Chapter 55

No Ads
55
55
A voice shouted , “ Get out of the way ! ”
Lily instinctively threw herself in front of Aria .
The entire room froze , their hearts skipping a beat in shock
“ Uly ! ” someone cried out .
Then came the sickening sound of flesh bring pierced .
Blood poured from Aria’s hand , dripping onto the floor .
Aria intercepted the knife
Lily held her tightly . Feeling Lily trembling in her arms , Aria knew it was the first time anyone had unconditionally protected her
For a moment , Aria thought about pulling away , about continuing her mission to track down Black Rose
But her body wouldn’t respond , her hand hanging limply at her side
Nathan snapped back to reality first . He kicked Leon aside with force , and teachers and students rushed forward to restrain him .
Aria’s left hand dropped , the knife clattering to the floor with a sharp clink .
Blood was flowing faster now .
The assailant had been subdued , but no one seemed able to process what had just happened .
They couldn’t understand why Leon had attacked Ania .
Lily , still numb , slowly opened her eyes . When she pulled her arms away from Aria , her gaze landed on the blood staining her hand .
A familiar , haunting fear gripped her – a fear bom of years of abuse . Her voice shook , her body quivering in response . She took a shaky breath , exhaling slowly , trying to regain some semblance of control .
“ You … You’re hurt , ” s she said , her voice barely above a whisper .
The air between them p grew heavy , an unspoken tension filling the space . No one seemed willing to interrupt .
Nathan’s suspicions were confirmed . Aria and Lily had met before .
His eyes dropped to the injury on Aria’s hand .
She looked strangely calm , as if she felt no pain at all .
He knew if this were Silvia , she would’ve been in agony
Nathan’s heart squeezed with an emotion he couldn’t fully identity .
It hit him so suddenly , so strongly , that he almost couldn’t catch his breath
Valerie was the first to act , rushing to Aria’s side . She quickly stripped off her jacket and wrapped it tightly around her hand
“ Let’s get you to the nurse , Valerie urged .
Larkridge High took student safety seriously , and their medical facilities were fully equipped . The school had hired professionals to handle emergences
1/4
55
Aria nodded , letting Valerie pull her toward the stairs .
Lily instinctively started to follow , but stepped herself halfway . Her pare ficked down to Leon , who was still pinned to the ground , and he darkened with an anger she didn’t know she had .
She thought to hersell , That was the perfect opportunity , Icould’ve just ignored him and let him freeze out there . What a shame !
Nathan took a few steps closer , his voice hesitant . “ We you … okay ! ”
Their math teacher from Cypress Class , who also taught Maple Class , was well known for his arrogance . He constantly boasted about his students, often looking down on others .
Ever since Lily claimed the top spot in their grade , her classmates had all been walking with their heads held high ,
Nathan considered Lily a point of pride for their class and thought everyone should protect her .
Lily looked up at him , her voice surprisingly steady . “ Thank you . You’ve helped me again . ”
Nathan , feeling a little smug , shrugged casually . “ No big deal . ”
“ But … ” Lily hesitated , her eyes narrowing sightly . “ Your sister’s hurt . Aren’t you going to check on her ? ”
Lily had always been shy , and aside from her seatmates , she didn’t often speak to anyone else.
They hadn’t really exchanged many words over the past few months .
But now , her gaze wasn’t filled with shyness . Instead , it held confusion – and a trace of anger .
Lily was defending Aria
Nathan couldn’t find the words to explain himself .
If it were Silvia , he would have been concerned , but it was Arla . He just couldn’t bring himself to care .
Aber a long pause ,
Nathan muttered , his voice barely above a whisper , i don’t get along with her
“ Why not ? ” Lily’s part
‘ s gaze was intense . “ Did she bully you ? *
Nathan shook his head . “ No. ”
“ Did she bully someone else ? ” she asked again .
He hesitated for a moment , then replied , “ No. ”
“ Then why don’t you care about her ?” Lily pressed .
Nathan felt a weight settle on his chest . He swallowed bard , his words coming out with more force than he intended . “ Good relationships go both ways . She ignores me , som not going to chase after he
Lily furrowed her brow, clearly not understanding . So caring is the same as chasing someone ? ”
Nathan didn’t know how to answer .
Osric , who had been watching the exchange , couldn’t hold back any longer . “ Lily , don’t forget Nathan just saved you . Why are you being so harsh ? ”
His tone was sharp , and Nathan shot him a look , silently asking him to stay out of it .
Two security guards arrived quickly , dragging Leon away , his furious eyes locked onto Lily
2/4
55
Nathan moved to stand in front of her , blocking her from Lean’s view .
Lily suddenly spoke , her voice low but firm . “ You’ve helped me twice now repay you
Nathan scratched his head awkwardly , a sheepish smile tugging at his lips . “ Don’t mention it. ”
“ But , ” Lily continued , her eyes serious , “ next time something like this happens , don’t help me . I don’t like you , and I don’t want your help
The others stared at her in disbelief , wondering if she was out of her mind
Nathan , for the first time , felt the sting of rejection . The smile on his face vanished , and he couldn’t find the words to respond
At the door to the nurse’s office , Ana stopped . “ Miss Gibbs , the students are probably still shaken up . You should go back . I can handle it from here . ”
Valerie thought , “ How can forget that ? ”
Valene slapped her forehead . “ Ms. Saxon , if it’s serious , you need to go to the hospital . ”
“ Okay .” Ana nodded .
Valerie hurried off .
Aria stepped into the nurse’s office , where a womanin a white cost and mask was waiting :
She immediately noticed the bandages around Aria’s hand and walked over with some antiseptic . “ Your hand’s injured ? ” she asked , concem in her voice
“ Yes , ” Aria replied .
“ I’ll disinfect it first . It’ll sting a little , but you can handle it , right? ” the nurse asked .
“ Okay ” Aria nodded .
A few minutes later , the nurse asked , “ How did you get hurt ? ”
Aria replied casually , “ A madman broke into the school . He’s been taken care of ”
The nurse exhaled in reliet “ Was the weapon rusty ? ”
Aria raised an eyebrow , a small , knowing smile on her lips . “I didn’t notice . ”
The nurse stood up . “ Just to be safe , give you a tetanus shot . Are you allergic to any
“ No Aria replied .
medications ?
The nurse prepared the injection , holding up the vial and shaking it gently before drawing the liquid into the syringe . She sat beside Aria , ready to proceed . “ We’re all set . ”
Aria nodded , her expression calm .
Just as the needle was about to touch her skin , Aria suddenly asked , “ Who placed the order with the Blood Association ?