Past - 6
Ares Simon's POV:
I stood by the entrance of the school's main building, my gaze fixed on the students passing by, awaiting her arrival. I took a moment to look at the picture on the library card she had dropped, right next to her name.
Elysia Dean Lawson!
I had tried to return that card to her, but the opportunity never seemed to present itself. I don't know if it was just my imagination or what, but I felt like she was avoiding me.
"It can't be?" I mumbled, finding that thought absolutely ridiculous, considering that we were practically strangers.
But then...?
Could it be her?!
I narrowed my eyes, studying her features once more, especially her eyes. Over the past few days, I had scrutinized her face so many times that her features were etched into my memory.
Returning the card could have been a straightforward task, but I had a burning question I needed to ask her. That day, one year ago, might have been insignificant to some, but to me, it held great importance. I wanted to meet the girl who had saved me, even if just for a brief encounter, so I could express my gratitude. It was merely a glimpse of her, but the memory was vivid.
A Year Ago...
"Mom, I'm leaving!" I called out and slung my bag over my shoulder.
"Ares! Can't you take the car today? It's just for a day until your bike gets fixed," my mom pleaded, her voice tinged with concern. She had never been a fan of me biking or taking the bus to school, especially since we moved in with Grandpa. Despite her concerns, I felt more comfortable biking or taking the bus than the family car.
"It's alright, Mom! I prefer not taking the car to school. Besides, I feel like walking today," I reassured her, offering a smile and bidding goodbye before leaving our mansion.
It hadn't been long since my mom revealed the astonishing news to me that I had a grandfather named Alfredo Knight and we were relocating to his house.
I wasn't accustomed to having anyone else around besides my mom. From a young age, I had watched her struggle to provide for both of us, working multiple jobs. All I had ever wanted was to grow up quickly and earn enough money so that she could finally have some rest. However, things had changed drastically. Since my grandfather entered our lives, my mom had been happier than ever before. I couldn't recall the last time I had seen her this happy.
My mom explained that there had been conflicts between her and her father in the past, which had led to their estrangement. Now, they had reconciled and forgiven each other. I liked my grandpa, but getting used to all these changes would take time.
I had always found it a bit difficult to adapt to new environments and surroundings, but seeing my mom so content with my grandpa made me believe it was all for the best. I just needed some more time to adjust to my new identity and the transformations happening around us.
That's one of the reasons I hadn't taken the car to school, except when my mom picked me up. I felt comfortable with my bicycle, and walking was no big deal either. After all, the school wasn't too far away.
I stood by the roadside, hands in my pockets, patiently waiting for the traffic signal to turn red. Lost in my thoughts, a sudden message notification interrupted my reverie. I reached for my phone and saw messages from both Mom and Maron. Mom informed me that she'd be picking me up from school later, with no excuses accepted. I smiled and replied with a simple "okay," then proceeded to check Maron's message.
Just as I focused on my phone, a loud voice from across the road caught my attention. I looked up to see an elderly woman was gesturing for me to move back or do something. Confused, I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to decipher her signals. Before I could figure it out, someone forcefully grabbed my shirt, yanking me a few steps backward. Not expecting that at all, I almost stumbled but managed to regain my balance just as a speeding car rushed past the spot where I had been standing seconds earlier.
Startled, my mouth hung open, and my eyes widened as I watched the car zoom away. The second thought that crossed my mind was the person who had pulled me out of the way. Instantly, I turned my head to look the other way and there I saw someone at a few meters of distance, swiftly moving away, as if in a hurry.
At that very moment, the person turned their head and cast a quick glance back at me while running, revealing her identity; it was a girl, donned in a grey hoodie with a black mask covering her face. Our eyes locked for just a few seconds before she turned her gaze forward and continued to walk away.
The eye contact lasted only for a few brief moments, but in that fleeting second, I thought I saw a mix of fear, desperation, and relief in her eyes all at once. Dazed, I couldn't help but keep staring at the spot where she had been standing just moments ago.
"Boy, are you okay? You need to be more careful when crossing the road and avoid using your phone while walking. If that girl hadn't acted, you could have been seriously hurt," a concerned voice brought me back to reality. It was the same woman who had gestured for me to move earlier.
"I'm fine, thank you for helping me, and I'll definitely be more cautious," I replied with gratitude, offering a thankful smile to the lady.
She patted my shoulder and advised me to stay vigilant in the future before walking away. I turned my attention back to the direction in which the girl had disappeared just moments ago.
Maybe if I go that way, I could find her and thank her? It hadn't even been five minutes since she had turned left. With that thought in mind, I hurriedly followed the same path, weaving through alleys, streets, passing by cafes, shops, and people. But my search proved fruitless; she had vanished without a trace...
•••
I sighed softly, reminiscing about that day a year ago. It could very well be my overactive imagination, my desperate attempt to find a trace of that girl in the hoodie in every girl I encountered throughout my life.
