tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5299038501183116712024-03-13T08:45:01.915-07:00Aria Rapture's 100 Baby ChallengeStacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-41889011083615240772014-04-07T20:08:00.000-07:002015-10-14T11:44:27.237-07:0044: Can't Forget You<div style="text-align: center;">
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[Heyyyyy. Author's note. The scene with Ephrem and Aria was roleplayed, so it is omnipresent as opposed to limited as it usually is.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Sooooo, as I add that in, I also have to say thank you to Sarah. For writing this with me.]</span></b></div>
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Clark Rapture- YA</div>
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Veronica Rapture</div>
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Izabel, Kat and Taralynn Rapture<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>One Year Later</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a simple truth of life that time goes on. People change and feelings evolve. It doesn't really mean that people forget, just that sometimes when it seems impossible, you have to push through it anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta; line-height: 16.99652862548828px;"><i style="background-color: black;">"Have you ever buried yourself so far down inside a vortex that you couldn't even see the tiny pieces of light that tried to break through? Like being on the wrong side of up and the bottom of the end?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.99652862548828px;"><i>That's kind of where I found myself. Stuck between what was right for me and what I wanted so desperately it made my soul ache.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16.99652862548828px;">"</span></span></span></div>
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Baby 96, Ryleigh Stehsis<br />
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Babies 97 and 98: Shayla and Nikki Stehsis</div>
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And... Babies 99 and 100</div>
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Meg and Sarah Stehsis.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~~~~~~***~~~~~~</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rain fell in sheets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was getting more and more overcast the closer it got to her wedding day. Which was only 10 days away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10 days and she would be Aria Stehsis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How fucking weird would that be? To be married? To belong to someone for the rest of her life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because, she was going to marry Ephrem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last year of her life had been a blur. She never really expected things to turn out the way that they did. Her final 5 babies being born months after the first 95 and her having a ring on her finger courtesy of Ephrem.. Not Carter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One single birth, and two sets of twins. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All girls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And perfect in every way..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was in love, and she was happy... But something always felt off. Always felt like it didn't quite fit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like when you have two pieces of a puzzle and you desperately want them to fit.. They look like they should, and they almost do, but they don't quite secure together perfectly. So you take the two pieces and you change them, push them, shred them until, finally.. They lock into place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria took the steps of the house she and Ephrem had bought two at a time, trying to avoid getting wet as much as possible. She opened the door, the quiet seeping into her ears. It always was almost silent, even with the twins, babies 99 and 100, still being children. It was like Eph's quietness had been passed on to all 5 of his spawn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria jumped slightly, turning around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scowled, tossing the keys she had been holding at his head.<br /><br />"Don't DO that. You're like a shadow sometimes, I swear."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He laughed, ducking the keys and they hit the floor behind him with a metallic clink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You'll never be fast enough to actually hit me, ya know."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smirked, crossing the room and pushing a clingy piece of her hair out of her pink eyes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I missed you." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The words left her lips and she knew it was true. It was always true. Even though today had been rough when it came to thoughts of the past. Of.. him. As hard as she tried, she still had those days when she wished maybe.. Just maybe.. he hadn't walked away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I always miss you, Aria." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He responded, his smile faltering a little. He always seemed so unsure. Like, beneath the surface. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe he had a reason to be.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice was almost breathless. Slightly guilty. She took a step back, and his hand dropped. She bit her lip, trying to shrug off that sinking feeling in her chest that she was disappointing him again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think I'm going to go into Bridgeport tonight, I got a call from Taralynn about my dress.."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You don't have to go. I can go and get it sometime next week.. Besides, you haven't checked on your car since you bought it. I don't want something to-"<br /><br />Aria rolled her eyes, pulling her fingers through the rain-dampened tangles in her hair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'll be FINE, Eph. You are way too concerned. It's not even that much of a drive to Bridgeport. I just want my dress, okay?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She softened a little at the look in his eyes. She was far too short with him, for no reason at all. He had never done anything but care about her, but she was so wrapped up in the past most of the time that she felt like she was really only half there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She honestly had no idea why he even fell in love with her. She knew she didn't deserve it. He deserved something better than half a person. Half a soul. Someone who could give him everything. But she was, in the end, a selfish creature who wanted him anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, Ar. Whatever."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a pause. Thick with tension and.. something else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You act like I am this big bad guy trying to give you a set of rules or something, Aria."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled her to him, resting his head against hers, his voice light and his breath stirring a few strands of hair with his words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm not. I just want to keep you safe.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He trailed off, a tinge of something else in his voice Aria couldn't place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another pause.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria cleared her throat and lifted her head from his.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah.. I have to go, okay? I'll be back.. later."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed her hair behind her ear, tugging the end slightly as her hand dropped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yeah. Still wasn't working for her nerves.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpKBlfTAzQ4/U0HyN8RFNmI/AAAAAAAAEGo/knyMS5GHpb4/s1600/Screenshot-214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpKBlfTAzQ4/U0HyN8RFNmI/AAAAAAAAEGo/knyMS5GHpb4/s1600/Screenshot-214.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ephrem gave her a look, colored with something she wasn't sure she wanted to place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Okay."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Just okay? Whatever.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She picked up her keys off the ground from where she had thrown them and looked at him one last time. His back was turned and the quiet was... nauseating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Bye, Eph."<br /><br />She spun, leaving before he could even respond.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-------------------</span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smoke billowed from under the hood of her Charger and she sighed, pulling it over to the side of the road. Ephrem had told her to take it in, but she hadn't listened. She never really did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the key out of the ignition just as drops of water started splattering on the windshield. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Fucking awesome. My phone's dead, my brand new car's broken and now it's raining. I just want my fucking wedding dress.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sighed, leaning her head back on the top of the seat. Ephrem warned her this might happen if she didn't get the car checked before driving it to Bridgeport. Why did she always suck at listening to him?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2Uk-S2QT0s/U0HzQKVjcSI/AAAAAAAAEGw/f_tBeN1o9Ac/s1600/Screenshot-215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2Uk-S2QT0s/U0HzQKVjcSI/AAAAAAAAEGw/f_tBeN1o9Ac/s1600/Screenshot-215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She tried, once more to get her stupid iPhone to turn on, but it was useless. She had drained the battery long before she left. Being the genius she was, she had also left her car charger in Eph's Impala.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ughhhhh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She threw the phone in the passenger seat, running both hands through her hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What the hell was she supposed to do?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her eyes strayed to her glovebox, and she popped i</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">t open.. Searching for something, anything that could maybe somehow help her out in the situation. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good job, Aria. Dumbass.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whoa, but hey.. Cigarettes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed one, and the lighter next to it and got out of the car, the flame barely coming to light against the rain that was getting heavier and heavier as time passed.She shivered slightly, she had forgotten a jacket. Figures.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BWVZcP92sXM/U0H0eDSsb4I/AAAAAAAAEG8/b8vyg-UD2ZQ/s1600/Screenshot-216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BWVZcP92sXM/U0H0eDSsb4I/AAAAAAAAEG8/b8vyg-UD2ZQ/s1600/Screenshot-216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She exhaled, the poisonous smoke mixing in with the descending water. Just as she put the filter to her lips once more, headlights popped up over the hill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wait a second, was her luck actually turning around?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She dropped the burning stick on the ground and was about to wave for help when she realized.. That was a Hummer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No fucking way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her luck wasn't getting better. It just got about a million times worse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WHY?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The SUV slowed to a stop, the windows too dark in the downpour for her to see inside. The driver's side door slammed shut and then he was there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was like a fucking nightmare.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy-u7jQxL-0/U0IAb-SQT_I/AAAAAAAAEHQ/lepFovqIAos/s1600/Screenshot-218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy-u7jQxL-0/U0IAb-SQT_I/AAAAAAAAEHQ/lepFovqIAos/s1600/Screenshot-218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can keep driving. I can wait for the next person who shows up. I'm pretty convinced they won't be a self righteous douche bag who thinks he is a knight in shining armor."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria spat the words, her heart rate picking up just slightly just at the sight of his face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She hadn't seen him in a year. His hair was longer.. He looked different..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And he looked.. Tired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Good. I hope he's exhausted and his life is nothing.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He approached her, crossing his arms over his chest, the rain soaking his shoulders in moments. He stood a few feet away, but his smirk was evident.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ4aR3ekwHo/U0IAb352CtI/AAAAAAAAEHU/h7kT4KiHgSs/s1600/Screenshot-217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ4aR3ekwHo/U0IAb352CtI/AAAAAAAAEHU/h7kT4KiHgSs/s1600/Screenshot-217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Aria really wanted to punch him in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nice ring. Who'd you get that one out of?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was taken by surprise for a second. She stopped pulling at her hair instantly, dropping her left hand to her stomach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ephrem."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She said, the word echoing in the night sky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's eyes widened slightly for a few brief seconds, and then returned to normal. But she caught it. She usually did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You mean.. You actually stayed with him long enough for that?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wj5MZouDnw/U0IBk9QDgCI/AAAAAAAAEHc/Fgx_DYjCsVs/s1600/Screenshot-219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wj5MZouDnw/U0IBk9QDgCI/AAAAAAAAEHc/Fgx_DYjCsVs/s1600/Screenshot-219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Call me crazy, but isn't your thing to string someone along til they fall in love with you and then leave them behind?<br /><br />Surprised that the two of you made anything work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isn't he a little.."<br /><br />He trailed off, taking a couple of steps closer to her. She backed up, hitting the metal of her now useless car.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Uncorrupted for you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought you liked them broken and easy?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She glared at him, the words eating through her chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You don't even fucking know him."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed, taking another step towards her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know enough."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria let out a huff, shifting her weight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Can you just get back in your car and keep driving? I told you. I don't need you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's expression faltered, going almost blank.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xkw3aU6OYlQ/U0IDCMQ-y9I/AAAAAAAAEHo/OBwbuK7KbXA/s1600/Screenshot-221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xkw3aU6OYlQ/U0IDCMQ-y9I/AAAAAAAAEHo/OBwbuK7KbXA/s1600/Screenshot-221.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He closed the distance, his face inches from hers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You need me. You need me to make you okay. Why do you keep denying it? Do you think that it's a coincidence I'm the one who found you here? Or do you not believe in fate anymore?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria disregarded his last comment with a hiss. He was the one who destroyed her idea of fate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If I was as desperate as you seem to think I am for you to fucking fix me, don't you think I would have continued chasing you?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter hesitated, seeming to try and choose his next words with care.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, because you found someone else to try to fix you. But he hasn't, has he?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes flickered from the quiet raindrops on the windows next to her to the ring that seemed to be growing heavier and heavier on her finger. She didn't respond. she knew the answer to that question. She just didn't want to admit it. Not to herself. Not to anyone. Let alone Carter fucking Simon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qU2uL44LHYQ/U0ID9WNAVYI/AAAAAAAAEHw/cqqUcyN2Xgw/s1600/Screenshot-222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qU2uL44LHYQ/U0ID9WNAVYI/AAAAAAAAEHw/cqqUcyN2Xgw/s1600/Screenshot-222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you want to know why he hasn't, Aria?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter leaned a hand against the car next to where Aria stood, causing her heart to stutter slightly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Because he's not me. I'm the only one who's ever going to fill that void. I'm the only one who is going to make you okay again."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He leaned towards her, the rain dripping down his hair and into his eyes. But he didn't blink it away, didn't break his stare. His words were slowly but surely eating through her carefully rebuilt defenses.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You. I. Everyone. They know. I bet even he does. The only thing is: We can keep fighting it, until the day we die we can just stay away from each other. Or..."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxFkm9hKQcQ/U0IEkJgtWeI/AAAAAAAAEH4/VEpZSCGPGxU/s1600/Screenshot-223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxFkm9hKQcQ/U0IEkJgtWeI/AAAAAAAAEH4/VEpZSCGPGxU/s1600/Screenshot-223.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stopped, reaching out and pushing a strand of rain-soaked hair out of her eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Or we can give in for once in our fucking lives and love each other like we always have. Cause I don't know about you, but I am <i>tired </i>of lying."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His hand found hers and she could feel the warmth, his heartbeat, even through the icy drops of rain. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Because I love you, Aria.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pulled her hand away, crossing her arms over her chest. She chose to keep her eyes on the hood of his Hummer that was still idling behind him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're so full of shit, Carter. You walked away from ME, remember? You let ME go. Threw me away. Or did you forget the last time we saw each other?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter shook his head, sending water droplets in every direction.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Let's get one thing straight: I fucked up. I fucked up big time on a million different levels. I've destroyed everything I was capable of destroying and burned every damn bridge... But, Aria, one thing always remained true: I could never get rid of the piece of me that belongs to you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rain barely contained the sound that escaped Aria's lips. Somewhere between a gasp and a scoff.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do you take the word of someone who literally walked out of your life without a second thought? How do you leave the man you have fallen in love with for the one who gave you up?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There really isn't a simplicity to it. You don't wake up one day and decide to shatter reality. Love does that for you. It blows through your entire world and tears your plans to shreds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love is as destructive as it is beautiful. But it wouldn't be love if it wasn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That doesn't make it easy, but what choice that means anything at all, is?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pulled the car up to the front of the house, turning the ignition off. She dropped the keys from one hand to the other, sighing softly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fact that she had to drive this fucking thing in the first place was just adding more to the guilt that pooled in the pit of her stomach. Like what she <i>had </i>done wasn't bad enough. Like what she was about to <i>/do/</i> wasn't bad enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's add insult to injury.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it wasn't like she could have driven her own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pocketed the keys and jumped down, landing in a puddle. Of course. With her luck, she would.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS6XI5KZ25Q/U0Ipe4hEk6I/AAAAAAAAEIw/Jtz0heScWzA/s1600/Screenshot-230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS6XI5KZ25Q/U0Ipe4hEk6I/AAAAAAAAEIw/Jtz0heScWzA/s1600/Screenshot-230.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The door shutting behind her in the house that they had shared for this long was so much louder than it should be. It echoed into the air like a gunshot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or maybe that was her guilt intensifying the noise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Guess I'm about to do what I was always good at. Letting people down.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Eph?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He heard the car door slam. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>It's not yours, but it's you. And his car.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Am I mad? Maybe. Am I worried? Maybe. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He greeted her at the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hi. Where have you been, you didn't call or anything." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If she would have just done that it would have been more of a relief than thinking she could be god-knows-where. But his gut was telling him that maybe he didn't want to know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why did she have his car?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I.." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She studied his face. He looked angry already. At least a little. She was pretty sure that by the end of whatever this was about to become, it was going to turn into much more than a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She could feel something like regret pull at the part of her chest where her heart was supposed to reside. She had decided a long time ago it wasn't there anymore. It fell apart before it ever had a chance to really be whole.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWdhft9_LCM/U0Ipf6FPPlI/AAAAAAAAEJA/S7XV5nIoxRI/s1600/Screenshot-233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWdhft9_LCM/U0Ipf6FPPlI/AAAAAAAAEJA/S7XV5nIoxRI/s1600/Screenshot-233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I spent the night in Bridgeport. My car broke down."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Just like you said.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I was stupid. I should have gotten it checked. I.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Her words fumbled, her eyes finally locking onto his.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ephrem there's something I have to tell you."</span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Told you so. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He relaxed his tense expression the best he could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "So why do you have Farter's car then? You called him?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Something to tell me.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pinched his eyebrows together, "What is it?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She couldn't help the tiny smile that the insult pulled to the surface. He was always good at that. Making her laugh..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> But then she remembered why she was there and it dissipated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No my phone died I couldn't call anyone, Ephrem. Or it would have been you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Truth. Completely. Part of her almost wished her phone hadn't been dead so it could have been him. God, it should have been him. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVcLuwr18yo/U0IpfnyE0fI/AAAAAAAAEI8/p8k1n_u4jLA/s1600/Screenshot-232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVcLuwr18yo/U0IpfnyE0fI/AAAAAAAAEI8/p8k1n_u4jLA/s1600/Screenshot-232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He found me. On the interstate north of town. I.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Youre an idiot, Aria. You can't even speak.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ephrem, I'm sorry."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's all she could manage to get out before the tears started to spill down her cheeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry okay."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pushed himself off the back of the couch he was leaning on and ran his fingers through his hair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So what? You couldnt use his phone to call me?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I knew it. I fucking knew it. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Tell me, was his bed a good refuge? Carter the hero. Of course." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"God Aria. Seriously?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her tears weren't helping. Yeah, He was hurt but he still fucking loved her. She had him wrapped around her finger and she just shattered everything but yet here he was, standing here, wanting to hold her like a fucking jackass. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpqzujcFJO8/U0Iw8bAQ-LI/AAAAAAAAEJc/GepcJvxPV4o/s1600/Screenshot-235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpqzujcFJO8/U0Iw8bAQ-LI/AAAAAAAAEJc/GepcJvxPV4o/s1600/Screenshot-235.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it's done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah. Like that would have went over so well."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She managed, the sarcasm barely sounding through her tears. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I was pathetic. I couldn't handle anything. It was always the same. Something happens and then I become an emotional freak.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And this was all on me. All of it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't know what you want me to say, Ephrem."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her eyes fell from his face to the ring that was still on her finger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You know I love you. You have to know that, right?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What the fuck is wrong with me?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I just..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She twisted her hands together, pulling it off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I can't marry you. Eph. I.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She held the ring, just staring at it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You have to know that I love you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You have to. I'm stupid. I'm a mistake. But I do love you.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He scoffed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Ha.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You love me? That is not love. You cant love two people at the same time, Aria. No matter what you think. It's always been him," </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I was nothing more than a distraction. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What you do, it's not love. I would have understood using his phone to call me. But you didnt."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes flitted through emotions Aria had never really seen before. Like there were secrets there even she didn't know..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Keep the ring. What am I gonna do with it?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can't say that. Why would you say that?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice rose slightly, cracking at the edges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I have loved you for a long time, no matter what you believe."</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdj9GGwlDH8/U0Iz2VhfwjI/AAAAAAAAEJo/5EeO6m3n20Y/s1600/Screenshot-236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdj9GGwlDH8/U0Iz2VhfwjI/AAAAAAAAEJo/5EeO6m3n20Y/s1600/Screenshot-236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All they ever did was disagree. On pretty much everything. But she still did love him. Part of her did and probably always fucking will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I should have just called you. You act like you don't know that I'm stupid."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I should have left you alone from the beginning. I should have left them all alone, cause I've always known better. But did I ever do that? No.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So what now.. What.. I don't know what to do. I.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I should have never done what I did. Choosing him over you?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>When you would have never walked out on me.. You would have never let me go.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Goddammit.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I couldn't even excuse it to myself </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when he wasn't clouding</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> my mind.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I walk away. Something I never would have done. Something I don't really want to do. But you were his way before I got into the picture. You always were. And no matter how much I love you, and how much you say you love me, he always wins." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He made things harder for himself. Always. He walked over to her, his hard expression not masking the pain in his eyes, and wiped a tear off her cheek.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I hope you get everything you've ever wanted, Aria. I'm sorry I couldnt give that to you," He kissed her forehead, "take care of yourself." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mm6HwigNFmg/U0IvBOvFO8I/AAAAAAAAEJQ/PnuJgPteass/s1600/Screenshot-2342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mm6HwigNFmg/U0IvBOvFO8I/AAAAAAAAEJQ/PnuJgPteass/s1600/Screenshot-2342.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I'd have a friend get my stuff. I didnt want to be here anymore. I couldnt. I open the door for the last time. Look at you for the last time. Leave this house for the last time. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Make a vow to myself that I get close to someone, love them, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>For the last time.</i></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could feel the sting of tears in her eyes; her throat thick with regret.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It didn't matter what she said, this was going to cause an indeterminable amount of pain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had now broken the heart of every man who had ever loved her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The quiet that had fallen over their living room was so thick with tension it was almost as if she could hear his heart breaking as he walked out the door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It started to dawn on her all at once:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This wasn't <i>their </i>living room anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wasn't getting married anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wasn't going to <i>be</i> Aria Stehsis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was giving up the man getting in his car right now for the one who always walked away.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Happy.. Was that possible for me? I never thought it was. I never thought in a thousand years that I could ever actually be truly happy. That I could find peace in myself or within myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I never thought I would get married. Or have children with my best friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I never thought that even getting a happy ending was in the cards for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because in my life.. I learned over and over.. There's always heartbreak. There is always an end to a beginning. Some one always, always gets hurt. No matter what you do. No matter who you love, how you love, there's always a complication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until there wasn't anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hurt so many people. I caused so much trouble and broke so many fucking things into pieces I could never manage to repair them all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But that's the thing. Stuff happens. Life happens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But what is meant to be, WILL be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even if it takes years to get there. Even if it takes pain, and suffering, and tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If it's meant to be, it will find a way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God, did it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, as the end of my story appears and the legacy that is sure to follow me, begins..</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VPhPQ4wuSoI/U0NnCGbKdKI/AAAAAAAAEKg/uAZ-i8VANoQ/s1600/Screenshot-258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VPhPQ4wuSoI/U0NnCGbKdKI/AAAAAAAAEKg/uAZ-i8VANoQ/s1600/Screenshot-258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I just have one last thing to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No matter what you think, no matter how bad things look.. There is always a light at the end. There is always sunshine that follows the darkness. A rainbow to follow the rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whatever you do, don't give up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't let the bad outweigh the good. Don't let them bring you down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And for God's sake, DON'T LET IT GET YOU.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are amazing. You are beautiful. You are worth more than any words could ever allow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope if my story does anything for you, it shows you that there is always hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Always.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Never, ever give up on life. On love. On being who you are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love each and every single one of you. Thanks for sticking with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---Aria. <3 <3 <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-16216255833252707262013-08-26T13:56:00.000-07:002015-10-14T11:44:43.369-07:0043 Part Two: Snuff<div style="text-align: center;">
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Babiesss first <3</div>
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Clark <3</div>
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<br />
Veronica ^_^<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Crash:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Maybe you shouldn't drive Aria, I mean.. you drank me under the table last night. Are you sure that you're okay?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria scoffed, clicking the unlock button on her keychain. "I'm fine Danielle. I've driven worse. I'll be fine. It's not <i>that</i> much of a drive from Sunset Valley."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle bit her lip, swaying a little in her heels. "But maybe you should have Ephrem come and get you-"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria cut her off, holding a finger to her lips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm fine. He would be pissed. It's okay Danielle. I'm okay."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She could feel the lies roll off her tongue as easily as they used to. Who the hell was she even becoming at this point?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last at least 12 hours were a blur. She could hardly remember anything before waking up in Danielle's bed. Which, oddly enough, was something she had never done before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The night before was like a blank. Everything was as if she blacked out.. She still felt intoxicated when she woke up. But she would be okay to drive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Wouldn't she? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle looked like she wanted to say something else, but before she could, Aria turned around and entered her car, shutting the door behind her with a sharp click.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The engine purred to life and she waved at Danielle, sending her a reassuring smile. Sometimes her beautiful gray eyed friend worried about her too much. Not that she hadn't given her plenty of reasons to.. But, still. She had been fine, or gave people the impression that she was fine, for months.<br /><br />Danielle had just lost a <i>child. </i>The last thing she needed was to worry about Aria.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria blinked the thoughts of Cas and the tragedy away. She knew how much agony Danielle was in. She had lost a child too. She knew how much it hurt. Danielle <i>never </i>drank. But she had with Ar. She had tried so hard to drink at least some semblance of okay back into her life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was pretty sure it didn't work. At least not for her best friend. Aria was used to doing it. Pretty often as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She backed out of the driveway, watching Danielle enter her house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She hit the connecting highway to Riverview in ten minutes and relaxed. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The highway would be a long one, but more than likely at this time, there wouldn't be many cars on the road. Aria's vision was still slightly shaky, but straightaways and only slight turns couldn't be </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hard to accomplish even slightly tipsy, right?</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxVk76V8c1c/Uhp8CfIehHI/AAAAAAAAEAc/2Ys0weScDhw/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxVk76V8c1c/Uhp8CfIehHI/AAAAAAAAEAc/2Ys0weScDhw/s320/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[My game glitched out and turned her car black, we will just pretend it's pink. Okay? >_< ]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She reached into the passenger seat for her phone, slipping the headphones in her ears. She unlocked the screen, glancing down at her playlist when her eyes fell on the words 'One New Text Message'.<br /><br />She could feel her heartbeat racing. It was a number she recognized. Her hopes fell quickly though when she realized her happiness had been misplaced. It wasn't who she wanted it to be at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was Dylan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What the hell do you want? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scowled, dragging her thumb across the screen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those few seconds of inattention were too much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She heard the sound of breaks before she saw anything. The telltale screech of tires on asphalt. She slammed on the pedal just a few seconds too late. The last thing she remembered was the airbag inflating and her head hitting the drivers side window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>52 Hours After</b><span style="font-size: small;">-</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"No, no. Ryleigh. It's FINE. Thank you for being there for me as much as you have, but I can make it out to the car by myself."<br /><br />Aria smiled, running a thumb over the healing abrasion on her lip. Ryleigh had been her nurse during her duration in the hospital and possibly the easiest person Aria had ever connected with in her life. She seemed very mama-bearish as well, which was amazing, but not something Aria was used to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most people got sick of protecting her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ephrem held the front door of the hospital open and she passed through it, hesitating for a second. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her car. What kind of condition was it even in? Had she totaled it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She saw Ephrem's car idling in the spot in front of the doors and she glanced over at him, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"My car?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ephrem shook his head, sighing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"It's done for. Completely destroyed. You hit the back end of an SUV going 50, you're lucky to be alive, your car was not so lucky."</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSaXkEtNxRQ/Uhpu35nqLhI/AAAAAAAAEAM/iYyLIioE0U4/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSaXkEtNxRQ/Uhpu35nqLhI/AAAAAAAAEAM/iYyLIioE0U4/s400/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aria groaned. She had some money left from her inheritance, but having to spend it on a new car was not something she had planned on. She should have known better than to get in her car drunk. She should have fucking known. She wondered if everyone else was aware she had been drinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There hadn't been any consequences for it.. Which made her wonder in turn if-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nah. Not in his nature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">His words from last night echoed in her head, confusion spinning the syllables in several directions. She couldn't just let that go.. Even though she had Ephrem, she needed that closure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God, she was selfish. Selfish and stupid and so stuck on her own feelings and thoughts that nothing and no one else mattered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>He deserves better than you. They both do.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Hey Aria?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ryleigh's voice broke Aria's thoughts and she turned to face her, forcing a soft smile onto her features. She felt Ephrem's hand find hers and it made that sinking feeling in her stomach worsen just a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She loved two men. Two. Didn't that just figure? The moment a guy who was actually worth something found his way to her, she became that idiot girl who couldn't make up her mind..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Yeah?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Her voice shook a little in her response to Ryleigh, who walked towards her, tucking a piece of paper into the pocket of Aria's jeans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"That's my number. And you better call me. Or you will face the consequences."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She grinned and Aria couldn't help but echo it back to her. She had a feeling she and this girl were going to be very, very close.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ryleigh winked and went back inside, leaving Aria to her thoughts again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Yeah, she's terrifying. Those consequences will be dire."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ephrem's voice sounded in her ear, startling her slightly. His familiar sarcastic grin on his face. She stuck her tongue out, smiling as Ephrem pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She had such an amazing thing here.. If only she could just get rid of that piece of her that ached for her old best friend.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>76 Hours after-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />She fought that voice in her head. The one who told her she needed to know. The one that said if she didn't she would never forgive herself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually, though.. It won. And she ended up in the place she had been so many times before. On the steps to his house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria hesitated, her knuckles inches from the door before rapping once, twice, light enough to not echo but loud enough to be heard.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcA7NQtMasA/Uhqum-xu_tI/AAAAAAAAEA0/B_26BeqdVVA/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcA7NQtMasA/Uhqum-xu_tI/AAAAAAAAEA0/B_26BeqdVVA/s400/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She heard a small shuffle and the door swung open in less than five minutes, those familiar green eyes locking onto hers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What.. What are you doing here, Aria?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria took a deep breath, not really knowing exactly what to say. She was so caught up in her thoughts only one really came to the surface. She reached into her back pocket, pulling the small pieces out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her hand shook as she held it forward, waiting to see the look that would likely cross his eyes. In the palm of her hand were the fragments of a broken key. They looked so strange, broken apart. No long pieced together the way they should be. It almost felt like it represented how Aria felt on the inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know you gave this to me. I know it was you. I think I have always known."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ghHIPZmrRc/Uhu1ePJbzYI/AAAAAAAAEBU/_KcKOEwkz9E/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ghHIPZmrRc/Uhu1ePJbzYI/AAAAAAAAEBU/_KcKOEwkz9E/s640/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tears pulled their way onto her face, over the cuts and the bruises. Into the mess of her dark hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I wish I could have told you that a long time ago. Even though it's too late now, I'm sorry that it's broken. That we are broken."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She clenched her hand closed around the pieces one more time before setting them calmly on the edge of the fence surrounding the porch. She could feel the beginnings of the thunderstorm drop onto the abrasions on her face as she turned to go, taking a step down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, wait.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned around, a small flicker of hope rising in her chest. She looked into his eyes, not exactly knowing what to expect. His face fell and he spoke to the ground when he continued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"How did you know it was me?"</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She shook her head, the action making it ache where it had connected with the window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That... Is hard to explain. But if I had thought it was anyone else, I wouldn't have worn it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He still wouldn't look at her. His eyes never left their placement on the ground.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eSzCfd33lg/Uhu0SZ37xcI/AAAAAAAAEBE/rmRwsghbcCA/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eSzCfd33lg/Uhu0SZ37xcI/AAAAAAAAEBE/rmRwsghbcCA/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm leaving Aria."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria felt that tiny glimmer of hope dissipate in an instant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It really was time to go. But...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You.. Why are you leaving? What? I don't-"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He cut her off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No Aria, I'm leaving. As in Riverview. As in, YOU." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The word left his mouth with much more malice then Aria was used to hearing. The word was so coated in honesty that Aria could feel it in the very depth of her soul that he meant it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't understand, Carter. What you said.. In the hospital. Didn't you mean it?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed, shoving his hands in the depths of his pockets, his eyes piercing into hers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I meant every fucking word."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned, taking the steps toward his door softly, his hand rested on the doorknob for just a second, long enough for Aria to realize there was hesitation, and then he turned it, stepping inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I just didn't mean for you to hear them."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then he shut the door behind him without a backward glance.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijv_irfKo4g/Uhu3Zlvf0TI/AAAAAAAAEBg/w7yHm47VjJs/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijv_irfKo4g/Uhu3Zlvf0TI/AAAAAAAAEBg/w7yHm47VjJs/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could feel her chest explode with sensation, So many things at once. She was confused, she was hurt, scared. There was also the overwhelming need to keep him here. She couldn't let him leave, not after all of this. Not after he showed up last night. Not after he said what he did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She couldn't let him leave..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she had to..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was through, and she was falling in love with someone else. She had to let him go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter.." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She said his name with despair, it was whispered and caught on the wind, disappearing long before it could ever reach his ears. It didn't matter though, because she had something to say she was going to make sure that he never heard. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gAIulWmJlhA/Uhu3ZWELWHI/AAAAAAAAEBk/1uJs6kWS6uU/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gAIulWmJlhA/Uhu3ZWELWHI/AAAAAAAAEBk/1uJs6kWS6uU/s400/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>78 Hours After</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The door to her house shut softly behind her, the numbness long since setting in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As she made her way through the kitchen, she caught the familiar scent that preceeded him. Ephrem. Her first actual boyfriend since the Levi disaster. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The guilt ate at her stomach in waves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why wasn't it easy to just, let him go? Put Carter in the past and focus on the present that was developing. The one that made her happier than she had been in months. Maybe even years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The one that put real smiles on her face. Sure ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well. Now she had next to no doubts that she could. That was the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The finality that she needed.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zb46sFKKBI/Uhu9yP-0vFI/AAAAAAAAEB0/7FkyQf4WYLs/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zb46sFKKBI/Uhu9yP-0vFI/AAAAAAAAEB0/7FkyQf4WYLs/s400/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She dropped her keys on the counter, turning around and leaning against it as she heard footsteps descend her stairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His voice quickened her pulse as it always did. That undeniable pull towards him settling somewhere in the bottom of her chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, Eph."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He walked towards her, stopping a few feet away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You okay?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Such a simple question... Such a complex answer. Was she okay? Completely and hardly. At the same time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her words seemed to cascade into one another. When she opened her mouth to speak, no sound escaped. She stood there, staring into the eyes of the man she was falling in love with, and just froze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The silence stretched for minutes. Finally, he broke it with a sigh.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMi0ga4_cuE/Uhu_QScrFyI/AAAAAAAAECA/NQiknGRxdlc/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMi0ga4_cuE/Uhu_QScrFyI/AAAAAAAAECA/NQiknGRxdlc/s400/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He walked over to her, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, something Aria couldn't quite comprehend in his eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, you can't be stuck in your head day after day trying to decide between who you want and who you need. You love me or you don't. The choice is yours. I won't walk away, but I won't stand in your way, either. So you need to choose. Right now."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was no shock. It was as if she had expected this. Exactly this. Deadpanned, without a second thought, Aria's voice sounded. Tainted with the hint of irresolution...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I choose you. It's you, Ephrem."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The relief that flooded his face made every ounce of hesitation vanish from Aria's heart. The goodbye she had just had, was just that. Goodbye. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why shouldn't she move on? Why shouldn't she be happy with the man standing in front of her. The one who would give anything to see her happy. To make her smile.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNgU1Vfr1ZE/UhvAeac01WI/AAAAAAAAECM/4P9Bj9E7Rdw/s1600/Screenshot-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNgU1Vfr1ZE/UhvAeac01WI/AAAAAAAAECM/4P9Bj9E7Rdw/s640/Screenshot-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The one who would never in a million heartbeats make hers ache. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet.. There was that stupid voice locked away in the back of her head that told her she was making the wrong choice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KoFVb7_r10/UhoxlXVOqkI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/iUW1T3SuHXk/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KoFVb7_r10/UhoxlXVOqkI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/iUW1T3SuHXk/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Babies 93, 94 and 95 were a complete surprise. She had no idea how they even came to be. She assumed that while in Sunset Valley she had had an impulsive donor implantation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> They were beautiful, carrying three sets of very familiar gray eyes...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Names: Taralynn, Izabel and Kat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Clark <3</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-iApfyMEjU/Uhoxj0iGZYI/AAAAAAAAD_E/t0aQ3RvBl_8/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-iApfyMEjU/Uhoxj0iGZYI/AAAAAAAAD_E/t0aQ3RvBl_8/s400/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Veronica <3<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_n1CBc7seAU/UhoxjsiEE2I/AAAAAAAAD_Q/T0Fp5iFRZbQ/s1600/Screenshot-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_n1CBc7seAU/UhoxjsiEE2I/AAAAAAAAD_Q/T0Fp5iFRZbQ/s400/Screenshot-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">So save your breath, I will not care.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">I think I made it very clear.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">You couldn't hate enough to love.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Is that supposed to be enough?</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">I only wish you weren't my friend.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Then I could hurt you in the end.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">I never claimed to be a saint...</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Ooh, my own was banished long ago</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">It took the death of hope to let you go</span></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-60953895799210112162013-07-30T20:33:00.000-07:002015-10-14T11:45:01.973-07:0043- Part One: Blind.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“I could’ve sworn I was telling the truth when I told you I didn’t miss you.” </span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5349123.pleasefindthis" style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">pleasefindthis</a><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/18278582" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">I Wrote This For You</a></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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Nikolas, Salem, Topher<br />
