By the time lunchtime rolled around Ariana had overanalysed her morning interaction with Liam approximately fourteen times and broken down their entire exchange with Violet six times before Violet got sick of her and decided to actually participate in Math class.
Ariana wasn't sure why she was so anxious about her looming date with Liam tonight. She'd been on dates before, although they were mostly back in middle school and involved awkward hand holding in the dark of the cinema, with the looming possibility of an awkward hug at the end before she was escorted back to whichever foster home she was in at the time. Eventually Ariana had decided that she didn't need a boyfriend in her life. She had been too focused on her studies anyway, and then Garrett had found their first mercenary job. After that Ariana felt like dating would be too awkward. What was she supposed to say when she talked to guys? How did she talk about her hobbies without revealing that her weekend plans usually involved concocting a poison strong enough to kill a grown man?
At least her friends now outside of the orphans were all safe from this issue. They were either like Mason, who was the type easily distracted enough to avoid questions about her life, or they weren't really close enough to Ariana in the first place. Several years of shifting between foster homes had left her fairly closed off to the world, reluctant to let people in. She was well aware of her trust issues, well aware that she could count the people she trusted on one hand. Aware and happy for it to remain that way. At least until Liam crashed into her life...
The blaring sound of the lunch bell pulled Ariana out of her thoughts and she quickly jotted down the last few notes on the board regarding their upcoming Math test, before rushing out a few steps behind Violet.
"Okay so-"
"No." Violet cut Ariana off sharply, holding a hand up. "I am not analysing Liam's words again. He asked you out. You have a date. Hooray. But I am not going over it again. Please just wait until lunchtime so you have some more material to use."
Ariana rolled her eyes as she followed Violet around the corner and into the cafeteria. They made their way down the line, grabbing their food quickly, Violet's eyes scanning the room to find Garrett. Ariana let her search, knowing that her own lack of height was going to prevent her from actually seeing over any of the other students' heads. By the smirk on Violet's lips it looked like she'd spotted them, tilting her head to indicate Ariana to follow her through the swarm of students. They pushed through the crowded room until they made it to the table where Garrett was sitting with a plate of food piled up as if he'd had a heads up on a looming apocalypse. And sitting opposite him, deep in conversation was Liam. Ah. That explained Violet's smirk.
Ariana took a deep breath, calming any nerves on the brink of arising. She made a mental note to interrogate Garrett later on what he had talked to Liam about so far. Had Liam said anything about her? Had Garrett said anything? Suddenly Ariana was regretting not discussing this earlier with Garrett. She should've at least texted him a list of what not to mention. Garrett was smart though. Ariana doubted he would accidentally reveal that they were secretly teenage assassins and that Ariana preferred creating poisons to movie dates. Still, the nerves were kicking in.
"Hey baby!" Violet said loudly, interrupting the boys' laughter as she slipped into the seat next to Garrett. That left the only spare spot next to Liam. He turned his head up, those deep blue eyes locking on Ariana.
"Hi." Liam's smile was a little hesitant, slightly lop-sided with uncertainty like he wasn't sure if Ariana would smile back. She did, her lips tilting up on their own accord as she slid into the seat next to him carefully.
YOU ARE READING
Take Me Down
FanfictionWhen a supernatural hit list fell into the hands of The Orphans, Ariana Petrakis took little convincing, joining her mercenary friends in the hunt to kill. When the list suddenly updated, there were some unexpected names, including her own. With unk...