She Called Me Hers'

Graduation week was here, and the school buzzed like a hive of messy emotions, last-minute projects, and barely contained hormones.

The hallways were louder than usual. Posters hung on the walls: "Senior Send-off Countdown: 3 Days to Go!" Teachers looked exhausted, lockers were half-empty, and everyone moved like they were finally waking up from a long, boring dream.

But the moment Aria stepped into the building, silence fell.

The dress clung to her like a dare—blood red, velvet-thick, cut high at the thigh and low in the back. Her heels clicked against the floor like weapons. Her hair was pulled into a tight, high ponytail that whipped behind her like a warning flag.

She didn't walk. She owned.

Lucien saw her before she saw him.

He was standing at his locker, hoodie half-zipped, expression unreadable.

But when she passed, something behind his eyes cracked. Just barely.

His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag. His jaw twitched. But he said nothing.

Aria smirked. She wasn't here for small reactions. She was here for destruction.

She stood with Sasha and the rest of her girls, soaking in the sun while everyone took pictures and swapped graduation cards.

That's when it happened.

Vanessa.

The blonde nuisance glided toward Lucien, wearing a flowery blue dress and fake innocence. In her hand was a black box with a ribbon.

Lucien looked… cornered.

Vanessa stood on her toes and whispered something to him, then reached up and kissed his cheek.

Aria's world stopped.

She didn't storm over. She walked—like the final level of a game she'd already won.

"I hope that wasn't contagious," Aria said loudly. "Would hate to see him infected with basic."

Gasps.

Vanessa turned. "It's called kindness. Try it."

Aria tilted her head. "No thanks. I'd rather choke."

Lucien's gaze shifted to Aria. He didn't speak. But something in his eyes said everything: he hadn't wanted that kiss.

Vanessa opened her mouth to retort—

But Aria cut her off. "Run along, Nessa. Before someone mistakes you for confetti and sweeps you into the trash."

Vanessa's face went red. Her group dragged her away, whispering.

Sasha whispered behind Aria, "You really can't help yourself."

"I don't try to," Aria replied. "Some people need reminders."

Jason Morrow.

Football jersey. Dumb smile. Thought he was hot stuff because he could throw a ball and spell his name.

He stepped into Aria's path just as she turned.

"Hey," he said, eyeing her dress. "You look… damn."

"Brilliant observation."

"I was wondering if you'd wanna go out sometime. Like, after grad. We could—"

She held up a hand. "Jason, right?"

"Yeah."

"Let me save us both the embarrassment: I'd rather drink paint."

He blinked. "Wait, what?"

"You heard me. And don't touch me."

He looked wounded. "You don't gotta be so mean."

"I'm not being mean. I'm being honest. You want fake kindness? Try Vanessa."

The crowd ooh'd. Jason walked away.

Aria turned.

Lucien was watching.

His hands were clenched. Shoulders stiff. For one terrifying second, it looked like he might explode.

But then he looked away. Took a deep breath. And vanished around the corner.

Sasha gave Aria a side-eye. "You enjoy that too much."

"Maybe. Or maybe I just like seeing him feel something."

Group Photo

Seniors gathered in the main hall for pictures.

Names were called. Groups formed.

Aria ended up standing beside Lucien. Of course she did.

She leaned in. Her perfume hit him like thunder.

"You looked jealous earlier," she whispered. "Say it."

"I wasn't."

"You're lying."

He didn't blink. "You're loud."

She grinned. "I know."

He turned toward her. For once, really looked at her. The red dress. The fierce eyes. The way she never backed down.

Then he said it. Quietly. Almost like it hurt.

"You're the only loud thing I don't want to silence."

Her breath hitched.

The camera flashed.

After School – Behind the Gym

She found him alone. Leaning against the brick wall like he was waiting for the world to end.

"You gonna talk to me now?" she asked.

He didn't answer.

She stepped closer. "Why do you keep running?"

He looked at her. "Because if I stay too close, I might stop thinking."

"Good," she whispered. "Thinking's overrated."

He didn't smile. But he didn't walk away.

For a second, neither of them said anything. The silence between them felt alive.

She studied the hard set of his jaw, the way his fingers tapped against his thigh like he was keeping rhythm with all the things he couldn't say.

"What if I don't want you to leave?" she asked suddenly.

His eyes flicked to hers, sharp and surprised.

"I haven't even left yet."

"But you're planning to. I see it all over your face. You've already disappeared in your mind."

"I'm not disappearing."

"You're escaping."

Lucien looked down. His voice dropped. "Wouldn't you?"

She stepped back. Just a little. "No. I'd burn this place before I ran."

"I know," he said. "That's what makes you dangerous."

Aria didn't speak. She stepped closer, reached up, and touched the side of his face.

"You've been quiet for too long, Gray."

Then she kissed him.

This one wasn't fast. It wasn't a dare. It was slow, deep, and aching.

He didn't pull away.

When she finally stepped back, breathless, his hands were still at his sides—but his eyes… his eyes looked shattered.

"You shouldn't have done that," he whispered.

"Too late," she replied. "I don't regret it."

He closed his eyes like it hurt to feel

Lucien pov

He got home late.

His father tossed a thick envelope on the table. "Your enlistment papers came. You leave two days after graduation. No delays."

Lucien stared at it.

His mother didn't even look up from her tablet. "Wear something nice for the ceremony. The press will be there."

That was it.

No hug. No "we're proud." Just orders.

He took the envelope upstairs. Tossed it in the drawer. Locked it.

Then sat on his bed, pulled out his grandfather's photo, and whispered:

"Soon."

He stared at the ceiling.

He didn't want to leave. Not really. But maybe the army was the only place where being invisible was normal.

He remembered his grandfather's words: "When they don't see you, son, that's when you become the sharpest weapon."

Lucien closed his eyes.

For a brief second, he let himself remember what it felt like when Aria whispered in his ear. And how soft her lips felt against his,she keeps kissing him without his permission ,he likes it though he can't just help but like it

Aria pov

She stared at her phone.

Typed:

"You're the only silence that makes me want to scream."

She hit send.

Her little brother peeked through her door. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said. "Just thinking."

"About him?"

She smiled. "Yeah."

He walked in, dragging his blanket behind him. Climbed up beside her.

"You don't act the same when he's not around."

"I know."

"You're softer. Like the wind before it rains."

Aria blinked. "You're getting poetic on me?"

He shrugged. "Just saying. He makes you weird."

"He makes me feel."

"That's worse."

She laughed and messed up his hair.

"Go to bed, punk."

"I will. Just… don't scare him off."

She paused. "That's the plan.