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Clark <3</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[Baby 92 was a donor baby. Veronica Rapture.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>48 Hours Before</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"She is obviously just stupid. Do you see the things that she did? She puts herself in these situations and then expects everyone to pity her. Act like she is a porcelain doll that needs to be glued back together after she is shattered over and over again, and frankly, Dalton, that is NOT my job." </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17vOgTvy8l8/UfgxJ5zZ-hI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/_nFEmTUIlmA/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17vOgTvy8l8/UfgxJ5zZ-hI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/_nFEmTUIlmA/s320/Screenshot-56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter ran a hand through his hair, slamming the door to their cruiser behind him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Her father fucking called me because she apparently took a plane to Hidden Springs, left her stuff there and then split. Without a word. She just does whatever she wants without a thought to what she is destroying."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dalton raised a violet eye, clamping down on his lip with his teeth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, Carter, I hear what you're saying. But I don't believe a goddamn word."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter narrowed his eyes. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZqWX9H6eiU/Ufgt_lJtx-I/AAAAAAAAD68/cr8_TrbKMho/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZqWX9H6eiU/Ufgt_lJtx-I/AAAAAAAAD68/cr8_TrbKMho/s400/Screenshot-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dalton shrugged one shoulder, walking towards the door of the precinct. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It means I have been your partner for 2 years and I have seen the way you talk about her change like a fucking lunar cycle."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He tossed an observant look over his shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You've got it bad for her and you KNOW you do. But if pretending that you don't is helping in any way at all, then I will leave it. But," </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He entered the building, Carter following behind him. The glass door slid into place noiselessly behind them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Maybe you should tell her. Before she finds someone else."</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngO3R2o_Ll0/Ufgw7C2PytI/AAAAAAAAD7I/nTegHWYHRjI/s1600/Screenshot-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngO3R2o_Ll0/Ufgw7C2PytI/AAAAAAAAD7I/nTegHWYHRjI/s640/Screenshot-58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter slammed his set of keys to their car onto the hook inside his locker and groaned loudly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No. I did. It didn't matter to her. She's fucking cold to me, Dalton. That's not changing anytime soon. I'm through. When you waste 21 years of your fucking life on one girl, you eventually learn your lesson."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He loosened the button on his shirt, glancing into the mirror that rested in the door of his locker. Those green eyes didn't really seem like they were his anymore. Always glossed over with that harshness he camouflaged himself in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a way, he /was/ losing himself. His attempt to escape her was making him someone else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And, to be quite honest, it was someone he couldn't stand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He could never be something he didn't regret without her. Not that he would ever admit to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>16 Hours Before..</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mya tilted her head back, her lips parting slightly, a throaty sound escaping through them. Carter buried his face in the hollow of her neck, tasting there. Her perfume was overwhelming and it was a scent he didn't quite like. Far too different from the lillies he had grown so accustomed to..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He inhaled a little too sharply when the thought of her eyes entered into his mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The girl pulled away a little, her purple eyes matching his gaze, but not quite catching the emotion that flitted through them before disappearing again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Everything okay, Carter?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice was low, raspy. Her smile crooked on one side. Freckles dotting her face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything about her was so different from Aria. That was probably one of the reasons he was seeking refuge in the curves she contained, her choppy red hair, her cutting personality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because she was almost the opposite of the girl who he...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who you what? You nothing. Focus, Carter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm fine."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pressed his lips to hers again, forcing his mind into vacuity. Trying to only focus on the thought of lips against lips and skin on skin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was insistent, determined. He would not let this childhood obsession do this anymore. When he said he was done, he was done. This girl was another in his line of distractions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She didn't seem to be doing the trick, however.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She withdrew once again, taking a shaky breath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You seem really distracted.. Am I doing something wrong?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ha, wrong. No. Not at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter shook his head wordlessly. His lips almost touching hers again when a distant vibration pulled his attention away. He pushed off of the wall with his palms, running a hand through his hair, smoothing down the places where it had been mussed. He walked to the fireplace, where his phone had been resting for the night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyebrows knitted together at the sight of a number he didn't know. He considered ignoring it, he usually did when it came to unknown numbers, but something had been keeping him from doing so lately. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDZBRf3Q6J0/Ufh8MnUcENI/AAAAAAAAD-w/SSTekISH_3Y/s1600/Screenshot-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDZBRf3Q6J0/Ufh8MnUcENI/AAAAAAAAD-w/SSTekISH_3Y/s400/Screenshot-78.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not being in contact with Aria had him worried that she would get herself seriously hurt without him around. So every unknown caller was suddenly someone calling to tell him she was caught up in something again.. Or even worse: gone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why he still cared confused the fuck out of him, because he shouldn't. He knew he shouldn't. Pretended he didn't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But of course he fucking did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He slid his thumb across the cool surface and the line clicked on, the static clearing into silence on the other end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He asked, suddenly devoid of emotion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter Simon?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyebrows knitted together at the authoratative sound of the voice saying his name. The first thought echoing in his head being that something had happened to her-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Uh, yeah. This is him."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He responded, refusing to think that that option had to be it. Chastising himself for instantly going there at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My name is Alexander Farlin, and I am from the Bridgeport Police Department. We found your father this morning in his home. We need someone to come here and find a place for.. the body. Fill out paperwork. You are the only number listed as-"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter cleared his throat, cutting Officer Farlin off mid-sentence. Instead of being upset, he was a mixture of things.. But what surprised him the most, was the relief that flooded his veins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'll be there."</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5ngtur7ShQ/Ufh8M8iQrBI/AAAAAAAAD-0/ZVfe4jOtxrM/s1600/Screenshot-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5ngtur7ShQ/Ufh8M8iQrBI/AAAAAAAAD-0/ZVfe4jOtxrM/s640/Screenshot-79.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He listened to the rest of the guys directions, finally disconnecting the call and sliding the phone into his back pocket. He glanced over at Mya, who was sitting on his couch, looking concerned and beautiful all at the same time.. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she had absolutely no affect on him aside from one that he could get just about anywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How the fuck long could this go on? It was like he wouldn't allow himself to move on..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled his jacket off the back of the chair next to his couch and slipped it on, putting his feet into the shoes next to the fireplace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Look, Mya, you gotta go. I have to be.."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He glanced at her again, putting his wallet and keys into his pockets next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Somewhere. But you can't stay here."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked taken aback, but quickly stood, her face still echoing those nameless feelings.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwQ2SqHjYo8/Ufh5uPH-rKI/AAAAAAAAD-c/KZPMXsxqo7k/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwQ2SqHjYo8/Ufh5uPH-rKI/AAAAAAAAD-c/KZPMXsxqo7k/s400/Screenshot-76.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She put her heels on and made her way to the door, turning around long enough to meet him as he was about to pass through it too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed up onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, leaving without a word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's reaction was distinct as she walked away. He brushed three fingers across where her lips had traced and exhaled softly, wishing it were Aria who had left her mark there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8 Hours Before...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hospital coffee was never quite as good as the stuff at the station, but it would do. He drained a styrofoam cup of it and poured another. How the fuck long could this take to view a body and fill out a bunch of papers? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He didn't even want to be here. Didn't want to do this. Made several stops in between Bridgeport General and his house in avoidance of this very thing. It was a three hour drive. He made it in 7. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now he had an hour to kill. The coroners office didn't open til 8 am and it was a little after 7. Instead of sleeping, he drove all night. Not that he slept much anyway lately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He slumped into a chair, the vinyl making annoying noises against the denim of his jeans. He pulled out his phone, noticing the battery bar was close to empty. He sighed, almost considering calling Mila, then deciding better of it. It was barely 7 am. She was either still sleeping or taking care of her kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His mind filled with grumbles as he put the phone safely back into his pocket where he wouldn't be tempted to do anything else he could classify as reckless or stupid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The hospital waiting rooms were connected. The one for the morgue and the one for the emergency room. The only thing separating them was a single pane of glass with a fishtank in the middle. It was oddly quiet. Not much noise apart from the occasional gurgles of the filter inside the watery contraption. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His ears perked up however, at the sound of a small, muffled cry. He wasn't one for eavesdropping, generally, but as hard as he could have tried, missing the two voices would have been close to impossible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In fact.. He recognized one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A man's voice, deep and filled with something close to carefully controlled panic, coincided with a voice he knew very <i>very</i> well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"She's gonna be fine. Stop that."</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LlDfhimA4Uc/UfhWLk1CevI/AAAAAAAAD7w/jj8NVfUgISw/s1600/Screenshot-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LlDfhimA4Uc/UfhWLk1CevI/AAAAAAAAD7w/jj8NVfUgISw/s400/Screenshot-64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila's tone rose in anger, choked with tears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You have no idea if she is going to be okay, Ephrem. You don't know the stupid shit she has pulled in the past. You guys have been dating for TWO WEEKS. You don't even know her favorite color-"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Green." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He interjected, sarcasm dripping from his remark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Would you just shut the fuck up? You're not even acting like you're worried. Or scared. You're emotionless!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila's voice was shaking with fury, sadness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I am worried. But I also know that this is Aria, and she's strong. AND she is gonna pull through."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila stood, her multicolored hair flashing into Carter's eyes through the glass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What if she doesn't wake up, Eph?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He scoffed, standing next to her, his hands in his pockets, not really sure what to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"She's fucking unconscious, not in a coma, Mila. Calm the fuck down."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">.....Ephrem... Why did that seem so familiar? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter thought, not even noticing he had gotten to his feet, almost to the door in his curiosity. He collected himself, taking a deep breath. He was going to go back to his chair, sit down, pretend he hadn't heard any of this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So Aria had done something else to put herself here. Why should he care. She was always doing something foolish and careless. She hadn't spoken to him in a month. Longer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And, there was the fact that she had a /boyfriend/ now. She sure moved on fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yeah and like you didn't..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The little voice in his head spat with venom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No, no. Sex is not the same..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the fuck am I even doing arguing with myself?"</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnOwH1GL1Q0/UfhZzFCIefI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/YcPdXIeOggw/s1600/Screenshot-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnOwH1GL1Q0/UfhZzFCIefI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/YcPdXIeOggw/s400/Screenshot-66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He groaned aloud, bitterly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He realized his mistake a few seconds too late as the heads of both of the people in the room next to his snapped in his direction. Mila's face bounced between several different emotions before settling on anger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She walked to the door, pushing it open and leaning against the frame, Ephrem came up behind her, raising an eyebrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why the fuck are you here?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ephrem looked at her in confusion, clearly not sure of who exactly Carter was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Uh,"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter began, but Mila cut him off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're the LAST person she would want to see. I hope you know that. This entire thing is your fault."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her words were so soaked in contempt, it took Carter a second to brush past it and focus on what she actually said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What.. What are you talking about, Mila? I don't even know what happened.. I'm in Bridgeport for a different reason."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest in disbelief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Okay, yeah. I totally believe you. It's not like you're the one who always shows up when things are falling apart. Wait.. You're not anymore. You left her behind like she didn't even matter."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ephrem's face clouded with confusion for a second and he stared at Mila, connecting the dots in his head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait a second," He scaled Carter's form, looking back at Mila.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Who is he?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila's eyes went cold, flickering her gaze from Carter to Ephrem.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Amm_mjajXU/Ufhl-MmTAAI/AAAAAAAAD8w/a0qOSQuCkrk/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Amm_mjajXU/Ufhl-MmTAAI/AAAAAAAAD8w/a0qOSQuCkrk/s400/Screenshot-69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"His name is Carter and he used to be her best friend. Now he's no one."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ephrem nodded his head a fraction of an inch and blew air through his teeth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That's what I thought."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His hands flexed slightly at his sides and his features showed his irascibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Look, man, we have this covered. You can go. I really don't think she wants to see you anyway. Now.. Or ever." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His words were so rife with assuredness, it actually caused Carter to pause. He calculated a response, fighting back an odd feeling in his chest that was telling him that someone else was in the place /he/ should be. The words he wanted to say were just about to leave his lips when a nurse ducked her head into the room, a small, relieved smile dancing across her face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria's awake."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And Then...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are two things that can destroy a person thoroughly above all others. One of them is love. The other one is loss. The combination of the two is more than one can usually take. To love someone completely and then have them torn away from you, by either distance or death or simply becoming anesthetized, it's assumably the worst anguish there is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">People have different ways of dealing with this. There isn't one that is better than others in the end. Everyone is just dealing with their own pain. Trying to fix what is broken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, perhaps the most seemingly effective way that someone can deal with this, is pretending there was never anything to lose in the first place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's nothing but self manipulation. It never works. Putting a band aid on a wound that needs stitches does nothing but leave a scar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And some people never learn...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ * ~ * ~</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter rubbed his forehead with his fingers, a migraine attempting to take up residence there. His back was situated against the cool surface of the wall next to Aria's room. She had been in and out of reality for 8 hours. He hadn't even bothered to try to see her. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God only knew why he hadn't left yet either. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice was broken and she had a few cuts on her face but other than that, she seemed okay from what he could see through the ICU window. The combination of medicine she was on was mostly what was to blame for her loss of consciousness at this point.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter still wasn't even sure what happened.. Just that she had already been there an entire night.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He hadn't slept in over 24 hours and he was questioning his own sanity at this point. He didn't feel like he was thinking clearly enough to be around Aria at all. Which was part of the reason he had avoided being at her side.. Yet, he was still at this hospital, the paperwork concerning his father long done..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm going to get some coffee, Mila. You wanna stay here?"</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ephrem's voice echoed from inside that glass encased room and Carter raised an eyebrow. This guy really seemed to care about her. Was he really okay with this challenge and everything it entailed? How many babies did she even have now?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Was it possible that it was over and this guy was her afterwards...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head, clearing the thoughts. Would it really matter if she was? What good would that do him? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was done. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He wondered how many times it would take repeating that word to convince himself it was completely true.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila's voice shook a little in response, but it was sure in tone.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No. She just fell asleep again. She will be out for a while. I could use some coffee. I will go with you."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Their footsteps neared the door and Carter sank further into his bad posture assumed position against the wall. They paid him absolutely no mind. As if he didn't matter. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As if he wouldn't.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ieXdkdKdSQ/UfhyAAW2noI/AAAAAAAAD9o/HdJdsWBhaSw/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ieXdkdKdSQ/UfhyAAW2noI/AAAAAAAAD9o/HdJdsWBhaSw/s400/Screenshot-73.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aggravated, Carter ruffled the front of his hair with his fingers, groaning quietly. He glanced through the space in the shades covering the glass walls of the Intensive Care Unit room. She looked beautiful in her sleep. She always had. Almost like she was still the same innocent girl as when they were younger. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A million thoughts cascaded through his head at once. Every single feeling pulled him towards going into that room. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What will you accomplish by going in there? She's asleep. Even if you said anything at all she couldn't HEAR you.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Maybe... Maybe that's the point. Maybe that's why I want to..</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He glanced back down the hallway towards Ephrem and Mila's retreating forms. When they rounded the corner towards the hospital cafeteria, Carter slipped in the door of Aria's room.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The soft click of the heavy hospital door cast solemnity through the room. The soft rising and falling of her chest, the slow beeping of the monitor... Carter sighed. At least she was well.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But was Mila right? Was this his fault for leaving.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">/I won't leave again,/ Carter thought to himself. But wasn't that their relationship? Their twisted affair. And even as he thought to himself of never leaving, he knew he would. Or she would.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe not leaving was wrong. Maybe...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSlBFd3gthc/UfhvyqDJ8qI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/QX-rGrbsbYc/s1600/Screenshot-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSlBFd3gthc/UfhvyqDJ8qI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/QX-rGrbsbYc/s400/Screenshot-71.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter sat in the chair a few feet away from Aria's slumbering frame. Like a classic Disney film, with parted lips and perfect princess hair. Her face was white, flawless, her dark eyelashes on her cheeks. Only the IV in her arm, the cuts on her face, the ugly gown gave way to reality.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's time to face reality," Carter frowned as the words left his lips. His eyes widened, as though his own voice startled him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I am so sorry, Aria," he said, his voice slurring with pain. "For everything I have done. For all the times I leave and come back and leave again. I... won't do that to you anymore." Carter stared out the high window of the hospital room for a few moments, mulling over his words.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And I will probably always love you." But...</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the glance of a tortured man, Carter stood up, shuffling quickly by her bed and out the door.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"A door," someone once said to him, "in the mind of a human is a sign of finality." The person had gone on to say that is why we often forget things when we pass through them. And that is why, Carter would later conclude, his heart solidified against Aria.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xT9V0JII7bE/UfhyswIv9EI/AAAAAAAAD9w/oX9XNe1jOR8/s1600/Screenshot-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xT9V0JII7bE/UfhyswIv9EI/AAAAAAAAD9w/oX9XNe1jOR8/s320/Screenshot-74.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time to finally forget Aria Eden Rapture.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>----</i><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYlDi7AqpyA/UfXFwe603bI/AAAAAAAAD6w/4Z23q3DuRlY/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYlDi7AqpyA/UfXFwe603bI/AAAAAAAAD6w/4Z23q3DuRlY/s400/Screenshot-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nikolas, Topher, Salem.</div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>---</i><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">Boy, don't you worry.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">You'll find yourself.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">Follow your heart,</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">and nothing else.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">You can do this,</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">if you try.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: magenta; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">Girl, I told you</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">After all we’ve been through</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">I don't wanna be by myself.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">Girl, I told you</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">That it would tear me in two</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">If I see you with someone else.</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">Cut out my eyes. And leave me blind.</span></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-18035892517322531472013-07-16T13:29:00.001-07:002015-10-14T11:45:16.486-07:0042- Sinematic Part Four<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.” </span><br style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5350.L_M_Montgomery" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">L.M. Montgomery</a><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/63845" style="text-decoration: none;">Anne of Avonlea</a></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kASJEPPYAfM/UeTVkK-DDZI/AAAAAAAAD2I/dMR-bQs0RZ8/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kASJEPPYAfM/UeTVkK-DDZI/AAAAAAAAD2I/dMR-bQs0RZ8/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nikolas, Topher and Salem.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPNA04ZGWeA/UeTVlrDhLaI/AAAAAAAAD2U/T87SKeizmbM/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPNA04ZGWeA/UeTVlrDhLaI/AAAAAAAAD2U/T87SKeizmbM/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Macayla and Owen</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pohfskAVw9c/UeTVloWD6JI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/FLd59TnUU28/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pohfskAVw9c/UeTVloWD6JI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/FLd59TnUU28/s400/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kristina, Dante and Madeline</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's a certain despondency to once acquired love that makes the sting so much worse. The fact that you had it, and now it's gone, it pierces on a much deeper level than normal rejection. Because you have to hold that truth that you lost something that meant everything to you. You have to stare at that fact for the rest of your life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it never goes away..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Okay, first of all, Aria Eden, I don't even want to be here." Carter reached into the base of the door to his dad's car and extracted a pair of sunglasses, slipping them over his eyes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Second..." He glanced over at her, instantly averting his eyes back out the window after doing so. "If you don't put a shirt on, your brother is going to KILL me. He already thinks I want to sleep with you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria scowled and pulled the tank-top she had been lifting back down tight against her chest. She crossed her arms over her stomach and started wiggling her foot, a pout tracing her lips. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Axil isn't going to do anything. Besides." She rolled her eyes as the car pulled to a stop at the edge of the embankment that led to the water. "What the hell am I supposed to wear to go swimming? A life jacket? It's a bunch of WATER, C. We do live in Hidden Springs."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed the door open, ascending to the ground and immediately pulling her shirt off again. Her eyes scanned the edges of water, spying no one she knew. The kids that hung out here weren't the best. She knew a few of them, but it generally wasn't her crowd. Definitely not Carter's.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But they were here anyway. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally her eyes met with a pair of pink ones that matched her own. She grinned and ran over to her brother, wrapping her arms around his neck. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Axxxxillll!" </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5VpIswvMHU/UeV6OdpOtoI/AAAAAAAAD28/FjafnBt3BkY/s1600/Screenshot-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5VpIswvMHU/UeV6OdpOtoI/AAAAAAAAD28/FjafnBt3BkY/s400/Screenshot-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her squeal was perpetually big, tainted by the alcohol she had already consumed, and Axil, along with a couple of his friends, winced slightly. A boy standing quietly in the back had his eyes trained carefully on Aria's face. Never once straying away. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It made Aria slightly nervous, but she shot him a smile anyway. Which after a quick eyebrow raise, he returned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was the beginning of summer. Aria was 19. High school was over. She was done with everything. The only blight in her life was graduation. This was her first time stepping foot outside of her house in the month since it happened, and it was only at the promise of alcohol and swimming that she decided maybe she could leave for one night.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Axil was talking, but Aria didn't really hear him, still locked in an eye war with the other guy. She cocked her head to the side, smiling again. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r18UTtTSvps/UeWCAjM7WsI/AAAAAAAAD3c/kssOM9UBD8I/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r18UTtTSvps/UeWCAjM7WsI/AAAAAAAAD3c/kssOM9UBD8I/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay, dude, I'll bite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sidestepped her brother, his voice faltering away and his eyes watching her as she approached the boy, leaning against the concrete of the wall next to him. He shifted his weight, and Aria just grinned wider. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You seem pretty nervous for someone who has been staring at me without disconnecting for like ten entire minutes."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He set the beer bottle in his hand on a rock outcropping near him and held out his hand, as if she should shake it, but when her hand entered his, he pulled her against him and put his lips to her ear.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My name's Ephrem, and does it seem like I'm nervous?"</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxjcinlmJcs/UeV7LRgNADI/AAAAAAAAD3M/YGNrhYUMjfk/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxjcinlmJcs/UeV7LRgNADI/AAAAAAAAD3M/YGNrhYUMjfk/s400/Screenshot-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He released her and she took a step away, her mind foggy. She wasn't upset, just surprised. She swallowed, blowing air through her teeth and pulling the same smile onto her lips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm Aria."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice shook with an unfamiliar resonance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smirked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know who you are. You know my cousin. Very well, actually."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His smirk broadened as confusion streaked her features.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait. Who's your-"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Hey, A, I need to talk to you about something, you got a second?"</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CS_OJYGRybo/UeWE7JA4iDI/AAAAAAAAD3s/Hll-UhsH0-Q/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CS_OJYGRybo/UeWE7JA4iDI/AAAAAAAAD3s/Hll-UhsH0-Q/s400/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's voice cut into her sentence and she rolled her eyes apologetically at Ephrem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'll be right back."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria smothered her fear of planes in a bit of an alcohol binge. She would have rather chopped her hand off then be on ANOTHER plane. She hadn't had to fly in a while.. Danielle's trip to Sunlit Tides was her last plane ride. And it sucked. Just like this one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not to mention she had thoughts of a certain green eyed asshole clogging the interior workings of her mind. Drowning them didn't seem to be working. But she was giving it as much effort as she could.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Mila mentioned this trip, as a sort of get away, Aria was instantly ready to go. She knew she would match her drink for drink and keep her as occupied as possible.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As she tried hard not to stumble in her stupid heels to the luggage claim, Mila's voice interrupted her Carter based musings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"How long has it been since we have seen mom and dad? Do you think they will be surprised by our dropping in?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila asked as they waited for the luggage to make its way towards them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mmm?" She said, dropping her mind into Mila's conversation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Her face lit up with the mention of her daddy, but not quite reaching her eyes.. She missed him a lot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I do. I think they're going to be surprised, but excited!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her words were slurred a little, but she tried to pull them together. The last thing she needed was her noticing how much she was hurting even though she said she was fine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila took a deep breath, grabbing something out of her purse and handing it to Aria. She stared at the small sphere in her palm. It was a mint. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0taD4yRXsk/UeWhCyo5CII/AAAAAAAAD4k/HKV4MJU1kcE/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0taD4yRXsk/UeWhCyo5CII/AAAAAAAAD4k/HKV4MJU1kcE/s400/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm really sorry, Ar." She said lightly, leaning her head to Aria's. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Stay here and I will be right back."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She got their luggage and returned, stopping right in front of her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Let's go get a cab! I can't wait to see them. They are totally going to freak out."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The cab rolled to a stop outside of their parents house half an hour later and Aria's stomach turned. She probably should have chilled on the amount of alcohol she had been consuming, but she was never very good at taking it slow when she was upset.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which she wasn't. Of course not. Why would she be?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She chastised herself silently, drilling it into her head that she <i>was </i>okay. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Done is done is done. He doesn't matter. It's time to let go. It's been a month since your birthday, Aria. He's the past, leave him there.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed the door open and her heels connected with the pavement that led to their parents mansion. One that was supposed to be Aria's someday as the oldest child. But she didn't really want it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So many memories there...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TQ5Apdtd5E/UeWh6tfA8bI/AAAAAAAAD4s/9b5oI8fZeGQ/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TQ5Apdtd5E/UeWh6tfA8bI/AAAAAAAAD4s/9b5oI8fZeGQ/s400/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She walked to the back of the cab, getting hers and Mila's luggage and setting it on the ground.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wondered how this trip was going to pan out. She had missed Mila more than she could say. She wished she could rewind time back to when they were kids. Stay there. With Mila and Willow and Carter. When things were innocent and easy...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mila! Let's put our stuff in the garage and surprise them now!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Perfect plan sis. The garage is open which makes it that much easier. I bet we give my mom a heart attack when we walk in."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She responded, coming to help Aria with a huge grin on her face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila rolled the bags into the garage, placing them aside and pulling her key out of her pocket, slipping it into the lock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Let me go in first and see where they are hiding." She whispered to Aria. "Then I can come grab you so we can attack!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She slipped her tiny body through the crack in the door and disappeared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria leaned against the wall, a small smile tracing her lips. Her dad wasn't too skittish, but he would be surprised by this.They were supposed to be in Riverview. Not in Hidden Springs. So this was going to-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's head snapped towards the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What was that? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had heard vague shouting when the door clicked open and Mila stepped back into the garage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What, Mi? What is it?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her eyes were wide, her words quick and decisive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We need to go and come back." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She seemed entirely eager to go for someone who's idea this whole thing was in the first place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No. What the fuck just happened???" She yanked a strand of hair into her fingers and pulled, her own nervous habit.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCQKrlScz7g/UeWnsS48nGI/AAAAAAAAD5c/-07xgEcf-uk/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCQKrlScz7g/UeWnsS48nGI/AAAAAAAAD5c/-07xgEcf-uk/s640/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It was nothing. Things are fine. They are just arguing. No big deal." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila was situated in between Aria and the door. She dropped the piece of hair and reached out, pushing her to the side. She generally couldn't do so, but she was extra forceful with vodka in her system.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She moved too easily.. Like she kind of gave up because Aria would throw a fit if she didn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first thing Aria heard as she crossed the garage threshold and approached the living area, was her dad's voice, ripe with something akin to panic. Weird for him.. He was chill about everything..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"She still doesn't know about the AFFAIR, Hadley. Melody died not knowing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's stomach dropped. <i>What the fuck was that? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pressed against the wall, her mouth going dry.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila was in front of her faster than she could think, putting a finger to her lips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ar.... please don't freak out... please. We can figure this out." </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIikRISSpoo/UeWp7fNHGfI/AAAAAAAAD5s/dLsrUeQXH0Y/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIikRISSpoo/UeWp7fNHGfI/AAAAAAAAD5s/dLsrUeQXH0Y/s400/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Aria was yanked out the door, Mila started sifting through boxes and Aria heard Hadley's voice rise sharply, the only words falling on her ears were 'blood' and 'sisters'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Proof, Ar. We need proof before we believe this. I bet we just heard wrong. It's wrong... right?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait, Mila? What did you hear? I-"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice wouldn't cooperate with her..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She watched Mila work her away around the garage, multiple boxes finding their way to the floor. She was so steady in believing this couldn't be true, but Something told Aria it was.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rene.. Her dad had an affair that produced her, so why not Mila?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But MARRYING the woman he had an affair with? That was completely different and honestly almost too much to take. Everything was crashing down on top of Aria in earth shaking waves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her dad had <i>another</i> affair..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing was real anymore. Nothing seemed to be the way it should. It was like it all came apart at the seams when the time was right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or wrong, I guess it depended on how you looked at it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why did this keep happening to her though?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What am I doing wrong....</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She dropped to her knees next to the spot Mila had just vacated, shaking her head to clear the jumbling thoughts. Not that it did much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Her eyes fell on a slender metallic case on the bottom of the shelf next to her dad's BMW.. She reached out and pulled it into her lap, looking for the opening clasp..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As was par her luck, it was locked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cX35mRzrIs4/UeWnr2PNXVI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/WkQvyp8PGQA/s1600/14-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cX35mRzrIs4/UeWnr2PNXVI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/WkQvyp8PGQA/s400/14-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I can't find shit." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila's voice carried across the garage and into Aria's ears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her next words were right behind Aria and it made her jump slightly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Does it have a key?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria barely moved her head in a negative response before Mila returned to her side with bolt cutters. A trick they had learned from Carter when they were younger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yeah, he wasn't ALWAYS the good kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila dropped to her knees next to her and cut the lock, the metal meeting cement with a soft clink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait a second, M. What.. happens next if we find something else out then what we thought? What if.."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her mind revolved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What if it was all a lie? Why is everything a lie now?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila paused for a moment, the metal opening still in her hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"They can't be right. Maybe they were talking about Rene... her mom." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of her hands instinctively went to the scar at her throat as she said their sister's name.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06j6GwR4S78/UeWsS1UriXI/AAAAAAAAD58/ix5g6VmKqqw/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06j6GwR4S78/UeWsS1UriXI/AAAAAAAAD58/ix5g6VmKqqw/s640/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She shook her head and cleared her throat, finally opening the box.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One single sheet of paper met with her fingertips and her eyes widened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next words were barely whispered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Jack Rapture"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's brow furrowed in confusion as the name of her father, Mila's step dad left her lips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What.. that looked like her original birth certificate... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was no way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She and Mila were born <i>three </i>days apart. June 13th and June 15th.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the paper out of Mila's hands and ran her eyes down the page.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7svHxoG2anI/UeWnq3QfS8I/AAAAAAAAD5Q/IJFPnSnA3MY/s1600/14-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7svHxoG2anI/UeWnq3QfS8I/AAAAAAAAD5Q/IJFPnSnA3MY/s640/14-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There it was. Written in heavy ink. Aria's father was Mila's biological father. They were blood sisters. Half sisters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She reread the document through, scanning names, dates, everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>My father is her father. Once again, I am surrounded by lies.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She dropped the piece of traitorous paper to the floor, an indescribable feeling rising in her chest. She glanced back towards the door, tears stinging at her eyes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mila.. I can't. I just..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything was falling apart in front of her eyes. She had nothing to hold onto. It was as if everything she had known was a complete fallacy. She didn't even have her best friend anymore. She was reduced to the belief that everything she had ever known... was fake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stood up, running a hand through her hair. Even yanking that strand she always did wasn't going to be enough, or anywhere near enough, to calm these feelings. She could feel her self control fade to nothing.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoLdXCC9KJo/UeWsx9kebdI/AAAAAAAAD6E/eKqNgIVDc7c/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoLdXCC9KJo/UeWsx9kebdI/AAAAAAAAD6E/eKqNgIVDc7c/s400/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned, heading for the driveway, pulling out her phone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She left her bags, her sister.. Her REAL fucking sister, behind her, dialing the number to the airport.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It looked like she was going home early.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, A, I need to talk to you about something, you got a second?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oUTnea3tl8/UeWFUS72GXI/AAAAAAAAD3w/EpDBRz8Xwiw/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oUTnea3tl8/UeWFUS72GXI/AAAAAAAAD3w/EpDBRz8Xwiw/s640/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria scowled in Carter's direction, but gave Ephrem a weak smile and a nod, following Carter a few feet away. His eyes were trained on the ground and they never quite met up with hers. Aria's attention was still mostly focused on Ephrem's figure, who was now angled away, talking to someone else that Aria didn't know.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was awash in girly thoughts, wondering just how much trouble this boy was, and who his cousin was that he mentioned and- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"-I should have told you right when I decided, but I didn't know how to."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She crashed back down to Earth, focusing her attention, finally, on what Carter was saying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What?" She snapped, irritated that he had even bothered to pull her away from what she was doing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I-" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His face crinkled in confusion and then he raised an eyebrow, his face flickering with heat for a second.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Did you not hear anything I just said, Aria?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4bNL_A8790/UeWHkj5A0XI/AAAAAAAAD4A/zIVcQEfPBvw/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4bNL_A8790/UeWHkj5A0XI/AAAAAAAAD4A/zIVcQEfPBvw/s640/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria crossed her arms over her chest, groaning. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I didn't. What is it? What do you want?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes went blank, every emotion drained from his face until he was staring at her with the most tenebrous look he had ever given her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You know what? Nevermind. You'll-"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stopped, pulling his keys out of his pocket and curling his hand into a fist around them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You'll see. I gotta go. Have fun with your, uh," </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He cast an eye over to where Ephrem stood with a bottle to his lips.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Your friend."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned to leave and Aria sighed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He could be so weird sometimes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DntPw2ssjm4/UeWISjXeRlI/AAAAAAAAD4I/GmKpEjpjJYM/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DntPw2ssjm4/UeWISjXeRlI/AAAAAAAAD4I/GmKpEjpjJYM/s640/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed a bottle to match those of the people around her and made her way to the group surrounding her brother and her new found friend. She was going to have fun tonight whether Carter liked it or not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That was the last time she saw him before he left Hidden Springs behind.</span><br />
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</div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Aria returned home from Hidden Springs, she decided on having a donor pregnancy.. Which resulted in her first single birth in a long, long time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Baby 91, Clark Rapture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSCGOm9TrKc/UeTWPk0NaeI/AAAAAAAAD2k/r3Q7NBV4gt8/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSCGOm9TrKc/UeTWPk0NaeI/AAAAAAAAD2k/r3Q7NBV4gt8/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nikolas, Topher, Salem</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PydYLtJZTso/UeTWMxyrbRI/AAAAAAAAD2c/LiKDMqJzdVE/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PydYLtJZTso/UeTWMxyrbRI/AAAAAAAAD2c/LiKDMqJzdVE/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Owen and Macayla</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
----</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">You're too proud to say that you've made a mistake</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">You're a coward to the end</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">I don't wanna admit that we're not gonna fit</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">No, I'm not the type that you like</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Why don't we just pretend?</span></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-19195657382960040162013-07-11T00:08:00.000-07:002013-07-11T00:08:36.360-07:00One Year....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u style="background-color: magenta;">One year.</u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLKRUjlrVe4/UdydMV1jk6I/AAAAAAAAD1U/bkM81I4rK7Y/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLKRUjlrVe4/UdydMV1jk6I/AAAAAAAAD1U/bkM81I4rK7Y/s640/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow. Where has the time went? It seems like it wasn't long ago at all that I started a game with the crazy hope of naming a hundred babies. Haha yeah, that's why I started this. To name 100 babies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Much to my astonishment it turned into MUCH much more than that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have met so many amazing people through this challenge and I have the most amazing fans/readers. You guys make this so much more worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are so close to the end. 10 babies away. I cannot wait for you all to see how it plays out. I think you will be quite surprised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">;D</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpgo3Zplwd4/Ud5KKQ-4cFI/AAAAAAAAD10/Ljg_BM3g7iQ/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpgo3Zplwd4/Ud5KKQ-4cFI/AAAAAAAAD10/Ljg_BM3g7iQ/s640/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On another note, I struggled for a bit to decide what to do to celebrate my one year. I had a few ideas but the one I thought fit the occasion the most was a sneak peek at Generation One of my legacy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I chose to show you all an excerpt type thing from the minds of each of Aria's kids that make up Gen One of the legacy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a look into their main storylines. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cannot wait for you all to see them in the actual legacy. And I hope these hints and previews suffice for a celebratory event, Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, before that, one more MASSIVE thank you to every single one of you. Every person who reads this, you light up my days and make writing so much more fulfilling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could never thank you enough for sticking by my side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love all of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Generation One: Hide And Seek</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Atticus, Baby 101</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZYedH0bT2w/UduHftFH0JI/AAAAAAAAD04/VF1uROzPzhU/s1600/Atticus+Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZYedH0bT2w/UduHftFH0JI/AAAAAAAAD04/VF1uROzPzhU/s640/Atticus+Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being in love with her was like walking on hot coals. My world seemed to revolve around her existence once she was mine. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess in a way I was kind of like my dad. I put the girl I loved before everything. Maybe even dangerously so at times. Sure, I wasn't the best at not hurting her. I wasn't really good at not hurting anyone. But I tried my hardest to avoid it. To be the good one out of this family of crazies.. But I didn't always succeed.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing up with her, right next to her, our moms being best friends, it felt oddly familiar. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I was crazy. Maybe trying to repeat my mothers past mistakes would do nothing but hurt everyone involved. </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: #999999;">But I really didn't care. Love conquers everything, right?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Eden, Baby 102, Generation One Heir.</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RwnCtV9Frn4/UduGpsDL34I/AAAAAAAAD0g/zuRK3aedhfQ/s1600/Eden+Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RwnCtV9Frn4/UduGpsDL34I/AAAAAAAAD0g/zuRK3aedhfQ/s640/Eden+Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">I'm that girl everyone stares at. You know her. Bad news, trouble. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">The one whose family is the poorest of all of the rich kids. Maybe I had a nice house and we lived in this stupid gated community, but it was a <b>well known fact </b>that our family wasn't like everyone elses. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">I was the poor kid of the wealthy. Tends to make one bitter.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">I honestly couldn't give a flying fuck what any of those stuck up assholes thought of me.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">T</i></span><i style="background-color: black; color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hat's what I portrayed, anyway. But I secretly held animosity towards my parents for putting us in this situation. </i></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">Why not just move somewhere that it didn't matter?</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">Noooo, let's move to the middle of Bridgeport among the douchebags and their mini mansions.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">I guess it DOESN'T matter now. It's too late. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">But I'll make a name for myself. One way or another. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">Everyone will know who I am.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">I will turn this town upside down if I have to.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">And that supposed happy ever after my parents have? It's all just bullshit if you ask me. Who goes through all of that and stays together?</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">Fuck love. Fuck settling for something and setting myself up for being hurt. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">It will never be worth it to me.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">I'll never be that girl anyway. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: black;">Love is for fairy tales.</i></span></div>
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<b>Lyric, Baby 103</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlZyxznjaRE/UduGtcjgFsI/AAAAAAAAD0o/0xQjaNEPZOc/s1600/Lyric+Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlZyxznjaRE/UduGtcjgFsI/AAAAAAAAD0o/0xQjaNEPZOc/s640/Lyric+Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have this secret. I hold onto it so tightly it starts to hurt after a while. Most of the time I can push it into the back of my head and pretend it doesn't exist. But it still sits there, festering away like an infected cut.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I live in fear that my family is going to find out one day. That they will know I am the fuck up. The outcast.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I just want to be normal like the rest of them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I wish I could change who I am. Change how I feel.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Be who my parents expect me to be. Who my brothers and my sister know me as.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But I can't.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So I hold onto my secret and I say nothing. The quiet one. The sweet one.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Little baby Lyric. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">If only they knew</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Baby 104, Cassius.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEWXH_rz-d8/UduGnQ_Lv-I/AAAAAAAAD0c/5W8BxoP_ESk/s1600/Cassius+Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEWXH_rz-d8/UduGnQ_Lv-I/AAAAAAAAD0c/5W8BxoP_ESk/s640/Cassius+Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My family are a bunch of losers. I really don't know how I managed to be born into this. The fact that I have to actually be related to a bunch of sorry emotional fucks makes me sick. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the only one in this entire thing that is worth anything. I play football, I make straight A's. I get every girl who comes anywhere near me. Not that I give a damn about any of them. But hey, it's all in good fun right? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That's what life is about. Having fun and not giving a shit about how anyone else feels. Cause none of them matter. Not to me anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If I want it, it's mine. I'll make DAMN sure of it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Especially if Atticus wants it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I live by my own rules. Fuck everyone else.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Well. Hi guys.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Where you are now in my story is so close to where I am talking to you from. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<b style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This is coming from the me that is done with this. </b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Maybe I am through, but you still haven't seen what is to come.. And I feel the need to say something from the other side.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">I never saw myself completing this. I never saw myself being a challenge mother when I started my life on my own to begin with.. I think I was so incredibly lost in my life when I made this decision. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Most challenge mothers, they love what they do. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I did not.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I will be the first to say that I feel like I made a terrible decision. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I don't regret my babies. I love every single one of them. I am very blessed. I just wish maybe I could have done something else. Something that didn't end up tearing my life into shreds.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Now though.. Now it's over. And I am happy. I went through a lot. I put the people I love through more than they should have ever had to deal with.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>But I got my happy ending. I finished this challenge and I got what I had always wanted. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Someone who loves me.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>One last thing.. Before I close this; </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you ever feel like it's over.. Like you can't take it anymore. Like you have nothing left and no one cares.. Please, remember that it gets better. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>There is always another day.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>No matter how much you want to let go, it won't be worth it.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>There's just something so beautiful about picking up the pieces, taking a deep breath, and moving on.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Life is beautiful.</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">YOU are beautiful.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And in case someone hasn't told you today, you are good enough. </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>-A</b></span>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-10955089309035306272013-06-21T18:53:00.003-07:002016-02-05T17:12:19.197-08:0041- Sinematic: Part Two<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“I hated myself for needing him at such times, for craving his strength whenever I felt upset.” </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26372.Kathy_Reichs" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Kathy Reichs</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/866667" style="text-decoration: none;">Déjà Dead</a></i></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">[This is a 4 part split chapter with Aria's sister, Mila. Part one can be found here:<a href="http://autumn100babychallenge.blogspot.com/2013/06/chapter-13-sinematic-part-one.html">Sinematic: Part One</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and I will link you to Part Three when it is posted at the bottom of this post :D]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Carter, goes without saying, thank you. Still saying it though. Last scene. All yours. <3 )</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
(Babies! Been a while, eh? But, You know. This is still a baby challenge ;) )<br />
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Macayla and Owen</div>
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Kristina, Dante, Madeline.</div>
