Forgotten Bonds

ELIZA’S POV

The alarm’s incessant beeping pierced through my foggy mind, sounding like a tiny drill boring into my skull. I cracked one eye open, half-hoping it was still 3 a.m. and that my alarm had malfunctioned, gifting me a few more precious moments of sleep. But no, the cruel reality blinked back at me in glaring red numbers: 8:34 AM.

A heavy, frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I squeezed my eyes shut, willing time to rewind. But reality hit me like a freight train. I shot up, heart racing as I realized I was already late. I gasped, bolted into the bathroom, and hastily threw water on my face, feeling the cold shock wake me up more than any coffee ever could. After fumbling around for too long, I dashed into my closet.

Pulling on a pair of baggy jeans that had rips up to my knees, I felt a surge of familiarity wash over me. I loved those jeans—my go-to for days when I needed comfort but still wanted to feel a bit stylish. I paired them with a simple white spaghetti-strapped cropped tank top, layering with a dark green cardigan that hugged my hourglass curves just enough to give me some confidence. Rounding off the look, I slipped on my black Converse sneakers. Forget about trying to impress anyone; I just needed to get to school.

I barreled down the stairs, almost skipping a step—grateful I didn’t face-plant into the floor. The smell of something delicious wafted through the air, instantly reminding me of home.

As I entered the kitchen, I spotted my mom standing at the counter, her hands busy preparing lunch for my little siblings, Sera and Jeova. She had that signature frustrated mom look, complete with a messy bun that kept a few errant strands of hair framing her face. Even with a splash of flour dusting her cheek, she radiated that fierce, unwavering love.

“Ma, why the hell didn’t you wake me up?” I complained with an exaggerated pout, expecting to get some pity.

She shot me a knowing look, eyebrows raised. “Can’t you see the time right now?”

“Liz, perdoname (meaning: spare me),” she replied again, a blend of sternness and compassion in her voice.

Looking down as she continued packing their lunches, she added, “I woke you up three times! It’s your responsibility, girl.”

Her piercing amber eyes, a trait I’d inherited but wished I hadn’t, bore into mine. “You just got accepted to college, you’re an adult now, so you might want to start acting like one.”

I stood there, feeling a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. She was right, and I hated it. She handed me some snacks, wrapped neatly in foil, to munch on in case I got hungry during the day.

“Shouldn’t you be leaving now?”

I glanced at my watch, my pulse quickening as a wave of panic washed over me. I bolted past my sisters, who were busy shoving their mouths full of cereal. “Sorry, guys!”

I dashed back to my mom for a quick peck on the cheek. “Bye, Ma. Have a great day!”

Grabbing my white shoulder bag decorated with tiny pink stars, I charged out the door, adrenaline pumping as I was finally ready to face whatever today had in store.

I sprinted to my car, a shiny Lexus ES that I received for my 18th birthday—an absolute dream come true. It radiated luxury, with sleek curves and a sophisticated black and silver interior. I hopped inside and turned the engine on, grinning at the familiar purr. I swiftly threw it into reverse and sped off, hoping the day wouldn’t get any crazier.

As I cruised down the street, I cranked up the music, desperate for a boost of energy. Thank God I only lived about ten minutes away from school; otherwise, I’d have been in a deep, dark pit of trouble. Of course, that would be too easy—traffic was a nightmare. What else could I expect? It was the first day of school.

Right when I was about to make a turn, some reckless jerk on a motorcycle cut right in front of me. My heart plummeted.

With irritation bubbling up inside me, I rolled down my window and shouted, “Watch where you’re going, jackass!”

He looked back, and I think we locked eyes; his glare sent a chill down me. Just as I was about to say something else to that idiot, a car behind me honked, shocking me back to reality. When I looked ahead again, the biker was gone, and I couldn’t help but huff in annoyance. Of course, he had a helmet on—no chance of seeing that smug face.

Pulling into the school parking lot, I quickly noticed the sparse number of students milling around, confirming what I dreaded: I was late.

I hopped out of my car, grabbed my bag, and headed onto campus. Opting to speed walk instead of running, I figured I’d avoid the embarrassment of being a sweaty mess when I entered the building. Once inside, I scanned the hallway for my classroom, anxiety fluttering in my stomach. I picked up my pace, and that’s when I collided with someone solid.

I didn’t even look up before I blurted, “Sorry!”

I brushed past him, acutely aware of the hard, muscular chest I’d just bumped into. My cheeks burned as I could feel his gaze lingering on me, but hey, at least I apologized, right?

Once I finally made it into the classroom, the teacher greeted me with a disappointed look and crossed arms.

“You’re late; class is practically over,” she said, her tone carrying a familiar authority.

“I’m so, so sorry!” I replied, trying to infuse my voice with as much sincerity and sweetness as I could muster, flashing what I hoped was an endearing smile.

“Take a seat, Miss…?”

“Rodriguez.”

I slid into a desk at the back, wishing for the floor to swallow me whole.

“God, this is so humiliating,” I thought, glancing at my watch in frustration. My blood boiled—not just at myself, but at the idiot on the motorcycle who had messed up my morning in the grandest of ways.

Just then, a guy strutted through the door, and suddenly, every pair of eyes in the room turned to him like moths to a flame.

