The sky was a soft gray the next morning, clouds hanging low like they were trying to smother the sun. Students trudged into school with sleepy yawns and messy hair. But even before Aiden stepped onto the campus grounds, the whispers had already started.
"He didn't eat lunch yesterday."
"He just sat there staring into space."
"Vampires don't need food… right?"
"What if he's just pretending to be friendly?"
Human curiosity was a dangerous thing. It spread quickly, twisting harmless facts into frightening stories.
Aiden kept walking. His strides were smooth, almost gliding. He looked like he belonged in some ancient palace, not a crowded school hallway. The students parted as he approached — not out of politeness, but fear.
Noah stood with Chloe and a few friends, acting like he owned the hallway. When he spotted Aiden, his grin sharpened. "Hey, Prince Dracula," he called out. "Didn't your butler show you the cafeteria? Or do you eat… elsewhere?" He leaned closer, eyes mocking. "Like in the dark?"
Aiden didn't respond. His silver eyes flicked toward Noah, cold and expressionless, and then he continued walking. That made Noah even angrier.
"Yeah, keep walking," Noah scoffed, voice rising. "Probably can't talk without blood dripping from those fangs."
Some students laughed nervously. Others stared at Aiden with growing suspicion. Fear was being fed — and Noah was enjoying every second.
Ella shut her locker harder than she meant to. Maya gave her a look. "I know that face," she said quietly. "You want to go over there and defend him."
Ella bit her lip. Yes. She did. But Noah wasn't just rude — he was mean. And loud. And popular. "Noah's just… misunderstanding him," she whispered.
"Or he's making everyone else misunderstand him," Maya replied, crossing her arms. "Just… think before you jump in. Okay?"
Ella didn't reply. She was watching Aiden's back disappear toward class.
She could sit quietly and pretend she hadn't heard anything.
But she hated seeing cruelty — especially toward someone who didn't deserve it.
Especially him.
—
In first period, Mr. Hartman gave the students time to finish worksheets. A low buzz of chatter filled the room. Aiden worked silently, his handwriting graceful and elegant — each stroke precise.
Riley sat beside him, sneaking glances. Finally, he whispered, "Don't mind Noah. He picks on new kids all the time."
Aiden didn't look up. "He fears me," he replied calmly. "People fear what they cannot understand."
Riley blinked. "…Yeah. I guess that's true."
Before he could say more, Chloe and Ethan approached Noah's desk with smirks.
"I heard the council only sent him here because they don't know how to control him," Ethan said loudly, making sure Aiden could hear.
"Maybe he'll snap and attack someone," Chloe added, dramatically glancing at her neck.
Noah grinned. "Probably already planning who to bite first."
Laughter trailed through the room.
Aiden poised his pencil in mid-air. For a moment, the tiniest flicker of something dangerous glinted in his eyes — an instinct buried beneath discipline. A reminder that he was not human.
Mr. Hartman looked up, sensing tension. "Enough of that," he warned. "We treat every student with respect here."
Noah slouched back, annoyed but silent — for now.
Ella exhaled slowly, relief washing through her. Mr. Hartman might not understand the situation fully, but at least someone was willing to step in.
—
At break, Aiden left the classroom before anyone else could follow. He headed for the quiet garden behind the library — the one place sunlight barely reached thanks to the trees.
He didn't enjoy hiding. But if he had stayed inside…
His jaw tightened.
Control. Always control.
That's what his upbringing drilled into him.
Then a voice called gently, "Aiden?"
Ella stood a short distance away, holding a small carton of juice and a sandwich. She looked nervous but determined.
"You disappeared," she said quietly, stepping closer. "I thought… maybe you'd want someone to sit with again."
He studied her. Humans usually looked at him with fear or fascination — never warmth. Her presence felt… strange. New.
"You shouldn't concern yourself with me," he said. Not cold — just cautious.
"I want to," she replied, surprising even herself.
Aiden blinked once, as if processing the idea. She wasn't scared. She wasn't mocking him. She wasn't walking away.
So he didn't walk away either.
Ella sat down on the stone bench and he followed, slower, like he was unsure if he was allowed. For a while, she ate quietly while he simply watched the wind move leaves overhead.
"You don't talk much," she finally said.
"I speak when necessary."
"And… yesterday? When you helped me? Was that necessary?" she asked with a small smile.
Aiden looked away as if embarrassed — or just unused to kindness. "It felt… right."
Ella's heart warmed. He wasn't cold. He was guarded. There was a difference.
Before she could say more, someone stepped out from the corner.
Jace Rowan.
His stare fixed on Aiden with intensity — something darker than jealousy.
"Well, well," Jace said smoothly. "You're making friends already. How sweet."
Aiden squared his shoulders, eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you want?"
Jace smirked, leaning close enough for only Aiden to hear:
"You didn't come here to change anything. Humans will never accept us. And Draven is going to remind them why they should fear vampires."
Ella's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?" she asked.
Jace ignored her completely, gaze locked on Aiden. "Your little peace act won't last. Sooner or later, you'll show them what you really are."
Aiden's voice turned colder than ice. "Leave."
For the first time, Ella heard the sharpness hidden beneath his calm. It scared her — but not away. It scared her for him.
Jace clicked his tongue. "Enjoy your lunch, Blackwell. It might be the last time you get to pretend."
He walked off, leaving a thick silence behind.
Ella swallowed. "What did he mean? What's going on?"
Aiden looked down at his hands — steady but tense.
His voice was quiet… haunted.
"There are vampires who want war, not peace."
His silver eyes darkened.
"And he works for one of the worst."
Ella didn't ask more. Not yet. She could see how heavy just those few words were. Instead, she simply stayed beside him.
And for Aiden… that was enough.
For the first time at Riverside High, he didn't feel completely alone.
But someone else was watching from the shadows of a stairwell…
And he was not smiling.