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----</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">People underestimate the power of a broken heart, a broken spirit. They seem to think that if there isn't the presence of tears, if the affected person isn't visibly shattered, that the damage isn't extensive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The truth was, Aria was irreparable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The fact that she could hide it in a downward spiral of alcohol and distance was her last ditch effort to save herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It just wasn't working. At all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her outward fallacy of strength, stitched together tightly with 'I'm okay' and 'It'll be fine', was only hiding the chaos that was eating her alive on the inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She wondered when the moment would come that she would dissolve and everyone would see how defective she really was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria slid the shot glass towards her from across the glass surface, bringing it to her lips. It didn't even burn anymore. One shot. Two more. Another. It was kind of like a game. How many shots could she take before she forgot why she was drinking in the first place?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not that she could ever forget him.. Or what had happened. But fuck did she try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sound of tires softly falling on the pavement outside and the metal connecting with metal as a car door slammed shut brought Aria out of her reverie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila. Finally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria pulled her game face on, quickly putting the bottle and shot glass on the counter of the hotel room and heading outside.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3vJoFyTRVw/UcOp3sD6MeI/AAAAAAAADvM/-A5U8NbNxV4/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3vJoFyTRVw/UcOp3sD6MeI/AAAAAAAADvM/-A5U8NbNxV4/s400/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She squealed brightly, throwing herself into Mila's arms and knocking her luggage to the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You started without me bitch!" She teased. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria grinned, playing her ditzy roll just as she always did. She forced that beautiful smile and made those eyes shine as bright as she could. She speculated if Mila knew just how much she was hurting on the inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The wedding was beautiful. Aria and Mila filled the role of bridesmaid with lots of champagne and laughing. Aria almost forgot why she was sad for a couple of hours. But just like it always did, reality smacked her in the face about halfway through the reception and she backed away from everyone, sinking into a corner with the company of Jack Daniels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria was so drunk she could barely see. Mila and her had drank throughout the entire wedding and the reception. Was it a good choice? No. But did it take the pain away? It did. For now..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria clinked the glass of scotch back onto the bar's smooth surface, tracing her finger along the rim. She had lost track of everyone she knew in the reception hall. Focused on drinking. Focused on getting lost in a sensation other than overwhelming loss.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Why is a pretty little thing like you sitting at the bar all alone?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The voice was smooth, echoing through Aria's skull with the pull of a skilled radio announcer. She scoffed, looking up at the guy she presumed was just another skeeze. When her eyes fell on his, she halted. He looked familiar. Almost too familiar.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RC7RstpWFPI/UcO_ub7vbUI/AAAAAAAADvs/GYJOdjEmd_E/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RC7RstpWFPI/UcO_ub7vbUI/AAAAAAAADvs/GYJOdjEmd_E/s640/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her eyes fell from his red hair to his ice blue eyes and then she looked back down at her drink. Sure, he was attractive, but her heart was still tripping over Carter with every breath she took. It wasn't like she was planning on continuing her challenge anymore anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He would come around, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The doubt swirled in her stomach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No, Aria. He is done. Done is final. It's over. Stop clinging to that stupid last shred of hope that you are breathing in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria realized that she still hadn't answered. She looked back up at the guy, who cocked his head to the side, amusement in his irises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You okay?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She rolled her eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I don't even know you. Why would you care?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He took a seat next to her, and she groaned. She totally wasn't in the mood for Mr. Smooth Moves over here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Well, you seem pretty sad, maybe I can cheer you up? Start talking. I can at least listen."</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5RRAHWzH_A/UcPHMCJRZQI/AAAAAAAADwA/fGlhfuiTUxU/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5RRAHWzH_A/UcPHMCJRZQI/AAAAAAAADwA/fGlhfuiTUxU/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria raised an eyebrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Seriously? It's a sob story. I really don't think you want to hear it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He smirked. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I got time... besides," He motioned at the bartender, and then at Aria's drink, and the guy slid him a duplicate. "I can always just stare into those beautiful eyes."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She gave him a death stare. Yeah, he was sweet.. But Aria was only interested in one person. And the fact that this guy was pulling out every compliment in the book was going to get very irritating, very fast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You know I am not looking for a hook up right? I am not interested in you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She stated, pointedly. His smirk widened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Now, Pink Eyes, I never said anything about sex, did I? The fact that your mind went there tells me that you have implications that state otherwise behind your words that say 'no'."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria scowled. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Look, Mr. Vampire-"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Discord."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What EVER. But I seriously am not going to play this game if you think the ending is me being underneath you, naked."</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmfOGhtCPGg/UcPHMiGR-BI/AAAAAAAADwI/FYoCqH3RcrE/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmfOGhtCPGg/UcPHMiGR-BI/AAAAAAAADwI/FYoCqH3RcrE/s400/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If his smile got any wider, it would cover half of his face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You could always be naked on top of me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria sighed, standing, licking the rest of her drink from her lips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Alright, well, you can flirt with the bartender, cause I'm done here." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She turned to walk away, but she didn't make it three steps before she felt a cold grip on her wrist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His eyes went from cocky to serious and kind in an instant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No, I'm sorry. I was kidding. I want to hear what's going on with you. You seem to be nursing quite a broken heart."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria took two steps backward suddenly, as if influenced into it and sat back on the barstool next to Discord. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What an odd name..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She sighed. She looked up at the bartender, who gave her another drink. She had probably had enough. But she was past the point of caring. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I don't even know where to start... I guess we could start with the fact that I have been in love with him since I was 14 and he didn't even give me the chance to tell him that.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She launched into the story, pouring her heart out to this man, without the slightest idea as to why she was doing so. She covered each piece with a new glass of the acidic liquid she was so accustomed to submerging herself in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPEl_I3sq0k/UcPH5yTaznI/AAAAAAAADwM/6wlUnESytBU/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPEl_I3sq0k/UcPH5yTaznI/AAAAAAAADwM/6wlUnESytBU/s400/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When she finished, her words were pretty much a mess, as was she. She stared at the chipped surface of the bar, drained. Her heart empty and her mind pushing in a thousand different directions at once. She looked up at the guy, who had been listening with what seemed to be rapt attention.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He hadn't really spoken since she started. Aria was suddenly filled with apprehension.. Why had she just done that? Why had she told a complete stranger that she was in love with Carter when she couldn't even tell him herself?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It had been so easy to tell this guy, the only person she had ever told.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why couldn't it have been just as easy to tell the object of her adulation?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You know what I think, Aria?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He interrupted her reflection and she looked up at him, her eyesight foggy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Mmmm?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I think that you deserve better than that.. And if this guy truly cared about you, he wouldn't have left you behind. He sounds like a selfish, insolent fool."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGVohsXgsTU/UcPIpAcUuRI/AAAAAAAADwY/1I-NDYOke9I/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGVohsXgsTU/UcPIpAcUuRI/AAAAAAAADwY/1I-NDYOke9I/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He put a hand on her knee and her eyes snapped downwards, staring at the point of contact.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I also think that he doesn't love you, because you don't do things like that to people you claim to care about."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's eyes clicked from his hand on her knee to his ice blue irises. Her stomach did a flip and she could feel his words sinking into the part of her mind that was still smothered in doubt. That piece of her that had already been wondering if he was lying. If everything he said was brazen deceit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe.... Maybe this guy was right. Maybe she was an idiot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Hey, you two, the bar is about to close. Everyone is gone. You two gotta get out of here."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The bartender's voice startled Aria a little, but she stood, swaying a little on her feet. She took a step and Discord's arm found its way around her waist, steadying her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His lips were at her ear in an instant. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Do you want to continue this in my room?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's brain went haywire.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxk4Atmrf5A/UcPM8AB9d3I/AAAAAAAADws/U4HInpMeH4w/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxk4Atmrf5A/UcPM8AB9d3I/AAAAAAAADws/U4HInpMeH4w/s640/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did she? What about Carter? Didn't he love her? Didn't she love him? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe.... But what if this guy was right? What if he had a point? What if Carter just lied to her? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What kind of person sleeps with the girl they claim to love and then runs away like a coward?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria looked up at him, her vision spinning. She was full of hesitation. Doubt. She thought once more back to that night at Aperille's house and one word floated to the surface of her mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">....Done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She nodded at Discord with a small smile. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Yeah, let's go."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"A, have I ever told you why I broke up with Rebecca?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The summer air blew the across the trampoline she and Carter were laying on and the smell of chlorine and charcoal was so strong it was dizzying. Junior year was over. They only had one year left of high school, and then they were out of this town. Aria wondered about her future all the time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHTN6Be6GTQ/UcPk19JootI/AAAAAAAADxE/TM2-y71I7IM/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHTN6Be6GTQ/UcPk19JootI/AAAAAAAADxE/TM2-y71I7IM/s400/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mostly if he was going to be in it. She hardly ever saw him anymore. He had been so busy that days like this were far too few. She pushed up on her elbows and looked at him, her hair fluttering in the breeze. She raised an eyebrow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Whoa, Carter, are we getting teenage girl deep here?" She grinned and he rolled his eyes, pushing one of her elbows from underneath her so she fell back onto the trampoline. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No," He chuckled as she scowled, righting herself again. "It's just, when we were together, she was never really honest. I couldn't believe a goddamn word she said. Not to mention that she hesitated with everything she did. It drove me insane. Is it that hard to stick to a decision. To not doubt something?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He looked over at her, and she shrugged. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"It can be. I mean, you have to think about it from her point of view. Sometimes love isn't as easy for both parties involved. Sometimes one of them doesn't know right away."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He frowned. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I think that if you love somebody, it should be as easy as that. You love them. Don't be a fucking coward and deny it. Own up to it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZCzlW98Jkk/UcTW1Iu7ecI/AAAAAAAADxU/gSL-_O4XS4A/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZCzlW98Jkk/UcTW1Iu7ecI/AAAAAAAADxU/gSL-_O4XS4A/s640/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He trailed off and his eyes traced away from her and into the afternoon sky, dancing with the summer heat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Not to mention Aria, I didn't even say anything like that. I didn't love her."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He looked back at her and she blushed, biting her lip.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I misread your words. And apparently your actions. Sorry."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He shook his head.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Don't be. I get it. It probably looked like I loved her. But I didn't. She really wasn't worth my time in the end. Just a mistake."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria scoffed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Like you make mistakes."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His brow furrowed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Just cause I have morals doesn't mean I don't make mistakes like everyone else, A. You assume my ethics are exorbitant. I have weaknesses too."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He sighed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Well I have one in particular.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She smirked.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Your incessant need to sleep with redheads?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7A3tD6CvsA/UcTc5AzK1OI/AAAAAAAADxk/PIC95OtYnWg/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7A3tD6CvsA/UcTc5AzK1OI/AAAAAAAADxk/PIC95OtYnWg/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He pushed her arm out from under her again and she laughed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Nah, my incessant need to protect my best friend from her stupid decisions."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She inhaled sharply, refusing to get back up on her elbows again. She looked over at him, her eyes soft.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You don't have to protect me, Carter."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He nodded.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I know, but I'm still going to."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria ran a hand through her hair, tears trailing down her face and a shot glass in her hand. The guilt was insurmountable. She leaned her free hand against the railing of the balcony, taking a deep breath of the cool, misty air. She was an idiot. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Roz4QFtLmcs/UcTxRxwvbnI/AAAAAAAADx0/9ntPnrmslco/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Roz4QFtLmcs/UcTxRxwvbnI/AAAAAAAADx0/9ntPnrmslco/s640/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Time and time and time again she was learning that she was nothing more than what Carter always told her she was.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A noise behind her caused alarm to shoot through her veins, and she turned to see Discord standing there. His face no longer wore the kind expression it had. It was rock hard and cold now. She knew he was feigning the niceness. She was just... Aria.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What are you still doing here?" He asked, his tone emotionless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She sighed, emptying the rest of the shot glass and handing it to him as she walked by. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm leaving."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His voice almost shone with the smirk that covered his features.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I can see why this guy didn't want you. Look how easy you were."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria sighed, slipping her shoes on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Trust me, I already know."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the guys surprised look almost amusing her. Apparently he thought his words would hurt her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdkDaB8Z-lg/UcTy6d2oFPI/AAAAAAAADyE/v5fvyWpsdLQ/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdkDaB8Z-lg/UcTy6d2oFPI/AAAAAAAADyE/v5fvyWpsdLQ/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No, sorry, you can't hurt someone with the actuality they are already aware of.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She shut the door behind her quietly, staring off towards the room she was sharing with Mila. She crossed the hall, opening their door, taking off her shoes and sliding in the sheets next to her sister, who was sleeping peacefully. She buried her face in the mess of her black and orange hair and cried herself into dreams, thankful she didn't wake up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Home from Bridgeport, back in Riverview. Things were tense. Carter was just a ghost she could barely remember. She had Discord's babies. Triplets. Babies 88, 89 and 90, named Salem, Nikolas and Topher.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter didn't know. She didn't even know if he would care at this point. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She floated through her only day she had been back and lied her way through her birthday, she just wanted to get back to her own safety net of her home and her challenge.. Which only had ten babies left now. What the hell was next.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The night of her birthday party changed everything.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria, it's me," </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter's voice startled Aria from her camp out in the corner. She and the other guests were playing Assassin. And so far she hadn't been caught or even seen. She almost jumped out of her skin at his words. She honestly felt her heart pick up ten notches. The increase in its beat made her ears throb from the blood flow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His voice pulled her heart in that distinct way only his voice could.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcEf5kH4_Rg/UcUDUL0sGfI/AAAAAAAADyg/qmIP9g0SxOw/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcEf5kH4_Rg/UcUDUL0sGfI/AAAAAAAADyg/qmIP9g0SxOw/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Happy birthday," He said, reaching in his pocket.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He handed her a cd and she reached out a shaky hand to take it. Anberlin. A band that reminded her of him. Of course.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I think they're your style," He said, a smile barely visible in the dark.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She took a deep breath, trying to calm down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I had given up hope that you were even going to show up." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She looked back up at his face, shrouded in darkness and she almost just wanted to kiss him. Just let everything go. Pretend last week never happened. The wedding never happened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But it did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And he didn't want her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She leaned back against the wall and stared at the cement floor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Thank you." She whispered, her tone heartsick. She just wanted him to go now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Done was supposed to mean done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I didn't want to miss your birthday," He started, a smile pulling at his lips again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"So..."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I just wanted to let you know that I won't bug you any more. I know we've kind of... uh, been back and forth. I guess enough is enough at some point."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His laugh is dry, forced. Monotone. Aria instantly went cold.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"But I didn't wanna leave without saying good bye."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A pause.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"And that what I said I meant. That I do love you." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He nodded.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Okay," </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His words were like daggers. She could feel them pierce into that tiny piece of hope she had left. Tearing it, stretching it past the point of being salvaged.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKwsRYANqKo/UcUDUAX7aII/AAAAAAAADyc/7_P3ZaRSDuM/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKwsRYANqKo/UcUDUAX7aII/AAAAAAAADyc/7_P3ZaRSDuM/s640/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now it was bleeding.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Was he really fucking doing this? She hadn't done ANYTHING. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>I was in love with you and you were walking away /again/. Would you ever stay? Would you ever be a fucking man and face me the way that you should?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>No. No you wouldn't. Because you are a coward. I used to think it was me. But it's not. It's you. You are nothing but a fool. And you are letting me down. Again.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>As you always will.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You don't fucking love me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was her only reply. And she truly couldn't believe her own ignorance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She wondered if he heard her. Probably not. He didn't know how to listen to anything but his own internal musings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She pulled the top of the Nerf gun back, the weapon in this silly game, settling the tiny styrofoam bullets into position. She aimed at his back, pulling the trigger three times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Counting him out of the game. Out of her party.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Out of her fucking life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Goodbye, Carter."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYPTHoobeEA/UcUDUg91fgI/AAAAAAAADyo/IRAeSUUq3Zw/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYPTHoobeEA/UcUDUg91fgI/AAAAAAAADyo/IRAeSUUq3Zw/s320/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And he was gone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKIajtmGDvM/UcOkfCcfg2I/AAAAAAAADvA/0WWt7i365kA/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKIajtmGDvM/UcOkfCcfg2I/AAAAAAAADvA/0WWt7i365kA/s400/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Macayla and Owen <3</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: lime; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">You never said you'd hurt me</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">Now this is all that we have left</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">You were supposed to save me</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">From myself</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">You said you'd never love me</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">But look how hard someone can fall</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">I was supposed to save you</span><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial";">From yourself</span></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-67418231364721300452013-06-15T20:49:00.001-07:002015-10-14T11:45:56.276-07:0040-Part Two: Until The Day I Die<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“It's shocking the things we call love.” </span><br style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/135786.Deb_Caletti" style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Deb Caletti</a><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/4077787" style="text-decoration: none;">The Secret Life of Prince Charming</a></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: x-large;">[Another NSFW warningggg. Again, not bad, but enough :P]</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(As always, Carter, thank you. AGAIN. Always. You're so incredibly talented and writing with you blows me away.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that, -woosh- We begin...)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The plane arrived in Bridgeport and Aria felt a mixture of feelings she couldn't really describe.. She missed Carter more than she could explain. She needed to get away though, clear her head. Every piece of her longed to return to Riverview and to him.. But she had things to figure out before that could happen.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille met her at the airport, instructing Rich to place her bags in the trunk of their SUV. She was all smiles and excitement and it was almost overwhelming. As happy as Aria was to be there, she was also falling apart inside. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyVfWdGZ4Yo/Ubv_UMM4GEI/AAAAAAAADpo/YSD0QyVSfaM/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyVfWdGZ4Yo/Ubv_UMM4GEI/AAAAAAAADpo/YSD0QyVSfaM/s640/Screenshot.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You ready for two weeks away from that boring little town you call home?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille asked with a wink.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pulled a perfectly constructed smile onto her lips and nodded. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Completely."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was seated on Aperille's chair, her legs crossed, leaning into her hand, mindlessly staring at the tv. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She couldn't seem to get her head on straight, everything was so confusing and she couldn't make a decision to save her life. The thoughts of Kora spun so quickly into each and every other thing that she felt that she basically felt like an inconsistent chaos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She heard a noise behind her and she turned quickly, startled from her thoughts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRTDkeWIye0/UbwSM6kXSpI/AAAAAAAADqE/1l1t90XgmIU/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRTDkeWIye0/UbwSM6kXSpI/AAAAAAAADqE/1l1t90XgmIU/s400/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille had a look on her face that said something was wrong. She smiled apologetically and approached Aria, taking a seat next to her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria asked, her tone a little sharp. She didn't mean to be biting , but her emotions were all over the place, and it just came out that way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Well, Aria... There is this girl... She is posting all over yours and-" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked away, seemingly trying to put the way she was going to tell her this into words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"She keeps talking about vampires, and mind control and.. making jokes about it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's stomach dropped. The world sharply revolved and righted itself in a mindnumbing cycle. Her vision went shady and she almost lost it, the hours she spent with Corbin flashing through her mind. She bit the inside of her cheek, the coppery taste of blood hitting her tongue. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She blinked, looking back up at Aperille from her fixation on the carpeting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice was dry and it cracked upon sounding.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Who is she?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille bit her lip.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCr4cyYufok/UbwSM3lgUVI/AAAAAAAADqA/Rd8Btmu-lSE/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCr4cyYufok/UbwSM3lgUVI/AAAAAAAADqA/Rd8Btmu-lSE/s400/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">" Aria, I think this chick is moving in on your territory. I haven't seen so much shameless flirting since Amanda Bynes said she wanted Drake to murder her vagina on Twitter."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed, a slightly amused look in her eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria snorted. Aperille always knew how to lighten the mood. Regardless, she pulled out her phone, scrolling through all of the damage. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Facebook drama. Post after post of bullshit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This Marie girl just didn't quit...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She didn't even want to get involved. The entire thing was stupid and immature. The situation was completely beneath her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She settled on a single sentence, something to stop the tidal wave from drowning everything in its reach.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria quickly posted her response, trying to stop it before it started. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only, everything slowly escalated from there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Marie blew everything to pieces in under an hour, not only bringing up things she had no way of knowing, but being very open about the fact that she had been with Carter.. She didn't specify in what way.. But all Aria could do was assume.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> And Carter was nowhere to be found. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Internet drama. Fun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it wasn't like she could take care of any of this in person when he was three hours away, safely nestled into his house. Not paying any of this a bit of attention.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite how they had left things, Aria was very disquieted with the fact that he didn't stand up for her. Say something, anything. Especially with the fact that Corbin was brought up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where the fuck was he? Was she really that unimportant now that she was gone? Was that how things were going to be?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did he really find someone else that quickly? Was it that easy to just replace her?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She burrowed herself into the back of the chair, holding in tears.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPclv2oLad4/UbwS_5eoYmI/AAAAAAAADqI/mB-k-GLZMq0/s1600/Screenshot-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPclv2oLad4/UbwS_5eoYmI/AAAAAAAADqI/mB-k-GLZMq0/s400/Screenshot-4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Always holding in tears..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> It was kind of like the world was slowly closing in. Her heart felt like it was suffocating in that stupid feeling. That same slow, bizarre drown. The fact that this girl knew all of these things about her.. The fact that she would actually put them out there for public knowledge and act like it was okay to drop to such callous levels astounded her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The buzz of her phone on the seat next to her surprised her. Carter's name popping on the screen only furthered the confusion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She couldn't help but feel like one of her friends forced him into this</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not like he wanted to actually speak to her. After the other night, why would he?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She slid her thumb across the screen and the line clicked on.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What do you want, Carter?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She asked with a sigh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just wanted to see what's going on... Lilac texted me saying you were upset. But if you don't wanna talk to me, I get it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Lilac.. I knew that was the only reason that you're on the other end of this phone call. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not that i don't want to talk to you.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kzqGNl95FQ/UbyiR84YORI/AAAAAAAADqY/FWqE9ZLe9r0/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kzqGNl95FQ/UbyiR84YORI/AAAAAAAADqY/FWqE9ZLe9r0/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her thoughts shattered, and she couldn't exactly put her finger on the one that made this so much harder than it should be. He was her best friend, this phone call should have been like the hundreds of others they had had since they had known each other.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But things were different now..</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They would probably always be different.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So you like this Marie girl?"</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stood, making her way towards the bedroom where she had been staying.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He paused, which made Aria wonder exactly where his thoughts went.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I guess. She was alright. Pretty good at Halo for a chick. But are you talking in middle school vernacular right now? Because I don't 'like like' her, A."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another invoiced pause.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Is this about the other night? Because it's not that I didn't want... that."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What isn't obvious is why he just let this girl say whatever she wanted. Let her tear apart the finely threaded walls Aria had so carefully began to build since everything with Corbin happened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria really hoped she was assuming things.. That he didn't see any of it. That he didn't purposely let her say those things and still act like she was a decent person. That he didn't sit idly by and say nothing when this girl was making rape a joke.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm not 12.. And why would I care if you like her? I am obviously not good enough for you, remember. You pretty much proved that to me."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her tone ascended into short, clipped speech.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And I am pretty sure if you wanted to sleep with her, there is nothing I could do about it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSbX0a-4IDU/UbylpPShsvI/AAAAAAAADqo/Ac8k1FYGIho/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSbX0a-4IDU/UbylpPShsvI/AAAAAAAADqo/Ac8k1FYGIho/s640/Screenshot-6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria wished she could see his face. Read his reactions.. Look into his eyes and see what was reflected there as she poured how she felt little by little into his ears.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria," </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another aggravating pause.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I don't want to sleep with anyone but you. And it's not a question as to whether or not you're good enough for me, A. Because, guess what? You're the only one who is good enough for me. What I can't figure out is why the fuck you can't see that? And why you can't let everyone else because, Aria, there is someone over here who would do anything to love you."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His tone rose a little as he finished.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Anything..."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The inflection in his voice as it rose and fell tried to convince her that he was being honest. That he would never do the things she had well past convinced herself that he would.. He was always the good guy. ALWAYS. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was no room for Aria in his collection of perfect things.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And she wanted to believe him. Everything she was made up of, every fiber of her pathetic little being wanted to believe that he meant every single word.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she didn't. She didn't believe him. She couldn't let herself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You're just going to hurt me like everyone else has.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Then why, why did you walk away? Why did you say no?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZVQu8OGw3Y/UbyoMomsIvI/AAAAAAAADq4/VPsOb52UZbQ/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZVQu8OGw3Y/UbyoMomsIvI/AAAAAAAADq4/VPsOb52UZbQ/s400/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Look,"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "You hesitated. And I don't want you to hesitate with me..."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He trailed off and Aria bit her lip, waiting for him to continue.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sure about you. Just kinda want you to be sure about me too... But you weren't, so. So I respect that."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She hadn't told him why she hesitated. She hadn't breathed one word of what happened with Willow at the spa.. He had no idea that she knew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Among her many flaws, one has never occurred such as that. She had never sunk to a level that personally hurt him on a much deeper level than just sex. He took someone that had personally destroyed her and put her at a level he refused to let Aria go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You can't begin to know how that feels. How I feel.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How much it hurt in ways it shouldn't. Because she shouldn't care.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she did.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And I always fucking will.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I was sure about you Carter.. From the moment you kissed me, I knew. "</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sat on the edge of Wynter's bed, her hand that wasn't containing the phone, pressed against her forehead.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That was until I found out about Kora."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gV0-nVjNZRQ/UbyqPHS_HqI/AAAAAAAADrI/mynRay3aAiM/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gV0-nVjNZRQ/UbyqPHS_HqI/AAAAAAAADrI/mynRay3aAiM/s640/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She let the phone slide from her hand and onto the bed, not bothering to press end. She wondered how long it took the line to disconnect.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I have absolutely no faith in myself at this point." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes were glossy, her voice compacted with emotion. Aperille gave her a sympathetic look, placing her hand on Aria's knee. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It was just a kiss. All things considered, I think the way you are handling things is admirable. You're in love with him, Aria... Everyone can see it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sharply inhaled, shaking her head, tears flowing softly into the mess of her hair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, no I don't Aperille."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille sighed, squeezing her into a hug. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can keep saying that, but I am not stupid. I can see it written all over your face. I mean, Aria, you're crying because you /kissed/ someone else. Do you really think you would care this much if he was just your friend, as you say?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria drew in a shaky breath, her pulse tempering from her chest into her wrists with a bit more force than usual. She felt guilty. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the thing about guilt.. Is that it consumes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fBRDghbh0s/Uby591eUQKI/AAAAAAAADrY/9O-pRCCwb44/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fBRDghbh0s/Uby591eUQKI/AAAAAAAADrY/9O-pRCCwb44/s400/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was just one kiss. Nothing more. She went into hanging out with her friend Joshua, planning on just that. Hanging out with a friend. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Except, Aria was quite the escapist.. With a long time crush. So she kissed him. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn't a bad kiss. In fact, it was pretty much mindblowing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it wasn't Carter. It wasn't the same. He was the only person she truly wanted to connect with on any level of that capacity. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A week passed. She didn't say a word to Carter. Nothing. Not a text, a message, another phone call. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Joshua's words echoed through her head, as they had been, on repeat, for days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>"I never said it was easy, just that you need to try. If you're willing to give all this up for him, tell him that part is easy. But if you are trying to see it through and you want him to still be there, then tell him and that's the part that gets hard. You can't ask someone to make that choice with you, but if he's going to be there, then give him the option to be."</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wanted to be done. She was ready to give up, get through this wedding, and her birthday and just go back to Riverview, finish her challenge and move on. She just wanted to be happy. Carter used to be what she thought true happiness was.. Now she wasn't so sure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pretty simple, really. Meet, talk, separate. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It should be an easy enough disconnect. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It should be effortless to listen to what Carter had to say and then let all of this go. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It should be.. Right?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter was on his way to see her.. Why, she wasn't so sure. All he had said was that he had unfinished business and it needed to be taken care of in person. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which could be taken in a lot of ways..</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He was staying the night in a hotel and coming to see her the next day.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was the last time she was letting her walls down.. If he hurt her this time, she was done.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For good...</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“The mistakes I've made are dead to me. But I can't take back the things I never did.” </span><br style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2617.Jonathan_Safran_Foer" style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Jonathan Safran Foer</a><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1940137" style="text-decoration: none;">Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close</a></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVDi3XmV018/UbzwELttwbI/AAAAAAAADr0/LUjDCevo8vY/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVDi3XmV018/UbzwELttwbI/AAAAAAAADr0/LUjDCevo8vY/s640/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #c27ba0; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria tucked her feet underneath her, pulling the duvet that Aperille had draped over the side of her couch over her legs. It was more of a nervous thing than being cold. Cause it wasn't cold. Not even a little.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she was shaking.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She still wasn't sure what she expected. What it was that she saw him saying.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she did expect to let him go. Let him go back to whatever makes him happy. Because she knew, for once, that it wasn't her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of that she was sure.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was still in shock that he was even coming to Bridgeport.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> But that was Carter, always having to prove a point.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She heard a knock on the door and her heart instantly stuttered. Something She was slowly learning to control.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trying to..</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the door open and the minute her eyes fell on his, she almost lost her resolve.. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she knew better.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>No matter what my heart tries to say, I have to let you go.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey,"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWv_AaVxfdE/UbzvEt2RF_I/AAAAAAAADro/yRS_RpP4Ye0/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWv_AaVxfdE/UbzvEt2RF_I/AAAAAAAADro/yRS_RpP4Ye0/s400/Screenshot-12.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stepped aside so he could cross the threshold.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here we go again.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He held his hand out, as if Aria should shake it once he was inside the room. She stared at him, confused, for a second before he pulled her into a hug, an awkward laugh in his resonance.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey,"</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He paused, looking around. The chloric past hanging in thick waves inside the room. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you doing any better, A?" </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's awkward. It shouldn't be awkward.They never officially became lovers. They didn't break up.. They just fought. Like they always did.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It seemed different now, like THEY were different.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She crossed her arms over her chest as he pulled away.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Depends on your definition of better, Carter."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at his shoes, because it seemed too brazen to actually look into his eyes. Like she would see the disgust.. Or ill-favor there.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Did you even miss me? Or wonder how I was doing.. I know that phone call sucked, and I'm sorry. But I needed you.."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She instantly regretted saying that..</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>There I go, letting you in again.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Stupid.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His face pulled downward, a scowl taking the place of his dead-set expression.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If you need me, why did you let the call drop?"</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His question hovered in the air.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I mean, of course I missed you. I..."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sxNUCRSd5o/Ubz9oF-bZQI/AAAAAAAADsQ/_kEjgZ0YnOY/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sxNUCRSd5o/Ubz9oF-bZQI/AAAAAAAADsQ/_kEjgZ0YnOY/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The crease between his brow intensified as he stepped toward her, his hand holding her arm.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I always miss you."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That stupid phone call had probably replayed in her head a hundred times.. She still wasn't even one hundred percent sure why she hadn't just talked to him the moment she found out.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The thought that she could just pretend it never happened, that she was just as oblivious as she had been before Willow told her.. It was too easy to do that instead.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wondered how many times they had both chosen that option..</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The easy way out.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which prompted her to think.. Maybe that was what she was attempting to do again.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I missed you too. I-"</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His grip surprised and silenced her simultaneously.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I want you to miss me. I want you to want to be around me. Part of me even wants you to love me.. But I just can't let you.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And she couldn't believe him because every time she did, they fell apart again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took her a second to regain her voice.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I just.. I wish you would stop saying those things. Every single time that you do it hurts more when you turn your back on me."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria," He whispered.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I am sorry. I regret making you feel alone. I just want to make you okay. I want you to be..."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A very hesitant pause.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUYNKy6leqc/Ub0LNJgjr5I/AAAAAAAADso/RnxENymFws8/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUYNKy6leqc/Ub0LNJgjr5I/AAAAAAAADso/RnxENymFws8/s400/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I want you," He restated, </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And you hung up, but if you had listened to the rest of my phone call you would know that I want you because I love you..."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked into her eyes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you Aria, and I need to know if you love me too."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything she contained listened to his speech and wanted to complain. She wanted to deny that he missed her. She want to tell him that she didn't believe him. That she didn't think he wanted her. That he didn't feel anything at all in the heart for some reason she had convinced herself he didn't have.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She told herself she would push him away. That she would let him go</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You love me..</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took her about three seconds to process it. To run the words through her mind and click them into place like the pieces of a puzzle.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had been waiting what felt like a millenium to hear him say that.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It pulled her heart to pieces and as much as it hurt, She .. </span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I believe you.</span></span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter.. I.."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She couldn't think clear enough to respond. Not in a verbal way, so she tried to let her actions speak in a way that her voice could not.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed his shirt, next to the beat of his heart and pulled him as close as she could, crushing her lips against his.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-DcuW98fBw/Ub0LNHXNq5I/AAAAAAAADsk/4iy9Curmyds/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-DcuW98fBw/Ub0LNHXNq5I/AAAAAAAADsk/4iy9Curmyds/s640/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...Did she love him too?</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More than she could ever say. More and more and more each and every second.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She loved him so much she couldn't formulate the goddamn words.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was okay, he was kissing her back. He knew she loved him. He had to by now. She didn't need to say it because he knew. She just needed to show him..</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Show him in a way that didn't require speech. Just breathing and kissing and touching. And heat. So much heat it would burn them both alive..</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Something told her this time, he wasn't going to stop her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The buttons on his shirt released their hold one by one.She thought she broke one, maybe two. But being careful didn't really seem like that's how this should happen. Being careful led to thinking and if she let him think too much he might change his mind.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And I'm not letting that happen. Not again.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As his shirt fell to the floor, it occurred to her that they were still in the middle of the entryway in Aperille's house.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled away a little, her breath uneven and heavy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We should.. Bed. Yes?"</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOMnrdCEynU/Ub0bi66Mw0I/AAAAAAAADs0/5t8-xhTc9QY/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOMnrdCEynU/Ub0bi66Mw0I/AAAAAAAADs0/5t8-xhTc9QY/s640/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded and she pulled him to Wynter's room, where she had been staying the entirety of her time in Bridgeport. He used his shoe to push the door closed, turning back to her, his hands back on her hips, his lips connecting with hers.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her pulse skyrocketed. It was insane what a simple pair of lips could do. She couldn't remember feeling this way when anyone else had touched her. It was almost like no one ever had. In this moment she wished no one ever had.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one except him. Over and over again.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The smooth scratch of the denim on her legs and his hands as they rose from her hips back to her shoulders made her mind spin.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned around, feeling his fingers dance along her spine, the fabric leaving her skin. His lips pressed to her neck.. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anyone in her life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had been waiting for this moment for far longer than she would ever care to admit.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ay6uWzuJSzc/Ub0gnbEApCI/AAAAAAAADtE/8KmgRMiCj24/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ay6uWzuJSzc/Ub0gnbEApCI/AAAAAAAADtE/8KmgRMiCj24/s320/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned back to his face, catching his bottom lip with her teeth and biting down, just a little, just to test his reaction.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her hands dropped lower, finding the button of his jeans and pulling it apart, the zipper descending afterwards. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Maybe I should slow down. Take my time. But what if I do and you slip away?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stepped toward her until the back of her legs hit the bed frame, and then he leaned into her. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He slipped his fingers into the lace at her hips, sliding it downward. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her eyes were blurry with desire, her throat thick with so many words she wished she could say. It was like it always was with him, he had her so caught up in just the touch of his hand that her body only knew how to react, not her mind.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The words got lost in the flurry of movement and skin next to skin.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She tugged the remainder of what he was wearing onto the floor, putting her hands on his shoulders and pulling him against her. His lips connected with hers and her thoughts diffused. The only thing she saw was him. The only thing she could hear was the beat of his heart she had waited so long to call her own. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had never been more in love with him in her life than she was in that moment.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She took a step to the side, settling herself onto the sheets and pulling him with her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The instant they connected completely, her body exploded with electricity. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There wasn't a name for how she felt. It was a mixture of a thousand things at once.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every moment. Every kiss. Every single touch and look and frenzied thought that led up to this sort of infinite finality made every moment of pain more than worth it.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WpWYzQUNYY/Ub0tuyKBhvI/AAAAAAAADtk/3BHWgD13XYg/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WpWYzQUNYY/Ub0tuyKBhvI/AAAAAAAADtk/3BHWgD13XYg/s400/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">21 years..</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fire from the connection burned straight through her and she felt it threaten to erupt.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her being was so full of him that she was too far beyond rationalization.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There would never be a feeling that compared.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There never had been.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The moments passed with them wrapped up in each other. Lost. Nothing existed aside from the two of them and every second crawled by in lascivious stretches.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were complete. This was happiness. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When they were finished, he pulled away from her, just a little, the simple disconnect was almost like losing a piece of herself. Both of their bodies tired and quivering. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him until she couldn't breathe.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pressed one last kiss to the side of his lips and pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was more than she expected it to be. The feeling that took over everything she was. The way that what had just happened had multiplied that feeling, the one she could never choke out and manipulated it until it was undeniable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That she loved him.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I would give anything to put the entire thing on repeat and relive it every day until the moment I quit breathing.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She took a deep breath and sat up, his body still irrevocably close to hers, a small smile pulling the corners of her lips upwards.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter,"</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She began, placing her hand on top of his.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had no idea what to say. The only thing playing through her thoughts was 'what happens next'.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria," He said, leaving the ghost of a kiss on her lips, "I love you."</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the haste of everything that had just happened, she almost completely forgot that he had said that. Her mouth instantly went dry and she had no idea what to say. She wanted to tell him she loved him too, but the words were adrift in her chest as the emotions ate away at the carefully constructed wall she had built between him and the way that she felt about him.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The syllables were on the tip of her tongue.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She searched her mind, making sure.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>It's time to let you in. I need to tell you, right now, before it's too late.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbpwQOzOmSE/Ub0mlwq8AdI/AAAAAAAADtY/jkSrFPg4gQE/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbpwQOzOmSE/Ub0mlwq8AdI/AAAAAAAADtY/jkSrFPg4gQE/s400/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She reached up and ran the back of one finger from his cheek to his lips, choosing what she said next from the mess of thoughts clouding her head.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, I'm sorry. For everything."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her breath caught and It took her a second to continue. Just a second's pause.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wanted to cry. She just couldn't seem to say what came next.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her declaration got lost all over again.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"But..." </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He said, confusion in his speech, pulling away from her body. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"This was a mistake," </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He got up, quickly pulling his clothes on from their location on the floor.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He moved away so quickly, she barely had time to blink. She could feel the smallest dregs of disorientation making their way into her system.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took her a moment to register his words.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mistake... what?</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What the fuck even just happened? The confusion blinded her like a tidal wave. She had no idea what she even said that had him reacting like this.. So quickly, like he hadn't just said he loved her not even five minutes before.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fK6Jbjwqaw0/Ub0xV0ZvUyI/AAAAAAAADt0/bxe0Ctu92mQ/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fK6Jbjwqaw0/Ub0xV0ZvUyI/AAAAAAAADt0/bxe0Ctu92mQ/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 'I love you' on her lips disappeared in the wash of chagrin that was now drowning her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What are you talking about Carter? What did I do?"</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the sheets from the foot of the bed around her, her heart heavy.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This wasn't what was supposed to happen...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can't do this, Aria. Stop playing dumb."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His voice was loud, harsh.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cold.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Stop using p-"</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He cut himself off with a sigh. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The vexation written in his eyes, all over his face as he looked at her, a small growl coming from his throat as he exited the room, slamming the door behind him.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His words were crushing. She legitimately didn't understand. She sincerely had no idea what she had done. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And he thought she was playing stupid.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not that she wasn't guilty of it. Not that she hadn't done it innumerable amounts of times. Especially with him. But not right then.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not right then...</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He didn't even bother finishing his sentence. The door slammed behind him and she was speechless, awash in so many emotions that she couldn't open her fucking mouth. Just like always.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For some reason, she felt like she let him down. Like she wasn't good enough somehow. Like whatever just happened was more of a failure than she had thought it would be..</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And she was a mistake. He said it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just like she had been worried he would feel..</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She slid off of the bed and pulled her clothes on as quickly as she could.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She could feel the tears. Taste the coppery bitterness of panic on her tongue.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fwiWYqAB8U/Ub01IpyhykI/AAAAAAAADuY/Lsfr-KCcW9s/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fwiWYqAB8U/Ub01IpyhykI/AAAAAAAADuY/Lsfr-KCcW9s/s400/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the door open, following him, which was different.. he.. it was usually him following her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, where are you going?!"</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice cracked. She could feel her walls breaking. Her self control and impassive facade fading away..</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She approached him, but he wouldn't look at her, his eyes on his own reflection in the window of his Hummer.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"This was over before it started, Aria." </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He hissed, climbing inside. He slammed th</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTdKOFXIfEg/Ub01jNVK1BI/AAAAAAAADug/1UdD32RjY1s/s1600/Screenshot-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTdKOFXIfEg/Ub01jNVK1BI/AAAAAAAADug/1UdD32RjY1s/s640/Screenshot-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">e door, his eyes everywhere but on her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm done."</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The car fought ignition for a moment before coming to life beneath him. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He recklessly backed out of the driveway, his tires hitting the pavement and screaming away before she could even comprehend what had just happened. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Done.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZb81GFwdFs/Ub0ygrWivDI/AAAAAAAADuE/rm30neRMX-o/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZb81GFwdFs/Ub0ygrWivDI/AAAAAAAADuE/rm30neRMX-o/s640/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The word echoed In Aria's head. Sinking into her stomach and pushing its way out of her eyes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Done.. He was done? </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With her? </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After all of this time, it was over. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now? </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After this?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What had she just done?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You remind me of the times<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />When I knew who I was (I was)<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />But still the second hand will catch us<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Like it always does<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />We'll make the same mistakes<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I'll take the fall for you<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I hope you need this now<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Cause I know I still do<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Until the day I die (Until the day I die)<br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />I'll spill my heart for you</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;">“The past doesn't exist. There is nothing to be sorry for. Today is when we start to live."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/31003.Ildefonso_Falcones" style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Ildefonso Falcones</a><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2731326" style="text-decoration: none;">La catedral del mar</a></i></span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-5729861855935174702013-06-06T21:57:00.000-07:002015-10-14T11:46:40.314-07:0040: Part One: Feel Good Drag<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>“Falling into ruin was a bit like falling in love: Both descents stripped you bare and left you as you were at your core. And both endings are equally painful.” </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>― J.R. Ward, Lover Unbound</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>[NSFW [Sexual] CONTENT. Just a fair warning.. It's not bad, but it's enough. Haha.]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>(Cartterrrrr. I think you already know.. But thank you, thank you, thank you. Once again, that scene. Never the same without you joining in the writing. You're amazing. )</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waking up next to Carter had Aria shell-shocked. He was still sleeping like a baby, but the moment her eyes had opened, she was wide awake. She stared at his arm that was casually laying across her stomach and her insides turned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The night before had not been what she was expecting.. To say the least. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdVFhzpNzyQ/UbEj7H2fRiI/AAAAAAAADmQ/nJa0hRN25cw/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdVFhzpNzyQ/UbEj7H2fRiI/AAAAAAAADmQ/nJa0hRN25cw/s640/Screenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything blew up in a massive explosion and then fell together like the pieces of a very unlikely puzzle. It still seemed like a dream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They didn't do anything aside from kiss.. Even though it was very apparent that both of them wanted to.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were unspoken questions in the air.. Things both of them knew needed to be talked about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only thing was, it seemed easier to not talk about things.. To let the chips fall where they may.. The implicit was hanging on every second that passed by however. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Something told her this could not end well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just when everything seems to be falling into place, it falls apart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's kind of boring here, don't you think? I feel like I should be up doing something."