Chapter 8

* Theme Song Of Entire Novel ~ Devil I Know

By Allie X *

|| Savannah's POV ||

Warmth engulfed me from around when my best friend gave me her shoulders to lean on. Aria had always been this mature. She had the divine ability to make you feel loved again. Some were born with this strong aura of maturity, I counted Aria as one of them. She didn't talk nor did she attempt to interrupt me when I was crying my heart out on her shoulder.

Her presence comforted me and memories drifted back to the moments when we were so toddlers. Aria had always been a protective friend but I guess, it was me who pushed her away for the sake of a scum man.

Kelly's actions were left in repeated shock. Certainly, Finn revealed to her that I found out about them and he found me in Ares's house. That's when she didn't bother to play those cheap tactics. She arrived at Sunblock early this morning to spread rumors about me being the bed warmer for Ares.

How on earth did I consider her my best friend?

Their thoughts disgusted me and I promised myself mentally to not be affected anymore. They didn't deserve my attention at all. Now, we were sitting on a bench in the playground. The lessons hadn't started yet and we had little time left to chitchat.

Aria rubbed my arms as I leaned onto her, trying to stable my tangled thoughts. She spoke looking down at me with her warm smile,

" Better now?"

I sniffed lightly, nodding before retracting my head from her shoulder. A brief silence passed between us as I didn't know how to say sorry or be thankful. My lips parted, eyes kept hanging down in guilt,

" I...I don't know what to say...But..I am sorry for neglecting..you...Aria...I am such a fool..I.."

" Huss!", Aria cut off my words and put her thumb on my lips as her eyes gleamed with concern. She spoke first, using her soft soothing voice to mend my broken heart,

" You don't have to say anything, Savannah. Love makes people blind and you aren't the only person on earth. I knew that Finn didn't like you hanging out with me. That's why, I also maintained a safe distance. But to be honest, I didn't like Finn with you. He dominated your life indirectly. It's good that you have learned the truth before committing another mistake. The dark clouds are gone now. Now, try to become the best version of yourself. Finn should be taught a lesson that you deserve someone better than him."

Aria's words boosted my confidence. Self-pride, the thirst for proving myself in front of Finn was growing inside my heart insanely. I couldn't let them win at any cost. They toyed with my feelings and played with my emotions repeatedly. Finn needed to learn that he wasn't the best person that I could date ever. There are far more best men than him. It was all inside my thoughts as I couldn't reveal everything to Aria. Some pains were personal and I didn't want to speak about something that could lead us more to misunderstanding. I had nearly lost such a good friend for the sake of a jerk.

My lips stretched into a smile, assuring Aria who looked worried for me,

" I will be okay, Aria. They can't destroy me, I promise."

Aria beamed into a smile and checked on her wristwatch. We both were in different departments hence our schedules never matched each other. She seemed to hurry, standing up to fix the straps on her shoulder,

" Then we gotta be celebrating this new, Savannah. I plan to taste new food after university. You wanna come with me, Sav?"

Happiness warmed my heart as Aria called me by this nickname after a long time. On our odd days, she didn't call me without my full name whenever we met each other. I gave her my biggest smile, already getting excited to join our next hanging-out session,

" Of course! Treat on me!"

***

The result of reconciling my friendship in a new way showed me a new aspect of life. The lessons weren't entirely boring today since I shut down all my six senses whenever they spoke about me. Aria was right about them. I couldn't let them win, showing my frustrated ass.

The bell alarmed crazily to notify us at the end of our lesson. We barged to get out of this room to avoid tracking their show-off romance. Rumors about Finn dating Kelly were all over the Sunblock. Hence, it was best for me to minimize my presence in front of them.

I kept my word and promised to catch up with Aria at the entrance. Beaming with excitement, I paced at the small place, counting the seconds for her. Soon her rush footsteps pulled my attention back to find her running and smiling my way. She grinned snaking her arms around my shoulder,

" Quick fast, Sav. Earth to Good Foods!"

We both burst into laughter and revived our childhood days when we sneaked around to taste ice cream from different stalls. It was worth having a supportive friend by your side.

***

Aria wasn't lying about the exaggerated decoration that the new restaurant had. It was set up a few meters away from our University. We could walk down to the exact place and surely, I was awestruck to see the eye-catching decoration indoors. Most of their walls were painted with greens, and a lively forestry vibe spread through the space. The glass walls beside showed a line of colorful trees that had flowers always. Tables stationed beside the glass walls gave a better view of the outside. No wonder, people were easily attracted to this new place.

As the place was very new, there were barely a few people at those tables. Aria led us to a corner table that was very close to the artificial faucet behind the glass walls. I studied the environment around me as Aria looked through the menu.

I mumbled pulling my eyes back on her,

" This is so freaking cool. "

Aria flashed me a grin as she seemed thoughtful about the menu that she was going to select for us,

" Told you!"

We ordered spaghetti, Thai soup, and wonton for our launch together. Waiting at the table, we were engrossed in random chat when a group of noisy girls entered the cafe. Aria's eyes dimmed as she whispered to me that it was Kelly with a few bunches of students from our class who had taken the next table behind us.

Few of them noticed us but because of the long gap between the tables, I couldn't hear them. I shrugged, asking Aria to pay attention to us,

" Just ignore them!"

Aria squeezed past a smile but she didn't seem to convince me with my words since the breakup was very new to me. The wound was still fresh and Kelly's presence would only rub salt on me.

The next surprise took over me in ecstasy when the restaurant door was pushed open with cheerful laughter. I was seated opposite Aria hence it was seen me first. A loud gasp escaped my lips when I saw him coming in.

Ares!

Ares entered with his playmates, laughing and joking. His blue eyes landed on me and opposite Aria as he made his way over to us,

" Wow! Best friend treats huh! I guess, the breakup brought besties closer."

He muttered, sitting beside Aria to hang an arm on her shoulder. I rolled my eyes, folded my arms over my chest as I spoke to him in an unwelcoming attitude,

" What are you doing here, Ares?"

His devilish grin stretched meekly at my words,

" Can't stay away from you, Princess. Your smell is all over my house."

I let out a scoff and Aria smacked at her brother's shoulder to warn him playfully,

" Language, Ares! Sunblock is already eating her alive in rumors. They have begun to envision her as your bed warmer. This is so sickening."

Aria hissed and shared the mental stress that she felt from those rumors. I guess, I wasn't the only one who felt affected. Ares's fixed his eyes on me as if he was trying to see through whether I was okay inside or not.

I looked away to hide my vulnerability. A laughing stock in everyone's eyes was already enough. If Ares knew more, I would be laughed to death. Out of nowhere, a sudden mocking voice traveled from our back,

" It seems the rumors are right. She has become Ares's bed warmer. Lol, who will date her after Finn? There is only one Finn in Sunblock."

I squeezed my eyes shut and decided to leave the place. Mental health comes first and I was so tired of their backlashing words these days. I stood up from my chair in a jolt, ready to go out but Ares stood up with me.

He gripped my arms suddenly. I gasped, asking him in confusion,

" You. What are you doing, Ares?"

His lips pulled up into a smirk as he replied leaning close to me,

" Killing the rumors in one shot."