He was strikingly handsome, with a chiseled chin and just the right hint of stubble that made him look effortlessly rugged. His dark-brown hair was wild and curly, giving him a carefree vibe, but the way he carried himself screamed confidence. Decked out in a black loose-fitting tee that hugged his well-defined shoulders and biceps, he wore dark blue jeans that scrolled down to a pair of black shoes that looked both comfortable and stylish.

The moment those stunning dark-brown eyes made contact with mine, I felt like the world came to a screeching halt. I could get lost in those eyes forever; they were deep and warm, like melted chocolate. It's like I've seen them; they look oddly familiar. Before I could get too lost, I jerked my gaze away, my heart racing as I grabbed a water bottle to hide the flush creeping across my cheeks.

The teacher’s demeanor shifted toward him, her authority giving way to a softer approach that left me envious.

“Mrs. Henderson,” he said, his voice smooth and deep, resonating through the classroom like a well-tuned instrument.

“You’re late, but I’ll let it pass this time,” she said, almost with a twinkle in her eye.

“Just don’t let it happen again, got it?”

He nodded, casual confidence radiating from him as he addressed her like he owned the place.

“You may take a seat.”

Seriously?! I didn’t get that luxury!

I overheard a couple of girls whispering, practically drooling over him, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Who wouldn’t be smitten?

As he started walking my way, I just wanted time to fly so I could escape this awkwardness. Distracting myself, I fished out a mini travel-sized brush from my bag to fix my hair. Thank goodness for good hair days; I washed it last night. Being a natural redhead had its perks, like the vibrant color I inherited from my grandmother. My mom, however, refused to let me dye it, but I never wanted to.

When I casually glanced to my left, my heart sank as I realized he was standing right next to me. “Gosh, he must be at least six feet and a half,” I thought, sizing him up with a mix of annoyance and intrigue. His towering presence loomed, an unwelcome shadow over my space.

“Excuse me.” His voice sliced through the air, dripping with a venomous edge.

“Can I help you?” I shot back, trying to match his cruelty, though my heart raced a little faster than I expected.

His dark eyebrows knitted together as he narrowed his eyes at me, the typical look of entitlement someone like him wore all too well.

“You’re in my seat. Would you scoot over?” There was a chilling calmness in his demand, as if he truly believed the world revolved around him.

“Why would I do that?” I snapped, unable to conceal my defiance. “I didn’t get a memo that we have assigned seats.” I held my ground, a defiant fire igniting within me.

Just then, the teacher, Mrs. Henderson, looked up from her laptop, her gaze falling on our standoff. “Is there something wrong, Mr. Astor?” she asked, her voice tinged with the hint of authority she loved to wield.

"Astor? Why does that sound so.." I thought. Maybe I misheard.

“Yes, Actua—” he started, but the bell rang, cutting off his retort and leaving the air thick with tension.

He turned to me, his face twisted in irritation. “Listen up, I don’t give a shit who you think you are, but you clearly don’t know me. Do me a favor and drag your ass somewhere else next time.” The arrogance in his voice was infuriating.

I grumbled a few curse words under my breath. Instead of backing down, I stood up, fueled by a rebellious fire. I wasn’t about to let him intimidate me.

“What the hell did you just say?” he shot back, trying to sound tough.

I shot back, “You’re such a jerk,” the words pouring out of me with a surprising confidence. As I turned slightly, I noticed a flash of something in his eyes—was it recognition? I couldn’t quite place it, but it brushed against a memory I couldn’t grasp.

I shrugged it off, pushing the thought aside. With a triumphant feeling swelling in my chest, I walked away, determined not to let his presence or his words get to me.

**Flashback: A Day at the Lake**

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the lake as Eliza splashed through the shallow water, laughter bubbling up like the gentle waves lapping at her ankles. She turned to look back at Austin, who was precariously balancing on the edge of a large rock, his dark hair tousled by the summer breeze.

“Come on, Austin! Jump! It’s not that high!” she called, a playful challenge dancing in her eyes.

He hesitated, eyes narrowing as he studied the water below. “What if I land on a turtle?” he replied, crossing his arms over his chest in mock seriousness.

Eliza threw her head back and laughed. “Turtles are friendly! Just do it!”

With a sigh, Austin rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile creeping onto his face. He took a deep breath, counted to three under his breath, and leaped. Time seemed to freeze as he soared through the air, the sunlight glinting off his skin before he hit the water with a loud splash.

Eliza squealed, water exploding around her as she barely dodged the wave he created. “You were supposed to make a big splash, not drown!” she teased, splashing him back.

Emerging from the water, Austin shook his head, flicking droplets of water like a dog. “You weren’t even ready for it!”

They spent the afternoon laughing, making up games, and creating memories that felt as solid as the sun-drenched sand beneath their feet. In moments of quiet, they would sit on the shore, sharing secret dreams and silly ambitions, their friendship blossoming under the summer sky.

But as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, there was a fleeting moment when Eliza caught Austin’s gaze. His expression turned serious for a heartbeat—a hint of something deeper lurking behind the mischief in his eyes. “Promise we’ll always be friends?” he asked, a slight tremor in his voice.

“Always!” she declared, without a second thought, reaching out to clasp his small hand, a gesture of unwavering trust.