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow's amount of energy was reverbarating off of the walls, and it made Aria shrink farther down into the steamy water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Willow! You need to learn how to relax!" Aria tugged on her ankle from where she stood, indicating that she should enter the water as well. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2U15KdOTH0/UbEj1qGGS0I/AAAAAAAADlc/pPw5zORQFv4/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2U15KdOTH0/UbEj1qGGS0I/AAAAAAAADlc/pPw5zORQFv4/s400/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It was YOUR idea to come to the spa, Aria. I don't like just sitting still, you know this. It may be relaxing for you, but it's torture for me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stuck her bottom lip out reluctantly and slid into the water so gracefully she barely made a ripple. Aria rolled her eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vampires.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sighed. She noticed that Willow's eyes had never quite connected with hers since they had met up. She was avoiding any mention of Carter and when Aria tried to talk about him, Willow quickly changed the subject. It was grating on Aria's nerves in more ways than one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mostly, it was scaring her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow had been adament about the two of them being together since they were kids. So the fact that she was acting like the two of them in a relationship would be akin to the plague was vaguely distressing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She decided, now that Willow was seated next to her, completely attentive, to approach the conversation again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm really, truly happy Will. I feel like I could give this entire challenge up and just be with him.. I don't know to describe it.. Willow it's almost as if I lo-"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5L-bgtSkCo/UbEj2TxPk8I/AAAAAAAADlo/OganAf4XDsc/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5L-bgtSkCo/UbEj2TxPk8I/AAAAAAAADlo/OganAf4XDsc/s400/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, Carter slept with Kora."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow said it quietly. She said it in a tone that dripped with the pity that she felt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria froze. She wasn't sure her ears had heard what she said right. She was looking for a reason that this wasn't going to work. She didn't deserve to be happy, so she must have twisted Willow's words into something they weren't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That was all she could manage. No other words could force their way through her lips because that was the one that was stuck on repeat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow shook her head a little. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrqsX9MvClA/UbEj3xW9G4I/AAAAAAAADl0/JxPLWb_SMt0/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrqsX9MvClA/UbEj3xW9G4I/AAAAAAAADl0/JxPLWb_SMt0/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He slept with her after graduation. My guess is out of spite. I just thought before you rushed into something with him that you should know everything. I have been rooting for you two as long as I can remember, but you have to know the entirety of the situation."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria put her hands behind her, lifting herself out of the pool of heated liquid. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I have to go."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0-K4hM1tdg/UbEj41ha1sI/AAAAAAAADmI/fnhGsT_s5FU/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0-K4hM1tdg/UbEj41ha1sI/AAAAAAAADmI/fnhGsT_s5FU/s400/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her whisper was almost silent, but she knew Willow heard her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I'm sorry. I just-"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded. A small tilt of her head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I understand."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The information revolved in Aria's mind. What was she even supposed to do? She had done so much in her life that was SO much worse than this tiny misjudgment. She could let this go. She had to. She finally knew how she felt. She wanted so much to just let Carter in and just be happy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wanted to just forget this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, she pushed it as far into the recesses of her mind that she could. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only problem with that, is that it never works. It festers just underneath the surface like an unattended infection until it becomes so debilitating, it kills you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Two days....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria spent two days and every waking moment with Carter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And she was HAPPY. Truly, unbelievably. She had never felt the way she did. She had never been this captivated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The little cut that Willow had opened was barely noticable under all of the other things that she was feeling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But each minute that passed, it became more and more caustic.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xltUEEjEJEY/UbEj7DWFZTI/AAAAAAAADmM/iNdypIfXFKI/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xltUEEjEJEY/UbEj7DWFZTI/AAAAAAAADmM/iNdypIfXFKI/s640/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed it away, she ignored it. She smiled and she laughed and she kissed and she pretended. She held him like she had always wanted to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All she had ever wanted was this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, as it has been said many times in fiction, poetry, and lyrical prose..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ignoring things doesn't make them go away. Acting like your problems don't exist just makes them so much more damaging when they resurface.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“The thing about denial is that it doesn't feel like denial when it's going on.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― Georgina Kleege, Sight Unseen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria watched Carter unlock the door to her house with curious eyes. His suggestion that they leave the bar had been a sudden one. She didn't know if he was just bored or sick of hearing her drunken friends blather away about subjects he had less than zero interest in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or maybe it was a mixture of both.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Either way, she was happy to be away from the hazy, smoke choked atmosphere of the tiny bar they had stumbled across in Aperille and Abigail's google search.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She shivered in the night air, it seemed to be raining all the time lately and the most recent storm had passed by while they had been drinking, leaving the atmosphere acutely colder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The door finally opened and she pushed past him, ready to not feel like she was going to freeze solid.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ur8PHuCW7o/UbEsZM1TlnI/AAAAAAAADmk/6HUHfo5wr-U/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ur8PHuCW7o/UbEsZM1TlnI/AAAAAAAADmk/6HUHfo5wr-U/s400/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When the door clicked shut, her nerves set up a small flutter in the pit of her stomach. She was alone with him a lot lately.. But she still wasn't used to it. The butterflies seemed to be a permanent part of her now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She also wasn't entirely sure she was making the right decision by still being here.. After Willow..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed the thought away and took a deep breath.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So why were you so adamant about leaving early? Were you really that annoyed with them?"</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He grinned, reaching out to take her light sweater. It was rain dampened against his fingers as he slid the sleeves down her shoulder.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The whole five seconds of contact made Aria's pulse spike.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Geez, Aria. Calm down.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"They aren't annoying. I guess I just want you to myself tonight."</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was acutely aware of the way he kept looking at her. She knew what it meant by now. She didn't know how she had been so blind for the last.. she didn't even know how many years. She knew he wanted her to be with him in more ways than one. It was written in his body language and the way he touched her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Especially the way he touched her.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her thoughts bounced from that to the tension that had settled in the room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last two nights had driven them closer and closer to that point he kept saying he was never going to cross. Not yet. Not until this was over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria just wanted it to be over just so she could be with him.. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Sj24KStjyA/UbEsZkoS4PI/AAAAAAAADms/2_rcyhOSzf0/s1600/Screenshot-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Sj24KStjyA/UbEsZkoS4PI/AAAAAAAADms/2_rcyhOSzf0/s320/Screenshot-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was odd to think that.. To imagine giving up on this just to be with a guy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it was Carter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And he was different..</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria couldn't seem to read his implications as to why he wanted her to be alone with him. It almost seemed like he actually wanted more than this push and pull of strained touches and heavy kisses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't you want me to yourself every night? You won't even let me go home."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She felt heat in the pit of stomach. That pull that told her she wanted him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then that voice in the back of her mind that told her she couldn't have him.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His face went serious, except for a gleam in his eye. He stepped closer, his mouth close to her ear. Nothing but the sound of breathing, until:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can go home if that's what you want,"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He whispered, his lips morphing into a smirk before they kissed her neck, just below her ear. His hand slid to her waist, the smooth curve there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He navigated her neck with kisses before his lips moved to hers. </span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjutFk2de2Q/UbEwbvn9ueI/AAAAAAAADm8/oUcknF2BeNs/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjutFk2de2Q/UbEwbvn9ueI/AAAAAAAADm8/oUcknF2BeNs/s640/Screenshot-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled her close to him and a small sound escaped her lips. Almost like a sigh, but not quite. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I don't want that."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice was soft, butterflies fading into a whirl of something she can't name. Desire maybe?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pressed closer, her heart thumping erratically. This is what she had wanted for God knows how long, and she loved every second of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her mind continued to revolve in confusing cycles. The way he kissed her sent shivers down her spine, and she wanted him. Wanted to do more than kiss him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She felt like she was coercing more than she should. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Except the closer he got, the more she felt like maybe she was wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pushed him away, just a little, just long enough to catch her breath.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey. Wh-what are we doing? You're pushing it a little you know.. You keep kissing me like that and I'm gonna go crazy."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow, her breathy words having little effect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Shh," He responded. It was almost a command.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As quickly as he said it, her lips closed, almost as if obeying on their own. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvOygdJ7TkM/UbE0e4QyccI/AAAAAAAADnM/qOu5FbLtSAU/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvOygdJ7TkM/UbE0e4QyccI/AAAAAAAADnM/qOu5FbLtSAU/s400/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stepped towards her, closing the distance. But she took half a step back. He smirked, walking her backwards until she was caught against the door.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Go crazy," He whispered, his fingers getting caught in the fabric of her shirt, tugging it aside. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The moment the words left his mouth, Aria couldn't seem think straight.. Or anything at all.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He slowly fell to his knees, pressing kisses as he sank. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His fingers pulled on the zipper of her skirt, his eyes touching hers and a smirk playing at the edges of his lips.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was SO pushing it. The look in his eyes told her he definitely meant to.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was playing with fire. White hot and a feeling that had been at the back of his mind for years..</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>After all this time could you really tell me no? Would you?</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She dropped to her knees and pulled his face to hers, pressing him against her, kissing him with an intensity that she had never used with him before.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3KVhOhQYOM/UbE9w5KQsuI/AAAAAAAADnc/HmNL8iGXxv4/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3KVhOhQYOM/UbE9w5KQsuI/AAAAAAAADnc/HmNL8iGXxv4/s640/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<div>
If he could could push his luck, so could she.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His hands left her hips, leaning forward and catching her between his arms, his hand flat against the door. He buried his face in her chest, her heartbeat next to his lips. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He threw her a smirk and laid her back, pushing himself over her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The only thing that seemed to exist was fire. Heat. Nothing but that flame that always seemed to linger between the two of them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The shivers, the connection, the desire. It was all so obvious. She felt it in every breath he took, every point of impact where his skin was next to hers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
She would do anything just to finally give into whatever this was between them..<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
She didn't deserve him, she knew that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He was always the good one. The one whose choices always made sense. He needed more She could show him. More than she could give him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But she was selfish. When it came to him she always would be. She was willing to take whatever he gave her because she cared about him more than anyone in existence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>No one else would ever matter if I could just be with you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<i>Maybe I could give it all up, everything. Just be done.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Stop and give you everything I have left to give.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I could..</i></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcUDkVQGLkc/UbFLkPo0tII/AAAAAAAADnw/fuekg5znU08/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcUDkVQGLkc/UbFLkPo0tII/AAAAAAAADnw/fuekg5znU08/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
There was something in his eyes that made her want to..</div>
<div>
But there was that thought.. The one that she kept pushing away..</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She could feel his heart racing. See his eyes cloudy with want.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She knew he was going to see her as a mistake. That this was a mistake.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But she didn't care.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She wanted to make him hers, finally. Like she should have done a long time ago.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She kissed him, hard, and it took everything she possessed not to rush him into this, but her willpower was wavering.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He hesitated, his eyes locking onto hers. She wondered what he was waiting for. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was no way she was going to stop him. No way that she was going to utter a single syllable against this. Her entire body ached with the desperation his touch generated.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>This has to be it. You have never went anywhere near this far. I slept next to you and you never tried anything near where we are now. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<div>
She kissed him back when his lips settled on hers, but he pulled them away faster than she anticipated, and it left hers burning with need.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJP07RwpdCA/UbFLkJNOkII/AAAAAAAADns/k-ViEHtRg_Q/s320/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For just a second, she thought he was going to finally give her what she wanted. Finally show her exactly what he could do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And he did, just not in the way she expected.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Her pulse snapped like firecrackers and her hands shook as she tugged on his hair, making him look at her. She pulled on his shoulder and brought his lips, once again, to hers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was no going back now. There couldn't be. Despite what he had said, they were going to do this.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She was finally going to have the one man in the world that she truly wanted.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He tugged off his shirt, tossing it aside, the light in the room dimming. He kissed her, his hands trailing downward and Aria reacted exactly to his touches as he intended for her to, bending to his will and giving him whatever he wanted. His touch was intoxicating and pulled a heaviness into her heart that was indescribable. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The feeling hurt, but it was a gratifying pain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was something She had been fighting not to put into words for a very long time.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Something she continuously denied herself time and time again.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
That she was in love with him... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You," He breathed, pressing even closer than he had been.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"You are so amazing, Aria."<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
The feeling intensified at his words. It almost felt like it could rupture, it teetered on the edge and her lips formed the words. She could taste them. She knew now was the time she should speak up, She should admit it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>If I can give you anything, I can give you that.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He held her eyes, something lingering there in those never-ending pools of green. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Carter.." </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8lUYp3SD5k/UbFZCgOb_GI/AAAAAAAADoE/pxWZnG4NNAE/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8lUYp3SD5k/UbFZCgOb_GI/AAAAAAAADoE/pxWZnG4NNAE/s640/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm so glad you're done with the challenge," </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria heard the zipper descend and those words leave his mouth..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And time froze.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Everything vanished and was replaced with that feeling she kept trying to extinguish.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
She shook her head, just slightly, trying to clear out that single stupid thought that was threatening to ruin this for her. She hoped that maybe he wouldn't see it. They could just continue.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
She could have him.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
But the look in his eyes told her with dead certainty, that he noticed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What?" He said, his eyes growing confused.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You're not done with it, are you."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It wasn't a question. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He nodded, wordlessly, standing up. He refastened his jeans and ran a hand through his hair.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27TdR-jUUd8/UbFd_nF9K7I/AAAAAAAADoU/YCDaykqMmlY/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27TdR-jUUd8/UbFd_nF9K7I/AAAAAAAADoU/YCDaykqMmlY/s400/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm sorry, Aria, I can't do this."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
---<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No matter how much she didn't want it to, the morning came and reality dawned bright and arduous. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm leaving for a couple of weeks,"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes strayed away towards the wall. She could feel the unease and rejection in the pit of her stomach, and it made her heart feel heavy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where are you going?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked up at him and that pull that was always there hit her full force and she swallowed, her throat thick with all of the misconceptions she was begging to explain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not going to happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Space is what she needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Bridgeport. I will be back after Axil's wedding."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter took her wrist and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her lips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Okay, Aria. I have to work that night, so I won't make it. Can you tell Axil that I apologize and I will make it up to him?"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vhWQ2zuytQY/UbFlg4f5vwI/AAAAAAAADok/J-U6f3Y0CqE/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vhWQ2zuytQY/UbFlg4f5vwI/AAAAAAAADok/J-U6f3Y0CqE/s640/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded, his touch silencing her with electricity as it always did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time it was tainted with that ache in her chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned to go, but he placed a hand on her shoulder and his eyes flickered with some unknown words he couldn't say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'll miss you A, stay safe."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She smiled weakly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'll miss you too. Always."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few hours later, Aria watched the plane touch down, her heart sinking as it did. This goodbye felt so much more definite somehow.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhzM_VPmkbE/UbFm6_u2gZI/AAAAAAAADo0/PP94sz16Rr0/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhzM_VPmkbE/UbFm6_u2gZI/AAAAAAAADo0/PP94sz16Rr0/s640/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why was she running away when she could just talk to him about all of this? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Running away is easier. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Was this over before</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Before it ever began</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Your kiss</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Your calls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Your crutch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Like the devil's got your hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">This was over before</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Before it ever began</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Your lips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Your lies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Your lust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Like the devil's in your hands</span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-35016697493772506622013-05-31T18:46:00.002-07:002015-10-14T11:47:43.302-07:0039- Blurry<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">[A quick Author's note before you read.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> This chapter is quite a bit longer than usual. The reasoning for this is that this entire chapter was roleplayed with 7 <i>very</i> talented writers. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I really wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all of them for being a part of this. It is quite a bit different writing form wise because I had to take it from first person and turn it into third. But I hope I do not disappoint.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Once again, all of you:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Abi, Aperille, Aoi, Willow, Natalie and Lilac.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And lastly, Carter. The last scene wouldn't have been the same without you. It came out better than I possibly could have hoped for. You're amazing. <3</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> THANK YOU. You guys are phenomenal and I appreciate this more than you could ever know.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <3 ]</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><b></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;"> A game of chess, Aria would be the black queen and Carter could be the white king, I guess. I had no reasoning behind the others. I wanted to see who beat the timer and got a checkmate. Even if our game had no winner, their's sure as hell would.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;">--Aoi Yushi</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Babies First:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLN0Oc0QdVI/UakRKeJRXgI/AAAAAAAADfM/_wuSs-Fmufg/s1600/Screenshot-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLN0Oc0QdVI/UakRKeJRXgI/AAAAAAAADfM/_wuSs-Fmufg/s400/Screenshot-59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Madeline, Kristina, Dante</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3PbQIc968Y/UakRKfh_IHI/AAAAAAAADfQ/SwV4_ibJ6Nw/s1600/Screenshot-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3PbQIc968Y/UakRKfh_IHI/AAAAAAAADfQ/SwV4_ibJ6Nw/s400/Screenshot-60.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">April, Rhiannon, Wilson</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Can we not have this conversation?" Aria snapped, staring out of the window. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You might as well just answer the question Aria, pent up aggression is just going to eat at you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She whipped her head around and glared at Lilac.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Stop shrinking me. You're here to party. Not to act like a therapist."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lilac help up her hands in surrender and went back to her iPod that started blasting loudly out of her headphones once more. Willow, who was seated in the back seat next to her grimaced and popped one of them out, pointing at the device.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lzA-bPonkE/Uakx760ZXlI/AAAAAAAADio/SmIaHLTtLJY/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lzA-bPonkE/Uakx760ZXlI/AAAAAAAADio/SmIaHLTtLJY/s320/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Super hearing remember? That sounds like cats wailing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Can we just get there already?" Aria rolled her eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She had had a set of donor babies right before their trip to Bridgeport for this party.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Babies 86 and 87, Macayla and Owen.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had been nothing but busy, and this was supposed to be her night to get away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only.. Carter was going to be there. Lovely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
-----</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille was more than a little excited to be holding another party with her friends. She scurried around her house hiding anything that could get broken easily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hun what are you doing?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rich asked as she was putting a vase under sink. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What? Your mother gave it to us" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You hate it, wouldn't this be a perfect time to have someone break it?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille looked at Rich and placed the vase on the bar right next to the tequila shots. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So Aria, are you excited to see your favorite babysitter tonight?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She asked, tilting her first shot back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria scowled at Aperille's comment, approaching the bar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her babysitter, what fun that would be... She kind of hoped he just wouldn't show up, but her luck wasn't good enough for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I really hope that was a joke. I don't even want to be in his vicinity.. Let alone at a party within ten feet of him."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria took a shot, the taste close to that of what she imagined battery acid to be.</span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAL6r-ujZaw/UakRRYz9GOI/AAAAAAAADf0/puQTmtWbg4c/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAL6r-ujZaw/UakRRYz9GOI/AAAAAAAADf0/puQTmtWbg4c/s640/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pretended not to notice the all-knowing look Aperille shot in her direction as she set up the next round of shots and headed to answer the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Me thinks thou protest too much." </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That comment just made Aria's frown more pronounced. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Protest too much my ass. I would protest as much as I pleased when it came to him.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aoi Yushi, a new girl that Aria had met and really liked, took her shot as Abigail Silver walked in the door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aria tilted another shot back, watching as Abigail gave Aperille a hug. She was clearly distressed about something. It was written all over her face. It was etched in her gray eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Everyone had their demons tonight.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGbVq9hrjW0/UakRQsadxSI/AAAAAAAADfs/vHzsMUg6d3s/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGbVq9hrjW0/UakRQsadxSI/AAAAAAAADfs/vHzsMUg6d3s/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I brought Vodka, and I would prefer not to have any left by the end of the night"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Abigail said, the sadness touching on her voice as well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aria shrank into the corner and waited for everyone to arrive. A fight with Carter was likely, and not what she needed. The fact that he was coming at all made her antsy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When he finally walked in the door, followed by a pretty girl Aria didn't know, whom Aperille referred to as 'Nat', his eyes fell on her and swept away quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aria wondered how many ways he was criticizing her in his mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Carter looked like he would much rather be anywhere but here.. But he still came.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aria wondered why. He hated parties. He hated her. Why would he even do this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Sorry I'm late."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">His words stretch across the room and into Aria's ears. The sound of his voice made her heart skip. She should probably kill that before it becomes an issue. Carter was nothing more than an insolent jerk and she needed to accept that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He passed Aperille and the rest of the guests without a second glance at Aria and settled into a chair in the corner with a beer. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQPrArWtfn4/UakWueHBnlI/AAAAAAAADgE/MfiqJ7wAqow/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQPrArWtfn4/UakWueHBnlI/AAAAAAAADgE/MfiqJ7wAqow/s320/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was surprised he was drinking at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aoi's adorable voice, lightly touched with a Japanese accent floated on the air as she joked with Rich about some low budget horror film called 'Nail Gun Massacre."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It seemed like everything was going pretty smoothly aside from the tension that settled like a cloud between Carter and Aria.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria could feel the storm coming already.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone who had not already been in the living room followed Aperille and settled into various seats. Aria sat as far away from Carter as she possibly could. The resentment almost tangible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rich poured everyone a shot of Patron and passed them out, Carter being the only one who denied it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"To friends." Aperille announced, throwing hers back happily. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rest of the party guests took them in various stages of unease and Aperille laughed a little.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She settled onto the couch next to rich, her smile wide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Now who is ready for a spirited game of I never? Aria you remember how to play right?" Aperille asked with feigned innocence, looking straight at her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's stomach tilted. She kept her face blank, locking her pink eyes on Aperille's brown ones.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was probably the most flawed person in attendance and this could not be the best idea especially if Carter was going to be here.. So close and yet so far away. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbEDEuhsy58/UaknOpOCuUI/AAAAAAAADhI/keQeIoptOD0/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbEDEuhsy58/UaknOpOCuUI/AAAAAAAADhI/keQeIoptOD0/s640/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She honestly thought about lying.. But what would be the point. It wasn't like she needed to impress him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every damn person in the room looked nervous. Apart from Carter, who had that vague look of annoyance etched on his features.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aoi was the only one who piped up, asking the question that was probably on a few people's minds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I've never heard of this game, how do you play?"</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille smiled.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"The rules are simple if you have done the I never that the person mentions you take a shot and maybe give us the story about when you did it!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at Rich.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">" Hun you go first." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked grim. Something told Aria he either really didn't think this was a good idea, or he really didn't want to play.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Alright," he said, his voice dripping with malcontent. "Never have I ever had a threesome."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria glanced over in Carter's direction, embarrassment immediately burning her cheeks.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She reached over and downed the shot, praying Carter wasn't watching her.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few others drink to this one too. Abigail was one of them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My best friend and I got totally wasted just a few weeks ago with another one of our friends and needless to say the three of us did the deed."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She explains, her cheeks burning crimson.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"All I remember was Making out with the other female of the party, I can't remember anything else that happened but the pictures were enough proof to give me a slight outline."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-xmYtUuvKU/UakjJhBSocI/AAAAAAAADgg/24hLFAfm_eA/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-xmYtUuvKU/UakjJhBSocI/AAAAAAAADgg/24hLFAfm_eA/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Never have I ever," Carter's words startled Aria and she jumped slightly. She hadn't expected him to join. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The silence hangs heavy for just a moment and then:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<div>
"Never have I ever been a part of an affair."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He locked eyes with her, his completely cold as she tipped the shot. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Lilac stumbled in, catching onto the back of the chair, clearly already drunk. She grabbed a shot from in front of Carter and downed it.</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Oh, I like this game." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She winked at him and he rolled his eyes. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The front door opened and Willow nudged it with her hip.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm back guys!" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She sang, walking over and sitting on the arm of Carter's chair.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria mentally glowered. She knew that feeling.. She was jealous. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JiFj4W2HO3M/UakmzErYC_I/AAAAAAAADhA/Gs7zENeOMvA/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JiFj4W2HO3M/UakmzErYC_I/AAAAAAAADhA/Gs7zENeOMvA/s320/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Aperille cut the attention away from Aria for a moment with her story of how her and Rich had met. Aria silently thanked her until her next I Never left her lips.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Never have I ever lied about who I love." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She was staring directly at Carter.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The question shot straight through Aria's stomach and she stared at him with wide eyes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<i>She thinks he loves me?</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
The shot she took for the question was barely tasted with how quick she did it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her eyes fall back onto Carter just fast enough to see him lean across the coffee table and take a shot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was a familiar feeling that pulled in Aria's chest and she forced herself to look away as he sat the glass cylinder back on the wood.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aoi's small voice came from her seat. She had been watching with bemused and curious eyes the entire time, finally coming forward with her own 'I Never'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Never have I ever had sex in a car."</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tWBv8NYGcIc/UakjJoCjNiI/AAAAAAAADgs/rUA5cvZu-4Q/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tWBv8NYGcIc/UakjJoCjNiI/AAAAAAAADgs/rUA5cvZu-4Q/s400/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dzBCxUaamE/UakjJnmj3gI/AAAAAAAADgk/nAzFKnPhI9A/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dzBCxUaamE/UakjJnmj3gI/AAAAAAAADgk/nAzFKnPhI9A/s400/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria took the shot, memories of Quill and another of her stupid transgressions plaguing her mind.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aperille stood, gesturing to Abigail. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Abby could you help me in the kitchen?" She staggered a bit as she asked, and Abigail stood, following close behind. Her death glare given to Carter was more than obvious. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pretty girl, whose full name was Natalie, stood and followed the two of them, Clearly wanting to get away from the pressure that was choking the room.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria spat the next words with more conviction than she thought she held.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Never have I ever pretended to care about someone more than I actually did.."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His eyes never left hers for a moment as he leaned backwards, crossing his arms over his chest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I have never pretended to care more for you than I did."</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cm1fZI4EvQY/UakpRTkw78I/AAAAAAAADhY/BMb4pL-2thI/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cm1fZI4EvQY/UakpRTkw78I/AAAAAAAADhY/BMb4pL-2thI/s400/Screenshot-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The astriction that covered everything in it's surroundings seemed to be drowning the guests one by one, as Aoi stood and joined the other girls in the kitchen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was like it didn't even affect Carter and Aria, still locked in an impossible game of cat and mouse. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Willow's I never startled both of them. They had been so busy staring each other down it was if they forgot she was still sitting there.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Never have I ever ignored my feelings for someone," </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria stared daggers at Willow, tipping the shot back. She put the glass back down on the table with a lot more force than she intended to, and the sound seemed much louder than it should.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her words tumbled out before she could completely think them through and she could feel the tears that she had managed to keep hidden all night burn her irises.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Never have I ever manipulated my best friend into feeling safe with me so I could just rip it all away."</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLnNUkRHA3I/Uakq2aaw2JI/AAAAAAAADho/xy3u6o6DUp0/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLnNUkRHA3I/Uakq2aaw2JI/AAAAAAAADho/xy3u6o6DUp0/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<i>There is no fucking way I am going to let this asshole see me cry.</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Aria got to her feet, dizzily. She apologetically made her way past the guests left in the room, which was really only Rich and Willow, and pushed the heavy door open, stumbling into the night air.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>What the hell was wrong with me tonight.. Why did I even agree to come? I knew he was going to be here.. Was I that big of an idiot?</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria heard footsteps behind her and she groaned, turning way too fast. The alcohol in her system made her hazy and she tipped a little to the side.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Aria.."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His voice did two things simultaneously.. It drove that same knife straight through her chest that him being around always did and it made the spark of anger she kept hidden so well, explode.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"What Carter?! What do you fucking want from me? Do you want me to fucking beg you to be a decent person? To not act like a condescending prick? Do you think that it matters what words come out of my mouth?! That ANYTHING about you would change??"</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9jVvhFkQQY/UakvKx60EvI/AAAAAAAADh4/GusVqqAaYgs/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9jVvhFkQQY/UakvKx60EvI/AAAAAAAADh4/GusVqqAaYgs/s320/Screenshot-31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She kicked a rock aside and balled her hands into fists.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You're never going to be any different. I don't know why I keep trying. I don't know why I give you so much effort when all you do is push me aside."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She could feel the tears slide down her face, but she was far too angry to care.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I fucking gave you everything when we were kids. I would have done anything to make you happy. And you know what you did?? You ignored me. And then you left me behind without a single fucking word."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her voice broke and she crossed her arms over her chest, defensive.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You're not even worth it anymore. This isn't worth it. I just want you to fucking leave me alone."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria deflated with the last statement, her anger dissipating and the alcohol finally going to her head and silencing her.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She was done. Done with all of it. Done with him.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuTu13Qlhds/UakvKxmJCVI/AAAAAAAADh8/Pku3ivznApc/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuTu13Qlhds/UakvKxmJCVI/AAAAAAAADh8/Pku3ivznApc/s400/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carter watched her, silent. His calm exterior was infuriating, but Aria was so drained it wasn't worth it to care.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He took every accusation she threw and crossed his arms over his chest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"So I have morals and don't like the way you're living. Fact. So I left long ago, and that was a mistake. Fact. But I didn't ever not care. And I'm not the only one who walks away, Aria."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A growl rumbled in the back of his throat as he spat the words.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"But you're right about one thing. It's not worth it anymore."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He shook his head and walked back to the house, getting his keys.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria stared at him as he exited, her knees threatening to give way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You're going home with me."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He backtracked.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm taking you home."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria wanted to tell him no. She wanted to scream and say she didn't want anything to do with him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But she was too emotionally leveled out and depleted to fight him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Fine."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was barely more than a whisper.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOXyQum4I94/UakwfQIanVI/AAAAAAAADiQ/VaYh0gAPVf0/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOXyQum4I94/UakwfQIanVI/AAAAAAAADiQ/VaYh0gAPVf0/s640/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carter's face was still noticeabley flushed as he stepped over something on the ground that Aria couldn't see and walked out the door, her stumbling behind him. Aria bumped clumsily against the railing and let out a soft, drunken sigh. She didn't even realize she was as drunk as she was. Her vision spun and the world was almost upside down at times.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She watched him approach the stupid enviornment destroying Hummer, with its ridiculously large frame cutting into the road. The night was quiet and it seemed so out of place that it had been filled with gaudy music and drunken cheers and angry fights the past few hours.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He glanced back at her, but her eyes avoided him entirely. A vein pulsed just under her skin, but Aria can't quite decide if it's there because she was angry, or intoxicated.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The air hung heavy and silent as Carter bypassed the door, letting Aria climb inside by herself. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Weird.. He usually insisted on being the one to help her inside.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The car started with an insanely loud roar and as soon as his back hit the seat, he turned the stereo on.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sXjdikmn7U/Uakx7CCDQuI/AAAAAAAADig/4Bsk4zRAoD4/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sXjdikmn7U/Uakx7CCDQuI/AAAAAAAADig/4Bsk4zRAoD4/s400/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria sat there, fuming. The silence between the two of them almost echoed it was so loud.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria's drunken mind was not really sure why she had agreed to leave with him in the first place. He was apparently still really good at talking her into things. Just like when they were kids. That fight was probably the worst fight they had ever had and she still allowed him to take her back to Riverview..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You know what I don't understand?" He asked after they had gotten onto the highway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I don't understand why it's such a big deal for you to let me drive you home. It's not like we weren't friends at one point..."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria hid her surprise at his question and bustled forward with a catty response.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm riding with you aren't I? Besides, we're still friends. At least I was under the impression that we were."</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QA_uh7BpXb8/Uak5PKeXjxI/AAAAAAAADi8/popCjIp10Go/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QA_uh7BpXb8/Uak5PKeXjxI/AAAAAAAADi8/popCjIp10Go/s640/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She looked back out the window at the rain that had started to fall, increasing in weight every few minutes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Do you even think anything through before you say it? How can you expect things to be the same after the stuff you say and the way you act? It's like you feel justified hurting me.."</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carter squinted at the road, staring intently at the dotted yellow lines. Clouds had rolled in and rain started to thump down on the wind shield. He clicked on the wipers, gritting his teeth in tune to the swish swish swish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His fingernails dug into the leather steering wheel and Aria winced, almost as if she could feel it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Look at yourself, Aria."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He reached over and pulled down the car's passenger shade, exposing the mirror on the other end.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Look at yourself."</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iG7v2nEz5Qw/UalKYLiAttI/AAAAAAAADjk/CnVQM7V-az0/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iG7v2nEz5Qw/UalKYLiAttI/AAAAAAAADjk/CnVQM7V-az0/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria flinched at his sudden movement, Not that she thought he was going to hit her or anything near it, He wasn't his dad.. But the action startled her, nonetheless.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She scowled at his instructions, Not entirely sure what his point was. The mirror was shaded in the car, the light outside fading into nothing at this point, but what she could see was enough and it made her recoil.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She looked terrible. Her face was flushed from alcohol. She couldn't even remember how much she had drank. Something told her that she didn't want to know. The few tears that had escaped when she was screaming at him had done major damage to her makeup and she looked like hell.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She could feel those same angry tears just under the surface again as she slammed the shade shut and bit her lip. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Yeah, I hate what I see. Is that you wanted to hear? Because I do.. Of course I do. How could I not?"</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVq-JJbVEaQ/UalKbDtBrNI/AAAAAAAADj4/CcgUaz_YOAM/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVq-JJbVEaQ/UalKbDtBrNI/AAAAAAAADj4/CcgUaz_YOAM/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She choked on the last couple of words and trained her eyes on the dashboard.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His arrogance was insulting.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or maybe it wasn't arrogance.. But whatever it was that was hiding behind the callous exterior he seemed so happy to embrace, it hurt her more than she could say.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His lips pressed into a thin line and his jawline hardened, a look Aria can't quite peg flashing through his bright green eyes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I just wish you saw yourself the way I see you..."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He muttered the words quietly. They're hardly audible over the Maroon 5 song that beats from his stereo system.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Because you have potential. And you just-"</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He cut off, paying attention to the road as he hit a slick spot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"You just don't get it."</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHPlxl_G0cc/UalKX_X3c3I/AAAAAAAADjc/MoXQsYQYbxs/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHPlxl_G0cc/UalKX_X3c3I/AAAAAAAADjc/MoXQsYQYbxs/s400/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria rolled her eyes, blowing air through her teeth.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Oh yeah? And how the fuck do you see me? I think I have a pretty good idea from the things that you have said over the past couple of weeks."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her tone was biting, more so than she intended for it to be.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"That's something you say a lot.That I don't get it. Except, you never fucking say what I don't get."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As fast as she looked at him, she looked away, alcohol rolling in her stomach. She had barely eaten and drank way more than her fair share.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She just wanted to be home. Away from him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Could you drive any slower? Fuck."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At her words, the speedometer drops by 5 MPH. Aria groaned. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was just like him to have to prove a point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"You don't get that people need you."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"I get that people need me.."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She trailed off, his words from the roof scattering through her mind. That was the only time in their entire lives that he had told her he needed her. He didn't specify in what way, but it was enough to get him off of the roof and onto solid ground.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"And I miss how we used to be.. I miss the Aria that wasn't so.. Igno<br />
rant."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIivoluVzoU/UalKasmdblI/AAAAAAAADjw/O5G4qa_ts1M/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIivoluVzoU/UalKasmdblI/AAAAAAAADjw/O5G4qa_ts1M/s640/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Heat rushed to her cheeks at his comment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"It can never be like it used to Carter.. Not when you hate everything that has to do with me now. I don't even think when all of this is over that it will ever be normal for us."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She pulled a strand of her hair into her fingers and tugged slightly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"How can you ever expect to be anything other than what we are now. I can't change the past."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carter's mind was full of unspoken anger and something else.. Hurt maybe?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He declined a response, reaching over and turning up the radio and they just drove.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The rain was terrible. Angry, as though it reflected their hearts and minds. Angry and loud and the clouds wept for them as the thunder and lightning danced in the sky, their waltz burning the air and setting fire to the world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carter didn't speak again until they pulled into her driveway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I don't mind our past," </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aria's eyes flew open and she looked at him, the lightning breaking across the sky.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"I just want a future."</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
She curled her fingers around the door handle, ready to just go inside and get in her bed, buried in pillows and sleep until she had to face this shitty reality she called her life once again.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"If it was OUR specific past that was the issue, I don't think this conversation would be happening.. You could never let go of anything I have done, because if you could, you wouldn't be throwing my mistakes in my face with every chance you got."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She swallowed her sadness and rushed forward.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"As for a future.. I don't think that is in the cards either."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She tossed the idea around in her head. The possibility of actually continuing her life with him in it was nearly unfathomable.. Since when would he even want to be with someone like her. He could have anyone..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"And you know what, Carter? Who says I would even want you around? After everything you have said to me, and everything you have done since this whole fucking challenge started, how do you know it's not too late?"</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She could feel the frustration in her chest, mixed with something else.. That stupid feeling that seemed to get stuck there whenever he was around. The one she could never quite seem to drown.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Maybe, for once in my life, I am sick of the way you treat me."</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She pulled the door handle and jumped down, landing in a puddle, just as, with her luck, it figured she would.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Carter didn't even blink as she slammed the door, the thunder outside coincided with the sound of the door shutting hard behind her. She had only taken two steps and the downpour had soaked her black hair. It clung to her bare arms and her skirt hugged her legs. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00AdXT6Ya3E/UalNdpmLsFI/AAAAAAAADkU/z-f5o1zR3-s/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00AdXT6Ya3E/UalNdpmLsFI/AAAAAAAADkU/z-f5o1zR3-s/s400/Screenshot-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Aria hesitated for just a moment. Just a moment as her head turned half back to him, but then her shoulders dropped, she ran a hand through her hair and she walked her driveway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carter tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, a permanent indent from his fingernails disrupting the smooth feel of the leather there.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Fuck it. Why should I care? Why do I currently care? Why does every part of me want to follow you right now? Why do I want to hold you and tell you to stay with me.</i></div>
<div>
<i>And you're right. I <b>should</b> care about what you've done. But when it boils down to it...</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Well, I don't. I could overlook all of it if you could love me.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
He had no idea how he could ever tell her that.. Except..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With a huff, he opened the door, his feet splashing into a puddle. He winced as the water soaked his socks, and he rounded the car.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Aria," he called out after her as she took the first step up the stairs to her front door. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Aria, wait."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She turned around as she heard him say her name, wondering what the fuck he could possibly want from her. She watched the rain trace down his face and blur into his eyes as he approached her, her pulse setting up a rhythmic stutter.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg50tgHCbEM/UalSVWMqUBI/AAAAAAAADkk/MLJdWs4P2ns/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg50tgHCbEM/UalSVWMqUBI/AAAAAAAADkk/MLJdWs4P2ns/s400/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Aria."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He whispered her name, smiling. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He was still taller, even though she was on the first step.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Aria," He said once more, reaching his hand to brush a clingy piece of her hair away.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The touch of his fingers on her face as he slid the hair away from her eyes sent tension through her body. He shouldn't be this close. When he was this close her thoughts cascaded into one another and she couldn't think straight. She couldn't formulate an appropriate response to anything he said. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"How can I show you...."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But there was only one way, he decided. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Only one way he could convey himself to her.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His hand cupped her face firmly but his thumb brushed against her cheek gently in contrast.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Let me show you," </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He said.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then his lips took hers. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_kWPoM9VBk/UalSVxCJnAI/AAAAAAAADks/YNNqqWTxd-8/s1600/Screenshot-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_kWPoM9VBk/UalSVxCJnAI/AAAAAAAADks/YNNqqWTxd-8/s640/Screenshot-47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just like they should have before. And just like they did those many years ago.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Except this time, his kiss said what he had always wanted to say.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He prayed she got it this time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
Aria was pretty sure her entire world exploded in the moment his lips met hers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nothing else mattered. Nothing had ever come close to the way this made her feel. The electricity between them put the lightning above to shame.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She held his face in her hands and she could feel his pulse in her fingertips. She had been waiting what seemed like an eternity for him to touch her again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She locked her arms around his neck and pressed closer, this.. She was not ready for this to end.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Something was telling her, when it did, things would be the same as they always were.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She was realizing slowly, She didn't want them to be..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She couldn't believe It had taken her this long to see what was right in front of her.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She was falling in love with her best friend.</div>
</div>
<div>
