The Code of Aries ✓

(2) 'A' as in Apple

Arthur was really tall, and he was skinny too. It would be an understatement to call him good-looking because this guy literally looks like a model; I wouldn't blame Vicki for feeling shy.

"By the way, what major are you in?" Justin asks as we start eating.

"Special Ed," he explains, surprising the three of us. Special Ed is such a hard major, so salute to him for taking that on. "My younger brother has ASD (Autism spectrum disorder), so I want to learn more so I could help him," he then explains to us even though he didn't have to. But nonetheless, his reason was heart-warming. I'm an only son, so having a brother like that must be such a blessing. His parents are probably proud of him.

"Your brother is lucky," Vicki tells him, and the serious expression on Arthur's face changes into a smile.

"His name is Albert, but we call him Albie. He's only eight, but he really likes to draw," Arthur explains further, unconsciously making me smile because of how enthusiastic he looks while talking about his brother. Looks like he's going to be an amazing special ed teacher.

"Wow, a family of A's," Justin then says, making me notice it too.

"Oh, you're right. Are all the names of your siblings start with the letter A too?" Vicki then asks, and Arthur surprisingly nods his head.

"There's four of us, all boys. Apart from Albie and me, I have two older brothers. Our eldest is named Apollo or Apo, and then the second son is—"

"Arthur?" Someone suddenly calls out, making Arthur stop talking while the rest of us turn our heads to see who it is. I wasn't expecting anyone, but when I saw him, my mouth instantly dropped. Vicki even had to kick my leg under the table in shock.

"Oh, Aries," Arthur casually says as Aries and his friends approach our table.

"W-Wait, Arthur, your surname is Buan?" I ask without removing my eyes from the seniors, who the other students were also staring at.

"I didn't tell you?" Arthur asks back, and Vicki, Justin, and I just glance at each other before looking back at Aries. Aries stops in front of our table with the other council members, Jesse and Mark. There were two others, but I wasn't introduced to them, so I didn't know their names.

"I didn't see you at the auditorium. Did you get a senior partner?" Aries asks as he looks at Arthur.

Arthur answered his brother's question while I was left staring at the president. I didn't know they were brothers. Well, looking at the two of them now, I could see the similarities, but the height tipped me off—not trying to be rude to Aries, of course, but you get what I mean.

Aries looked like an open book, but at the same time, the book was completely empty. When the two of us talked at the auditorium after finding out that we had the same number, Aries immediately excused himself before I could even ask him anything, so I was left standing in the middle of the auditorium by myself. He had this smile that was reserved, and the way he just stared back at me earlier felt like he was observing me, almost as if I was one of his science experiments.

"Wait, aren't you Aries's partner?" Someone suddenly says out loud, snapping me back to my senses.

Aries stops talking to his brother and looks in my direction. He was obviously surprised to see me with his brother, but he immediately smiledand said, "Yeah, that's him. Dom, right?"

I nod my head in answer, and Aries continues to smile.

"You got the same number as Dom?" Arthur asks.

"I did. I'm surprised you two met," Aries then says.

"Hey, you should tour him around campus before the next program starts," Jesse then suggests. Aries is about to say something about it, but then Justin cuts him off and asks, "Other program?"