Read story Her New Life - ~CHAPTER 28~

~CHAPTER 28~

"It's not the load
That weighs you down,
It's the way you
Carry it"
-C.S Lewis
________________________
Song Name: Echo
Artist: Alexander Stewart

I packed my books and other stationery as the last period of school flew by and ended. Samuel was hesitant for letting me go back to class but after some time, he finally agreed that I could go as a way to distract my mind.

It did work. At least that is what he thinks. It actually didn't.

I sighed, slinging the bag over my shoulder so I could complete the group project but was startled to see Samuel waiting outside for me. "What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised and confused as to why he was there. Normally he – with the rest of my brothers (Including cousins) – would wait at the parking lot and we would then go home. But now, they shouldn't be since I brought my own vehicle and I have to go to a group project.

"Nice to see you too sister." He said, leaning against the school's annoyingly white walls. "Anyways, just came to check on you. Are you sure you want to go?".

I just dumbly stood there and nodded as he hugged and kissed me on the forehead before heading out. I went out towards the school entrance to see that my brothers' car was no longer there. Instead, Theodore was waiting.

"I thought for a second that you were ditching the project," Theodore said as he stuffed his hand in his pockets.

"No, now let's go," I said as I went to take my keys from the bag.

"Let me call my driver," he said but I snatched the phone from his hand making him protest.

"No. We are going on my motorcycle, and I am driving it, not you," I said. He reluctantly agreed as I gave his phone then took my keys out and headed towards my baby.

As I turned her on, I heard Theodore mumble, "Honda NT1100 motorcycle. Cool bike."

I smiled proudly at my bike as I mounted on her before saying, "I know right, I named her Kate."

"Kate?" He said, dumbfounded as I nodded. He shrugged and got on the bike after I gave him my spare helmet. After that, I drove out of the school saying, "Hold on." His hand circled around my waist making me slightly shiver.

What is wrong with you Ariana? Snap out of it!

After ten minutes, we reach the Sweeter Sides. The bakery was closed at the moment, so I took off my bag and looked for the spare keys.

"The place is closed," Theodore pointed out.

"Thank you Captain Obvious. My mom owns the bakery, so I have the keys to the place," I said as I took the keys and opened the door to be met with the scrumptious smell of desserts. "Hey, Debra!" I said to a middle-aged woman who was preparing an order to be picked up for tomorrow.

Debra looked at me, smiled warmly, and said, "Haya Ari. The normal?"

I nodded and said, "Make it 2 since I have a partner for my project." Debra looked at him and gave him a smile as well.

"And who are you darling?"

Theodore gave a small smile which shocked me, and said, "Hello Miss. I am Theodore."

Debra smiled back and said, "Just call me Debra." Theodore nodded as she left. We sat on an empty seat and took out books and materials.

"So, tomorrow is the testing out of the experiment so that we can write observations for the presentation. We need to figure out what we are doing," Theodore explained. I opened my laptop and glance at the shared Word document I created with Theodore which was empty as well as the website.

"We will be doing an experiment called The Briggs-Rauscher reaction, AKA, The Oscillating Clock," I said, showing him the experiment.

"Great, let's do some research," he said, and I nodded.

***

"And we are done!" I exclaimed as I put my stuff away and Theodore did the same thing.

"I gotta ask something, Ariana," He asked as I got confused.

"What?" I asked.

"Well, you looked like shit in the morning. Is everything alright?" And that is when I heard the concern in his voice.

"Sort off. It's complicated," I said, scratching the back of my neck.

"Well, I am not good at this shit, but if you need anything... ask me," he said as I nodded because I honestly had no words. We stayed quiet for a few minutes before he decided to take my dang bag. I glared at him as he smirked.

And he's back to his idiotic self.

"Give it back," I said as he continued to do his stupid and handsome smirk, shaking his head in a sign to give a sign that he is not.

Wait a minut–

Handsome? He looked like a pig Ariana. Get fudging over it.

But I mean he kinda i–

Stop it. Just... no.

"Give. It. Back," I said, fire-raising in my eyes. He simply shrugged before pulling my bag closer to him.

"Trucker," I mumbled.

He sarcastically laughed and said, "Can't even swear."

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Well, at least I don't steal my friend's bag." A minute later, both our eyes widened at what I said.

Oh boy. What stupid poop have you done now Ari?

"Are we... friends?" He asked hesitantly.

"I mean- if you want us to be," I replied back in the same tone as him.

"Um... sure. Here is your bag. I am going now," he said as he got out of his chair and gave me my bag.

"How will you go?" I asked.

"Calling my driver," he replied. I dumbly nodded as he left the bakery.

"I notice some sexual tension going on." I jumped as I saw Debra standing with arms crossed and a smile was obvious.

"Just. Friends Debbie," I said as I looked out the door.

"Whatever you say Ari. Now get your ass up if you want to finish some desserts," I excitedly nodded as I headed towards the kitchen. If you're wondering why on earth I am not getting calls at the moment, it is purely because I told the family I would be back home by 10 to which they reluctantly agreed because it was in the bakery.

I looked at the 4-tear wedding cake that I would have to decorate which had been already finished with a crumb coat, making my life 10 times easier.

I wore my apron and then put on some music before starting the decorating. Since the cakes were stick separated, I mixed greyish-blue and white fondant together, making a marble-like look. I put the fondant on all for caked before stacking it up, putting straws and skewers for support. Then, I added some gold dust and fake flowers before carefully putting them in the fridge. For the next cake, I made an Ombre aesthetics and some roses. As the last thing, it was the most tiring one. Making a stack full of macarons for a buffet tomorrow. You might be asking why I can't make it tomorrow. Well, it was because macarons need to rest for 24 hours.

I sighed as I started the long process of making a lot of macarons with the help of Debra.

***

I sighed as I looked at the masterpiece in front of me.

Good job Ari.

I went to the entrance and exited the bakery as I locked it and went to my motorcycle. For some weird reason, I felt like someone was watching me and I always follow my guts. I carefully took my pocket knife out before wearing my helmet and heading very fast to actually anywhere so as to not make the stalker – which most probably is real and not my imagination – not know where I live.

If he is a stalker, then he will know everything about you dumbutt.

Shut up brain. Don't need your logic at the moment.

I looked and saw a guy discreetly looking at me, taking pictures. I gulped as I turned around, not to make anything seem suspicious.

I am being followed.

After a good 45 minutes, I lost the dude as I headed home and straightaway went to Weston's office without knocking.

"What the– Ana?" He questioned as he looked at my distraught and panicked expression. "

Okay, sorry for not knocking and sorry for the way I acted. I don't know what I was doing. I am dumb. I interrupted your privacy as well why would I do that? It is not a good thing to do. What if you are–"

"What's wrong?" He asked, cutting off my nervous rumbling.

"Well..." I trailed off as he raised his eyebrow.

"IthinkIambeingfollowedeversinceIcamefromthebakery," I said in one breath as he looked confused.

"Sorry Ana but I do not read nor speak Alien language," he said, sighing.

"Haha very funny. But back to the point. I was being followed when coming home but I manage to lose the guy," I said, in a slower tone. His eyes got darker, looking furious at what I said.

"What?" He said coldly as I nervously chuckled.

This was going to be a long night.

At least I told him.