<3 <3 <3<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4fM3eNgbSWg/UakRPoodazI/AAAAAAAADfc/226M1r9734I/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4fM3eNgbSWg/UakRPoodazI/AAAAAAAADfc/226M1r9734I/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kristina, Madeline, Dante</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtN2xOS-MSk/UakRQBz3qII/AAAAAAAADfk/kLTUDIthGUE/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtN2xOS-MSk/UakRQBz3qII/AAAAAAAADfk/kLTUDIthGUE/s400/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rhiannon, April, Wilson</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">"Everyone is changing</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">there's no one left that's real</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">so make up your own ending</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">and let me know just how you feel</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">cause I am lost without you</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">I cannot live at all</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">my whole world surrounds you</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;">I stumble then I crawl"</span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
</div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-4529746593713533622013-05-22T12:08:00.001-07:002013-05-22T20:16:19.281-07:0038- Sooner or Later<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Anna and Logan, Ya *__*<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkF5QAMnkX4/UZvmRZdmvvI/AAAAAAAADcM/NMMo2fKWrok/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkF5QAMnkX4/UZvmRZdmvvI/AAAAAAAADcM/NMMo2fKWrok/s400/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Angie, Resin and Draco, teens<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BelrcAOK-Rc/UZvmRgoYehI/AAAAAAAADcQ/IuN3k2GNlFY/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BelrcAOK-Rc/UZvmRgoYehI/AAAAAAAADcQ/IuN3k2GNlFY/s400/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
[My game glitched out and I was unable to get pictures of Darian's triplets as toddlers, =/ So enjoy them as children >.< ]</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
April, Rhiannon and Wilson</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ11e4DeDkk/UZz0v7G05vI/AAAAAAAADck/bgubFQOwssw/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ11e4DeDkk/UZz0v7G05vI/AAAAAAAADck/bgubFQOwssw/s400/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just stop fucking talking. It's bad enough that I am responsible for taking you all the way to Sunset Valley, I don't have to pretend to want to talk to you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's voice echoed through the car in a clipped tone and Aria scowled, leaning against the back of the seat and crossing her arms over her chest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were on their way to Brandon's funeral, Aria riding with Carter because, even though he apparently couldn't stand being around her, it was 'safer' that way. It was a 6 hour car trip. BOTH ways.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria began to say something else, but Carter purposefully reached over and turned the radio up until her voice was drowned out by some Puddle of Mudd song. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4W0XOfoFMA/UZpmZL2r5AI/AAAAAAAADas/u6efDSFKO4E/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4W0XOfoFMA/UZpmZL2r5AI/AAAAAAAADas/u6efDSFKO4E/s400/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rolled her eyes, staring out the window at the trees as they passed by. Sunset Valley was getting closer and closer and she just wanted out of this car and as far as possible away from Carter. The distaste in how he felt towards her apparent in every move he made and word that left his mouth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was kind of funny how just a few weeks before, she had thought maybe he had feelings for her. That was obviously NOT the case. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTlEr7Fz7Wo/UZpmY2w4e9I/AAAAAAAADak/0umDJdTLSYc/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTlEr7Fz7Wo/UZpmY2w4e9I/AAAAAAAADak/0umDJdTLSYc/s640/Screenshot-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The entrance to the town flew by the window and Aria breathed a sigh of semi-relief. She would be with Ariel in no time. Aside from the fact that this entire occasion wasn't anything near happiness. She found herself wishing for a drink..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter pulled up to Ariel's house and Aria opened the door and jumped to the ground before he came to a complete stop. She heard him utter a few curse words behind her and smiled to herself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asshole.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel was covered in mascara and Aria quickly rushed to her side, pulling her into a hug. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Thank you two for coming." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel managed through her tears. Aria smiled weakly and Carter nodded a little, shoving his hands in his pockets. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry for your loss, Ariel."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He mumbled. He had never been good when it came to these sorts of things. His words folded in on themselves and he kind of just, froze up. Aria used to find it endearing. Now she just found it foolish and annoying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2DC220CT2A/UZqVUhjclcI/AAAAAAAADa8/7sdk5PRSdhk/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2DC220CT2A/UZqVUhjclcI/AAAAAAAADa8/7sdk5PRSdhk/s640/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked at the screen of her phone and sighed. They needed to head to the funeral home, the service was due to start in half an hour. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back in the car with Carter. Yay.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed, tugging on a strand of her hair and biting her lip as she watched Ariel cross the lawn and get into Carter's Hummer. She made to follow her when she heard a voice over her shoulder.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, you can ride with me if you want to. It doesn't look like you want to be around that guy very much at the moment."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria tilted her head at the guy who had spoken. He looked a little familiar. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee3Bn0jB6JE/UZqVVe7nzzI/AAAAAAAADbM/4POHB6h9jZ4/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee3Bn0jB6JE/UZqVVe7nzzI/AAAAAAAADbM/4POHB6h9jZ4/s400/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pieces slid into place and she brightened. This had to be Quill, her brother.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Anything to get some time away from my self-righteous cohort."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria leaned against the wall, staring at the floor. She wished she could do something, anything, to make things even a little easier for Ariel. She didn't know how she could manage that. Ariel's pain was enveloping her and it was like a wall of concrete. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was completely understandable, but it left Aria feeling ineffectual. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She hadn't known Brandon well, but Ariel was one of her best friends. Her agony was cutting into Aria like a butcher knife. She watched various people pull Ariel this way and that; Full of apologies and sympathies, full of regret and... bullshit. Most of these people offering their condolences hadn't spoken to Ariel in quite a while.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPDVKRmvkZU/UZqVUk1LK9I/AAAAAAAADbA/0ryqYSZPtY4/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPDVKRmvkZU/UZqVUk1LK9I/AAAAAAAADbA/0ryqYSZPtY4/s320/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sighed, irritated, returning her gaze to the floor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She caught herself wondering if Ariel would much rather just be alone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Shouldn't you be with your friend, not over here sulking in a corner?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grimaced, turning around to face Carter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I would be, but she seems pretty busy, don't you think?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She hissed, balling her hands into fists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smirked, leaning against the wall next to her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UV2W6bOQqS4/UZqVdCxBCtI/AAAAAAAADbc/lOi1ISGD7b0/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UV2W6bOQqS4/UZqVdCxBCtI/AAAAAAAADbc/lOi1ISGD7b0/s400/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She inhaled, trying to calm the nerves that suddenly clawed at her. She could smell his cologne faintly and it made her slightly dizzy. She realized after a moment that she had been staring at him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked away quickly, back towards where Ariel had been a few moments before, but now she was gone. She groaned. Part of her wondered why she was even in Sunset Valley for this, Ariel had barely paid her any mind. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being moral support was kind of hard when your existence wasn't acknowledged.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Looks like you're going to have another challenge father soon, you've got him staring at you now too."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTiwPbXgCSc/UZqVfLvmboI/AAAAAAAADbk/5_py8pv5dng/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTiwPbXgCSc/UZqVfLvmboI/AAAAAAAADbk/5_py8pv5dng/s400/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The bitterness in Carter's voice annoyed Aria as she followed his gaze to Quill, who was standing across the room. He looked away when Aria noticed him, but not before she saw that Carter was right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I am not going to have sex with Ariel's brother at Brandon's funeral." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grumbled.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why? Nothing else stops you. Not even wedding rings."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zX7IztJKSE/UZqVcrYfb7I/AAAAAAAADbU/T-oMoQU5fOs/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zX7IztJKSE/UZqVcrYfb7I/AAAAAAAADbU/T-oMoQU5fOs/s400/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria narrowed her eyes at him. What he said, as true as it was, it hurt. It was like he would always hold every single stupid choice she made over her head for the rest of her life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why would you say something like that? Don't you believe that I regret it? Don't you know that I feel stupid?! That I feel like a whore, just like you said I was?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shrugged, his expression full of incredulity. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think that what I said that night still holds true. You're always going to be a slut, Aria. It's in your nature."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's mouth dropped open and she reacted without thinking, grabbing the soda someone had set down on the table next to her. She tipped the can upside down and it poured all over the vest of his shirt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Crumpling the can, she threw it at his feet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes went to the can on the ground and then up at her, a bewildered look on his face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're an egotistical fool. You can think you have never done anything wrong in your life Carter, but you have. I'm not perfect, nor will I ever be, But I would never hurt you the way you insist on hurting me. You're no better than I am."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice broke on the last statement and she turned around, not looking at him. She bypassed a few people, finally making her way out the door into the chilled night air.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1BWdr0rZJ8/UZqVihebEsI/AAAAAAAADbs/_rSoLWOWdlo/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v1BWdr0rZJ8/UZqVihebEsI/AAAAAAAADbs/_rSoLWOWdlo/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She took the steps down from the porch, not really sure where the hell she was going to go, but there had to be somewhere. She was annoyed at the sound of her high heels as they clicked against the ground, bitterly wishing she had worn flats.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, you okay?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The voice startled her, and she jumped a little. She turned to face it, realizing that it was Quill. He held up a fifth of a translucent liquid which instantly made her pulse quicken. She had been wanting to drink all night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By the look of Quill, he already had a couple of shots in him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She walked over to him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Not really." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She answered without thinking.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGA0ykVWxSU/UZqVjlcnzDI/AAAAAAAADb0/yHJmInXbBt8/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGA0ykVWxSU/UZqVjlcnzDI/AAAAAAAADb0/yHJmInXbBt8/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow, taking a drink straight from the bottle, which Aria quickly realized was vodka.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Well, what happened?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria reached a hand out and he handed the bottle to her. She took two quick successive drinks before responding, her eyes blurry and her throat burning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria launched into a minimized version of the fight she just had. Omitting the sleeping with a married man part. She was trying to move on, and part of that meant she didn't want to talk about it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aren't you sick of fighting with this guy? I mean, it kind of seems like after awhile, you would give up and tell him to fuck off."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was surprised. She never even thought about reacting to Carter that way. He had been around for as long as she could remember. Telling him to leave her alone seemed.. unnatural.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't think I could stay away from him." She mumbled absentmindedly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Quill stared at her for a moment, and then his face lit up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you wanna go somewhere? Maybe drink some more, get away from your friend? We can just talk."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked back up at Ariel's house. She thought through the possible consequences, weighing the pros and cons. It wasn't as if Ariel had been acting like she needed her much anyway.. She had barely seen her for more than 5 minutes since she had arrived. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then Carter's face entered her mind and she became resolute.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cosG1ZTEPsU/UZqVlKsygGI/AAAAAAAADb8/Kx5Rb5flAs0/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cosG1ZTEPsU/UZqVlKsygGI/AAAAAAAADb8/Kx5Rb5flAs0/s400/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She met eyes with Quill and sent him a small smile.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sure, let's go."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I am such an idiot." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria mumbled, pulling her shoes back on. Quill looked at her curiously. He buttoned the last button on his shirt and pushed his hair out of his eyes. He got out of the bed of the truck and held a hand out to help Aria down after him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Well, that wasn't the reaction I was expecting."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria laughed weakly, her stomach clenching in a way that was becoming commonplace. She was wracked with guilt and she could practically hear her best friend's reaction now. She just proved him right. As she had been continuing to do. As she would likely KEEP doing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because, as she had just uttered aloud, she was an idiot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not your fault. I just. Can you take me back? I feel terrible for leaving, and Ariel-"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHBNNC8NoDQ/UZz9ZCHcj-I/AAAAAAAADc8/BAj99Ji0pwg/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHBNNC8NoDQ/UZz9ZCHcj-I/AAAAAAAADc8/BAj99Ji0pwg/s400/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He cut her off with a chuckle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ariel will be fine. She has more than enough people there to occupy her time."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria wanted to agree. She really did. Except there was this uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her Quill was wrong. She could feel the anxiety nipping at her heels stronger with every second they were gone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She blinked back the tears that were threatening to appear, looking away down the road they had pulled onto to drink and.. 'talk'. Ha. The full moon hung high and bright in the sky. The chill in the air was slight but it sent chills down her spine as it mixed with the guilty feeling that was increasing in intensity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes widened when she looked back at him, the feeling eating at her inside written all over her face. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Whoa, whoa. Okay. I.. I'm sorry Aria. We can go back. I.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He opened the door of the truck, holding it while Aria got inside. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9V0nGRuLhIU/UZz9akQe1ZI/AAAAAAAADdE/JG77n49u0Bg/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9V0nGRuLhIU/UZz9akQe1ZI/AAAAAAAADdE/JG77n49u0Bg/s320/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Aria entered Ariel's house she was surprised to see that hardly anyone was still there. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aperille, Danielle and Carter were gathered speaking in a corner, and aside from that, the only person Aria could see was Ariel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who, upon noticing Aria's entrance, flipped. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where the hell WERE the two of you?!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quSI02T2npk/UZ0LouW04QI/AAAAAAAADdU/QaBpqqrbh2g/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quSI02T2npk/UZ0LouW04QI/AAAAAAAADdU/QaBpqqrbh2g/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She screeched, her voice ripe with the agony she had been washed in. Aria could feel the dread and contrition slamming into her. She fought to answer, but instead of allowing her to, Ariel threw her hands up in the air, tears pouring over her cheeks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Did it occur to either ONE of you that I may have needed you? My boyfriend just died and my brother and BEST friend are nowhere to be found. What the hell were you guys even doing?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Quill and Aria exchanged a look and said nothing. That gave Ariel the answer she needed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You have got to be kidding me. No way. At Brandon's FUNERAL Aria?!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g83ca7k_5BA/UZ0LpBiCgiI/AAAAAAAADdY/MXPl1BMYWVs/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g83ca7k_5BA/UZ0LpBiCgiI/AAAAAAAADdY/MXPl1BMYWVs/s640/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria felt so incredibly small. So completely reviled. She deserved every word, she knew she did. However, instead of facing what she had done, she turned for the door and exited, leaving Ariel drowning in tears behind her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's voice echoed out behind her, but she kept walking, putting as much distance as fast as she could between herself and Ariel's house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I said, " She felt his hand wrap around the top of her arm. "Hey."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He spun her to face him and she stared at the ground, unable to find the conviction to actually look him in the eyes either.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3fO3Zi3B0Q/UZ0RsY4wP7I/AAAAAAAADds/hM_MUdaZbTg/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3fO3Zi3B0Q/UZ0RsY4wP7I/AAAAAAAADds/hM_MUdaZbTg/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So, instead of sticking to what you made a big production of trying to prove to me, you sink this low? Aria, I didn't actually think you would do it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was condescending and arrogant. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But he was right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which only served to piss Aria off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You don't know me anymore, Carter. I am pretty sure you have said that yourself on multiple occasions."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The anger hissed out of her teeth and he scowled, letting her go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12WN-9oknfQ/UZ0Rt-DlZlI/AAAAAAAADd0/ykIC5nlYmTI/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12WN-9oknfQ/UZ0Rt-DlZlI/AAAAAAAADd0/ykIC5nlYmTI/s400/Screenshot-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You have to grow up someday, Aria. You can't feign this ignorant whore act forever."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She put both hands on his chest and shoved him backwards, surprising him enough that he stumbled.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're such an ASSHOLE, Carter."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head, laughing bitterly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I'm not. I just want you to fucking see that these things that you're doing are hurting EVERYONE around you. You're pushing everyone away so you can sleep with whoever you want and have all of these goddamn babies that you barely pay attention to."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He took a step closer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EDtXOwa_vv8/UZ0S4sc_PwI/AAAAAAAADeE/RORIzeo6E7g/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EDtXOwa_vv8/UZ0S4sc_PwI/AAAAAAAADeE/RORIzeo6E7g/s640/Screenshot-46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're weak, you're selfish and you can't keep acting like you don't notice what you're doing to everyone else. In the end, You're going to be left with no one, and it's your own fucking fault."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could feel a tiny light in her chest extinguish at his words. She crumbled inward, emotionless on the exterior.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"The only thing you care about is yourself. YOU have been selfish from the beginning. The things you say to me, the way you act. You find hurting me amusing and I just. Don't. Get it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was trying very hard not to cry, her cheeks burning. She was trying so hard to retain that detached appearance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No Aria! You know nothing!! You think you have me pinned and you know what the fuck you're talking about, but you don't." Carter took a step closer to her, and her face paled at the cold look in his eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkFMwNV8x_g/UZ0TRoqDqMI/AAAAAAAADeU/47DRSkhYHNU/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkFMwNV8x_g/UZ0TRoqDqMI/AAAAAAAADeU/47DRSkhYHNU/s320/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I don't even know why I am friends with you anymore. I keep fighting for you and I don't even know WHY. Because look at how far that has gotten me! Look at who you've become."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His statement echoed through the empty night air.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She intended to respond, but nothing happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was pulling her thoughts out of her head. He was saying the exact feelings that she had been contemplating for months. He was just putting them in the open, where Aria had been too afraid to have them seen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head at her inept attempt at speech and pulled the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the car door, slamming it in her face once he was inside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He left her standing there, tears finally falling down her cheeks as she broke, and he drove away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dTT_0HRW7M/UZ0Uo90mcrI/AAAAAAAADek/9seI0SCekr0/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dTT_0HRW7M/UZ0Uo90mcrI/AAAAAAAADek/9seI0SCekr0/s320/Screenshot-49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She heard a few footsteps behind her and turned around, expecting to see Quill, but instead, Danielle. She looked at Aria sympathetically, her eyes full of sadness. She put a hand on her hip, leaning her weight into the stance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wasn't he your ride to Riverview?" She asked gently.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded, sniffling and dragging the back of her hand under her eyes, smearing her mascara.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. The lights from inside Ariel's house, where Aria had just lost one of her best friends because of <i>another</i> stupid choice, reflected in Danielle's eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjGZMpXGtB8/UZ0VAUeyjYI/AAAAAAAADes/VGLSVmG5StA/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjGZMpXGtB8/UZ0VAUeyjYI/AAAAAAAADes/VGLSVmG5StA/s640/Screenshot-50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Come on, Aria. Let's get you home."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The hardwood floor was cool beneath Aria's back as she stared at the ceiling. She hadn't slept in days. Part from having brand new triplet babies, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Babies 83, 84 and 85, Dante, Kristina and Madeline;</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and also partly from the guilt that was eating her inside. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel hadn't spoken to her since she had slept with her brother. Not to mention she was probably very angry that three babies for her challenge came out of the situation. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wasn't even going to bother answering the phone that she had thrown somewhere in the living room the night she had returned from the hospital. She had hoped it would eventually die, but apparently the battery lasted longer than any battery in existence. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The vibration became incessant and unavoidable, so she pushed herself to her feet and searched in the mess of pillows that covered her couch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWNEr0G1lwk/UZ0Xm95H46I/AAAAAAAADe8/rUixCa8RYY0/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWNEr0G1lwk/UZ0Xm95H46I/AAAAAAAADe8/rUixCa8RYY0/s320/Screenshot-51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A number she didn't recognize had called 59 times. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whooaaa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She clicked the talk button and sighed, bringing the phone to her ear.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I have been trying to call you for three days. Ariel is in the hospital. She tried to kill herself."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkjXuMNPGYo/UZz0xlGl4BI/AAAAAAAADcs/YyutDhGcDTc/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkjXuMNPGYo/UZz0xlGl4BI/AAAAAAAADcs/YyutDhGcDTc/s400/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Resin, Angie and Draco, YA</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">Sooner or Later, you're gonna hate it</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;">Go ahead and throw your life away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;">Driving me under, leaving me out there</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;">Go ahead and throw your life away"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;">You can find Ariel's POV </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://herecomesthestork.blogspot.com/2013/05/chapter-10-black-baby-20.html">here</a></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-10267396383305102792013-05-15T22:58:00.000-07:002013-05-15T23:13:44.314-07:0037- Hear Me<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Joshie, Blake, Amy- YA</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZXP_dEN0ZA/UZQg_WNFXuI/AAAAAAAADV8/ujw-j2pnw9Q/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZXP_dEN0ZA/UZQg_WNFXuI/AAAAAAAADV8/ujw-j2pnw9Q/s400/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anna and Logan<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cuKeFa9Qe94/UZQg-9ArPoI/AAAAAAAADV0/IMVuHmFx77M/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cuKeFa9Qe94/UZQg-9ArPoI/AAAAAAAADV0/IMVuHmFx77M/s400/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Angie, Resin and Draco</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyoOHYTEemM/UZQg_16VFCI/AAAAAAAADWA/owh7KpgeI0I/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyoOHYTEemM/UZQg_16VFCI/AAAAAAAADWA/owh7KpgeI0I/s400/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
----</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The colder it got, the more Aria seemed to pull away and withdraw from everyone around her. Frankly, the entire situation with Carter and the rooftop and the possiblity that he could have been gone forever.. It made Aria pull away even more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was confused about how she felt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Something told her there was a spark, a connection. One that had always been there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It scared the hell out of her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wandered through the aisles of the library, running her fingers over the spines of the different books. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFZIOX0UAjg/UZQg7wqe-4I/AAAAAAAADVc/NglOSknUHZ0/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFZIOX0UAjg/UZQg7wqe-4I/AAAAAAAADVc/NglOSknUHZ0/s400/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One caught her eye and she pulled it out, opening it with a soft swish.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria Rapture?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes went wide and she thumped the book she was holding closed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She would recognize that voice anywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darian Hutchins.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVsXILnHQxA/UZQg72_cKRI/AAAAAAAADVg/9TnqnMiJnSc/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVsXILnHQxA/UZQg72_cKRI/AAAAAAAADVg/9TnqnMiJnSc/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She turned slowly, her pink eyes instantly glossing over when she saw him. Her mouth went dry and a fluttering of butterfly wings sprouted in the pit of her stomach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stood inches from her, way too close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes traced her from top to bottom and she could feel her pulse snapping like firecrackers. "You haven't changed much, have you. Still as gorgeous as you always were.." His statement trailed off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's shoulders hit the bookshelf behind her as Darian advanced smoothly leaning one hand against the shelf next to her head, his fingers on his other hand trailing down the side of her face and into her hair. Something about this man put her heart into overdrive and she couldn't seem to find a disconnect from the attraction she felt sparking between them.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LQ9rMVhYK8/UZQg9eiu97I/AAAAAAAADVs/CYxlX32XNpw/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LQ9rMVhYK8/UZQg9eiu97I/AAAAAAAADVs/CYxlX32XNpw/s640/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wondered internally if that was the effect she seemed to have on Dylan. The torture that an undeniable chemical reaction in her brain seemed to hold. Her thoughts rested on Hidden Springs and the last time Darian and she had gotten close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She questioned if things were any different with him. If he was still a manipulative, ridiculously atttractive scumbag like he used to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet, Aria still wanted him. She didn't know if she would ever NOT want him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She blinked and rubbed the lids of her eyes as the memories she had tried so hard to put behind her forced their way into the forefront of her mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He keeps looking at you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow cast a suspicious eye over Aria's shoulder at the new History teacher. Aria glanced cautiously in the same direction, connecting with his bright blue eyes. She gulped and snapped her attention back to her two best friends in front of her.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVPreL6DkwY/UZQ23kZcIeI/AAAAAAAADWc/ZuRa0PJ_qx0/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVPreL6DkwY/UZQ23kZcIeI/AAAAAAAADWc/ZuRa0PJ_qx0/s400/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He's my /teacher/. Stop being a freak." She hissed, placing her books in her locker forcefully and slamming it shut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Arrriaaaa, he seriously keeps staring at you." Mila sing-songed, pulling her lips into a smirk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's cheeks went pink and she stuffed her remaining books into her messenger bag, staring at the floor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just stop it you two."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not like it's a bad thing. He is gorgeous."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow glared at Mila when that comment left her mouth. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qBSGczhTf4/UZQ22Ys-maI/AAAAAAAADWU/434NnaC3H14/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qBSGczhTf4/UZQ22Ys-maI/AAAAAAAADWU/434NnaC3H14/s640/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's totally a bad thing. He is WAY older than she is. He needs to stop being a pervert and do his job." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila rolled her eyes, spinning the combination on her own locker and raising one shoulder in a shrug. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're totally overeacting. Aria's not going to do anything. I doubt he would even try."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She spun on her heel and headed to her next class, Willow trailing behind her, mumbling a string of profanities. Aria sighed softly, turning towards the doorway of the AP History class this new guy was teaching. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7I6nEy3qh0/UZQ26KeiooI/AAAAAAAADWk/Z1d6jWcbwbg/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7I6nEy3qh0/UZQ26KeiooI/AAAAAAAADWk/Z1d6jWcbwbg/s320/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Head down, halfway through the doorway and ten minutes early, she felt fingers grip her wrist. she froze, looking up. But as quickly as he had touched her, his hand was gone. Aria wasn't even sure if it had actually happened. The dark-haired girl who had been behind her, slammed into her and she dropped the book she was carrying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stooped to pick it up, and the guy next to her did at the exact same time, she watched as he wrapped his fingers around the spine and then held it out to her. She took it, avoiding his eye contact and hurried to her seat in the back of the class next to Carter, who smiled as she approached. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She returned the smile, sliding into her desk and pulling her books out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVTfqoGok04/UZQ27LN2-jI/AAAAAAAADWs/8fm6j7U18zM/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVTfqoGok04/UZQ27LN2-jI/AAAAAAAADWs/8fm6j7U18zM/s400/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When she looked back up from the woodgrain, the guy was, in fact, watching her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The school weeks crawled by, each day of the week she had his class, he spoke to her more and more. Fall turned into winter and December second dawned bright with the first snowfall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria crossed her legs, putting her chin in her hand, her breath leaving her mouth in misty puffs. The bench she was sitting on was iced over, but she honestly didn't mind. She kind of just wished she had remembered to bring her car instead of having to wait on Mila who took her sweet ass time returning to pick her up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn't like it was Aria's fault that Carter bailed on her.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-poy1Bdt8TFY/UZRCSz5-12I/AAAAAAAADW8/BMHpOq68Njc/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-poy1Bdt8TFY/UZRCSz5-12I/AAAAAAAADW8/BMHpOq68Njc/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you need a ride?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes went wide and she quickly stood, brushing the slushy snow off of her uniform skirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Uh, well.." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She trailed off, her words getting stuck somewhere between her mind and her vocal box. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darian smirked, pushing his hair out of his eyes. He put both hands into the pockets of his pants and rocked back on his heels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If it's weird, cause I'm your teacher, that's okay. I'm sorry."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned to leave, taking a few paces towards the parking lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No! It's okay, yeah, a ride would be nice."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked over to him, her nerves winding through her system. She was aware that his eyes canvassed her body, but she brushed it off. He was a man after all.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCaF5-ca1S8/UZRCTmdImyI/AAAAAAAADXE/MiBknAfjeU4/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCaF5-ca1S8/UZRCTmdImyI/AAAAAAAADXE/MiBknAfjeU4/s640/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She instructed him on directions and he drove the entire way without saying a word. Butterflies fluttered aimlessly in her stomach , growing stronger with each second that passed. When they pulled up in front of her house, Aria bit her lip, the butterflies feeling like they were suddenly counting in the hundreds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was this.. intense pull in her gut whenever she was around Darian. It was like she couldn't look away from him. Like his very presence drew her in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You're starting to sound like Bella here, dude. Chill. </i>She thought bitterly, extending a hand toward the door handle. She pulled it and the metal disconnected with a soft pop. She was about to turn her head to issue her gratitude when he reached across her, pulling it shut again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He put a hand on her face and leaned into her side of the car, urging her closer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His lips met hers and she halted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took her about five seconds to relent and kiss him back, lacing her fingers in his hair and tasting the cinnamon that lingered faintly on his tongue.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2qI7Mo6bdY/UZRCVRetnlI/AAAAAAAADXM/K67ZNhqkbBE/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2qI7Mo6bdY/UZRCVRetnlI/AAAAAAAADXM/K67ZNhqkbBE/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled away after a few minutes and took a few shaky breaths. Her cheeks were burning furiously and she knew she needed to go now. Before she did something even more careless and idiotic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed her bag and opened the car door, exiting and making her way through the few inches of snow. She entered the house and shut the door behind her, sliding to the floor on the opposite side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What had she just done? </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2or6HpaDLQU/UZRCV8YPlTI/AAAAAAAADXU/Mbq0dz-ikvE/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2or6HpaDLQU/UZRCV8YPlTI/AAAAAAAADXU/Mbq0dz-ikvE/s400/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn't just that he was her teacher... She wasn't stupid. She saw the silver ring that rested on the third finger of his left hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Things escalated from there. Manipulation of a teenage girl was easier then Aria thought it should be. It wasn't that she thought what happened was okay.. It was that overwhelming urgency with which this man treated her. As if she mattered. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>She eventually gave in to what he wanted. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Like a moth to a flame, she just couldn't seem to stay away. She felt used, scared and on top of everything else, she felt guilty. The affair didn't last very long. She ended it, but not before it went way too far.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Karma, however, has a funny way of showing up at the worst times...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~*~*~*~*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It has been a great year, and I couldn't have been happier to have had the classmates that I did. I never thought that, I, of everyone in this class, would be valedictorian. It's definitely an honor."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kora paused, shuffling the papers she held in front of her. She had been droning on and on for ten minutes with her speech. Aria was just ready for her to can it. Not only was she bored as hell, she was starving and Kora's voice was like nails on a chalkboard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone started clapping, as it FINALLY seemed as if the speech was over. However, Kora held up a single finger, a slight grin on her face. The applause came to a still, and Aria could have sworn that Kora's eyes locked on her own.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There's one more thing I think I should say."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kora began. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There's a certain secret in this school that I think needs to be revealed."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time, Aria KNEW her eyes were steadied on her own. Her heart started to beat faster, fear trickling into the pit of her stomach. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5tV11hFKyg/UZRV0H8yDAI/AAAAAAAADXk/cbRfIqa0H9U/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5tV11hFKyg/UZRV0H8yDAI/AAAAAAAADXk/cbRfIqa0H9U/s400/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She glanced over at the row behind her, where her three best friends were sitting. They all had confused looks on their faces. Aria pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and secured her eyes on the ground. The flight instinct was kicking in, but she wasn't even one hundred percent sure that Kora was talking about her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She thought Kora had seen her kissing Darian. She had waited weeks for her to confront her or him. She never did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So Aria let it go. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That was, apparently, a very big mistake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria Rapture is having an affair with Mr. Hutchins."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The statement silenced everyone. There was literally no sound apart from the crackling of feedback that quietly trilled out of the speakers. Kora's eyes bore into Aria's and she could feel the hatred that reflected out of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSLQWOm6S5k/UZRWXnF29KI/AAAAAAAADYM/Ii7G6Gdk5qE/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSLQWOm6S5k/UZRWXnF29KI/AAAAAAAADYM/Ii7G6Gdk5qE/s320/Screenshot-29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why this?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why now?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One by one, voices started to sound, hushed whispers and snickers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darian turned and walked away from the crowd, through the trees toward the parking lot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was kind of like being stripped completely naked in front of about 300 hundred prying eyes. Aria could feel them stabbing into her from every direction. The worst mistake she had ever made was being broadcast to her entire school, not to mention their families. She stood, avoiding the eye contact of her three best friends over everyone else and walked away, the embarrassment and guilt falling in thick, hot tears to the ground.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She reached her car, fumbling with the keys and dropping them to the ground twice before finally getting the lock turned.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzDoZzOZ-ks/UZRV4uWamzI/AAAAAAAADX8/NvEVuyAFzDo/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzDoZzOZ-ks/UZRV4uWamzI/AAAAAAAADX8/NvEVuyAFzDo/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She never heard from Darian again, she never even knew what happened to him. The fallout he faced was never known to her. The reason being, when she left graduation she barely left her house. She saw next to no one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then came the day she found out Carter was gone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That was when she left Hidden Springs and every damn person who poisoned her life behind her.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apparently she couldn't run away forever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you string the right words together, anyone can be manipulated. Anyone can turn from someone who is the picture of innoxiousness into someone you don't recognize. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was putty in Darian's hands from day one. Perhaps she would always be. The difference between the present and the past, was that now, Aria should have known better before taking him home. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She had her fair share of mistakes resting on her shoulders, but she had never quite crossed the line she had now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Buh9u2QkSLg/UZRtd1qif6I/AAAAAAAADYk/z3Y7pLJMxBs/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Buh9u2QkSLg/UZRtd1qif6I/AAAAAAAADYk/z3Y7pLJMxBs/s400/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She quietly chastised herself for her lack of moral standing. Also for her lack of self control. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria played with the end of a strand of her hair, staring out the window at the softly falling snow. The first snow of the coming winter. Ironic. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She heard footsteps behind her and a hand latched on her hip. Darian trailed kisses across her neck and a queasy feeling settled into her stomach. She felt like a complete whore. She knew that what had just happened wasn't okay. Not in any way, shape or form. She was uneasy, and unlike the electricity that she expected his touch to initiate, she just felt...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gross.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QPcsmChTs0/UZRtdLGHfsI/AAAAAAAADYc/ivy7ocxEnWo/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QPcsmChTs0/UZRtdLGHfsI/AAAAAAAADYc/ivy7ocxEnWo/s400/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A knock came from the front door and Aria looked down at herself. She wasn't wearing much, so she rushed up the stairs to her room and threw on a dress. When her foot hit the bottom stair on the way back down, she looked up and her heart stuttered. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She suddenly wished more then anything that she could be invisible. Darian had answered the door. Standing on the other side, was quite possibly one of the last people she would ever want to know what she had done the night before.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice contained more alarm then she intended for it to. The look playing in his eyes told her he knew EXACTLY what had happened. The disgust radiated off of him in almost visible waves.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned to leave, scoffing loudly. He hadn't said one word to her. Not that he needed to. She knew what he must be thinking. She could feel the embarrassment sucking her down. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, wait! Just. Talk to me!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the door shut behind her, not looking at Darian. She was not only annoyed with him for opening the door in the first place, but completely shocked that he would stand there and just stare at a man who was in his class at one point. Who went to his school. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsAVjusoxHI/UZRtgIyVjLI/AAAAAAAADYs/i7R90eB-Y2A/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsAVjusoxHI/UZRtgIyVjLI/AAAAAAAADYs/i7R90eB-Y2A/s640/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ugh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shivered, clenching her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms in a desperate attempt to keep the tears away. He whirled around so quickly Aria almost bumped into him. She took a rapid step backwards, her bare feet numb already from the cold. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What is there to talk about? Why don't you just go back inside with your next suitor, Aria. This one is a winner."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was more then just disgusted, he was livid. Aria could feel the ire crashing into her like the tide onto the shore. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not.. I don't.. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She couldn't quite put the thoughts racing through her mind into recognizable words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter threw his hands in the air, a hiss coming out of his lips.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't want your explanations Aria. I honestly don't blame you for what happened when you were in high school. You were young. You were stupid. You made a mistake. But," He looked her straight in the eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"This is not a fucking mistake. This is you being an idiot. You knew better. You KNOW better. You're smarter then this. I have tried so hard to tell myself that you can change, that you aren't what I used to convince myself you were."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc_lQfIw_HQ/UZRthETKmKI/AAAAAAAADY0/V0XIGvGZTB4/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc_lQfIw_HQ/UZRthETKmKI/AAAAAAAADY0/V0XIGvGZTB4/s640/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled the drawstrings of his hoodie tighter, the fabric making a soft swish as Aria's heart catapulted into her stomach. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Well, congratulations Aria. You just proved me right. You're sleeping with married men now. You've become the whore I was afraid you would be. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He crossed the lawn, getting into his Hummer without a backward glance at her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria gave birth to Darian's triplets, babies 80, 81 and 82, Wilson, Rhiannon, and April, a few weeks later, not to her surprise. She cut off all contact with him. She was aware that she had made a terrible mistake. It was one she intended to never happen again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wished more then anything she could just take it back... But the damage was done. There was no going back. She couldn't erase this no matter how much she wished she could.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria drew her knees to her chest, the vacancy that had taken up seemingly permanent residence in her chest aching bitterly. She spun the phone that was on the hardwood floor in front of her in sporadic circles. Not a single text or phone call had come to her since that stupid day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INHOwfl4cl8/UZR0Klg4dCI/AAAAAAAADZM/-lW8VHnSY7o/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INHOwfl4cl8/UZR0Klg4dCI/AAAAAAAADZM/-lW8VHnSY7o/s400/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle was the only one who seemed to even want to speak to her. She seemed to be the only one who understood that Aria was truly sorry and regretful of what had transpired.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The phone slowly came to a stop, and Aria sighed. She reached towards it to send it spinning like a top again when it vibrated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She blinked, unsure she had actually heard it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel's face popped up on the screen and she crinkled her eyebrows. She hadn't been expecting her to call. Especially after ditching her at that party. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stood, stretching her legs a bit and taking a deep breath. She was sure Ariel was more than likely furious with her. Preparing for the worst, she pushed talk with a shaky finger tip, only to be greeted with the soft cries of agony transferring through from the other line. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOtwq04J0wo/UZR0K_lb-zI/AAAAAAAADZQ/ivlXg1evrHs/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOtwq04J0wo/UZR0K_lb-zI/AAAAAAAADZQ/ivlXg1evrHs/s320/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ariel?! What's going on? Why are you crying??"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel's voice took a second to steady before she responded.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, I need you to come to Sunset Valley. It's Brandon... He's.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stopped speaking, her voice once again wracked with sobs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What is it Ariel? Is he okay? Did you guys break up?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel's voice crackled with anxiety as she finally spoke again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yLk4FskSOY/UZR0KK0k4OI/AAAAAAAADZE/mJDcd5kzsa8/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yLk4FskSOY/UZR0KK0k4OI/AAAAAAAADZE/mJDcd5kzsa8/s640/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, He's dead."</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYAVWSergkQ/UZQg6t0SpEI/AAAAAAAADVU/f_h89F2S2ck/s1600/Screenshot-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYAVWSergkQ/UZQg6t0SpEI/AAAAAAAADVU/f_h89F2S2ck/s400/Screenshot-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anna and Logan <3</span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-15650587776085804612013-05-07T23:42:00.000-07:002013-05-07T23:42:26.305-07:0036- For Everything A Reason<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: white;">Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as many live because they are afraid to die, as die because they are afraid to live. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>-Charles Caleb Colton</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Lacon, 1829</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>-----</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anna and Logan Rapture</span></div>
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Blake, Amy and Joshie, teens</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rolled over, her chest buzzing with a mixture of guilt and excitement. This repeat of ending up in Dylan's bed wasn't exactly getting old, but she wasn't proud of it either. Day in and day out she seemed to be finding solace in the mess of his sheets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was slowly beginning to question her motives when it came to him. She was also beginning to wonder if maybe Dylan thought that what was happening between them was more then just sex. Some of the things he said...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjppoK6TyDU/UYnwVoax1rI/AAAAAAAADUc/pSXH5pVxnF4/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjppoK6TyDU/UYnwVoax1rI/AAAAAAAADUc/pSXH5pVxnF4/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grimaced, pulling the blanket over her face. Just what she needed. Someone else to complicate things. Not that she knew for sure. Dylan had never exactly told her that he had feelings for her. Neither had someone else though... And look where that got her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Is everything okay?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dylan's voice sounded from the doorway and Aria pulled the blanket down far enough to peek over it at him. He looked amazing and a feeling stirred in the pit of her stomach. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ju-4XU9u9v4/UYnwW9qzy_I/AAAAAAAADUo/bfBS4YAt9rc/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ju-4XU9u9v4/UYnwW9qzy_I/AAAAAAAADUo/bfBS4YAt9rc/s640/Screenshot-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He should probably put a shirt on before they spent another wasted night in bed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not that it was a complete waste..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She really needed to get a grip on herself. She was supposed to be meeting Danielle, Willow and Mila for a movie, but she couldn't seem to leave Dylan's bedroom long enough to get anything remotely close to done. Danielle was in town specifically for a girls night.. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Aria was busy with her son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm fine." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria squeaked, sitting up. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lf0BoarBRs/UYnwXQgVgBI/AAAAAAAADUs/t3jGfn1FXc8/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lf0BoarBRs/UYnwXQgVgBI/AAAAAAAADUs/t3jGfn1FXc8/s400/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He crossed the room, sitting next to her on the bed. She pulled the blanket down completely away from her face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you sure?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria bit her lip. She couldn't talk to him about this just yet. His response could change everything; and she really needed this connection right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She nodded slowly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm okay, Dylan. I promise."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled her closer to him, pressing his lips to the top of her shoulder. She shivered as he kissed her collarbone and then her lips and she pulled him against her. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5RvcyL950/UYnwYXQUa-I/AAAAAAAADU0/y-DtdQCoSIg/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5RvcyL950/UYnwYXQUa-I/AAAAAAAADU0/y-DtdQCoSIg/s400/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yeah, she was going to be very, very late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry I'm late!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria said as she rushed over to the three girls who were gathered on a couch in front of two tables in the coffee shop. Mila had a smirk across her features and Willow also looked amused. Danielle's expression on the other hand was one that clearly said she had other, more troubling things on her mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Did you have difficulty getting out of bed or something?" Willow asked, placing the drink she was sipping back on the table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think she had difficulty getting out of someone else's bed by the look of her hair." Mila tittered, giggling into her palm.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DsEbFRA-jKU/UYnv_3veCuI/AAAAAAAADRg/TqTMBIZaQS4/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DsEbFRA-jKU/UYnv_3veCuI/AAAAAAAADRg/TqTMBIZaQS4/s400/Screenshot-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria glowered, smooshing down her hair as much as possible. It wasn't like Dylan had a straightener. If he had, Aria might have doubled over in laughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I was with Dylan." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stated, leaving it at that. She scooted onto the couch in between Mila and Danielle, who still had her eyes glazed over with a preoccupied look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Of course you were. Still stringing him along?" Mila asked, stirring the straw in her drink in small circles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's mouth dropped open. "I am NOT stringing him along. Our.. whatever this is.. isn't romantic.. By any means." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She blushed and took the drink that Mila had ordered for her and drank it eagerly. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. She honestly hadn't gotten much sleep the last week.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccJ4srdtsUA/UYnwAAiOGTI/AAAAAAAADRk/9QQSZv9EHeU/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccJ4srdtsUA/UYnwAAiOGTI/AAAAAAAADRk/9QQSZv9EHeU/s640/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila gave her a knowing look, one that Aria knew well and hated. She sighed, exasperated and looked away, towards the entrance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So are you guys ready to go to the movie? I am assuming it's about to start."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow suddenly looked nervous, playing with her straw. Danielle smirked, rolling her eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ahha, busted." She teased.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow narrowed her eyes at her and looked back at her drink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, in a minute, we're still waiting for someone."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked away, not meeting Aria's eyes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93rlQNSfBSc/UYnv_34d25I/AAAAAAAADRc/PbPkJfhUAAU/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93rlQNSfBSc/UYnv_34d25I/AAAAAAAADRc/PbPkJfhUAAU/s400/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's forehead creased.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What? Who? I thought it was just us?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She glared at Mila. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You invited him didn't you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila looked away innocently, taking another drink of her coffee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't know what you're talking about."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria groaned, drinking the rest of the bitter liquid in her mug. She was going to need it to deal with Carter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few seconds later, she heard the chime of the door opening and looked over Willow's shoulder. Carter and Austin came through the door, laughing and joking. However, as soon as Carter saw Aria, his face instantly drained of color and his smile disappeared.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcQlmiLv46M/UYnwDBgq6bI/AAAAAAAADRw/v653uj8Rz1I/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcQlmiLv46M/UYnwDBgq6bI/AAAAAAAADRw/v653uj8Rz1I/s640/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked at Mila, who sent him a small smile, and dropped onto the couch next to Willow, looking away at the display counter. Austin sat on the other side of Willow and wrapped her in a kiss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's heart sent flutters through her body at the purposeful look on Carter's face. He was making sure his eyes didn't connect with hers. She desperately just wanted to make things work out between them as <i>friends</i>. She felt like she was losing him, and it sucked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why couldn't things just be simple?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shuffled in his seat and then stood abruptly, heading towards the counter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a split second impulse, Aria followed him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He didn't notice her behind him until she reached out tentatively and touched his arm. He reacted by spinning quickly and catching her wrist with his hand. His eyes widened when he realized it was her and he let go, turning back around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sorry."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He mumbled, completely disregarding her presence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice was meek, and she could feel his name heavily weighing on her lips as she said it. The elevator type music tinkling out of the speakers was louder then her words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What is it Aria?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He asked with a sigh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What's wrong?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked back at her, annoyance and a tinge of disbelief in his eyes. He seemed to scale his response before saying it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My dad is here. He wants to have some sort of meeting at some point about his will."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's chest instantly exploded in panic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What?! He's In Riverview? But.."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRApArPA7VM/UYnwEbwFTBI/AAAAAAAADR8/OkDVJKd376U/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRApArPA7VM/UYnwEbwFTBI/AAAAAAAADR8/OkDVJKd376U/s320/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stepped forward, putting herself in his line of vision.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He apparently has liver cancer. I can't imagine why." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He spat bitterly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened. Cancer? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her next question was cut off completely by the ringing of Carter's phone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He extracted it from his pocket and slid the lock across, reading the text message.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter looked up from his phone, a hardened look on his face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria raised an eyebrow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What? What is it?