unhurried. By the time the final lesson began, everything felt routine again until Nico abruptly packed up his things and left without a word. He didn't say goodbye to anyone or to Aurelia. He just rushed out of the classroom.

Not that Aurelia cared. She simply shrugged and began arranging her books and bag, moving at her own pace.

"Hey, new girl," a voice called sharply.

Aurelia looked up to see two girls standing in front of her desk, arms crossed, eyes glinting with challenge.

"I'm Mia," the first one said with a smirk. "And this is Ginny. Just so you know we've got our eyes on Nico. So stay clear, okay? You don't want to get on our bad side."

Aurelia blinked, then tilted her head, completely unbothered. "So you two want to... share him?" she asked with a raised brow. "That's wild."

Gasps and stifled laughs rippled across the classroom. Heads turned. Whispers buzzed.

"She's bold," someone murmured.

"I just hope that boldness doesn't get her in trouble. She's so beautiful," another classmate added, voice tinged with concern.

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "I see you like things the hard way."

"Trust me, I don't," Aurelia replied coolly. "And I really don't want the drama you two are trying to stir. If you want Nico, go get him. I'm not stopping you. Telling me you've got your eyes on him doesn't magically make him want you, does it? You're just wasting your time."

A stunned silence followed.

Mia gave a short, dry laugh. "Well... you do have a point. Threatening you won't exactly earn us his attention."

"What are you saying, Mia?" Ginny snapped. "She's the first girl he's ever taken to the cafeteria. They even laughed together!"

Aurelia gave a small, amused smile. "That was just an apology meal. Nothing more."

"Really?" Ginny asked, her voice now holding a sliver of doubt.

Aurelia nodded, already slinging her bag over her shoulder. "It was nice chatting, but I've got to go."

And with that, she walked past them graceful, unaffected and headed out of the classroom toward her aunt's car waiting outside.

"So, how was your first day of school?" Leah asked as Aurelia slid into the car and closed the door.

"Don't get me started, Aunt," Aurelia said, slumping back into the seat with a sigh. "Two girls were trying to pick a fight with me because of a boy who clearly has no interest in either of them."

Leah giggled, her hands steady on the steering wheel as she pulled out of the school lot. "I guess it counts as an adventure."

Aurelia rolled her eyes as the car began to move, the weight of the day starting to melt away as they left the school behind.

"Well, I don't know a better time to tell you this," Leah began, her tone a little hesitant as she glanced at Aurelia beside her, "but your school has finished preparing the boarding rooms. Guardians and parents were supposed to get their children's things ready today. So when we get home, you'll pack your clothes, and then you can start living in the school grounds beginning tomorrow."

Aurelia's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me, Aunt? Just tell me you're tired of me."

Leah rolled her eyes with a faint smile. "You're the only family I have left, Aurelia. I could never be tired of you."

She paused for a moment, her voice softening. "I don't see any harm in you living at the school. I want only the best for you... and honestly, I think you'll be safer there too."

Aurelia looked out the window and rolled her eyes again, her silence saying more than words.

"It's what your mother would have wanted," Leah added gently.

Aurelia snapped her head around to face her aunt, her voice rising. "Now you're playing that card with me? For sixteen years of my life, you never talk about my mother and now you're bringing her up? Where even is she? Why have I never met her?"

Her voice cracked with emotion, just short of shouting. Leah didn't answer immediately. She kept her eyes on the road, calm but heavy with something deeper.

"You met her," Leah said finally, her voice quiet. "On the day you were born. She gave you your name. And she's not here to take care of you, not because she abandoned you or didn't want to... but because she's dead."

Aurelia's breath caught. She turned to look at Leah in disbelief.