Aria POV 

After the lecture was over, I came outside to my locker when some guys came and stood beside me. "Look, the new brilliant girl in school," one of them, a black, plump guy said. 

God knows I don't have time for any problems now. I like being on my own, and I just wish they're going to leave me alone. It's obvious, they aren't here for any other purpose than to cause trouble. 

"Answering all the lecturer's questions, receiving all the claps and glories." Another one who looked very ugly said. 

I decided to play dumb; it's a high-class college with students from rich families, so I'm not surprised they're as arrogant as Ethan. 

If I tried to retaliate, it might make things worse for me, I don't have anybody who's going to fight for me and so, it's best I remain quiet.

"Ugh, she stinks," one of them said, making me pissed. I knew he was lying; obviously, I do use deodorant, so I knew this was a prank. 

Goddammit, this guys are seriously getting on my nerves.

"It seems like our insults aren't getting through to her. Hey, Aria, why are you suddenly dumb?" he asked me."

I decided to ignore them. 

"The annoying part of what happened today was the fact that she made the lecturer tell the boss, to clap for her, isn't that ironical?" The first guy said. 

Who's he referring as the boss? Ethan? Now I know why he's arrogant. 

"Hey bitch I'm asking you a question!" The plump guy shouted at me. 

I locked my locker and turned to leave, but one of them yanked me back, gripping my hand tightly. 

''You think you're tough? Trying to brush us off? I see you've got guts," he sneered.

 ''She's playing hard to get, come on, man, show her who's boss!'' the others egged him on. 

"I asked you a question, and you tried to ignore me? Now listen up, I don't care that you're a girl...incase you don't know me, let this sink into your skull, I don't give a fuck!''he growled, his tone menacing.

"Are you done? Can I go?" I asked him guardedly.

"So she can talk?" One of them said mockingly.

" She's even asking that I let her go, in other words, she doesn't give a fuck about what I've been saying. Are you fucking crazy?!" He screamed.

"Can you let me be? What the fuck have I done wrong? Telling you to let me go – wasn't that polite enough?'' I asked him, my voice cracking. 

''She's also raising her voice at me. Men, what's wrong with this bitch?'' he groaned. 

''I don't have time for your bullshit!'' I said and tried to take my leave a second time, but he pulled me back again. What's the meaning of this? 

All eyes are on us now. I looked at my side, and, gosh, Ethan is here; he's enjoying this whole scene. ''Do you want me to beg you? Then please let me go,'' I said since I can't stand seeing Ethan laugh at me. Seeing I'd begged him, he burst into laughter.

" If you begging me was what I wanted, I would have get it from someone better and special than you__" he told me.

Ethan intervened, his voice dripping with amusement. ''Come on, man, this drama isn't unfolding as I want it to. Aria, give him a slap like you always do, huh?" he said with a mischievous grin. 

Why was he being so wicked? As his half-sister, I expected him to defend me, regardless of our past conflicts.

I felt utterly humiliated with all eyes on me, helpless and trapped. I couldn't fight back, and all I wanted was to escape the scene. I longed for a quiet refuge, like the library, where I could be alone with my thoughts – a sanctuary for introverts like me.

"Ethan please tell them to allow me leave this place.." I told him softly.

"Ain't you going to run your mouth as usual?" He asked me mockingly.

"Please just allow me leave this place.." I told him.

" You accepting to come to this place was a big mistake and thank God you did." He told me.

" Don't tell me that you're still mad at me because of what happened yesterday?" I asked him.

" So I should be happy for you for slapping me, right?" He asked me his voice barely above a whisper.

"Have you forgotten that you pushed me and I got injured __" I reminded him.

"So it's a payback right?" He asked me raising an eyebrow.

"That's not what it is. It was even a mistake I didn't know when I slapped you." I told him softly.

"Well, I guess this is the best time for TikTok,'' he said, feeling amused. I'm being humiliated, and he's obviously enjoying the scene. He brought out his phone, and others did the same. What's he trying to do? To make a video of me? 

"Ethan, what's the meaning of this?'' I asked him, my voice shaking. 

I could hear some girls whispering, 

''Let's see what she's going to do.'' 

''Is she going to fight him?'' 

"She doesn't have the guts; she can't take on the mighty demigod Ethan.'' 

''But she looks stubborn; let's see how she'll react.''

Their gossip was infuriating me. This was one reason I'd avoided coming here. How long would I have to endure this?

I seriously wish a miracle could just happen and I'll disappear from this place. I remember the same thing that happened at the party the other day; I'd have been in trouble if not for that saving grace that came to my aid. I wish someone like him would just show up.

''You scored me one-zero when you gave me the slap; I want to equalize it or make it ten-one,'' he said boastfully.

"Ethan don't do this to me," I pleaded with him, as tears gathered inside my eyes.

"Get on your knees and kiss my shoe," he told me. 

What!

How can I stoop so low when I'm not a prisoner?

"Ethan this is not fair!" I told him.

"Of course it is now, kiss my fucking shoe!" He said authoritatively.