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head, putting the phone in his pocket. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My dad wants to see me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's stomach flipped. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're not going to see him are you?? You can't. He isn't worth it."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIFniHSEMqg/UYnwGMIym7I/AAAAAAAADSQ/__xY-TFqS0s/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIFniHSEMqg/UYnwGMIym7I/AAAAAAAADSQ/__xY-TFqS0s/s640/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's eyes were glazed over with a far away look and he didn't say anything. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I mean, I know he has cancer, but Carter it won't end well. You guys are just going-"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He put a hand up and whispered something she didn't quite catch before exiting the line of customers and heading for the door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's heart lurched and she instantly felt nauseous. She had a really bad feeling about this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSTCu3i50Hs/UYnwJHgpeII/AAAAAAAADSo/A-M9KD14dks/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSTCu3i50Hs/UYnwJHgpeII/AAAAAAAADSo/A-M9KD14dks/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria fell asleep quickly when she got home from the movies. She had checked in on the little ones, kissing each of them on the cheek and tucking the sheets the babysitter had wrapped around them even tighter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was the first night she had spent alone, without Dylan, in a week.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It felt odd not having him next to her. She was growing used to it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A shrill ringing brought Aria to consciousness.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She groaned, peering through her blurry eyelids at the clock next to her bed. It said 3:21 in bright pink letters. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who the fuck was calling her at 3 am?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled the nightstand drawer open and looked at the caller ID. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle? What?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63ogugQjwhI/UYnwJabn4OI/AAAAAAAADSw/9PuWsdYfVzc/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63ogugQjwhI/UYnwJabn4OI/AAAAAAAADSw/9PuWsdYfVzc/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hello?" She whispered into the phone, her voice raspy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria! You need to get over here, now."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle's voice was filled with a massive amount of concern and Aria rubbed her eyes, sitting up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait, your hotel? What's going on?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle's response was choked with partially controlled panic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just, get over here. I think you're the only person who can talk to him. I haven't told anyone else. I just. I don't know what to do. He doesn't even like me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stopped talking, and it sounded like she might be crying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Danielle, you're confusing me. What's going on? Who?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed a little, her voice coming back into the phone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htAkdoX-KyU/UYnwMQ7Y8XI/AAAAAAAADTQ/AusDVWchHkk/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htAkdoX-KyU/UYnwMQ7Y8XI/AAAAAAAADTQ/AusDVWchHkk/s400/Screenshot-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter was here with his dad in the hotel bar, and they were both drinking. I went to the bathroom and I heard yelling, glass breaking, and when I came back, I saw him go through the exit to the roof. I didn't follow him, but Aria, I'm worried. You should have seen him. Heard the stuff his dad was saying-"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was already putting clothes on, stuffing her car keys into her purse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Give me fifteen minutes."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled her hair off of her face into a quick messy bun and took a deep breath, trying to calm the insanity building in her midsection.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Thank you for calling me, Danielle. I love you."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKUAvltU3b0/UYnwLySxgUI/AAAAAAAADTA/3HT_QwvlspI/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKUAvltU3b0/UYnwLySxgUI/AAAAAAAADTA/3HT_QwvlspI/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She punched the end icon and texted Mila who was sleeping downstairs that she needed her to stay with the babies. One last look over her shoulder as she exited the house and she was on her way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was worried she might be too late.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her first instinct was to call out, but she was afraid it would startle him, which would send him to the ground just as quick as if he jumped. She made her way slowly towards him, her worst fears confirmed when she spotted the bottle of clear liquid almost empty on the ground next to his fixture on the edge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, what are you doing?" Aria called out, louder then she meant to; her voice breaking on his name.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNjMcEDn-EA/UYnwOxNOD6I/AAAAAAAADTg/ONPvx-3IXjE/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNjMcEDn-EA/UYnwOxNOD6I/AAAAAAAADTg/ONPvx-3IXjE/s400/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned his head in her direction, groaning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the fuck does it look like I'm doing? How did you even know where I was?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> His tone was bitter, and Aria knew something was really, really wrong. When he turned his face and the light from the street hit it, a black ring encircled his eye. Her breath caught in her throat, and she knew that Curtis had to be responsible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The meeting had NOT gone well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Have you even thought this through? Are you just going to jump off of this building and kill yourself?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria fought hard to keep the panic out of her voice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sounds pretty good to me." Carter dropped the glass he was holding onto the street below him and she heard it faintly shatter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He put a hand next to him and shakily got to his feet. The fear in Aria's chest grew ten times worse.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYvdEeHLFro/UYnwPTUi6NI/AAAAAAAADTk/mFapeYuqMEM/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYvdEeHLFro/UYnwPTUi6NI/AAAAAAAADTk/mFapeYuqMEM/s640/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If you jump, I'll jump after you.." Aria stepped closer, the tears hot on her cheeks. Her pulse was like a jackhammer and she could feel it in her fingertips. She uttered these words, not completely convinced she would carry through, but something deep inside told her she might.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That is the stupidest fucking thing you have ever said." Carter slurred, tipping a little. Aria's heart skipped a beat. The rain that was falling from the sky and slowly making the cement slick made everything ten times worse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And what you're doing ISN'T stupid?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He scoffed, his placement on the ledge once again becoming questionable. He leaned to one side, regaining his balance quickly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria inhaled, the tears coming faster. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Goddammit, Carter! Get down!" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head, looking over the edge. "I don't see a reason to. I'm so sick of all of this. I have no one." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could feel the panic she was holding on to burning stronger. "That is such bullshit and you fucking know it! You have me!" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McqFmd95LHk/UYnwRxYQX4I/AAAAAAAADT4/o9sJ7VRagpk/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McqFmd95LHk/UYnwRxYQX4I/AAAAAAAADT4/o9sJ7VRagpk/s400/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her cry was louder then she meant for it to be and it caught his attention.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked at her. "Why do you care so much? Who am I to you? No one!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shouted the last two words and they echoed through the sky and she could feel it burn right through her. The anger climbed up Aria's throat and exploded before she could think it through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You are so fucking stupid Carter! How can you even say that?! I am the ONLY person who has ever been there for you. I'm your best friend!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead of having the effect Aria suddenly worried that it would, Carter turned away from the street below him and towards her. "Maybe that's not enough. Maybe I just can't hold on for you anymore." </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOQDRtOyweM/UYnwU-UcUQI/AAAAAAAADUU/CPtwaqQjmkg/s1600/Screenshot-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOQDRtOyweM/UYnwU-UcUQI/AAAAAAAADUU/CPtwaqQjmkg/s640/Screenshot-40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria took two more steps closer and held her hand out towards him, choking on her tears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, you're being an idiot. This is not the answer. Killing yourself won't make him go away. It won't take away your childhood. It won't fix anything. You'll just be gone and you'll have left so many people who care about you behind." She bit her lip, her throat raw from her scream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're not giving me a legitimate reason not to jump. He will be gone for me if I do this, Aria. It will all be over." He mumbled the words and they collided with one another, drunkeness more then apparent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Did you just fucking hear yourself!?? That's was so incredibly selfish! Of course he will be gone for YOU. But not for me. The only thing I--" She backtracked, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We, would be losing, is YOU."</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I can't do this anymore. I am sick of this shit. When I left Hidden Springs, this was all supposed to end. It's supposed to be better here. Why should I hold on.. There's nothing here for me."</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMAx6KWuVDU/UYnwT76Fg5I/AAAAAAAADUI/RILlgRSY0wk/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMAx6KWuVDU/UYnwT76Fg5I/AAAAAAAADUI/RILlgRSY0wk/s400/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter stared out over the tops of the buildings, the stars sparkling in the sky. A jet engine echoed in the distance and The moon hung full and silver next to the blanket of starlight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There's gotta be somewhere out there that is better then what is here right now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's voice shook with the tears that raced over her face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You HAVE to stay here. You cannot do this to me. I need you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He glanced at her hand. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I need him to fucking die, that's what I need."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria bit her lip. "You can't let him do this to you. Think about it Carter, how would you have felt if I would have died the night I took all of those pills? How much would you have lost?? I NEED you." She repeated, closing the space between them and taking his hand in her own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria.." He paused, his green eyes glossy and bloodshot. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was silent for a few long, agonizing minutes. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhWIWXLIN_Q/UYnwRfNuM2I/AAAAAAAADTw/yiMc-ePLs8c/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhWIWXLIN_Q/UYnwRfNuM2I/AAAAAAAADTw/yiMc-ePLs8c/s640/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then, he amended:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I need you too."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He hesitated, his fingers ice cold in her grasp. His balance wavered again and Aria's pulse, once again, skyrocketed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Now, can you PLEASE, get the fuck down?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stepped off the ledge and Aria buried herself in his chest. "Please, dear God, Carter, I can't lose you." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His arms encircled her waist and she felt his hold tighten, could smell the whiskey emanating from his breath. She was terrified if she let go, this might be the last time she would ever be this close. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVhDjW2zYeo/UYnwUobZW0I/AAAAAAAADUQ/7Vr5XadRI8o/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVhDjW2zYeo/UYnwUobZW0I/AAAAAAAADUQ/7Vr5XadRI8o/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pressed His lips to her forehead and his voice sounded in her ear, smooth and deep. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm so sorry..." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She clung to him tighter, soaking the area where her face rested with tears of relief. She pushed up onto the tips of her toes and kissed the part of his face that was damaged, her heart aching in her chest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She thought maybe in the few seconds where his eyes were on hers, that he would try to kiss her again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But he didn't.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsWnfBbrcQI/UYnwNu7lQyI/AAAAAAAADTU/BIeB_kWsQWo/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsWnfBbrcQI/UYnwNu7lQyI/AAAAAAAADTU/BIeB_kWsQWo/s640/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She nestled her face in his chest again and her heartbeat slowly returned to normal. As the end of the rain started to fall from the sky with hushed splashes, Aria realized that if he would have tried, she would have kissed him back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria welcomed babies 77, 78 and 79: Angie, Resin and Draco Rapture a few weeks later :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Uhe5npta6k/UYnwFzE24oI/AAAAAAAADSM/sskQYa26A20/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Uhe5npta6k/UYnwFzE24oI/AAAAAAAADSM/sskQYa26A20/s400/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-54724664284380103152013-05-04T09:55:00.000-07:002013-05-04T09:55:50.169-07:0035- Eyes Open<br />
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Kensington, Echo, Dexter, Bella.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The quadsss are sooo cuteee ahh</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfsLG1Inf8U/UYTIgIIAnxI/AAAAAAAADQo/PO_3d2is0Ls/s1600/Screenshot-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfsLG1Inf8U/UYTIgIIAnxI/AAAAAAAADQo/PO_3d2is0Ls/s400/Screenshot-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Joshie, Amy and Blake <3</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TTnjIZysKQ/UYTIgiytTII/AAAAAAAADQw/-MAVXyosV2g/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TTnjIZysKQ/UYTIgiytTII/AAAAAAAADQw/-MAVXyosV2g/s400/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria locked the door to her car and leaned against it. Danielle's wedding had not been what she expected. She was still reeling from the entire thing and was desperate to get her mind off of everything for a night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When she had been invited to a party with Ariel, she agreed quickly.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scrolled through her texts, Ariel hadn't responded to where she was at yet. She scrolled past the influx of messages from Ariana, Mila, Willow, Danielle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She froze when Carter's name popped up. He hadn't responded to a single one of her texts since she didn't kiss him. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLh-Y7V8r4Q/UYTIioK9h3I/AAAAAAAADRA/ktw3RP-oEI8/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLh-Y7V8r4Q/UYTIioK9h3I/AAAAAAAADRA/ktw3RP-oEI8/s640/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She knew, deep down, that maybe she could have. She had kissed him before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was just that now, it would be different to her somehow. He wasn't just some random guy that she was going to use as a challenge dad; He was her best friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She opened a new message, and stared at it blankly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Biting her lip, with a sigh, she exited out of it. He hadn't replied to her anytime before, why would he do it now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel's red hair passed her car and she called out to her, a small smile on her face.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qMPLv8c6HI/UYTILSh9KmI/AAAAAAAADOg/eNjjk7AsekM/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qMPLv8c6HI/UYTILSh9KmI/AAAAAAAADOg/eNjjk7AsekM/s320/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ariiiaaaa, I'm late. I'm sorry."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shrugged, pulling her into a hug.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CykuzSIAXaU/UYTIJVeqQ6I/AAAAAAAADOY/NX_wVzKZE44/s1600/Screenshot-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CykuzSIAXaU/UYTIJVeqQ6I/AAAAAAAADOY/NX_wVzKZE44/s400/Screenshot-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's okay. I missed you! It's been a really long time it feels like. Are you ready to have some fun?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariel smirked and nodded, heading towards the front door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The atmosphere was like a drug and it pulled both of them right in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Ariel disappeared upstairs with her next challenge father, Aria grabbed a bottle of vodka and poured it straight into a red solo cup, heading down the hall, vaguely wondering if she knew anyone here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You must not remember me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria turned, vague recognition of the voice in her head, but not one hundred percent sure she knew it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The face she caught sight of, surprised her.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssj64E1FwCU/UYTIMbOxNPI/AAAAAAAADOo/wki5kZQPpw0/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssj64E1FwCU/UYTIMbOxNPI/AAAAAAAADOo/wki5kZQPpw0/s400/Screenshot-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The cup in her hand slipped out of her grasp, splattering the walls with the translucent liquid. She thanked herself quietly for a moment for not making a mixed drink, which would have just made a bigger mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stuttered, not really knowing what to say. This wasn't someone she had expected to EVER see again. Let alone in her own town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"J-Jason. Hi."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's mind slipped a little into the past as she thought about those few weeks. That summer wasn't one of the proudest of her life. Of course she remembered Jason, how could she not. She had spent every moment with him when Carter left. They hadn't all been good moments.. Or respectable ones.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not to mention, she left him in a heartbeat when she had an out to a new town. Twinbrook was literally a microscopic three months of her life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Three months which, within, she had spent every moment inebriated.. In some random place she shouldn't be at barely 19 years old. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had told herself over and over back then that Carter meant nothing to her and when he left that it didn't matter. Those three months she had spent in Twinbrook were really the only hint that it had, in fact, done so.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRm63GvgFMo/UYTIM2-xDUI/AAAAAAAADOw/CTOcb46vrd8/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRm63GvgFMo/UYTIM2-xDUI/AAAAAAAADOw/CTOcb46vrd8/s640/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You don't seem to have changed much," He said, his eyes on the cup rolling towards the opposite wall. Aria was suddenly a little self concious, biting the tip of her nail and sucking her alcohol tainted breath into her throat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He glanced back up at her, his eyes tracing her face. "Except your hair. The black looks good. Different, but good."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria bent down, picking the cup up off of the floor and placing it on a near by table, avoiding his gaze. She nervously touched the dyed locks that spilled around her face. It had been months since Bluejay had suggested she dye it. The pink never returned and neither did the blonde. She wondered if it ever would.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't you, like, hate me or something?" She mumbled, anxiousness settling somewhere in the middle of her chest.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6IfQt-1pcM/UYTIPZD16qI/AAAAAAAADO4/3yRdsRbRqNU/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6IfQt-1pcM/UYTIPZD16qI/AAAAAAAADO4/3yRdsRbRqNU/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow. "Hate you? Why would I hate you?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shrugged, finally looking up at him. "Because I left Twinbrook, and you, without a second thought. I basically dropped you like Carter dropped me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He chuckled. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm not a girl, and we weren't even together. Why would I be mad at you for that? Sometimes people leave. It's just what happens." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smiled a little.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"A goodbye would have been nice though." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She returned the smile, relieved. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry. I know that. I kind of just took what diginity I had left and ran away."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jason nodded. Then he gestured toward the entrance behind her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you want to maybe get out of here? I'm sure we could find somewhere quieter to catch up."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria bit her lip, thinking for a second. This couldn't turn out too badly. Jason was a good guy, he just liked to party. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvDGx6XXxHs/UYTIRLZ4rqI/AAAAAAAADPA/Q6cDgX9WmR4/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvDGx6XXxHs/UYTIRLZ4rqI/AAAAAAAADPA/Q6cDgX9WmR4/s640/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So did she though, right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, she assented. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There's a bar down the street,"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She watched him walk towards the door, sending a quick text to Ariel, explaining where she had gone. Hopefully she wouldn't be too upset.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He even tried to kiss me," Aria finished, ordering another shot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jason took the one that was in front of him, not even reacting to the burn that the Everclear no doubtedly had.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3Vs1OmUZ0U/UYTITNdtJ_I/AAAAAAAADPQ/q2nCg6-6iqU/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3Vs1OmUZ0U/UYTITNdtJ_I/AAAAAAAADPQ/q2nCg6-6iqU/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You keep talking about Carter. You still aren't over all of that?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked up from the remainder of her drink in surprise. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I... There's nothing to be over. He was nothing more then my friend.. Is."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She took the shot the bartender passed her and barely tasted it, rushing forward with her words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Even if there was, it would be next to impossible because he moved here."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So now he has followed you instead of running away, that's a change." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria felt defensive for a moment; Then she realized that he had a point. All he knew was how Aria was when she was in Twinbrook. Frankly, she had been the epitome of a mess. Jason saw her drink herself into blackouts and everything else that she should have been smart enough not to do. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't really think he left for a unfathomable reason. I just think that.. He should have at least told me he was leaving." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jason tilted his head. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's weird to see you admit something you tried so hard to hide. I also find it odd that you still feel the same way, I would have thought you would have let it go by now. Doesn't seem to be the case with you. Must be bigger then I thought."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think you're getting the wrong idea here."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GomztkyEj_U/UYTIU8m4pzI/AAAAAAAADPY/4Wiut9SrQhs/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GomztkyEj_U/UYTIU8m4pzI/AAAAAAAADPY/4Wiut9SrQhs/s400/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He chuckled. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm just telling you what I have observed just from being with you for a few hours. I honestly don't know why you don't just tell him that you have feelings for him."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria choked on her drink, sputtering into the palm of her hand. She finally cleared her airway and looked at him, bleary-eyed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't have feelings for him. I don't have anything for him. Except maybe annoyance. He's an overbearing, overprotective fool. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jason stared at her, a glint of amusement in his eyes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WYiWvFrIXE/UYTITN_U_XI/AAAAAAAADPM/KHF46OaD1qM/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WYiWvFrIXE/UYTITN_U_XI/AAAAAAAADPM/KHF46OaD1qM/s640/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You really don't have any idea how you sound to everyone else, do you?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grimaced. She rolled the glass back and forth between her palms, the liquid swishing back and forth and the condensation puckering the skin where it touched her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I guess everyone seems to think there is something else there, when there is clearly NOT."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His sigh was soft and the shot glass clinked as it hit the polished wood of the bar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're gonna see what everyone else sees someday. By then it might be too late."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That statement hit Aria with more force then she could ever have expected. The thought of it being too late with Carter was a funny sentiment to make. She never considered actually being with him. The only thing was, she had never considered him being with someone else. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Had she ever really seen him with a girl for longer then a month? Rebecca was the only one who came to mind, and even she was less then a few months. There was that three year span he was in college. She didn't know what could have happened then. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, he had never mentioned a single girlfriend when he spoke of that time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria fumbled to control her thoughts and search for a new topic. Anything to bring the heat away from the conversation's directional turn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You should come back to my place with me."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADqu97QFT_w/UYTIWI9T76I/AAAAAAAADPg/HcTWwDD5O0c/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADqu97QFT_w/UYTIWI9T76I/AAAAAAAADPg/HcTWwDD5O0c/s400/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She blurted, her head spinning off of its axis. She tried to pull her thoughts back in and collect them in any way possible. Distractions were the easiet way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"As in.." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His expression slowly pulled together in understanding and he stood, holding a hand out towards her. She took it and he placed a hand on the small of her back, leaning to whipser in her ear:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That feeling is never going to go away no matter how hard you fight it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another day on repeat, waking up in bed, alcohol from the night before still faintly on her tongue and a feeling of discontent in her stomach. The fact that she was sick of her challenge rang so completely true it was becoming undeniable. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She could finish. Would. She was close. 26 babies away from her ending. Her supposed happily ever after that seemed no where in sight. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bXxFFLIyk0/UYTIXKXnRxI/AAAAAAAADPo/nSn-bYfRocA/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bXxFFLIyk0/UYTIXKXnRxI/AAAAAAAADPo/nSn-bYfRocA/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rolled over, propping herself up on one elbow, staring out at the beautiful star dotted sky that covered Riverview. She knew the sun would be up in less then an hour and the triplets would be up, shouting their little brains off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As if on cue, a cry came from the nursery...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She rolled onto her stomach, exiting the bed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jason had gone home, back to Twinbrook. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The things he had said the night before seemed to be stuck in Aria's mind. He was such a level-headed person in general that those words coming from him seemed.. so genuine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria groaned, throwing on a tank top and going to the nursery to attend to the triplets. Like she hadn't already been questioning things, Jason had just made things worse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She would never in a million years be with Carter. So she should just cut those thoughts out of her mind immediately.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhlZwRGq8R4/UYTIY2pXAwI/AAAAAAAADP0/255Mt1VL2hc/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhlZwRGq8R4/UYTIY2pXAwI/AAAAAAAADP0/255Mt1VL2hc/s400/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Please pretend these cribs contain babies. >.< My game hates me lately and aged them before this scene was being photographed.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled Blake out of his crib and snuggled him, pressing a kiss to his cheek and attacking him with the claw.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In all of the chaos of her love life, or lack thereof, more like sex life, she had been neglecting the children coming into her life and then moving out on their own. They were all around for such a short amount of time that she didn't have much time to get to know them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not to mention, her challenge was something she was supposed to love and to her, it was something that she felt had made her lose so much.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She placed the toddler on the ground, where he crawled over to the toy box, falling inside with a soft plop. She smiled a little to herself. Every single child that had come into her arms had been so incredible. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">74.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seventy freaking four. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time was flying. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtYBxhZbtqo/UYTIZAaGQZI/AAAAAAAADP4/hFpCtWoCPN0/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtYBxhZbtqo/UYTIZAaGQZI/AAAAAAAADP4/hFpCtWoCPN0/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She loved all of the babies, but that nagging feeling was right there on the tip of her psyche.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was ready for it to be over.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pulled her hair on top of her head and secured it with a few bobby pins. She washed her face and looked in the mirror. She had just found out she was pregnant. Baby 75 would be here in no time, putting her one step closer to the end of all of this.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAXD-p082sU/UYTIZsEP6xI/AAAAAAAADQA/ux9FSrOXkIY/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAXD-p082sU/UYTIZsEP6xI/AAAAAAAADQA/ux9FSrOXkIY/s400/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed the keys to her car and stepped outside, locking the door behind her. Which was new. She never remembered to lock the stupid door. Until Carter had told her to. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was supposed to be at Mila's hotel, to go look at houses, and she was already late.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> A light rain had begun to fall, it was getting colder and colder lately. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was almost Carter's birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's that fucking name in my head again, twice in ten minutes. What is wrong with you? Aria thought bitterly, pulling the hood of her sweater off of her ears. She never kept it up long, and she loved the rain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As she descended the stairs of her porch, headlights pulled around the corner and she froze instantly. The vehicle approached her house and she squinted. But as it slowed down near her driveway and pulled to a stop at the curb, she knew who it was right away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're polluting the O-Zone layer and wasting gas, Carter. Just go home."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He exited the car, dropping to the ground, and raised an eyebrow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm already here. That would make my trip useless. It would also make the damage I have done to the precious eco system meaningless."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scowled at his joke. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1MDV5UpkzY/UYTIdPi6fgI/AAAAAAAADQI/i2HUMuXW4jo/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1MDV5UpkzY/UYTIdPi6fgI/AAAAAAAADQI/i2HUMuXW4jo/s640/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why are you here? You can't answer my attempts to contact you, but you can just show up out of nowhere?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He didn't answer, crossing her yard and stopping a few paces away, in the shelter of the outcropping of the porch. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What? You're just staring at me. I have somewhere to be Carter so if you're just go-"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You should have kissed me." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's expression went from annoyed to soft in an instant. She ran the few thoughts that had been echoing around in the back of her head through the front and brought the biggest one to voice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, what would it have changed? What would be different if I had let you kiss me?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes strayed to the grass, and he sighed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Things could be different Aria.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter looked up at her, aggravated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"They could and you know that."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria paused. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmudvgRILp0/UYTIdm7FhOI/AAAAAAAADQQ/OcwmvR3F8_c/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmudvgRILp0/UYTIdm7FhOI/AAAAAAAADQQ/OcwmvR3F8_c/s400/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's like you're saying that you're going to change things."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter lifted one shoulder in a half hearted shrug.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why not."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's face fell. That was far from what she had anticipated to come from his mouth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, where is all of this even coming from? Two months ago, I was nothing to you. This doesn't make any sense."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You've never been 'nothing' to me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria felt an indeterminable feeling in the pit of her stomach. More then anything else, she didn't want to hear this. Knowing that he cared wasn't going to help her. It would just make things so much harder in the end. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was too good for her. Too untainted and unblemished by this whirlwind she called her life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She could never in a million years pull him into her world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She refused to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, I have to go."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She cut off his response with a wave, pushing past him to her car. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DYLGcGC7CTU/UYTIef6i-bI/AAAAAAAADQg/GwfZOMUsueA/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DYLGcGC7CTU/UYTIef6i-bI/AAAAAAAADQg/GwfZOMUsueA/s640/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned the key and reversed out of her driveway, her eyes everywhere but on him. As soon as her car hit the street, they began spilling tears like they seemed to be doing pretty often lately.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She still couldn't deny, that in the middle of her chest, she knew she was making a mistake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>[Babies 75 and 76, Logan and Anna were born right after this, but MY GAME HATES ME and I didn't get to get a picture. Next time ;) ]</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l877T2HGaDU/UYTIh5BH-II/AAAAAAAADQ4/TK5M3JptLFg/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l877T2HGaDU/UYTIh5BH-II/AAAAAAAADQ4/TK5M3JptLFg/s400/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Joshie, Blake and Amy, children <3</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-44609092806736966452013-04-28T19:19:00.002-07:002013-04-28T19:19:16.811-07:0034- Bother<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Quads, children.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3r7aLZnbrg/UX3WtfFZHII/AAAAAAAADNU/JJlUf-4cfNU/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3r7aLZnbrg/UX3WtfFZHII/AAAAAAAADNU/JJlUf-4cfNU/s400/Screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria set the tray down on the coffee table and plopped into the chair next to her couch, her swollen stomach pressing against the fabric of her dress. She was due in a month; She was pregnant with her next set of donor babies. She had recently hit 71 babies with Dylan's quads and couldn't believe how close she was to completing her challenge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One thought stayed on the surface every now and then when she wasn't pushing it away. What happened when she was done? She had been fully expecting to marry Levi and get her happily ever after. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That <i>definitely</i> wasn't happening now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila groaned, rubbing her fingertips over the scar that was still puckered and new traced across her throat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnRQ7ZtAbFk/UX3Wg97GJoI/AAAAAAAADMM/15rpxQXrjEU/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnRQ7ZtAbFk/UX3Wg97GJoI/AAAAAAAADMM/15rpxQXrjEU/s400/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"This thing makes me feel so ugly."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria clicked her tongue and grimaced. "Mila, would you stop that. You're beautiful no matter what and you know it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed a shiny red apple from the tray and tossed it at her sister, who caught it, staring with contempt at the food in her grip. She hadn't been eating much since Rene attacked her. She wasn't sleeping either. Aria wondered vaguely why she hadn't moved. Luckily, Aria had shortly before the whole thing went down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed, rubbing her extended midsection with one hand, looking up at Mila. She thought about broaching the subject of moving. She knew Mila loved Starlight Shores, but she assumed that she might want to be closer to Aria and Carter. She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and decided now was a better time then any.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gchnM91n0oQ/UX3Wk0lJecI/AAAAAAAADMk/rQlFcbAZ7s4/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gchnM91n0oQ/UX3Wk0lJecI/AAAAAAAADMk/rQlFcbAZ7s4/s400/Screenshot-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mila, what would you say if I asked you to move to Riverview? I feel like you would be much safer closer to me and that one guy who likes to call himself a cop."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila snorted at her joke, finally taking a bite of the apple. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What is he gonna do, pull out his toy gun and shoot all the bad guys. Please." She responded, winking at her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She chewed slowly, thinking it over before finally nodding. "I think that's a perfect idea. The babies and I can come and look at houses next week sometime if that works for you. Can you hook me up with your realtor?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grinned broadly. Having Mila in her town would be amazing. Now if only she could convince Willow... Nah, that would never happen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Of course I can." She replied, shifting her weight a little in the chair she was sitting in. Her stomach felt tight, and a little crampy. She brushed it off though, knowing this couldn't be true labor. She wasn't due for another 3-4 weeks.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HywRx3nwkQM/UX3WhbxYnYI/AAAAAAAADMU/zzgkUlSAWXI/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HywRx3nwkQM/UX3WhbxYnYI/AAAAAAAADMU/zzgkUlSAWXI/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She winced as another cramp made its way through her stomach and Mila raised a curious brow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You okay Ar? You look like you're about to pop. Maybe we should have this conversation at the hospital." She joked, taking another bite of the apple.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shook her head. "I'm no where near due yet, it's probably just Braxton Hicks contractions."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila seemed slightly unconvinced, but she let it slide for the moment. She quietly finished eating and waited patiently as Aria did too. When Aria returned from the kitchen, carrying bottles of water for the two of them she blurted out a question she had been holding onto since before the attack.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why didn't you tell Carter?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stopped in her tracks, confusion and then realization dawning on her face. She set the bottles on the couch cushion next to Mila where they steadily dripped condensation into the printed fabric. She shrugged, tucking a piece of her raven colored hair behind her ear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The thing was, Corbin's threat still echoed in her mind. The fact that she had told Mila and Willow was bad enough. She knew telling Carter would probably be one of the stupidest things she could do. Although, when he found out.. That was not going to turn out very well either. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's why she planned on him NEVER finding out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sat back in the chair she had been perched in before and looked at the floor. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8z2CJu7dh5M/UX3WlWvkQ0I/AAAAAAAADMs/ZlJYq_v1GM8/s1600/Screenshot-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8z2CJu7dh5M/UX3WlWvkQ0I/AAAAAAAADMs/ZlJYq_v1GM8/s400/Screenshot-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I.. I don't want him to get hurt."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila scoffed, twisting the cap off of the bottle and taking a drink, setting the unopened bottle on the table so the ever growing water spot on the seat next to her would discontinue.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why would you even be afraid of that? We both know Carter can handle himself. He didn't become a police officer because of merit, Aria."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shook her head, panic clawing softly at her insides. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just drop it. Carter doesn't need to know about that. Ever."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila glared at her. "So, you can tell Levi what happened with Corbin, but not Carter, your best friend?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the fuck are you talking about?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ad_DVXNX7Cs/UX3Wm-mseCI/AAAAAAAADM0/je9tK2DR7yQ/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ad_DVXNX7Cs/UX3Wm-mseCI/AAAAAAAADM0/je9tK2DR7yQ/s400/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Both girls started, jumping slightly. Aria turned around, her eyes falling on Carters. She hadn't even heard him come in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What does Levi know that I don't? And what does it have to do with that vampiric asshole?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria and Carter stared at each other for a long tme. Neither one of them said a single word, just locked gazes. Mila cleared her throat, standing and walking towards the door. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think this is where I should make my exit. I love you Ar. I will see you next week."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stood to walk with her, when she felt a searing pain in her stomach and doubled over, her eyes squeezing shut. Well, damn. Looked like it was time to have this baby after all. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila rushed over to her, taking her hand. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter still just stood there, staring at her with distrust.. and something else.. worry maybe? in his eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mila, you should get her to the hospital. I have somewhere I need to be." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-209NqiYyJew/UX3Wp0XLsMI/AAAAAAAADNM/zn1T77mC0A0/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-209NqiYyJew/UX3Wp0XLsMI/AAAAAAAADNM/zn1T77mC0A0/s640/Screenshot-50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's chest filled with anxiety which escalated with the labor pains and she moaned in discontent, clutching her sisters hand in a way that was probably way too tight. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where is he going, Mila?!" She demanded, her voice echoing through the room. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila shook her head, her shoulder rising slightly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't know Aria. What i do know, is you're having this baby and we're going to the hospital. Now."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the hell are you doing here?" Levi snarled, itching to slam the door he had opened in Carter's face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter scoffed, his arms crossed over his chest. "Calm down, I am just here to talk."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, that wasn't entirely true, but it was true enough. He was lucky that Carter hadn't shown up the night before, with all of things running through his mind.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UOJh6pKN7VU/UX3WdRy79QI/AAAAAAAADL0/z-uMujqHnMU/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UOJh6pKN7VU/UX3WdRy79QI/AAAAAAAADL0/z-uMujqHnMU/s400/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi looked behind him, shutting the door and stepping outside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He cracked his knuckles and leaned his weight into one leg, raising an eyebrow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So what do you want?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He wasted no time, uttering the question without a second thought.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What happened between Corbin and Aria?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter didn't know what he had been expecting, but it definitely wasn't the smile that etched itself onto Levi's face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You mean she didn't tell you?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter instantly felt dread in his chest, but kept his face blank.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Tell me what?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi barked out a harsh laugh, running a hand through his hair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Well, she came to me with a sob story about how he did to her what happened between Sparrow and I."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PWT_GlZZs4/UX3WtpRSsAI/AAAAAAAADNg/aCJwnpOHkis/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PWT_GlZZs4/UX3WtpRSsAI/AAAAAAAADNg/aCJwnpOHkis/s640/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter froze and his heart stuttered. Anger crawled its way up his chest and into his veins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you saying that this guy raped her?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi shrugged, a smirk still in place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That's what she<i> says</i>. I say she probably asked for it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As soon as those words left his mouth, Carter snapped.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The sharp sound of fist connecting with bone was cacophonous. Carter shoved him roughly against the door, his voice shaking with anger as he spoke. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Levi. You need to listen to me, and listen close."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fury in his voice was murderous.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If you ever come back to Riverview, I will kill you. I will put a bullet between your eyes and no one will ever know that it was me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you even /try/ to contact Aria again, I will make sure that you are gone. Do you fucking understand?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You're lucky that I don't give you what you deserve after what you have done to BOTH of those girls."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_Ttj4Sq3JU/UX3WebzUm3I/AAAAAAAADL8/8cVnx7ymV8c/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_Ttj4Sq3JU/UX3WebzUm3I/AAAAAAAADL8/8cVnx7ymV8c/s400/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each word came out in a growl and it took everything Carter had not to punch him in the face until he stopped breathing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The smirk Levi usually wore was wiped from his face and blood pooled at the side of his mouth. The fact that he wanted to retaliate was written all over his body language, but he, once again, did nothing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Only a fucking coward would say the shit that you have Levi. She deserved so much better then you." He roughly released the grip he had on his shirt and balled his fists at his sides.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I mean /every/ word I said. Don't you ever fucking come back into her life. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned, making his way to his Hummer without looking back. The last thing he needed was to be around this fucking asshole. He got inside and threw the gear into reverse, speeding away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MnbD-BsYmw/UX3Wgd-ChZI/AAAAAAAADME/GGA_oEvxAjY/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MnbD-BsYmw/UX3Wgd-ChZI/AAAAAAAADME/GGA_oEvxAjY/s320/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria brought the babies home from the hospital, 3 Babies, named Joshie, Amy and Blake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She tucked them into their cribs, taking the steps downstairs two at a time. She rounded the bottom stair, her hand on the banister, when she slammed into a solid figure, screaming in fear, shielding her face with her arms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, it's me." Carter said quietly, gently pulling her arms out of her face. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria relaxed a little, her pulse threatening to shatter her heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His face was so mixed up that she had no idea what was going on. The conversation they had had with Mila moments before she went into labor had completely slipped her mind in the chaos of the brand new babies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YF3YWOvlRA/UX3WYfCXpKI/AAAAAAAADLQ/WXaYcmpVBY4/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YF3YWOvlRA/UX3WYfCXpKI/AAAAAAAADLQ/WXaYcmpVBY4/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her worry instantly pulsed through her body in waves and she closed off, her eyes going blank. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You really need to lock your door, Aria." Carter said softly, staring at her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He had her arms in his hands still and he looked so incredibly sad that Aria knew right away that something wasn't right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at the floor, her heartbeat maintaining its anxious speed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You know, don't you?" Her voice broke and his grip tightened slightly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why wouldn't you tell me?" Carter's response was shaky and the question twisted Aria's stomach in knots. She swallowed, her throat constricting around the responses she didn't quite want to get out.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3S05h_eyMDU/UX3WYWiswTI/AAAAAAAADLM/A_Udqe0SdZU/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3S05h_eyMDU/UX3WYWiswTI/AAAAAAAADLM/A_Udqe0SdZU/s320/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I just.. didn't want to hurt you." The answer fell on the air with a stagnant pause to follow. His face was etched with so many thoughts she couldn't quite put her finger on just one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You know I'm going to have to kill him right?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This wasn't really a question. It was a rhetorical statement and he meant it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria fumbled for words, suddenly filled with panic. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, Carter. You can't confront him. He will kill <i>you</i>." Her voice quivered with the fear she could feel seeping into her stomach. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled her against his chest, lifting her chin so she would look in his eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You should have told me." His words echoed hurt, and she could see guilt in his eyes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I should have been there to protect you. All of those things I said.. Aria, I'm so sorry." He brushed his thumb over her lips and shivers cascaded down her spine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When he leaned towards her, his lips inches from hers, she could almost feel them touch, remember the way his hands held onto her like they would never let her go. The way he used to look at her like she held his heart in her hands. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She inhaled sharply, her eyes burning.. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAPidfmcN50/UX3WY2LKUKI/AAAAAAAADLc/YCogORKc2Bs/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAPidfmcN50/UX3WY2LKUKI/AAAAAAAADLc/YCogORKc2Bs/s640/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And turned her face away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria?" He pulled away, confusion in his tone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She shook her head, tears still threatening to fall. "You can't do that to me. You can't keep touching me and holding me.. And what the fuck was that?" She removed his hand from her waist and stepped away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You tried to kiss me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked stunned at her reaction. He stood motionless for a moment and then shook his head as if the thoughts would just disappear if he did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He didn't say a word, just shook his head and turned away, as if to leave.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So that's it?" She managed, still holding back her tears.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He faced her, his expression questioning. "What's it?" He asked, his voice almost a whisper.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stood there, her heart slowly sinking. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLaWt3qw4g8/UX3Waj6BKJI/AAAAAAAADLk/3QHYd25BxHc/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLaWt3qw4g8/UX3Waj6BKJI/AAAAAAAADLk/3QHYd25BxHc/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm just your friend remember? Friends don't kiss."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The quiet was all encompassing and it pressed in on them, the only sound the soft tinkling of lullabies from the mobile in the nursery.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're right." Carter finally said, nodding curtly. "Don't worry about it. Won't happen again."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His voice was staccato, sharply cutting into her. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeQ12ogH3Qk/UX3WcEl4koI/AAAAAAAADLs/yxnqFC1kOac/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeQ12ogH3Qk/UX3WcEl4koI/AAAAAAAADLs/yxnqFC1kOac/s400/Screenshot-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She watched him leave, finally letting herself cry when the door settled shut behind him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wasn't even sure what she was expecting him to say. Or even what she wanted.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All she knew, was nothing was certain anymore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had absolutely no clue what was going to happen next.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-1202612186504780012013-04-25T12:23:00.001-07:002016-01-20T17:36:10.053-08:0033- Only If For A Night<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHX5EjzLVLo/UXioQ7u023I/AAAAAAAADKI/-CpR7HVe7X0/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHX5EjzLVLo/UXioQ7u023I/AAAAAAAADKI/-CpR7HVe7X0/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lilia and Raven</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2d3y-eSULZU/UXioQ2fz04I/AAAAAAAADKE/4YdjFLTmP-A/s1600/Screenshot-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2d3y-eSULZU/UXioQ2fz04I/AAAAAAAADKE/4YdjFLTmP-A/s400/Screenshot-59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Albatross and Avocet</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWo5vBfReoo/UXioUeKxwpI/AAAAAAAADKg/NxGOv3Ltvzo/s1600/Screenshot-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWo5vBfReoo/UXioUeKxwpI/AAAAAAAADKg/NxGOv3Ltvzo/s400/Screenshot-60.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Harlequin, Starling and Verreaux.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I don't understand why you're insisting that we go to your place when we always hang out at mine." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria was slightly suspicious of Carter's intentions, but she trusted him. He pulled up in front of his new house and she jumped down out of the side of the Hummer before he could try and help her out like he always did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He scowled at her and she grinned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm not going to die jumping a foot to the ground, Carter. If you don't want me to risk it, buy a different car. This thing is bad for the environment anyway." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria had given him the same spiel since she found out he had the Hummer. She hadn't convinced him thus far, but she still had faith that someday she might. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwxb9NAXxLE/UXioTuoH23I/AAAAAAAADKU/v-VAcxoaM_o/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwxb9NAXxLE/UXioTuoH23I/AAAAAAAADKU/v-VAcxoaM_o/s400/Screenshot-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I like my car, Aria." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He mumbled, watching her walk up to the door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria turned the handle and threw it open, walking inside and stopping in her tracks. Mila and Willow were seated in Carter's living room. Aria's face instantly went blank and she turned to exit and bumped straight into Carter's chest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Let me out, Carter." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She snapped, balling her fists at her sides.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He shook his head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No. You need to listen. Finally."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6aPqEHCuZQ/UXioT8-MFqI/AAAAAAAADKY/uU-MMH83YYA/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6aPqEHCuZQ/UXioT8-MFqI/AAAAAAAADKY/uU-MMH83YYA/s400/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria glared at him, speechless. She turned to face the other two and the looks on their faces made her want to scream. They looked like they felt <i>sorry </i>for her. They stood, their expressions sliding into uneasiness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What exactly do you expect me to say to the three of you? You're basically backing me into a corner. I can't exactly say that I won't let this go with the three of you in my fucking face now can I?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria sneered, fixating her gaze on the ground. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I can't believe you would push me into this, Carter."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> She mumbled, speaking to the floor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His entire demeanor changed at her words. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"This happens to be the only way your stubborn ass would fucking listen." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He glanced up at Mila, whose arms were tightly wrapped around her chest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria, what happened to her was rape. You might not know what it's fucking like to go through something like this, but you're basically telling Mila that you don't care that she did."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All three girls' eyes snapped towards him, an uncomfortable silence filling the room like quicksand. Aria could feel Willow and Mila's stares finding and burning into her. She had never told him. They didn't know that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jxWMogXVPms/UXin6Q0iJGI/AAAAAAAADH0/-yZqyz7H-Vs/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jxWMogXVPms/UXin6Q0iJGI/AAAAAAAADH0/-yZqyz7H-Vs/s640/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria quickly spoke before the puzzle pieces could click into place in Carter's head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What do you mean it was rape?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her voice faltered and she could feel her throat constrict. She was beginning to feel the walls she had built up around her to keep Mila out, cave in. She looked into the eyes of her sister and could see every ounce of hurt and betrayal laced through her irises.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria.. You never let me explain. You wouldn't know, cause you didn't <i>listen</i>." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila's expression softened and she bit her lip.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's heart tumbled and she looked away, nausea pulling at her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria, you're my sister. You're my best friend. You out of everyone should believe me." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She glanced at Carter and then stepped forward, placing her hands on Aria's upper arms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0G-hOAWgow/UXin6XcDWrI/AAAAAAAADH4/D-R15ESz9zE/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0G-hOAWgow/UXin6XcDWrI/AAAAAAAADH4/D-R15ESz9zE/s400/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I would never lie to you, Aria. Levi hurt me. He betrayed me. And you. I didn't know it was him in the room with me. I thought it was Thomas. Please, Aria. You have to believe me."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow came over to the two of them, putting a hand on Aria's shoulder. