My Bully, My Neighbour

Chapter 2 (Edited)

The memories came rushing back.

"First grade. A thin boy with a mop blonde hair came up to me and said, "Hey snob! Where's your carriage?" He pushed my shoulder and I fell to the ground, ruining my favorite blue frock. My elbow was cut, and a small line of blood trickled out. I burst out crying and all the other kids began to laugh at me. My pride was hurt and I wailed louder. A teacher heard me and came rushing out. "Everyone go back to your class!" She shooed everyone away, including the thin boy, who refused to move. "It's okay Aria, you're a brave girl. Don't cry." My teacher consoled me as she dried my tears. She took my hand and lead me to the nurse's office, where the nurse cleaned and bandaged my wound. She gave me a candy and sent me back to class."

"Third grade. I was sitting with my friends and my cousin at lunch. The boy had his tray loaded with a carton of milk and the weird, runny pudding our school called a dessert. I was laughing at something my friend said when a cold, trickling sensation made it's way down my back. My hair stuck to my face and the milk and pudding ruined my clothes and my hair. Everyone, including some of my friends began to laugh at me and my eyes burnt. "Is the princess crying over spilt milk?" Someone called out and I turned to look for them. All I saw was the boy running out of the cafeteria, minutes before a teacher came to see what the commotion was about. I knew it was him."

I could not believe it! The guy standing in front of me with the drop-dead good looks that made me stop breathing for a second was the boy who bullied me at school! He was the one who made beg dad to change my school before fourth grade began. I thought I would never have to face him again. "Hi, my name is Leonardo Rivera. You can call me Leo." He said, holding his arm for a handshake. "I'm Aria. Nice to meet you." I smiled. He didn't remember me, thank god. His hand was large and slightly rough. It had a nice feel to it. Scolding myself for that thought, I pulled my hand back and invited them inside. Papa lead them to the living room while I headed to the kitchen to inform the chef that we had guests.

I couldn't hide from our guests for long. I took some time in the kitchen, helping in any way that could. Really, I only wanted to hide from Leo. I couldn't show such a flustered side of me. Soon, the chef caught me and sent me out. I might be the princess, but in the kitchen, the chef rules supreme. I walked towards the living room as slowly as I could. I entered and sat down next to papa. "So Leonardo. What do you do?" Papa asked him as a help set down a plate of scones and cookies before the guests. "I'm studying business at the NYU." Leo said and I did a mental retake. He was good enough to get into NYU! That was a shocker. "Oh that's good! Good son you got there, Rivera!" Papa remarked and we all smiled.

"I got a degree in fashion designing from the American College in Greece." I said in reply to Mr.Rivera's questioning gaze. "That's nice. You know, a lot of people hesitate to take creative courses for degrees. They think it is worthless. Parents don't understand that it's the child creativity and capabilities that make them successful. Not a stupid roll of paper!" Mr.Rivera exclaimed and I immediately warmed up to him. I had gotten quite a bit of flack from my educational advisor for going against his word and going for fashion instead of politics.

I got uncomfortable as the fathers started to discuss politics, so I excused myself and headed to my room. What I didn't realise was that Leo had followed me out. "Princess, can I ask you something?" He asked and I squealed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." He grinned, revealing perfect dimples that made my heart flutter. "You didn't. And call me Aria." I said. "Aria", he began again, "Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked.

"What? No! I've never seen you before!" Lie. "Are you sure?" He asked. "Yeah, I would've remembered you." I said. Truth. "So you're sure that we were not classmates in third grade?" He asked me, and I blanched. I pretended to think. "Nope, I don't remember you." Lie. "That's funny. Because I definitely remember you. I have a class photograph too. Maybe we should talk sometime, to recollect." He suggested and began to turn. "Also, you're a horrible liar princess." Leo added before going back to join papa and Mr.Rivera.