Chapter 89: The First Person He Sees
"Every home changes the people who enter it."
~ Rebel Beast
________________
"Morning," Brittney greeted cheerfully the moment Aria stepped out of the room.
"Morning," Aria mumbled, making her way toward the refreshment station where Brittney stood with a steaming mug cradled between her hands.
A fresh pot of coffee still sat warming on the machine. Grateful for the sight, Aria reached for a clean mug, poured herself a cup, and lifted it beneath her nose. The rich aroma curled around her senses, drawing out a quiet sigh before she took her first sip.
"I have to admit," Brittney said with a grin, "I’m completely in awe of this place. Even the coffee is amazing."
"Mmm." Aria nodded over the rim of her mug. "It really is."
Brittney studied her for a moment before tilting her head. "Are you okay? You look a little out of it. Didn’t you sleep well? I know some people have trouble sleeping in a new place, but I slept like a baby. Honestly, these beds are ridiculously comfortable."
There was a dreamy look on her face, as though she was still reliving the experience.
Before Aria could think of a response, the bedroom door swung open and Trisha shuffled out.
"Ugh." She stretched so dramatically that her shoulders popped. "That was one hell of a night’s sleep."
Judging by the state of her locs, she hadn’t moved with even the slightest bit of dignity. They fanned out in every direction, looking more like a bird’s nest than a hairstyle.
She suddenly paused and sniffed the air.
"Is that coffee I smell?"
With a knowing smile, Brittney lifted her mug in answer.
Trisha’s eyes lit up.
"Please tell me there’s some left. I can’t function without coffee."
"Help yourself," Aria said, stepping aside to make room.
Trisha didn’t need to be told twice. She practically stumbled to the coffee maker, already reaching for a mug before she’d even stopped walking.
Aria took advantage of Trisha’s arrival to retreat to one of the armchairs, grateful for the interruption. At least it spared her from Brittney’s relentless questioning. If Brittney ever found out Maverick had sneaked into her room the previous night, she would never let her hear the end of it. Whatever had happened between her and the professor was a secret Aria intended to carry to her grave.
Unfortunately, Brittney was as persistent as a bee drawn to honey. She followed Aria over and settled into the armchair opposite her, clearly not ready to let the conversation go.
"I can’t help wondering about the other girls," Brittney said with delight. "They’d probably kill to be living here right now."
"You mean Karen, specifically," Trisha chimed in.
Now armed with her own mug of coffee, she dropped into the chair beside Aria.
"I bet she’d have a heart attack if she found out we’re staying somewhere this nice."
Aria told them, "What matters is that we gave them a chance. They chose their bed, now they can lie in it. We have no business feeling guilty." She took another sip of her coffee.
And speaking of choices, it was Aria’s decision not to tell Eniola that she, Brittney, Alek, and Trisha were close friends. Yes, she had deliberately left that out of her report. She still didn’t fully trust the woman and would rather continue maintaining the image of being a loner in this place.
Moreover, the report she had given was almost clinical in its delivery. Aria had only shared what she considered necessary: the attacks so far, the student deaths, the growing division among the humans, and the fact that they had been assigned to House Therion while the other girls had been left behind to die.
Unless Eniola had another spy among them, Aria saw no reason to hand over personal information that could one day be used against her.
"Feeling guilty?" Trisha scoffed. "Girl, everyone’s out here for themselves. It’s a dog-eat-dog world. I don’t give a damn about anyone."
The moment she caught the looks Brittney and Aria exchanged, Trisha realized what she had just said.
"I mean... except you guys, of course."
Brittney rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to Aria.
"Do you think they’re still alive?"
Aria knew exactly who she meant. Around this time yesterday, the birds had attacked them, changing their lives forever. Then again, their lives had already been turned upside down the moment they were forced into the Concordia Selection. The attack had simply become another turning point, albeit one that had unexpectedly worked in their favor.
"I don’t know," Aria admitted with a shrug. "I guess we’ll find out before the end of the day... or when Dimitri shows up."
Except it was Alek who stepped out of her room at that exact moment.
Three heads turned toward her in unison.