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"We will always love you, Ar. Someday you are going to have to trust that we are the only ones who are going to be honest with you. Mila isn't lying to you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She looked over at Carter, who stood in the hallway, his eyes masked with a far away look. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Carter saw everything. He was with Mila after this happened. He might not be the one to tell you this, but I will. You're being stupid, and you're being stubborn. Mila would never lie about something like this. I have been friends with the three of you for years. She isn't a liar."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVwfG07fLIw/UXin83RIa9I/AAAAAAAADIA/ixJNNs0COcQ/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVwfG07fLIw/UXin83RIa9I/AAAAAAAADIA/ixJNNs0COcQ/s640/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow's words rang true and Aria knew it. She could hear birds singing in the trees outside and the soft wooshing of cars passing. Her apology seemed stuck in her esophagus and she tried to say something, but instead, she started crying. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria looked up into the eyes of her step sister, and for the first time in weeks, she saw the light and life inside of them. She could feel the accusations in her chest slipping away. Mila was telling the truth and she should have known that. If anyone would want to hurt her, it would be Levi.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She put her head in her hands and sank to the floor, crying like a child. Crying like the mess of a human being that she was, that she felt she would always be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm sorry." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She finally managed to push the muffled words out between tears. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila knelt next to her and pulled her into her chest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I know you are. I love you, Aria. I just wanted you to know I would never hurt you like that.. Never in a million fucking years would I do something so heartless to someone I care about."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow sat next to them and put a hand on Aria's knee. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"If you would have answered our calls, you would know this. You should know what it's like to hurt like this-" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila cut her off with an alarmed look, but Carter was no where to be seen when Willow turned her head in the direction of where he had been.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She widened her eyes apologetically. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bVZh2X6jhk/UXin9zZu2UI/AAAAAAAADIQ/0JhBqYuzPEc/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bVZh2X6jhk/UXin9zZu2UI/AAAAAAAADIQ/0JhBqYuzPEc/s400/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria cried silent tears into the fabric of Mila's shirt and her shoulders shook.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm such an idiot.. How can I ever make up for this?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her words were slurred and shaky, but Mila understood. She pressed a kiss to the top of her head and hugged her closer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria, it's okay. I forgive you. I will always be here for you no matter how stubborn you are."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria was about to say something when she was cut off by a slamming door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sound of an engine roaring to life and tires screeching reached the girls' ears and they all three exchanged puzzled glances. What the hell was that all about?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria pushed through the door, Dylan losing his balance and placing a hand against the wall to regain it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I heard your brother is back in town." Aria said, looking around the room. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dylan shut the door, turning back to face her. His arms crossed in front of his chest and he raised an eyebrow. "Maybe he is. Why would you care?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I heard from Danielle that the two of you were here.. Staying together. Why? Why would you even bother coming back?" She put her hand on her hip, putting her weight on one foot.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1UtUcg-wrM/UXin_N4_dGI/AAAAAAAADIY/RZoKjyOL2tk/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1UtUcg-wrM/UXin_N4_dGI/AAAAAAAADIY/RZoKjyOL2tk/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I came back for my own reasons.. And I'm not sure why Levi is here. He wanted to come with me.. Again, why does it matter? And why are you here?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria didn't answer, crossing the foyer and entering his living room. She sat on the couch and turned her head to look at him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He sighed and crossed the room, sitting by her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She immediately scooted as close as she could, her hand on his knee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dylan stared at her. "Is that really why you're here? To piss him off?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria pressed closer, her lips next to his. "I didn't say that." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It took him a second, she had gotten really good at clouding his mind. "Aria, you don't have to.." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She kissed him. And he returned it. He never was good at telling her no. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You know what's going to happen if we do this right?" She continued kissing him, climbing on his lap. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGeTtiHr5K0/UXioAEvG6tI/AAAAAAAADIg/8eolrZO7N_s/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGeTtiHr5K0/UXioAEvG6tI/AAAAAAAADIg/8eolrZO7N_s/s400/Screenshot-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"He is never going to forgive you." Dylan mumbled. Aria smiled, her head spinning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "I really don't care anymore."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A knock from the door pulled Aria out the reverie she was in. Her decision to go and see Dylan was purely based on the fact that when she found out Levi was back in Riverview. In her eyes, he didn't belong here. She believed he should never have returned.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After everything he had done, he needed to stay the hell away from her town.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She stood and approached the door, an odd feeling settling in her chest when she noticed bright, glowing skin and coppery hair on the other side. She slid the door open in confusion, raising an eyebrow at her vampiric best friend.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQjD5SfnYLo/UXioA5O9J5I/AAAAAAAADIo/WABAEyWCf9o/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQjD5SfnYLo/UXioA5O9J5I/AAAAAAAADIo/WABAEyWCf9o/s640/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Hey, Willow. Why are you he-" She cut off a the look on Willow's face. She looked worried, with a mix of what looked like anger. She clutched a stack of papers to her chest and bit her lip, glancing over her shoulder. Aria stepped aside so Willow could enter, still slightly perturbed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"There's something you need to see, Aria." She held the small gathering of papers in front of her, a few blowing in the tiny breeze that came in from the now shutting door. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria nodded, pointing at the living room.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She followed Willow as she scanned the new room, Aria had recently moved to a bigger house, planning on finishing out her challenge in this new place. Willow sat on her new sofa, setting the documents on her coffee table. She picked up the first section, neatly stapled at the top, and handed it to Aria.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She looked down in confusion, scanning the first few sentences, when her stomach dropped and she went back to the beginning, to read more slowly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She finished the first paragraph and looked up at Willow in bewilderment.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkbIcmVCKys/UXioDEA7xKI/AAAAAAAADI4/x7FOmbPnjXg/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkbIcmVCKys/UXioDEA7xKI/AAAAAAAADI4/x7FOmbPnjXg/s400/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"This.. can't be true."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow nodded. "Every word of it. It's all over the internet. I don't know why none of you thought of googling her before. Man, Carter really is a terrible cop."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria scowled, only she was allowed to say that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"That's not even everything Aria. I'm not one hundred percent you're going to WANT to hear this, but you NEED to."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow sighed and Aria sat the papers back on the stack, looking up at her as Willow launched into the story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Well, first of all, Rene Shadows isn't even her real name. I don't know why Carter didn't think of looking for a Rene with your mothers maiden name, which is exactly what I did. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, Rene Horton came up with a LOT of data. And I mean a lot. Aria, she was in and out of mental institutions her entire childhood for various things. She was on the news!"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JD5qFmFxDI/UXioHfbcjRI/AAAAAAAADJU/H5o5dDt7Ayk/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JD5qFmFxDI/UXioHfbcjRI/AAAAAAAADJU/H5o5dDt7Ayk/s320/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(the lighting on this picture was WAY messed up, I apologize for the over-editing to try and make it brighter >.<)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow calmed her voice, which had started to get a tinge of anger to it, and Aria leaned forward, hanging on her speech. Mental institutes?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"She wasn't even raised in Appaloosa Plains, she lived in Twinbrook with her real father. She had two siblings, not yours because they were her fathers, that were younger then her by quite a few years. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, when she was seven, her younger brother drowned. He was only two."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow looked at Aria, biting her lip.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Rene claimed it was an accident, but the police suspected that she had done it. When the investigators showed up after the 911 call, Rene was covered in water and completely drained of emotion. She told them he had just fallen in the pool and she wasn't able to save him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, Aria.. She didn't shed one tear. Not one."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened. "Why would they write that in a news report?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow grinned.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"They didn't. I hacked into the police reports and her therapists records. It was incedibly easy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You wouldn't believe the things this woman has said..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But Aria.. That's not the worst thing.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria remained blank, just looking at her, taking all of this in. How could it get much worse then murder? She nodded, indicating Willow to continue.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ChUfmpyTdc/UXioEAGmaiI/AAAAAAAADJA/PydUsBfACQ4/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ChUfmpyTdc/UXioEAGmaiI/AAAAAAAADJA/PydUsBfACQ4/s400/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"When she left Twinbrook to come here, she saw her therapist one last time."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow looked at the stack of papers and sighed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"All she told her, was that she wanted to get rid of something that was bothering her. Take care of a 'few things' that were standing in the way of her getting her sister to herself. Which means you, Aria.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And in the therapists notes, she seemed to think that she wanted to PERMANENTLY get rid of whatever it was."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Willow's word were coming out faster then ever and she started to twist them slightly in her anxiety.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria.. I can't help but think she means Mila."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFYoSsnjTzw/UXioCTm5GKI/AAAAAAAADIw/Bq9ESACrnh4/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFYoSsnjTzw/UXioCTm5GKI/AAAAAAAADIw/Bq9ESACrnh4/s400/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It took Aria a second, she thought about Rene's behaviors, her speaking, the way she looked at Mila and spoke about her. She didn't know why she had never picked up on it before, but suddenly it all made perfect sense. Rene wanted Mila out of the way and felt like she didn't deserve to be Aria's sister because she wasnt <i>blood</i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's stomach lurched. What the fuck?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She sighed, reaching into her pocket to call Mila, who had been in town for a week or so for a challenge father meet up. Oh, and that tiny little intervention thing that had just happened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She dialed Mila's number and no one answered.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She called twice more and the same thing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rkqUqMkD60/UXioHbmLJaI/AAAAAAAADJM/ELAVXvO-6WU/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rkqUqMkD60/UXioHbmLJaI/AAAAAAAADJM/ELAVXvO-6WU/s400/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then she remembered, her face blanching.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila was supposed to be meeting up with Rene today. On the terms of getting to know each other. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In a panic, Aria grabbed her keys and dialed Carter's number. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She needed to get to Rene's. And fast. If all of this was true, who knew what she was capable of.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter parked the cruiser next to the curb in front of the house Rene was staying in and looked at Aria. The rain thundered overhead and it was almost hard to see through the downpour. She was anxiously drumming her fingers on her knee the entire drive and now that they had arrived, she instantly put her hand on the door handle and threw it open, getting out as quickly as she could.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter hissed and exited the car, making it to her side before she made it three feet. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqkjyEgHJSY/UXioHmRWRGI/AAAAAAAADJY/O1ed-433Wtg/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqkjyEgHJSY/UXioHmRWRGI/AAAAAAAADJY/O1ed-433Wtg/s640/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria, you can NOT go rushing in there. I feel like I should have just done this by myself."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He angrily whispered, his fingers wrapped around the top of her arm. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She glared at him, pulling her arm out of his grip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Fine." She snapped back, giving a sarcastic curtsy. "After you, Mr. Officer."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He rolled his eyes, turning and heading towards the front door. As they neared it, they noticed it was already slightly ajar. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few steps away, Aria's pulse leapt into her throat. There were tiny dark red drops scattered along the wood of the front porch. She could feel the panic increasing in velocity with each and every inch of ground they covered. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter reached the door first, pushing it open with his hand on his gun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He paused for a second, scanning the room. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Fuck." He mumbled, rushing forward. Aria could tell by the tone of his voice that it was bad. Really bad. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria!" He shouted from the depths of the room. "Call 911. Now!" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVM8i0Zdm6w/UXioNR_1UOI/AAAAAAAADJo/QRbw3rDx6ZI/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVM8i0Zdm6w/UXioNR_1UOI/AAAAAAAADJo/QRbw3rDx6ZI/s320/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria crossed the thresh hold, freezing in place. Blood covered the ground in a intricate little pattern it seemed. The coppery smell turned her stomach. In the middle of the mess, Mila lay in a puddle, a line cut neatly across her throat. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ve-QqrkD4lc/UXioM6Lf3HI/AAAAAAAADJg/UzvefGy7MvE/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ve-QqrkD4lc/UXioM6Lf3HI/AAAAAAAADJg/UzvefGy7MvE/s640/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria couldn't move. She couldn't feel. Time seemed to be immobile as Carter tried to revive her sister. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria, what the FUCK are you doing!? Call 911! NOW!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria dropped to her knees, crawling towards her sister. She sat two feet away and pulled her knees to her chest, unable to breathe properly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Is she.. dead?" She whispered, almost inaudible.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71BWgNFH4mQ/UXioOSDcqEI/AAAAAAAADJw/i-itj5I7EEw/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71BWgNFH4mQ/UXioOSDcqEI/AAAAAAAADJw/i-itj5I7EEw/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"She's going to fucking be if you don't get an ambulance here, NOW, Aria."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria reached a trembling hand into her pocket and extracted her phone, dialing the numbers as the tears finally began to fall. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She had never been more scared in her life. Rene seemed so... Sweet. So innocent and honest.. How could someone she was related to do something like this? What had Mila done? Was Rene really so crazy that she felt the need to KILL Mila? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why? This question echoed over all of the others. It made absolutely no sense whatsoever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> What was this going to accomplish? Did she honestly have something to gain from this?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What was Aria supposed to do?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What if Mila died?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sirens blew in from outside as the ambulance arrived and Aria was pushed away by the EMT's as they surrounded Mila, blocking her from view. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXTg-J-2fSA/UXioQqm784I/AAAAAAAADJ4/DTaq9S2a0SU/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXTg-J-2fSA/UXioQqm784I/AAAAAAAADJ4/DTaq9S2a0SU/s400/Screenshot-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter looked up at her, his face etched with concern and fear. Mila's blood was all over him and he looked so incredibly worried that it pulled Aria's already nauseated stomach into more knots. The last thing she saw was his face as everything went black.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Babies 68, 69, 70, and 71</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Echo, Dexter, Bella and Kensington</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tismfmMI99E/UXin9S072hI/AAAAAAAADIM/b3SwTIvGJis/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tismfmMI99E/UXin9S072hI/AAAAAAAADIM/b3SwTIvGJis/s640/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lilia and Raven</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWt4j1MbaLU/UXioV5d9uCI/AAAAAAAADKw/lgUUoXyu_fE/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWt4j1MbaLU/UXioV5d9uCI/AAAAAAAADKw/lgUUoXyu_fE/s400/Screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Avocet and Albatross </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBEJM3-Ao6M/UXioVjwUu2I/AAAAAAAADKo/PTC8OqONMUc/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBEJM3-Ao6M/UXioVjwUu2I/AAAAAAAADKo/PTC8OqONMUc/s400/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Verreaux, Harlequin, Starling</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpZsgIO63ko/UXin50Dg8cI/AAAAAAAADHo/ULwXIIPfWeU/s1600/Screenshot-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpZsgIO63ko/UXin50Dg8cI/AAAAAAAADHo/ULwXIIPfWeU/s400/Screenshot-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">This is only part one of the story. To see what happened to Mila and what happens next, click this pretty little link right <a href="http://autumn100babychallenge.blogspot.com/2013/04/chapter-11-eyes-wide-shut.html">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">It's written by Mila's creator ^_^</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><3 <3</span></div>
</div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-29539379916138578512013-04-15T00:37:00.002-07:002016-01-20T17:31:01.788-08:0032- Maybe I'm Just Tired<br />
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Avocet and Albatross, children</div>
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Verreaux, Harlequin and Starling Rapture</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria you have to open this door eventually. I know that you're in there. Your fucking car is in the driveway." Carter sighed, knocking again. Aria wiped the tears from her cheeks and continued to stare at the wall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Just open the door, Aria. I'm not here to be the bad guy. I want to talk to you about why you ran off... I won't even bring up what happened at the party." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria looked up at the door, sniffling. She bit her lip and listened as he knocked again, a little harder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter's sigh was exasperated and he shifted his weight, pressing his forehead to the door. "I just want to talk to you. Will you <i>please </i>answer the door?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria weighed her options. She had a feeling that if she didn't answer the door, he was never going to go away. She at least owed him an explanation as to why she hadn't been answering his calls. Not that he would give her one if the situation was reversed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5K7-JnsqleE/UWurU7B5EEI/AAAAAAAADF8/Wc9yERVm3I8/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5K7-JnsqleE/UWurU7B5EEI/AAAAAAAADF8/Wc9yERVm3I8/s640/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> She put a hand on the floor, boosting herself upwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Twisting her fingers into her hair and pulling slightly, she walked to the door, sliding the dead bolt out of place and pulling it towards her. Carter looked surprised that Aria had even conceded. His eyes traced her face, and his expression instantly became one of concern. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You're crying?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was more of a statement than a question. Her eyes hurt and her mouth was dry, and Carter's comment annoyed her to the point that she wanted to shut the door in his face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She stepped backwards and he entered, his eyes still on her face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria why did you leave like you did a few weeks ago? You just sped away. I know Mila was there, and I assumed it was because of that, it's just..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He trailed off, and she crossed her arms over her chest. He looked like he wanted to say something different than what followed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You won't return my calls.. My texts. This isn't normal for you. We haven't been this disconnected in months. What did I do?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria looked up in surprise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You can't seriously be asking me that." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter started at her tone, his eyebrows knitting together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I don't get it. You seem so fucking mad at me. I didn't even know that I had done anything. Aria, please, just tell me what the hell is going on. What happened?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's eyes met with the floor. "I saw you and Mila kissing." She mumbled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter stared at her. Speechless. He made a string of various noises that were intended to be words, but didn't quite form them. He took a step towards her and she took an equal one backwards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I was NOT kissing Mila."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria shook her head. "I know what I saw."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter's voice rose slightly in aggravation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No. You saw what you wanted to see. I would never kiss her Aria. I see her like a sister." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He repeated his step forward, and this time, Aria remained motionless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"For God's sake, Aria. She is the one that used to take blackmail pictures of me and threaten to show everyone. I sometimes wonder if she still has them." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His grin drew a sparkle into his eyes and Aria couldn't help but smile a little. They had been so close growing up. The three of them, and Willow, had been inseparable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria drew her bottom lip into her mouth and exhaled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You promise Carter? Please, don't lie to me. I deserve to know the truth." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He nodded, reaching out and pulling her into a hug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "I promise. Mila will never be anything more to me than a friend. She is like my sister almost as much as she is yours."</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nefnqjCMPNc/UWurX4E25uI/AAAAAAAADGM/gF6G2_i60W4/s1600/Screenshot-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nefnqjCMPNc/UWurX4E25uI/AAAAAAAADGM/gF6G2_i60W4/s400/Screenshot-40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria pressed her cheek into Carter's chest and she could hear his heart beating softly beneath the layers of cotton. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She could remember how many times they had all played house when they were younger. Carter always insisted on being the dad and Aria being the mom. Willow and Mila would pretend to be their kids. It was all so silly now, but back then it was always important that she be the wife. The other two were absolutely not allowed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His dad would always come crashing into the house, interrupting everything with drunken blubbering and the three girls would have to go home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And Carter... Carter would always show up at school the next day with a new bruise too. Sometimes more than one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You might as well stay still, Carter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria sang, grabbing another dress off the rack and taking Willow's hand and pulling her towards the dressing room. Carter stood against the wall, grumpily holding most of the girls' shopping bags. Mila shrugged apologetically, holding up the one bag she carried. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"At least this isn't my fault."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter huffed, setting the bags on the floor and crossing his arms, making Mila laugh. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DEG1aJv0XjM/UWurDjeRXYI/AAAAAAAADFM/YtUvsmKJNFs/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DEG1aJv0XjM/UWurDjeRXYI/AAAAAAAADFM/YtUvsmKJNFs/s400/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I don't even know why I am friends with the three of you. I should find some manly friends." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila smirked, looking off toward where Aria and Willow had went. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Yeah but if you did that, you couldn't be around Aria all the time." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter's expression changed to one of annoyance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Why do you keep saying that?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mila raised an eyebrow knowingly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I see the way you look at her, even if she doesn't." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter rolled his eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You're so full of shit, Mila. We're just friends."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria reappeared, laughing. She looked at the two of them, her eyes still lit up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What? Who's just your friend?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter looked at Mila quickly and back at Aria. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No one."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's forehead wrinkled in confusion, but she brushed it off, turning to Willow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"So where next? I think we should look at shoes!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Her excitement was contagious and Mila perked up at the mention of shoes. That was something she actually enjoyed shopping for. No frilly, girly dresses in there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter sighed, forcing a smile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Alright, let's go."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He made to follow them out the door of the store, when his phone went off. He slipped it out of his pocket, glancing at the screen with a sigh, putting it up to his ear. The voice on the other end carried over to where the girls were standing a few feet away it was so loud. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The apologetic look on Carter's face sent nauseating quivers through Aria's stomach. The fact that he felt like he had to be sorry for his dad being a fucking loser made her heart ache.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She watched him listen, his face going through various stages of irritation and sorrow until finally he mumbled something, hitting the end button and setting the phone on the counter beside him. He looked back over at the three of them and nodded at the exit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria wanted to say something, anything. The look on his face, however, told her that now wasn't the time. She walked over to him, taking his hand in hers and kissed his cheek, smiling weakly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Let's go do something else. Do you want to go for a walk or something? We don't have to keep shopping. You can come to my house."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter shook his head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No, It's fine. We can do whatever you want." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He glanced at his cell phone before pushing it off of the counter into the trash can beside it. Aria didn't say a word, just stared back at the receptacle as he tugged her forward by the hand she forgot she was holding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria blinked the memory away. She had a tendency to purposefully forget those kinds of memories. Especially ones involving Curtis Simon.. And ones that included Carter acting like he cared about her. When he left without saying goodbye, it had killed her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Completely vanquished every feeling she had had for him. Made her numb towards their friendship in a way. She pushed all of those memories to the side and pretended none of it ever happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What's going on Aria? Why do you look so sad? Your expression completely changed in a matter of seconds.." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter's eyes were full of confusion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria unwound herself from the hug that they had been in and locked her fingers tightly together at her waist. She dropped her eyes to the floor and wondered what she should say.. If she should even bring any of that stuff up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I was.. " </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She looked back at his face, which still held that puzzled look. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Thinking about your dad." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She finished, once again averting her gaze. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCIoEdycegY/UWurag6LvNI/AAAAAAAADGg/iJUmKwPQpJM/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCIoEdycegY/UWurag6LvNI/AAAAAAAADGg/iJUmKwPQpJM/s400/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He instantly became blank, just.. empty. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What about him?" He asked, toneless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Just a memory of him yelling at you." Aria stated, detailing nothing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Which time out of the thousands?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His humorless laugh cut through her. She knew she shouldn't have said anything. She could feel her eyes start to sting. Like she didn't cry enough. Carter fumed for a minute and then looked back at her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I try not to think of him. I try not remember a single thing that happened in that house. Except for one."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He looked away, his eyes avoiding her curious gaze. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I sometimes wonder if you still remember."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I will always remember."</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria slipped out the back door, her ears registering Axil and Mila's shouts from the game room where they had been playing something on the Xbox. She was amazed she made it all the way out without anyone noticing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She quickly ran down the street, Carter's house in sight in moments. He hadn't answered her texts or calls all day. The panic that she felt was indescribable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8mJo6IiycY/UWurQycHZSI/AAAAAAAADFc/DzTTz3chHyc/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8mJo6IiycY/UWurQycHZSI/AAAAAAAADFc/DzTTz3chHyc/s400/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She approached the back of his house where the tree was that led to his window. She could hear shouting coming from inside and that made the anxious feeling triple. She ascended the tree as quickly as she could, carefully scooting along the branch to his window. Thankfully it was already mostly open. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLzfWn9r9FU/UWurTz-4JQI/AAAAAAAADFs/1LP2U2js8N8/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLzfWn9r9FU/UWurTz-4JQI/AAAAAAAADFs/1LP2U2js8N8/s400/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She opened it a little more and jumped inside, climbing on his bed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The crashes and bangs echoed through the room from the downstairs and Aria pulled her knees to her chest, scooting into a corner of his bed. She wished there was something she could do... She was only 14. What could she do?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Footsteps sounded right outside the door, and Aria worried for the split second before it opened that it would be Curtis. When Carter stepped through the door, Aria exited his bed and threw herself into his arms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He looked shocked and there were tears all over his face. He winced as her arms pressed into his chest, but he held her close. A few seconds passed and she quickly pulled away, looking at the damage quickly appearing around his eye. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EDG_H4OoWO0/UWurUsSz0II/AAAAAAAADF4/ETRdhReAbQ4/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EDG_H4OoWO0/UWurUsSz0II/AAAAAAAADF4/ETRdhReAbQ4/s400/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter pulled the back of his hand under his eyes, vanishing the traces of him crying and looked around his room, finally locking his eyes on the open window. He looked back at Aria in surprise.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria. Did you climb in my window? It's like ten o'clock at night."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria nodded, barely forming words through her tears. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I was worried about you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She choked out, wanting to just hug him. Somehow make it better. In some way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter looked at her, his eyes so full of sadness it killed her. Someone so young should never know the kind of pain that he did. His world was upside down and so vacant of life that it was written all over everything he did. Aria wanted to save him. To take him away from all of this and make everything right in his existence. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fourteen years old. He was only fourteen and he had been through more than a lot of people twice his age.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Aria.. You shouldn't be here. If he finds out-" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria shook her head vigorously, tears spilling over her cheeks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm not leaving. Not tonight."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> She took his hand and pointedly intertwined her fingers with his. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You are not going to be alone."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His eyes lit up and he looked at her in wonder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You're such a strange girl Aria. Aren't you afraid of my dad?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria glanced at the door, and back at Carter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm more afraid of losing you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He stared at her for a second, and then he put a hand on her cheek, leaning forward and pressing his lips softly to hers. He held the kiss for three brief seconds and then pulled away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_9t5GXBPno/UWurDo34DZI/AAAAAAAADFI/hHNuEAsbXRc/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_9t5GXBPno/UWurDo34DZI/AAAAAAAADFI/hHNuEAsbXRc/s640/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What was that for?" Aria asked, her cheeks pink from crying, and surprise. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Carter looked at the floor, his green eyes glossy from the tears he had been trying to hold back so hard in front of her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I don't know. It's something that I have wanted to do for a long time." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He looked back up at her, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I've never kissed anyone before."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened and she nodded. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Neither have I."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No one knew about that kiss aside from the two of them. Aria had never mentioned it and she doubted that Carter had either. They never kissed again. Not even once. He was her first kiss and it was nothing more than friendship in their entire lives aside from that one moment.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I think that was the day I decided I would never be good enough for you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qP9sHQrBu_g/UWurbu__fBI/AAAAAAAADGs/d6enWQBPyrQ/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qP9sHQrBu_g/UWurbu__fBI/AAAAAAAADGs/d6enWQBPyrQ/s400/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aria was lost in her thoughts, her stomach knotting repeatedly, when she heard him say that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Wait, what?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He shook his head. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Doesn't matter. I'm going to go home. I'll talk to you later Aria... As long as you start answering your phone."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She couldn't really move. She couldn't formulate an answer appropriate to the situation because her brain was mush. What the fuck was that comment and why had he even said it.. .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because deep down inside. That was exactly like she had always felt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[With the storyline in this chapter, I went ahead with a donor pregnancy. ^_^]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Babies 66 and 67</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgxY3eiclLU/UWuq_anUwmI/AAAAAAAADEo/Fs3Az8QVtBA/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgxY3eiclLU/UWuq_anUwmI/AAAAAAAADEo/Fs3Az8QVtBA/s320/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_bOvzCZb90/UWurAYIfjKI/AAAAAAAADE0/KriFFkEauGo/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_bOvzCZb90/UWurAYIfjKI/AAAAAAAADE0/KriFFkEauGo/s320/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lilia and Raven Rapture.</span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-25773202840351748212013-04-09T22:03:00.005-07:002013-04-09T22:03:53.439-07:0031- Careless Whisper: Part Two<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DdRQW8dHkk/UWTwmsOIXeI/AAAAAAAADDI/LuG11cRoDRw/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DdRQW8dHkk/UWTwmsOIXeI/AAAAAAAADDI/LuG11cRoDRw/s400/Screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avocet and Albatross Rapture, toddlerrrsss</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shut the door of her car, the metal connecting with metal with a soft click. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She approached the door, suddenly apprehensive. She really needed to talk to Carter. He always knew what to say.. This situation with Bluejay was killing her. She couldn't talk to Mila and she figured Willow was on her side.. Not to mention she had trouble reaching out to Danielle most days..</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LoitBk7FZ4/UWTwd7-n9yI/AAAAAAAADCA/t9l1V75DMao/s1600/Screenshot-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LoitBk7FZ4/UWTwd7-n9yI/AAAAAAAADCA/t9l1V75DMao/s400/Screenshot-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That left Carter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Part of her, however, was afraid he would tell her that this was her fault like he always did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's hair stuck to her face from the rain, and her clothes were damp. She was inches from his door when she suddenly stopped, her eyes wide. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, wasn't that amazing. Carter wasn't alone. In fact, it was Mila that was in his arms. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eYWqb4MZ_M/UWTwbqNKkNI/AAAAAAAADB4/Ukk3zS7ghYY/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eYWqb4MZ_M/UWTwbqNKkNI/AAAAAAAADB4/Ukk3zS7ghYY/s400/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was as if someone had suckerpunched Aria in the stomach. She was so startled she took a step back from the door, her heartbeat thundering in her throat. It wasn't like she hadn't expected this, but to witness it first hand, when she was being told again and again that it wasn't happening, was another thing entirely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The thing that was confusing Aria the most, was how much she cared. If Mila and Carter were together and happy, why should she be upset? Aside from her being angry with her sister, this whole thing shouldn't matter. Maybe ... Maybe Aria cared more about Carter then she initially thought. The thought alone of that made her cringe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her and Carter? Maybe in some altertnate universe. Not to mention, it looked like her sister had gotten there way before she would have even considered it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned on her heel and ran to her car, silent tears falling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had completely forgotten why she had came here to begin with, peeling out of his driveway and into the street. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She left so fast she didn't even see her two </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">green eyed friends standing on Carter's porch, watching in confusion as she sped away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't even know why I keep doing this stuff to myself." Aria crossed her arms, slumping further down into the seat. Aria iced over, not allowing her emotions to cut her at the edges. Making sure she didn't give away exactly how much this entire situation with Bluejay was affecting her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">True, this was therapy. She was /supposed/ to talk about how she felt. It just wasn't easy for her. It never had been.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afYCJlqYSyU/UWTwWP5QEuI/AAAAAAAADBA/9r7_wvmYJg8/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afYCJlqYSyU/UWTwWP5QEuI/AAAAAAAADBA/9r7_wvmYJg8/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Growing up, she told Mila and Willow everything. Even Carter. Things were just different now that she was older. She felt as if she should keep these things to herself. Like if she let people in, they would just cut her down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think that there is something keeping you from facing what you have done. I know you are aware that the situations you keep putting yourself into are not the best."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stared at the floor, pressing her fingernails into her palms. Something she was doing quite often now when she got nervous. Lilac had a point. There was always something she seemed to be trying to get away from. She just wasn't ready to confront those things.. No where near. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of the hurt she had caused everyone was just buried in the back of her mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria escalated into a ramble about a few things, getting more and more emotional until she finally settled down, ending her tirade with a simple statement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And I think my sister is dating my best friend." Her voice cracked and she wiped a deceiving tear from underneath her eye, looking up at Lilac, who was staring at her with a glint of interest in her eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"As in Mila and Carter?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded, picking at a hole in the arm of the chair she was seated in. Lilac's eyebrows rose and she leaned forward, biting the tip of her pen and sighing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Can I ask you a question, Aria?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked up at her, biting her lip. She had no idea what she was going to ask and that made her very, very nervous. She nodded again anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Have you ever considered that, maybe, Carter means more to you then you are aware of?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was like Lilac had pulled her thoughts out of her head from earlier and given them voice. She was blindsided for a minute and then she scoffed, instantly relaxing. Laughter bubbled up her throat and out of her mouth and it took a second to catch her breath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "That's the funniest thing you have ever said, Lilac, really." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She let out a weak laugh. "That boy has been around since I was 2, and he has never ONCE tried anything with me. He doesn't see me that way, and he never will. And I think you missed the whole point of what I was saying.."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked away, out the window, at the always falling rain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think he is with Mila."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lilac seemed unconvinced at her laughter. She had this knowing shine to her eyes that kind of made Aria want to punch her in the face for assuming. She was pretty sure she would know if she had feelings for Carter. 20 years of being around him, besides that year he disappeared to college, would give her a very clear notion if something was there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think you should take a second and think about it Aria. Denying it won't work forever."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lilac's comment made Aria instantly aggravated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So tell me, what good would it fucking do for me to like him when he doesn't care about me? What great things are going to come out of me liking my best friend when, as I have said a hundred fucking times, I think he is banging my sister? Why would I want to acknowledge something that might tear me to pieces in the end." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's voice rose the longer she spoke until finally, she crumbled, her last sentence coming out in barely a whisper:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why would I want to know if I love him when all he has ever done is forget me?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She buried her face in her hands and cut herself off, not talking for the rest of the session. She honestly just wanted to go home now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rushed up the stairs when she got home, nearly stepping on a small white box outside of her door and crushing it and whatever lay inside to pieces. Her brows furrowed for a moment and she bit her lip. She stooped, picking it up and examining the outside.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbnnI3tDdjo/UWTwa5gbs1I/AAAAAAAADBw/4Hc8hAHhq8M/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbnnI3tDdjo/UWTwa5gbs1I/AAAAAAAADBw/4Hc8hAHhq8M/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who the fuck left this? Bluejay? Doubtful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She lifted the lid to the box, suddenly anxious. What the fuck was it, and how long had it even been there? When she saw what was inside, she was even more confused. It was a key on a chain, tied with an emerald green ribbon. She pulled it out of the box, examining it. It didn't say anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The box was unmarked, empty aside from the necklace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, wasn't this the most confusing surprise ever. She slipped the chain around her neck and examined it once more. It was beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria found herself on Bluejay's doorstep. She had pressed call and end in succession so many times she had lost track. She felt like she the way things had ended were not okay. Not at all. She was more angry with herself then she had been in a while and she felt oddly.. Broken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had slowly realized she had been an idiot. Of course things were different then she had thought. Bluejay obviously wanted to be more the friends and Aria had just had this preconceived notion that it was just sex. She should have realized that it wasn't. It was an unsaid certainty that had went right over Aria's head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria really needed to quit locking everyone out. It just kept hurting her; And hurting everyone else. She felt like maybe she was pushing everyone away a little too much now. She wasn't dumb.. She should have known that Bluejay cared more then he let on. Why would she do something so stupid?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before her knuckles could make contact with the wooden door, it opened. Bluejay stood there, a confused look playing across his features. His teal eyes trailed to her own and then he looked away. He leaned against the doorframe, speaking softly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why are you here Aria?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Something in his voice sent electricity down Aria's spine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I.." She began, taking a step closer. He didn't react apart from looking back up at her. She took another step closer, her nerves sliding into that buzzy feeling that she felt whenever she was with him. Only when she was with him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because he was different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He would always be different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Bluejay.. I'm sorry. I fucked up okay? I am an idiot and I made a mistake. I should have known that you wanted something more then what I thought we had." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The air between them was minute, her face now an immeasurable distance from his. Her words seemed to hang there. She wondered if they had made any difference at all. Maybe it wouldn't matter.. Maybe she was too late and the damage was already done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They didn't have to be together, but Aria still wanted her friend. She needed him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stared at her, silent. The kind of look Aria missed. Like he could read her thoughts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's heart gave a pull and she could feel her eyes start to burn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I really am so fucking sorry." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She whispered the words, turning to go, but Bluejay grabbed her arm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled her against him, crushing her lips with his. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGwkl9mClEQ/UWTwi7y2FhI/AAAAAAAADCo/pdjywyFvTtk/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGwkl9mClEQ/UWTwi7y2FhI/AAAAAAAADCo/pdjywyFvTtk/s320/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ELR5kxbN2k/UWTwiLC8YNI/AAAAAAAADCg/OTfp8SaMhS8/s1600/Screenshot-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ELR5kxbN2k/UWTwiLC8YNI/AAAAAAAADCg/OTfp8SaMhS8/s400/Screenshot-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pushed the door the rest of the way open, leading Aria inside, his lips still connected with hers. The kisses grew more anxious, deeper. Aria's mind was exploding in fireworks and she couldn't help but press herself into him. With him she felt safe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a different kind of safe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kind that made everything make sense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled away for a second, shutting the door and turning back to her. He took her hand and led her towards his room, and she followed without a moments hesitation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The late day sunlight filtered through the window, casting long shadows through the room. Aria pulled her knees to her chest and sighed. Maybe spending the day here wasn't the best decision, but she found it incredibly hard to just walk away from him. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUR0Y-o_dXQ/UWTwk52DhkI/AAAAAAAADC4/7O_EYTsI8zY/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUR0Y-o_dXQ/UWTwk52DhkI/AAAAAAAADC4/7O_EYTsI8zY/s400/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It made Aria's head spin that she was so easily swayed. What was it with him that made her feel like she just couldn't say no. Except for this time.. This night was ending with an odd sense of finality.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay pulled her next to him, tracing his thumb over her lips. He kissed her lightly, and she sighed. They needed to talk about this. Working out all of their issues physically wasn't solving anything. Not that it wasn't fun. Or that she wasn't happy right where she was, in bed with him; They were just avoiding the inevitable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could hear rain begin to fall outside, gently pattering against the roof. A cool breeze blew in from the open window and she took Bluejay's hand in both of hers, tracing the scars on his arm with her fingertips. They were an unspoken reality beween the two of them. Something they both knew but didn't talk about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria.. I think I need to tell you something.. " His voice was next to her ear, and it sounded.. Uncertain. She knew what was coming. She had known for months. It was the exact reason why she hadn't gotten attached.. Why she didn't want to be more then friends. Why she refused to acknowledge that maybe he did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He began to speak again, but Aria cut him off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's okay, you don't have to say it." Aria said quietly.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2BcY3IdPWk/UWTwnCGlEbI/AAAAAAAADDQ/uozIID7cAN0/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2BcY3IdPWk/UWTwnCGlEbI/AAAAAAAADDQ/uozIID7cAN0/s400/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "It's in your eyes, it's in your voice when you say her name. It's been so completely obvious all along." She released her grip on his hand and brushed her hair out of her eyes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That's the reason we could never really be together. She means everything to you. I could tell from day one." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She toyed with the key on the necklace she wore, she had completely forgotten she was wearing it and still didn't know who it was from. "I just hope someday that someone looks at me the way you look at her. I want more then anything to mean that much to someone."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes strayed to the necklace and then back to her own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm pretty sure you already do."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He kissed her softly, one last time, his fingers twisting in her hair.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5somok3bLCw/UWTwkqU-KFI/AAAAAAAADC0/W7qSsjfrkeI/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5somok3bLCw/UWTwkqU-KFI/AAAAAAAADC0/W7qSsjfrkeI/s640/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "This isn't goodbye. I'm always going to be right here. As a friend." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She quietly nodded, pressing her forehead to his. "I know.. I feel like this was what was meant to happen from the beginning. You belong to someone else. I've known all along. Thank you for being there when I needed you, Bluejay."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The quiet ascended and the fact that this was the end to whatever they had was left to silently sink in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcZGAz99L8/UWTwW4HK1RI/AAAAAAAADBM/myAoiH55ryI/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcZGAz99L8/UWTwW4HK1RI/AAAAAAAADBM/myAoiH55ryI/s320/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Babies 63, 64 and 65</div>
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<br /></div>