I found myself constantly searching for that same look in their eyes, the one I had seen in hers. I couldn't even explain what was happening to me anymore. Perhaps I was becoming a bit foolish, but a few days ago when I first saw Elysia and she turned around, her eyes locking onto mine as she hurried away, I felt as though my heart might stop beating.
Describing the emotions I experienced in that moment was nearly impossible; it was like experiencing a déjà vu. That's why I felt the need to confirm whether she had crossed paths with me before.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I noticed Elysia entering the school premises, clutching her bag straps and making her way toward the main building - which was where I was waiting. She appeared somewhat lost in her own world until she suddenly looked up and locked eyes with me. Her steps came to an abrupt halt, and she stared at me with wide eyes and slightly parted lips, a clear look of shock on her face.
Um, what's with the reaction?
It felt as if I had stolen something precious from her, given the incredulous look she was giving me. Then, she did something unexpected when someone catches you looking at them - she turned around and started walking in the opposite direction.
Had I done something wrong? Were we somehow on bad terms without even knowing each other?
My earlier assumption, that she might be avoiding me, resurfaced, but it seemed absurd to even think about that possibility.
"Elysia Lawson!" I called out, jogging after her to catch up. She halted abruptly, and I stood in front of her, noticing her cheeks and the corner of her eyes turning slightly pinkish as she tried to look everywhere but me. I waved her library card in front of her eyes.
"This is yours. You dropped it accidentally the other day," I informed her, urging her to take the card back.
For the first time, she met my gaze directly, and her eyes widened like saucers. Her amber eyes stared back at me in shock, and her face transitioned from a faint pink to a deep crimson.
My heart suddenly missed a beat and I quickly looked away, clearing my throat. She resembled the girl I had seen before, she really did.
"T-thank you," I heard her stammer, her voice slightly trembling as she accepted the card from my hand.
I couldn't help but notice her trembling hand, the way she held the card delicately with two fingers, avoiding any physical contact with my hand completely as though she was on the biggest mission.
I didn't have the time to respond as she quickly nodded gratefully and turned to leave.
"Wait!" I called out instinctively as she took a few steps away from me.
She stopped and turned to look at me with her large, questioning amber eyes. I tried to avoid looking directly into her eyes and asked what was bugging me since I met her that day.
"Have we ever met before? I mean, before the day you dropped this card?" I asked, moving closer to her and peering intently into her eyes, attempting to discern any familiarity between the two.
She lowered her gaze to the ground and shook her head, indicating a negative response.
"We haven't?" I repeated in a low, thoughtful tone, still studying her.
Once again, she shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "N-no."
I couldn't understand why, but my heart didn't seem to follow the logic of my brain. So, I asked once more, "Then why were you avoiding me earlier?"
She glanced at me with her wide, surprised eyes before quickly averting her gaze, focusing instead on the ground as she replied, "I-I wasn't."
She clearly was!
"You were,"
"No, I wasn't," she repeated quickly with emphasis.
"Then why did you leave that day when I was coming to you in lunch break?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, challenging her to answer back now.
She went silent staring on the ground as it was the most interesting thing at the moment. It frustrated me that she wouldn't meet my eyes, making me feel strangely restless.
I bent down slightly, trying to bring our faces to the same level so I could see her expression more clearly. She visibly gulped. "See? I knew you were avoiding me. Why did you run away that day? I distinctly saw you noticed me coming your way, so—" I started to say.
"...I had to pee," she blurted out.
What?!
She looked just as shocked by her own statement as I felt. She quickly covered her mouth in astonishment.
For a moment, my mind went completely blank as I stared at her, dumbfounded. In the next instant, I straightened up and cleared my throat, chewing my own lips. Her embarrassment was evident, with her face a darkest shade of red, her eyes widened and furrowed in shock. Her expressions were undeniably cute, but I had to bit the insides of my cheek to stop from smiling to avoid embarrassing her further.
"So, we really have never met before?" I asked again, regaining my composure, and holding a tiniest bit of hope. I also wanted to divert her attention and ease her embarrassment.
She nodded vigorously, her eyes resembling those of an innocent child. I heaved a silent sigh, my eyes dimming in disappointment, knowing it couldn't have been her.
So, it was just my imagination after all. She didn't seem to know me before that day, and she was clearly embarrassed by my questions. I couldn't fathom why, but I'd never felt such disappointment before.
"Okay, then, I just needed to return your card." I stated and headed back to the sixth form block for my class.
Before entering the building, I cast one last glance in her direction to see her walking back toward the main building. My lips pressed into a thin line, overwhelmed by inexplicable disappointment as I turned away and proceeded to my class.
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Lovely people, how did you like today's chapter from Ares' POV. Did it surprise you and pique your curiosity? 😉
There wouldn't be more than 3 or 4 POVs of ares from the past, so if you have a particular request for any scene from his pov, do let me know. 🤗