The leaves had begun falling and the pumpkin spiced lattes has been advertised for weeks now; fall was here. There was something about this season that brought warmth in a way that winter simply couldn't. There were times when winter could see no end and when the cold crept into places it didn't belong it was harder to keep warm, but fall never had that problem. These were the thought that went through Aria Willows' head as she strode through campus to get to first class of the day. College suited her well and it showed. Since she took her first step here Aria had felt like this was her home away from home and of course Laura Patterson had been instrumental in that. Heads turned and whispers were heard when she first stepped foot on campus, it had been the same for Jane, but with Laura by their side the chatter had died down a little and so had the looks - but Aria knew when it was time for the trial to begin it would all start up again. Brody Jensen had been top news in their town but thank goodness it hadn't reached national news, or perhaps it was just a matter of time. At first it had frightened her to see her name written in the news and spent less time on social media as she was afraid of the mean comments she knew where waiting for her - and also because of another person.
She hadn't dared look at her messages with Tom and she hadn't dared to write any new ones either. At first the mere thought of him brought her to tears and then came the period of trying to forget him by seeing other's. She had kissed a few guys since Tom and nothing had been able to beat the kiss at The Cafe but maybe by the end of the semester she would've find a competitor. The nights were the hardest because her fantasies had no end and would take her to the most dangerous places. Tom always managed to find his way into her brain just as well as her heart but secretly she'd rather have it that way than to forget him - because she couldn't have that.
Aria looked at phone to check the time and concluded that Jane would show up by her side within seconds. To have her here had definitely boosted Aria's confidence and she could see changes in Jane too. The girl that she'd first met, the one who was always so tough, had begun softening a little bit and it was for the better. She had also grown her hair out a little, now looking more like a fierce Thelma from the Scooby Doo series. Rebecca was doing good too at Caltech and they kept in touch regularly which is not be said about her other two friends - the ones that left themselves behind. Julie and Maya hadn't been heard from since graduation day and Aria had made no attempts to reach out, herself. There was no ill will wished upon them but lately she had come to the realization that she didn't wish anything at all - that was also the moment she was sure there was no resurrection of their friendship.
Just as expected Jane showed up next to her, rubbing her biker jacket against Aria's knitted sweater dress. They walked with a force and when they were beside each other Aria forgot about the few looks that lingered and the few whispers that could be heard.
Laura Patterson had drawn quite the crowd to her classes and while most of them were women there were a few guys in there too. It was clear that their purpose of being there was to make fun as they were often chanting remarks at Laura while she was speaking, but she always handled it well. The less than handful of guys that were blocking the entrance to the lecture hall glanced at Jane and Aria as they took their place next to the door. She always got the feeling that they wanted to say something to them but what is was she had no idea.
"What do you think they're actually doing in this class?" Jane spoke for the first time since they began their walk here.
"I don't know but something is telling me it's got nothing to do with Women's Studies. It wouldn't shock me if they were only here to pick up girls." Aria rolled her eyes.
"You know, ladies," one of the guys said who apparently had eavesdropped his way into their conversation, "it's possible for men to have interest in women's studies, too."
"Without having a sexual reason? I'd be shocked." Jane said sarcastically.
The guy looked down and then back at his friends, "I can assure you none of us are interested in Laura Patterson in a sexual way..."
"Then what are your interests in Laura?" Aria asked and took a step forward, feeling rather bold today.
The guy looked her up and down but she wasn't sure it was to intimidate her, he looked like he was assessing her for something. Aria frowned when he looked at her and suddenly his harsh eyes turned very soft. There was sorrow in them, something horrible that had happened that he wasn't wording but it was all contained in his eyes.
"Nah," he said and shook his head, "you're still on her side." He mumbled and left to enter the lecture hall.
Aria was left alongside Jane with more questions than she had a second ago. Who side was he referring to? If they weren't interested in Laura in that way, then what was the interest? The guy without a name had just awoken the curious cat inside her...and it wouldn't rest until she found out what it all meant.