Alek was wearing a sleeveless sunflower-yellow sundress that fell just above her knees. The fitted bodice and softly flowing skirt gave her an effortless, younger look.
Alek frowned as all three women continued staring at her.
"What?"
Aria lifted a brow. "You’re ready for the day already?"
"And you’re not?" Alek shot back, glancing between the three of them. "None of you even look like you’ve started getting ready."
Brittney’s eyes narrowed. "Since when do you wear dresses?"
"Excuse me?" Alek placed a hand against her chest, sounding thoroughly offended. "What do you mean, since when do I wear dresses? I’ve always had them."
"But you never wore them until today," Brittney pointed out.
Trisha narrowed her eyes. "More like the question should be, since when were you into cute, feminine clothes? You always preferred oversized shirts and pants."
"Oh, I see..." Brittney muttered, her eyes lighting up like someone who had just stumbled upon a juicy secret. "This is for him, isn’t it?"
"What? For who? What are you talking about?" Alek’s voice rose an octave as she feigned innocence.
"Don’t think we’re stupid, Alek. You’re not exactly subtle when it comes to your crush."
Perhaps it was the knowing look Trisha fixed on her, or the certainty in her voice, but Alek finally crumbled.
"Okay." Alek let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. I like him a little."
"Ooh," Brittney cooed teasingly.
"Oh, come on. Stop it." Alek blushed furiously. Her confidence faltered as she glanced down at her dress. "Do you think this is stupid, though?"
"No, it’s actually cute," Aria said. "However, if you’re trying to change yourself for him, then I suggest you think twice about it. You’re special the way you are, and if Dimitri feels the same way about you, he already saw that girl in those baggy jeans you wore yesterday."
"Although..." she added with a small smile, "there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look beautiful for someone you like."
"Spoken like a love expert," Brittney teased.
Aria had a feeling she knew exactly where this conversation was headed the moment Brittney spoke again.
"Which makes it even funnier that you can’t see the love story unfolding right under your nose."
"You mean the forbidden love story with my professor?"
"Oh, please." Brittney scoffed. "We all know the professor part isn’t what’s stopping either of you."
Aria sighed. "Can we concentrate on one love story instead of two?"
And just like that, the spotlight shifted back to Alek.
"Okay," Trisha spoke up, "I can’t be the only one who thinks this is moving a little too fast. We only arrived at this academy two days ago, even if it feels like we’ve been here much longer, and we’re already talking about crushes. Survival was the only thing on our minds."
"But we can’t lose ourselves while trying to survive this nightmare," Brittney argued. "If my girls happen to find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance, then I’m all for it. Besides, Aria and Alek can’t die virgins."
At those words, both Aria and Alek whipped their heads toward Brittney, staring at her in utter disbelief, as though they couldn’t believe she had just announced something so personal without a shred of shame.
Feeling the full weight of their stares, Brittney remained completely unfazed.
"Ain’t that the truth, though?"
"I hate you," Alek muttered, her face burning crimson with embarrassment.
Thank the Lord Brittney had no idea how close she had come to losing said virginity last night, Aria thought. She still didn’t know what had come over her, but she intended to keep a much tighter rein on herself from now on.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and three pairs of eyes immediately turned toward Alek.
"It can’t be who I think it is," Brittney said in a sing-song voice.
Alek quickly shook her head, though the sudden nervousness on her face betrayed her. "It could be someone else," she insisted.
"Nice try," Trisha said with a snort. "Who else would it be?"
The truth was, they all knew it could only be Dimitri. He had been the one handling them since they arrived at Therion. It was only natural that he would come back for them.
Even Aria found herself siding with the others.
"You should be the first person he sees."
"What? No." Alek looked between them in alarm. "Why me? One of you can answer it."
"Absolutely not," Brittney said, already climbing to her feet. "This is your moment."
"I don’t have a moment."
"Yes, you do," Trisha replied, making a shooing motion with both hands. "Now go."
Alek continued protesting, but none of the girls were listening anymore. Between Brittney and Trisha, she was gently but firmly ushered across the room until she found herself standing in front of the door.
Left with no choice, Alek reached for the handle and pulled it open.