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Harlequin, Starling and Verreaux Rapture.</div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-36521027255880144452013-03-28T12:20:00.001-07:002013-03-28T12:20:06.684-07:0031- Careless Whisper: Part One<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's life felt different without Mila in it. It had been a while since she had fought with her stepsister. They were best friends. They went through hell together, and then some. Except, nothing quite like this had ever happened before. Mila had performed a massive betrayal. Aria might not have been with Levi anymore, but there were some lines you just DIDN'T cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rolled over, the rain falling outside the window. It was raining a lot lately. Bluejay was asleep. He had spent the night. Again. Something was just so off lately. Aria thought she knew what it was, but didn't want to put it into words. It wasn't that she didn't KNOW, it was that she wasn't ready for the end. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nW2Tc0-U4gI/UVSUwlsBYlI/AAAAAAAAC_o/DPBdxNiXBgU/s1600/Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nW2Tc0-U4gI/UVSUwlsBYlI/AAAAAAAAC_o/DPBdxNiXBgU/s400/Screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked so peaceful when he was sleeping. She kissed his cheek softly and got up, grabbing her phone on the way. Mila had tried calling her non-stop. To the point where she was honestly considering blocking her number. Carter had called several times the first couple of days after the party. Then his calls stopped. Which honestly just added to the anxious feeling in her chest that told her the two of them were together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter and Mila. What a fucked up notion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She brushed it off, scrolling through the endless list of text messages until she found one that caught her eye. Well that was a number she didn't see often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I need to see you. It's important.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She jotted a quick reply and placed her phone on the sink, starting the shower. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-To9NlwTPMeQ/UVSUoRsnDKI/AAAAAAAAC-o/KSjuQCpjb64/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-To9NlwTPMeQ/UVSUoRsnDKI/AAAAAAAAC-o/KSjuQCpjb64/s400/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deep inside, she wondered if meeting up with him was such a good idea. He could only want one thing.. Aria sat on the edge of the sink as the room filled with steam. It wasn't like she and Bluejay were dating. She didn't think he would care if she met up with a friend. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guy or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She ran her fingers through her bangs. There was no reason to worry about what Bluejay thought. She was sure he was still hanging out with other girls. What they had was just fun.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Justin, what do you even want? Does Carter know that you're here?" She slammed the door of her car shut and walked over to where he sat on the park bench. He smirked. "Carter is /not/ my babysitter." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyebrow rose and she crossed her arms, unamused. "No, but he is your best friend. What do you want from me?" </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_kxn3GTfx0/UVSUv16q2xI/AAAAAAAAC_g/Qh03dLSzAlU/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_kxn3GTfx0/UVSUv16q2xI/AAAAAAAAC_g/Qh03dLSzAlU/s640/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He laughed a little, patting the seat next to him. "Why don't you take a seat and see?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed, straightening the shirt she was wearing and glancing around the park. No one was in sight. That made her even more un-diverted at the situation she was putting herself in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Against her better judgment, she sat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just as Aria thought, Justin pulled something out of his pocket. Something small and white and when he lit it, it smelled like a skunk. He held it out to her. She wrinkled her nose and batted his hand away. "I don't want that shit J. Put it out before someone catches you." He shrugged and continued smoking it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So.." Aria began, crossing her legs. "You brought me here to smoke weed? Do you really think I would want to? I am not a teenager anymore." He scoffed, leaning in towards her. She scowled, pulling away. "You used to smoke all the time. Especially with me." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She groaned. "Dude, we smoked, like twice. What are you even talking about?" He put a hand on her leg, and she froze. Of course. "I remember when we did other things too." She moved her leg away quickly and glared at him, pressing her fingernails into her palms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Not gonna happen, Justin. You're Carter's best friend. He would kill me." Justin moved closer on the bench, his body less then an inch from hers. He placed his hand back on her leg and leaned in, his lips almost on hers. She ducked the kiss and stood. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huNWzEZwGKo/UVSUobId4oI/AAAAAAAAC-s/HhWHcJuJAKo/s1600/Screenshot-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huNWzEZwGKo/UVSUobId4oI/AAAAAAAAC-s/HhWHcJuJAKo/s400/Screenshot-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the hell is wrong with you?!" She fumed. An elderly couple had been walking the path behind them and her shout caught their gaze and they were now staring in obvious curiosity. "Oh, Aria," He got up next to her, once again in her face. "I thought you liked having a little fun?" </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Goosebumps traced up her arms and she shuddered. "Not like this. And not with you. You never grew up. Did you?" She shoved him back down on to the bench and made her way back to the car. She should have known better. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The engine turned over and she shut her door, quickly turning the car and heading back towards her house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----------</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay sighed. "I mean, why would you go anyway? You could have just stayed here with me.." He trailed off, looking at the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's nerves clawed at her stomach. "I didn't think it would bother you.. You never said we were together or anything, I mean.. I thought we were just.." She didn't finish her sentence, letting the implications float in the air. He frowned, still looking at the floor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I mean, I never said we were anything more then that, I just thought it should be.." He looked back at her, expressionless. "Obvious."</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbEeq1uLQFI/UVSUoR8Vn6I/AAAAAAAAC-w/VaZiA-SOQYw/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbEeq1uLQFI/UVSUoR8Vn6I/AAAAAAAAC-w/VaZiA-SOQYw/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The ending to his sentence seemed to spark a flame in Aria's chest and her temper flared. "Are you saying that I should have just known that someone I was sleeping with all the time actually wanted a relationship?? Because, if you ask me, that someone should have been made vocal." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay said nothing, which irritated Aria even more. "You know what, I can't handle this. I'll see you later."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wasn't even sure why she snapped. Why this entire situation bothered her so much. She turned and exited, the dust from the slamming door settling to the ground. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJDry_t7aao/UVSUrWh_aKI/AAAAAAAAC-8/9qIUHqj-m7Q/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJDry_t7aao/UVSUrWh_aKI/AAAAAAAAC-8/9qIUHqj-m7Q/s400/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't even understand what I fucking did. I guess it doesn't matter." Aria tipped the shot she was holding back and the sting was practically non existant because of how much she had already drank. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at the guy she was standing next to. He /seemed/ to be hanging on every word, but the way he was staring at her told her it was something else that he wanted entirely. As soon as she got there, he had started talking to her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And his eyes were this perfect teal color that was almost exactly like Bluejay's...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAFxyeki-yY/UVSUrXod-YI/AAAAAAAAC_E/xGHEh0FPYJ8/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAFxyeki-yY/UVSUrXod-YI/AAAAAAAAC_E/xGHEh0FPYJ8/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sorry, I can stop talking." She set the shot glass down on the bar and turned to face him</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He put a hand on her hip and pulled her against him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, I don't even know your name." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow. "Do you need to?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pressed his lips to hers and she instantly became pliant. He tasted like whiskey and the excitement burned through her. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo7aIbUnXVM/UVSUr1SHebI/AAAAAAAAC_I/Csv-Fg3AtoA/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo7aIbUnXVM/UVSUr1SHebI/AAAAAAAAC_I/Csv-Fg3AtoA/s640/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled away for a second, her pulse ricocheting in her throat. "I just want to forget for a night."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Let's go then." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pregnant. Of course she was. Her timing couldn't have been worse. Which completely figured. Aria's luck ringing true to how it always was.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not to mention as she was leaving this guys place, she asked him about those teal eyes that reminded her so much of Bluejay. Turned out they were brothers. Not just brothers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Twins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yeah, her luck was phenomenal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria heard a knock from the front door, but ignored it, pulling her knees to her chest and continuing to cry. She needed to talk to Bluejay. And SOON. But she couldn't bring herself to call him. She didn't know what to say. How would he even take this. And why, after 6 months, had he never even mentioned having a twin brother?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Could he possibly hate him that much?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And didnt that make this entire thing even /worse/?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBxqhq7e-aM/UVSUuqMHu_I/AAAAAAAAC_Y/2HjeSPxM_l8/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBxqhq7e-aM/UVSUuqMHu_I/AAAAAAAAC_Y/2HjeSPxM_l8/s400/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Again?" Carter sighed, walking over to Aria, where she sat on the floor. She jumped when she heard his voice, but relaxed when she realized it was him. "What happened? Why are you always crying lately?" Aria shook her head, looking away. He knelt next to her, eye level. "You don't have to talk to me, but can I at least sit next to you?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She hesitated, but nodded. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry for whatever it was." Carter's voice broke the silence that had settled in the room. "I actually came over here to see if you had talked to Mila and I find you like this." He touched her hand lightly with his and she glanced at it, looking up at him. She was sure her face was covered in mascara and more then likely she looked like a mess. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria couldn't seem to find words. The hole in her chest seemed to ache even more when Carter was around. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't know why I keep doing everything wrong." Barely more then a whisper, her words hung in the air, heavy. "I feel like I made my sister hate me somehow. Like I added her to the long list of people who are now against me." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"She doesn't hate you." She tried to look away but he caught her face with his hand, maintaining eye contact. "And I'm not against you Aria. I never have been." The space between the two of them seemed vast somehow. Even though it was nothing. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsMsetxhsL4/UVSVD-AVCeI/AAAAAAAADAA/bfVqQnWgyuw/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsMsetxhsL4/UVSVD-AVCeI/AAAAAAAADAA/bfVqQnWgyuw/s400/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's breath seemed to be stuck in her throat. A few seconds ticked by on the face of the clock. The difference in the way he was treating her, as opposed to just a few months before, was astounding. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed, looking away. The tension that had seemed to fill the room dissipated in an instant and Carter cleared his throat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His eyes were averted, aimed towards the wall opposite them. "I really feel like you need to hear Mila out. You weren't there, Aria. You left befo-" Aria held a hand up, groaning in disgust. "Don't you think I /saw/ enough? What are her pitiful excuses going to change??"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, you don't-" Carter tried again, but Aria cut him off with another noise. "I don't want to hear whatever bullshit lie she fed you, Carter."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He clenched his fists, "Do you really think I would believe her if I knew better?" He stood quickly, exasperated. "I don't even know why I tried. You're so fucking stubborn." Aria got to her feet, grabbing his arm. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He was pissed and it was projected through his eyes when they met hers. She was so surprised that she let go. "I just.. don't want you to go. I need you right now." He softened, shaking his head. "What am I going to do with you.." His tone as he said this was thick. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He took her hand and pulled her close to him into a hug, catching her completely off guard. "I'm sorry. I am trying to keep my temper under control, but sometimes you make that very, VERY hard." His smirk was so evident, Aria didn't even have to look.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptT4tIjeBkM/UVSVCJD4i0I/AAAAAAAAC_w/J9UqAPZVdyY/s1600/Screenshot-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptT4tIjeBkM/UVSVCJD4i0I/AAAAAAAAC_w/J9UqAPZVdyY/s400/Screenshot-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She leaned back a little, looking up at him with a small smile. "You're always there when I need you. I don't know how I can ever make up for that." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He chuckled. "Well, that IS what best friends are for." He brushed her hair out of her eyes. He smiled and leaned towards her, sending her pulse racing erratically though her body. Instead of doing what she anticipated, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and released her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why would she think Carter was going to kiss her anyway? She cleared her mind of the ridiculous thought. Something lingered though. It was in the way he looked at her as he leaned towards her. She knew she wasn't crazy. She had to be though, never in a million years would he see her that way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I gotta go, I'll come back later. We need to talk about Mila, Aria." Carter turned to leave.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She almost stopped him. Asked him to stay with her, asked him to just hold her, just be there like he used to be. But her cell phone vibrated from the table next to the bed,pulling her out of her thoughts and reminding her that she was being crazy. It would never be like that between the two of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed it, Bluejay's name was glowing on the screen. Better late then never.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9ipoLdH-Ek/UVSVF-88aLI/AAAAAAAADAU/PTX_BZUAPGc/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9ipoLdH-Ek/UVSVF-88aLI/AAAAAAAADAU/PTX_BZUAPGc/s400/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My brother? As in Heron?" He looked dumbfounded. Aria wavered. She really didn't want to talk about this. She felt like a complete fucking idiot for doing it in the first place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We weren't together and I was upset, and I didn't know it was your fucking brother! I didn't even know you had a brother. Which, thanks for telling me by the way." Her words flew out of her mouth and she fumbled as she watched his face remain blank. Why wasn't he at least getting angry?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why aren't you saying anything?" She finally asked. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shrugged. "I don't know what to say to you. I don't even know how to react."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHg9QkHZUNQ/UVSVCdPDseI/AAAAAAAAC_4/4aqMyy_fUzQ/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHg9QkHZUNQ/UVSVCdPDseI/AAAAAAAAC_4/4aqMyy_fUzQ/s640/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed. "I'm just.. I'm gonna leave. I'll call you." His eyes fell to her stomach and he didn't say a word, just walked out the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's apology was on the tip of her tongue. It stayed there as he crossed her lawn, got on his skateboard and disappeared. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a feeling deep in her chest that told her she hadn't really lost anything. Not really. But the tears still fell. It still hurt. She shut the door with a soft click and dropped to the ground with her back against the wall. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6HKUWWc3v6g/UVSVEk1Q5WI/AAAAAAAADAI/X-KV2mzio1M/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6HKUWWc3v6g/UVSVEk1Q5WI/AAAAAAAADAI/X-KV2mzio1M/s400/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another mistake to add to her long list of accomplishments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Babies 61 and 62</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avocet and Albatross Rapture.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZocwnLzEsZ0/UVSVGF2JaQI/AAAAAAAADAY/ovplBeeg160/s1600/Screenshot-98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZocwnLzEsZ0/UVSVGF2JaQI/AAAAAAAADAY/ovplBeeg160/s400/Screenshot-98.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-3023201902341638722013-03-10T23:29:00.002-07:002015-06-10T07:43:42.965-07:0030 - Shake It Out<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>(Some minor NSFW [sexual] content. )</i></b></span></div>
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Cash and Carlisle, YA</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Four months passed. Winter turned into spring and Aria spent every waking moment with Bluejay. Her challenge was frozen at 60 children and it was oddly freeing not having babies all the time. Just having a life. Having fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't know if I like this, Bluejay. It feels weird." Aria did a turn in the mirror, examining her new hair color. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think it looks badass." Aria groaned. "It's definitely different. I am so used to the pink in my hair." She tugged at a strand and sighed. It was already done, and would look like this for a while. She should just get used to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned to face him. "You really like it?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded. "It was my idea."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She bit her lip and looked at her reflection once more, deciding maybe she liked it too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We should probably go if you're done staring in the mirror." Bluejay chided and Aria scowled at him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Yeah, yeah. I'll grab my shoes and we can go." She was making her way to the closet when he grabbed her arm, pulling her to him. She smiled as he traced her lips with his.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "We have to GO remember. No time for kissing." She stuck her tongue out at him, but he kissed her anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were in Willow's vacation house in Bridgeport. Their old friend from school had invited them to some big party she was throwing. Bluejay had been hesitant but Aria talked him into it. Carter and Mila were going too. They had even brought dates. Mila's was an English dude Aria had never seen before that she was using as her next challenge father. Aria didn't like him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter's was another girl they grew up with, Jessica Foster. A rich chick who banged every guy on the football team AND every skater guy in their grade. Except Carter. Well, at least Aria didn't think they had... Hmm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay pulled Aria on top of his lap where he was sitting on the bed and threaded his fingers in her hair, pulling her face to his. He kissed her roughly and Aria laughed, putting her hands on his chest and pulling away a little. "I don't think Willow would want us hooking up on her bed. " </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He grinned. "She doesn't have to know." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stood up, giggling. "She will KILL you. You don't know Willow. Also, what happened to rushing me into leaving?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed and stood. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rest of them were waiting in the living room, scattered about. For being on a date, Jessica and Carter seemed pretty disinterested in each other. Jessica was making conversation with Mr. English Boy, whose name Aria didn't care to know and Carter and Mila were in a corner of the room, talking about who knows what. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay interlaced her fingers with his and just stood there, feeling slightly out of place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, Will. I'm ready to go." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She glanced up at her and cast a suspicious eyebrow at her. "You better not have been doing anything in there." Aria's cheeks flushed crimson and she coughed a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Willow started laughing. "I'm <i>kidding,</i> Aria. Calm down." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She and Austin both laughed again and then she shrugged. "Everyone ready to go? It's almost 7. I bet Claire is beside herself waiting for all of us." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rolled her eyes. Like she cared what Claire wanted. She was a snobby little rich girl who got whatever she wanted when they were kids. Aria was only here to spend time with her old friends. Willow was sweet though, and actually liked her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Gag. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded, focusing her attention over to the corner where Mila and Carter now seemed to be arguing in hushed voices. Those two were kind of starting to get to her. For some reason Aria felt like they were together. Not that she would care if they <i>were</i>. She just wanted them to be honest with her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter caught her gaze and looked away. He seemed really pissy. It was kind of annoying. And shouldn't he be with Jessica? Aria grew restless, moving closer to Bluejay. Her thoughts were madness lately. Seriously though, what the hell was going on between those two and why was Aria being left out of the loop?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shrugged it off. She would talk to Mila about it later. Right now she was ready to drink. A lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were too many people. Aria leaned into Bluejay's chest as they descended the staircase. The last party she had been at with this many people did NOT turn out okay. Although she did make up with Danielle there. Willow immediately took off with Austin trailing her. It made sense that Willow already knew people here. Aria knew a few faces too. But that didn't stop her from being uncomfortable. Most of them hated her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She put her lips to Bluejay's ear. "I need a drink." He nodded and she pulled him in the direction of the bar. She grabbed the nearest bottle to her, pouring some into a shot glass and downing it. Bluejay raised an eyebrow. She shrugged, pouring another one. "I like to drink." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded. "Uh huh." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her reached into a cooler located by the bar and grabbed a beer. He twisted the top off and tossed it amidst a pile of others. It seemed like the music had gotten even louder in the five minutes they had been there. Aria grabbed a red solo cup from the counter and filled it halfway with the clear acrid liquid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't you want a chaser?" Bluejay asked loudly, some Ke$ha song blaring through the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She laughed. "I'm good." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A squeal came from behind her and she felt arms squeeze her tightly. "Aria, oh my God!!!" She laughed, recognizing the voice instantly. Kimari's big blue eyes lit up and she smelled faintly of Sprite and Bicardi. "Did you hear the news?!? I'm getting married!!" Kimari was obviously drunk and hanging on her arm was another familiar face. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grinned, pulling Aperille into a hug. "Hey you!! I missed you so much!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> They all three giggled and Aria finished her drink in one breath. Aperille leaned in close. "So I see Levi isn't here. Did you finally dump his sorry ass?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stiffened. "Yeah, I did." She grabbed Bluejay's hand, tugging him bewildered over to the two of them. "This is Bluejay, he's here with me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kimari squealed. "He's cuuuuteeee. Is he your boyfriend?" She shouted the question even louder in her drunken state. Aria looked at him and he stared at her, his eyes wide. She wasn't exactly sure what he was. She ignored the question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where are your men?" Aria asked, grabbing the bottle of alcohol and sloshing even more into her cup. Aperille and Kimari started laughing again at her question. They <i>had</i> to be wasted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Girls night!" Aperille managed through her laughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The two of them got distracted by someone else they knew and Aria looked around, none of the people she had came with were anywhere to be seen. Bluejay lit a cigarette and leaned against the bar, looking at her. He was being really quiet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What's wrong?" She asked, drinking out of the cup again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shrugged. "It doesn't matter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She moved over to him, getting on her tip toes to place a kiss on his cheek. "You want to go socialize? There are lots of people here, maybe we can make some friends."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She winked at him and he smiled, putting his hand in hers. "This isn't really my scene, Aria." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She laughed. "It is tonight. Come on, it will be fun." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay looked over her shoulder at the mess of bodies. "I had a different idea of what we could do for fun, but okay." She rolled her eyes, kissing him. She turned around, pushing a couple of people out of the way so they could get through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila was across the room, locked in a make out session with Mr. English Boy. Aria still wasn't sure why she didn't like him. She just didn't. Maybe it was the overprotective sister part of her talking. Bluejay seemed to be slightly uneasy since he didn't know anyone. And he was probably one of the only ones here who wasn't old enough to be drinking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She held his hand tighter, moving into a corner where there weren't as many people. He finished his cigarette, tossing it in some random cup left on a table. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scanned the room, but couldn't see Willow anywhere. Although she did see a few people she recognized from high school. Ones that even liked her. Until graduation that is. She wasn't sure where their loyalties had lay after that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A pair of girls appeared in front of the two of them. Aria hadn't even noticed them approach. Was she really that drunk? She recognized both of them and it made her instantly nervous. They had been best friends in high school and two of her friends for most of it too. But she hadn't seen them since graduation. Which is of course the first thing that was brought up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So, Aria. It's been years. We missed you!" The dark haired girls voice was musical and she sounded genuine. Aria relaxed a little. She was pretty sure her name was Angie. The blonde girl nodded in agreement and leaned closer, raising an eyebrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Is it true that you and Darian Hutchins were a thing? Kora pretty much blasted you at graduation and hardly anyone has heard from you since."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shifted her weight and Bluejay looked at her curiously. She sighed, rolling her shoulders. She was 22. It was 5 years ago. Why not just admit it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, we hooked up. Twice. I was 17. And stupid." Both of them started laughing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nah, I think it's kinda hot. We all wanted him. You just got him." Angie said this in a tone that was almost envious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was relieved. "So wait.. You two don't hate me?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They both shook their heads. "No, you were always cool with us, Ar. The only thing that sucks is that you didn't keep in contact." Anna, the blonde, reached into Aria's skirt and pulled her cell phone out. She grinned, entering both of their numbers and putting it back where it was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwhb1PMqdtg/UT12ySF8D2I/AAAAAAAAC7Q/ALM7Td4EkIQ/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwhb1PMqdtg/UT12ySF8D2I/AAAAAAAAC7Q/ALM7Td4EkIQ/s400/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Now you don't have an excuse." She winked and grabbed Angie's hand, pulling her away with a wave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wood of the door was cool against Aria's flushed skin as he pressed her up against it, capturing her lips with his. She sighed, pulling him even closer. Kissing him wasn't like kissing anyone else. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUBr3A4SKJE/UT13A-JsvbI/AAAAAAAAC8w/RHsBWOMLamI/s1600/Screenshot-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUBr3A4SKJE/UT13A-JsvbI/AAAAAAAAC8w/RHsBWOMLamI/s400/Screenshot-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The music was so loud Aria's ears were ringing, but she heard what Bluejay whispered easily. She interlocked her fingers around his neck and her heart raced as he pressed against her even harder, his lips at her neck. His hands slid from her waist to her hips and he lifted her up, kissing her again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What are you doing?" Aria, asked, her voice rough. "We're in the middle of the hallway, Jay." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smirked, kissing her again. "So?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe her inhibitions had lessened a little in the amount of alcohol she had consumed , because she relented, her fingertips grazing the edge of his shirt, and she tugged it off, pulling his face to hers as his hands found their way to her neck where her shirt was tied.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d52sAnmJmf8/UT121_kr_dI/AAAAAAAAC74/taHTtWUSkE8/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d52sAnmJmf8/UT121_kr_dI/AAAAAAAAC74/taHTtWUSkE8/s640/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just as the ribbons loosened, spilling from her shoulders, every light surrounding them went out, casting everything in pitch black darkness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the fuck?" Bluejay muttered, putting Aria down. She retied her shirt, still spinning from the situation that she had been in moments before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria watched Bluejay pick his shirt up from the floor and slip it back on, sticking his head around the corner. "It's so dark, I can't see shit. Do you want me to see what's going on?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria could hear people's voices and goosebumps rose on her arms. She was kind of freaked out. "You can't just leave me here." She whined softly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He laughed. "You'll be okay." He kissed her forehead and she sighed, still uncomfortable, as he made his way down the hallway. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkywRDp9VOk/UT12zsU8mUI/AAAAAAAAC7g/YLIQ8TgLyZo/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkywRDp9VOk/UT12zsU8mUI/AAAAAAAAC7g/YLIQ8TgLyZo/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The door she was leaning against suddenly opened and she almost fell. A soft chuckle sounded from above her and she scowled, squinting in the darkness. It almost looked like.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fuck. It was him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You were in there?" Aria questioned, embarrassed and backing up a little, to allow him to exit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter looked confused. "Is that an issue? What are you doing out here? And why are the lights out?" He rubbed his forehead, shaking his head a little. "I passed out. At a party. Who does that?" Aria smiled. That was actually kind of cute. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oaNAT4ZeFkI/UT1228roOsI/AAAAAAAAC70/3bGkEVnMqw8/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oaNAT4ZeFkI/UT1228roOsI/AAAAAAAAC70/3bGkEVnMqw8/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You really shouldn't be by yourself during a blackout Aria." He stated, moving closer to her. She crossed her arms over her chest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I wasn't alone. Bluejay was with me. He went to go see what happened." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter shrugged. "My best guess is a blackout, like I said." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay's voice proceeded him as he came back into the hallway. "City wide power outage. They don't even have any candles. Who doesn't have fucking candles?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed, walking over to them. "Hey Carter. Where did you come from?" Carter pointed over his shoulder into the room; Bluejay looked at Aria, barely concealing his grin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She rolled her eyes. Of course he would think it was funny.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were quiet for a moment when they all heard a noise coming from the room down the hall. Aria had thought she had seen a couple making out go into the room when she and Carter were talking and did NOT want to know what was happening now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked back at the guys, sighing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sp3vwT7nlU/UT122krvkZI/AAAAAAAAC7w/VCplNpnKr-o/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sp3vwT7nlU/UT122krvkZI/AAAAAAAAC7w/VCplNpnKr-o/s640/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lovely. There wasn't even any music to drown it out. There was a squeal and then a crash, followed by laughter. Now this was getting awkward. The girl giggled again and Aria groaned. It was almost like getting a play by play. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay laughed quietly. "At least someone is having fun."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter nodded, smirking. Aria crossed her arms over her chest, leaning against the wall. "Well, I'm not leaving this area. There are so many fucking people here. I would probab-" She abruptly stopped talking. The guy in the room had spoken. And it was a voice she recognized. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She left the wall, taking a step closer. Now that she thought about it, she thought she knew the other voice too... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She walked to the door, putting her ear next to it. That was definitely his voice, but he was using a fake english accent. What.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And seconds later....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was her. Mila.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a moment of insanity, Aria put both hands on the door, shoving it open. They hadn't even bothered to close it all the way. The instant the door made it all the way to the wall, the lights came back on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You've got to be kidding me." </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDjq4pJ0yfQ/UT126js6NPI/AAAAAAAAC8E/ID0lesqwoH0/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDjq4pJ0yfQ/UT126js6NPI/AAAAAAAAC8E/ID0lesqwoH0/s640/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria just stared at the scene before her. Levi and Mila were wrapped in each other, completely oblivious to the fact that lights had come back on. When Mila heard Aria's voice, she looked up at her completely confused. And then she looked down at Levi. She shot off the bed, pulling her dress back on once she got to her feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria spun on her heel and left, pushing Bluejay and Carter, who had been standing behind her, to the side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria!" She heard her sister's voice from behind her, but she didn't stop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She just kept walking until she was out of the house and on the rainy streets of Bridgeport.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where the hell do you think you're going?!" Bluejay caught up to her, grabbing her arm. "Aria, I'm sorry. He was a fucking loser and you knew this. I'm actually not surprised he would do something like that." Her eyes stung, but she refused to let any tears fall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I get him doing it, but that's my sister. One of my best friends. How could <i>she</i> do this to me??" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay pulled her into his chest, looking down at her. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"To be honest, Aria. I think he tricked her. She didn't look happy."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It started raining harder, and Aria shivered a little. She didn't even have words for how she felt right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> So instead, she pushed Bluejay up against the wall behind him and crushed her lips against his. He was surprised, but he instantly relaxed, his hands on her hips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mBKf6Tma_M/UT128jgvZOI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/ce20SYqiDK0/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mBKf6Tma_M/UT128jgvZOI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/ce20SYqiDK0/s640/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned her, smirking. "You have a problem doing this in a hallway, but not in the middle of a park?" She shhhed him, kissing him again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rain fell in sheets and it didn't matter. It didn't really ever matter with the two of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few blocks away, everything Aria believed was slowly changing. Situations are not always what they seem. Things are not always how they appear to be. And the people you once thought you knew, were never really who they said they were.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Aria had no idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtNaJKM6H98/UT127K5KHdI/AAAAAAAAC8I/Ou4HVXFGsiE/s1600/Screenshot-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtNaJKM6H98/UT127K5KHdI/AAAAAAAAC8I/Ou4HVXFGsiE/s640/Screenshot-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>To see Mila's side of the story, you should click <a href="http://autumn100babychallenge.blogspot.com/2013/03/chapter-9-betrayed.html">here.</a> <3 <3</b></span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-34797316548407591972013-02-23T20:27:00.000-08:002015-05-02T00:03:14.461-07:0029- Let Go Of Me, I'm Not Here<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[Birthdayyyyys. I bet you're completely surprised. ;) ]</span></div>
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Zephyr and Reece <3</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXVNuweZDEg/USmTxZZJ5RI/AAAAAAAACyQ/LEh72P_T_Ak/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXVNuweZDEg/USmTxZZJ5RI/AAAAAAAACyQ/LEh72P_T_Ak/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everleigh and Avalon <3</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvubt0PKNbc/USmUMT0jKiI/AAAAAAAAC1c/9CzShoPHzn0/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvubt0PKNbc/USmUMT0jKiI/AAAAAAAAC1c/9CzShoPHzn0/s400/Screenshot-6.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Carlise Rapture, Baby 59.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHl5h3kBM34/USmUFcdU83I/AAAAAAAAC0k/Y7HbiQmmXrk/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHl5h3kBM34/USmUFcdU83I/AAAAAAAAC0k/Y7HbiQmmXrk/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cash Rapture, Baby 60</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So why am I here?" Aria asked.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She was sitting in Carter's living room and Mila and Carter were sitting opposite her. She still hadn't been told what was going on, and frankly, it was starting to bother her. The two of them looked at each other before nervously looking back at her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P442nhV_MJA/USmTyBpYIqI/AAAAAAAACyY/lIKbD_-5UJM/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P442nhV_MJA/USmTyBpYIqI/AAAAAAAACyY/lIKbD_-5UJM/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria rolled her eyes. "Are you two, like, dating or something? Is that what this is about?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Both of their expressions went blank, and then they looked at each other, erupting in laughter. Aria kind of thought maybe they were going insane. She crossed her arms over her chest, annoyed, and waited for them to stop laughing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria," Mila said, still partially giggling. "I'm not dating Carter. That's kind of gross. He's like a brother to me." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter made a face at her. "Yeah, thanks. You're pretty gross yourself." She scowled and slapped his arm, turning back to face Aria. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P35MbLmmlJ8/USmT0cRNTNI/AAAAAAAACyo/mu8eUuLFEAs/s1600/Screenshot-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P35MbLmmlJ8/USmT0cRNTNI/AAAAAAAACyo/mu8eUuLFEAs/s400/Screenshot-28.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"On a serious note, though. We really did ask you to come because we're worried about you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria raised an eyebrow. "Why? I'm not going to try and kill myself again. I know that was stupid." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter shook his head. "Not, It's not that, It's-"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Mila interrupted him. "That <i>thing </i>you call a fiance." Carter smirked at her comment and Aria couldn't help but smile a little. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You guys act like he is such a terrible person, but he really isn't. I wouldn't marry someone i didn't love. He really is amazing. At least he used to be..." Her voice cracked unexpectedly and before she knew it, she was crying. Mila moved to sit next to her and pulled her close. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I feel like you know what you need to do, Aria. We just wanted to let you know that we are here to help you if you need it." She whispered in her ear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked up at her, mascara making lines down her face. "It was supposed to work. I was supposed to be able to do this. I have loved him for so long Mila, I really have. I can't believe I failed at this again." She put her face in her hands, crying harder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter mumbled something under his breath and then cleared his throat. "Aria, you two never would have worked out. It's just not meant to be. You have fallen apart every time you have tried to be together. Don't you take that as a sign?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria glanced at him before hiding her face again. "Of course I did, but I just wanted it to happen. It was supposed to. It was meant to be to me." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter scoffed. "It was fucking not."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila shook her head at him slightly. "Now is not the time." She said, hugging Aria tighter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were quiet as Aria cried. She felt so barren. Her heart was in pieces. She hadn't felt like she had failed this badly in a long, long time. "I- I think it's over." She whispered, "I think Levi and I are over. For good this time." Her voice wavered on the words, but she knew she meant them. "I can't believe I am going to give up. I'm so pathetic." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was silent as she thought things over in her head. Then, She stood, walking towards the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As she walked by, Carter caught her arm, and she turned to face him. "This wasn't you, Aria. This was him. And he knows that. We all do." He released her arm and got to his feet. "Do you want me to come with you?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stared at him for a second. The way he was acting was odd. He was being extremely protective. It triggered something in her that she couldn't figure out. She nodded and he passed her, grabbing his keys. She watched him walk out the door, that strange feeling still lingering in her chest. She looked back at Mila, who was texting on her phone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Is it okay if I borrow some clothes? It looks like it started snowing again." Mila nodded and Aria headed upstairs, slipping on a sweater and different jeans. She stopped by the mirror to fix her makeup and her hair and then went back downstairs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With a last hug, she waved a little and sent her a weak smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you sis. I'll see you soon." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They pulled up to her house and Levi's SUV was parked in the driveway. She could feel her stomach knotting. "You can do this, Aria. It was over before it started." Carter's voice was reassuring, but Aria still felt that emptiness in her heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter put his hand on hers softly. "It's okay." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She nodded. "Thank you for coming with me. I don't know if I could do this alone." He smiled at her gently. "I'll always be here if you need me." He squeezed her hand. "I promise." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She felt something cut into her when he squeezed her hand and she looked down at the ring that Levi had given her not so long ago. She carefully slipped it off, holding it tightly in the palm of her hand.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1hBjbZwqU4/USmT7XPs4II/AAAAAAAACzQ/WsnsYv3Aey8/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1hBjbZwqU4/USmT7XPs4II/AAAAAAAACzQ/WsnsYv3Aey8/s400/Screenshot-37.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed, pushing open the door and getting out. The door seemed so gigantic in the moment before she opened it. She felt Carter's presence behind her as she turned the handle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's pulse accelerated the moment she saw Levi's face. He walked over to them, assuming a stance Aria was beginning to know well with his arms across his chest. He glared at both of them with a vacancy that made her stomach tumble.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why is he even here?" Levi asked, staring at Carter. Aria sighed. She wasnt ready for this. But would she ever be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "I asked him to come with me. I need to talk to you." The silence that proceeded those words was heavy in the air. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You have got to be kidding me.." Levi said, glancing at Aria's hand where the ring no longer appeared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Levi, I-" He cut her off, putting his hands up. "Save it, Aria. This has been a long time coming." He held his hand out, and she placed the ring clutched in her fist into his. He shoved it into his pocket and she stepped closer to him. He looked up at her, his face etched with an emotion Aria didn't really recognize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Levi, I love you with everything I could possibly have, but this... This is killing both of us." His eyes met with the floor and Aria bit her lip, touching his shoulder. He shoved her hand away, roughly, making Carter tense up, clenching his fists. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He gently pulled Aria away and stood in Levi's face, a few inches away. "Don't you ever fucking touch her like that again. You understand me? I will put you in the fucking ground."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi's expression changed and he looked as if he desperately wanted to say something, but decided better of it. He was quiescent for a second before the next words left his mouth. "Don't worry. I'm never going to touch that whore again." Aria's eyes widened and she looked at the floor, eyes stinging. " In any way."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked up just in time to see Carter's fist collide with Levi's face. She stared at Carter in shock as Levi regained his balance. He stepped towards Carter, but remained motionless besides that. Carter said nothing for a few moments, his face colored with anger. And then; "You don't deserve her. You never did." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi scoffed, rubbing the point of impact on his face. "I wish I had never met her. She has been nothing but trouble since the day we first saw each other. She's pathetic." Carter stepped closer to Levi, his voice barely audible. "Do I really have to fucking hit you again? Just go Levi."</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSBrA3Ghwp4/USmUCQ7QG-I/AAAAAAAAC0I/lQ0AgLpMrs4/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSBrA3Ghwp4/USmUCQ7QG-I/AAAAAAAAC0I/lQ0AgLpMrs4/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi glared at Carter for a long time before looking Aria straight in the eyes. He paused, his face unreadable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "I just want you to know that I will NEVER love anyone the way I loved you." He took the ring he had shoved in his pocket and set it on the table, the clink as it hit the wood louder than it should possibly be. "And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned and left, leaving the air dead and still behind him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could feel a piece of herself walk out of the door with him, and as it shut, she broke. She grabbed her car keys and without a word to Carter, exited through the back door. There was only one person she wanted to see. One person who could make this better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria, what are you doing here? Why are you crying? What happened?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pushed Bluejay to the side, crossing into the room. "It's over. I'm done. I broke up with Levi." He just looked at her, disconcerted, as her emotions got the best of her. "I just. Need to get my mind off of everything. You okay for some company?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pointed behind him. "Of course I am, Aria."</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTGvLWJ3_lw/USmUERHXtDI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/E9SuRnhW0Yo/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTGvLWJ3_lw/USmUERHXtDI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/E9SuRnhW0Yo/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She made her way to the living room, slumping into a heap on the floor in front of the couch. "I'm so over everything. I hate everything. I hate this fucking challenge. I hate that I have come so far, and that I'm ready to give up." Bluejay quietly sat on the floor next to her. She looked at him, at a loss. "I hate that I couldn't make it work."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He breathed out, exasperated, with a hint of a smirk on his lips. "If you're asking my opinion, that guy was a dick and you deserve better." She smiled at his words. "I put so much time into what we had. I feel like I lost a piece of who I am." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay shrugged. "I don't think you have. I think it just feels like that right now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The fire in the grate crackled away and the room they were in smelled faintly of cigarette smoke. "I don't think the feeling is going to change." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He tossed a ball of paper that had been sitting on the floor next to them into the fire and looked at her. "I don't think he is worth your time, let alone your pain." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sighed, staring at the fire burning. "Thank you for hanging out with me, Bluejay, I really needed someone. I just feel like I don't matter anymore, and it sucks." He sighed, leaning back against the couch they were sitting in front of. "Don't start talking like that again, Aria." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria knew he had a point. She should really start being more positive, but it was harder than she had thought it would be. The stereo in the corner was playing music softly, it resounded throughout the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria could feel the tears in her eyes as they spilled down her cheeks and she buried her head in her knees. 'Just what he needs, to see me cry. I'm such a moron.' Her thoughts only made her cry harder. The entire situation. With Levi. With Danielle and Rene. It was all so ridiculous. It was like she would never be okay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't cry. It's going to be okay. Aria, stop." He stood, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A song she recognized, by Anberlin, flowed out of the speakers and Bluejay put his hand on Aria's waist, pulling her closer. She took a breath, startled. "What are we doing?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smiled. "We're dancing. Is that okay?" She was surprised , but put her hand in his, nodding. "Why are you being so nice to me? I'm a mess. All I do every time I see you is complain about my life or cry, like I'm doing now. Why is it that you still want to be around me?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay laughed a little. "I'm sad too, remember?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at the floor, smiling a little in response. "Yeah, I remember." They swayed quietly, the music was beautiful and Aria almost felt.. better. "You know, I didn't even know you could dance. I thought all you did was skateboard." He smirked. "Uh huh. I thought all you did was pop out babies. I guess we're both surprised." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He winked and took her hand, twirling her in a circle and she laughed softly. "Yeah, yeah. Lots of babies. I'm thinking about just giving up. On everything. I'll never be happy. Not really." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay stopped moving, his hand still interlocked with hers. He pulled her a little closer. "You can't say things like that, cause you don't know. You aren't doomed to be sad forever Aria. When you hit rock bottom, the only direction you can go is up." Aria looked away, tears springing to her eyes again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay touched her face, gently making her look at him. "I'm serious. You're beautiful, Aria. And you will be happy. I know you will." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few seconds stretched between them, the only sound being that Anberlin song in the background. Aria wasn't quite sure why she decided to kiss him, but she did. She was even more stunned when he kissed her back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe she shouldn't do this. He was so young. But he was possibly the sweetest guy she had ever met in her entire life. His entire presence was intoxicating. "I'm so sorry," Aria whispered, pulling away and leaning her forehead against his. "Don't apologize to me, Aria." She looked up at him.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyl_Y50vZvQ/USmUMBybUlI/AAAAAAAAC1U/yxlSn1s4kQQ/s1600/Screenshot-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyl_Y50vZvQ/USmUMBybUlI/AAAAAAAAC1U/yxlSn1s4kQQ/s640/Screenshot-59.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "You have nothing to be sorry about." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He kissed her again, melting her resolve in seconds, and she followed him to the couch, sitting in front of him. She sighed, what was she doing? They were only supposed to be friends. "Hey, come here." He touched her arm and she moved towards him, and he pulled her into another kiss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At that moment, Aria gave in. Maybe she would regret it later. Maybe he would. But right in this moment, it didn't matter.</span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-63681565406688861332013-02-10T22:53:00.003-08:002015-08-02T18:36:52.021-07:0028- <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[Birthdays. Wooo.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Avalon Rapture, toddler and child.</span><br />
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Everleigh Rapture, toddler and child.</div>
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Reece, child and teen,</div>
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Zephyr, child and teen.</div>
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Lawson and Anastaisia Rapture</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Excuse me?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Levi said, pulling Aria closer by the hand he was holding. He looked at Aria and then back at Rene standing outside. Her smile faltered and then she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Are you going to invite me inside? I have been looking everywhere for you." Aria's mouth didn't seem to work, so she nodded. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter looked at her for confirmation before stepping out of the way and letting Rene pass. He grabbed Aria's arm as Rene made her way into the living room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you want me to stay?" He asked gently. Aria nodded, still dumbstruck. She had no other sisters that she knew of. What the hell was going on?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi made a noise of disgust at Aria's assent and followed the rest of them into the living room. He was clearly thrilled with the prospect of spending more time with Carter. Aria sat on the couch, nervous. Rene looked happy as could be, like she couldn't understand why everyone was so confused. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She smiled at Aria. "I have been looking for you for three years. I heard about your baby challenge from whispers on the street in Sunset Valley. Also about some girl named Danielle Smores? What a weird name." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria narrowed her eyes. "That's my best friend." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi interjected "And my mom." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rene's eyes brightened. "Lovely! I would love to meet her." She grinned, showing every single one of her bright, sparkling teeth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was instantly suspicious. No one was that happy naturally. She pulled out her phone and sent Danielle a text, which she quickly responded to. She would be there in a few minutes, she had already been in town doing wedding stuff. Aria put her phone away and bit her lip. The tension was thick and no one was saying anything. Carter stood there, just staring at Rene with an apprehensive look on his face, and Levi was standing across the room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So how exactly did you find Aria?" Carter asked confused. Rene looked over at him before directing her gaze back at Aria. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I asked around and found out you lived in Riverview. And then I looked in the phone book." Aria looked at the floor. It wasn't like that was a malicious answer, but something about the entire situation creeped her out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A sudden knock on the door sent relief through her body. She jumped up and rushed to answer it, surprised to see both Danielle and Mila standing there, looking worried. "Are you okay? What is this about another sister??" Mila asked, pushing past her. "I thought Abbi and Jack only had you and Axil before I came along?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded, still kind of dazed from everything. "That is what I was always told." She crossed the room and sat next to Rene. She had always been so much braver than Aria. Rene looked at her, confused. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And who are you?" She asked politely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm Mila, Aria's sister. I want you to tell me everything. Now."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rene spoke a story of unbelievable happiness and luck. She was Abbi's daughter from before her marriage to Jack, She grew up with her brother and step mother on a farm in Appaloosa Plains. They had tons of money, a huge house, etc. She had decided to move to Riverview when she heard of Aria.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria was stunned into disbelief by the end of it. The resemblance was there, barely, but it was. She couldn't believe she had another sister. And she definitely didn't know if she was happy about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rene left her number and new address with Levi as exited. When the door swung shut after her, Danielle immediately groaned loudly. "I don't trust her Aria. Not as far as I can throw her." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila and Carter nodded in agreement. "I don't think you should have her around you, especially not alone. I will do some research on her at the station, but until then, only phone calls, okay?" Carter said, his tone unreadable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi shrugged. "I thought she was pretty sweet. And cute too. She looks a lot like you, Aria." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila glared at him. "You WOULD say something like that."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Levi scoffed and instantly became standoffish. "What is it with you and your attitude towards me? Knock it off, Mila. I didn't do anything to you. Your sister and I are getting married. You might as well get used to me." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila stared at him icily. Then she turned slowly to face Aria, speaking only to her. "Let me just put this bluntly." She said, Aria looking at her in surprise. "I won't be at the wedding. And I think you're making a mistake." She affixed Levi with one final look and left Aria's house, slamming the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria gave birth not long after Rene entered her life. Babies 59 and 60, Carlisle and Cash. She avoided her calls, and when she did answer them, something just seemed off about the way Rene was. She was ALWAYS happy. About everything. It was off putting. She continued going to therapy and saw Bluejay there every time. He coincidentally had appointments adjacent to hers every time she went in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's smile brightened when she left the office a few days after the twin's birth and Bluejay was there. Aria had altogether stopped communicating period with Levi. They didn't even sleep in the same bed. She was stuck and her life seemed to be the same thing on repeat day after day. She didn't even know if she wanted to get married anymore...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you want to do something today?" Bluejay asked, interrupting her thoughts. Aria was surprised that he was asking, but quickly nodded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Of course. Let's go." She didn't even bother texting Levi. He would figure it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn't icy and snowy for the first day all winter. Aria sighed, tucking her feet underneath her. She and Bluejay had walked to the nearest bridge overlooking the river, there wasn't much else to do in this town, and it was beautiful here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can't avoid him forever." Bluejay said, sitting next to her, a few rocks in his hand. He handed Aria a few and proceeded to skip one of the ones he had over the surface of the water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grimaced. "You don't know that that's what I am doing." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded. "Uh huh. And that phone going off every ten seconds gives away nothing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She scoffed, pulling it out and switched it to silent, but not before seeing the 47 missed text messages. "He just cares about me. I don't want to deal with it, that's all. I'm not doing anything wrong hanging out with you, and he makes me feel like I am." He skipped another rock, not responding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sometimes I feel like he thinks I am doing every guy I see. Even you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Bluejay smirked, throwing a rock in the river, where it landed with a splash. "Well, you know, you ditched him again, to hang out with me. You're supposed to marry this guy and you two are never together." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shrugged. "Well, every time I AM with him, he is biting my head off. It gets kinda repetitive. And counterproductive." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded. And then he looked thoughtful. "You know what we could do today? Since it's not freezing? We could go to the skate park." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria groaned and threw him a dirty look. "I am most likely the clumsiest person to walk this earth. Do you really think I can skate?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He laughed. "I can teach you." She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. "Now you're literally saying you want me to DIE."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stood, grabbing her hand and forcing her to her feet. "Don't be a baby, Aria."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She gasped, faking offense. "How DARE you. Now I refuse to entertain your wish to murder me." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He rolled his eyes. "Don't make me push you in the fucking water. Get your ass moving." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grinned and dropped the remaining rocks in her other hand into the river below them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay crossed the edge of the bridge onto the street and pulled Aria after him. Aria looked down, she hadnt even noticed he was holding her hand still. She quickly withdrew it after regaining her balance. He shook his head. "No worries, just making sure you don't fall and kill yourself."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stuck her tongue out. "Nice looking out, man." He chuckled, picking up his skateboard from where he had placed it and they took off walking in the direction of the park. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They arrived in a few minutes, and Bluejay instantly brightened, leading her over to a stretch of concrete. Aria was already apprehensive. This was going to suck and she was more than likely leaving with a concussion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay sat the skateboard on the ground and looked at Aria, who casually looked away. "Ahh, come on. You're not even going to try?" Aria sighed heavily and walked over to him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay held her hand and she got on top of the skateboard, her nervous tension increasing. "Don't I need a helmet or something? What if I fall and get brain damage?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stifled a laugh and shook his head. "Helmets are for pussies. Man up Aria, I'm not gonna let you fall."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She made an attempt to move forward, instantly sending it out from underneath her. She glared at Bluejay. "I cannot do this." He laughed, bringing the skateboard back over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You don't know that. This time I won't let you go, you can at least make it a few feet." Aria pouted but took his hand, trying once again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria lost her balance and fell almost as soon as she touched it, landing in front of Bluejay, he laughed and caught her, steadying her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Ok, so maybe, this wasn't such a good idea. I think you might kill yourself after all." She huffed , annoyed. She noticed he still had his hands on her hips from when he had stopped her fall, but she didn't move. He looked down at her for a few seconds, and then he took his hands away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry," He mumbled, running a hand through his hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She blew air through her teeth, embarrassed. "It's fine Bluejay. You didn't do anything." There was an awkward pause before Aria looked back at the skateboard that had made its escape with her last fall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So are we trying this again?" She looked back at him and he seemed back to normal, a smile on his face. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I really think maybe we shouldn't, but if you think it's a good idea, why not. If you get seriously injured, It's completely NOT my fault."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She collected the board and brought it over to him. She noticed vaguely that it was starting to get dark outside, but she really didn't care. It wasn't like Levi was ever going to make her smile like this. Those days were long gone. She just didn't want to admit it yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The sun eventually set, throwing the park into darkness aside from the street lamps. Aria made it through the day virtually unscathed aside from falling all over the place and a few bruises. But Bluejay stayed true to his word and caught her every time. By the end of the night, Aria felt like a clumsy dork, but she also felt happy; and she couldn't stop smiling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sighed, stretching her legs out in front of her as Bluejay smoked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "So what now?" She asked, knowing she should probably leave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shrugged. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PN5HQ9dzGYo/URiTH0XcpbI/AAAAAAAACqo/O-vlSnSqhCE/s1600/Screenshot-121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PN5HQ9dzGYo/URiTH0XcpbI/AAAAAAAACqo/O-vlSnSqhCE/s400/Screenshot-121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You have someone to go home to. Someone who is probably flipping shit." Aria looked at the ground. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, I just don't want to." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He threw the cigarette on the ground. "You'll see me again Aria." He extended a hand, helping her to her feet. "I'm not going anywhere as long you want me around."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria turned around quickly at the sound of the voice. Carter made his way towards them, looking at Bluejay oddly. "Hey, Levi is looking for you. But i actually came to take you to my house. Mila and I want to have a talk with you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked at Bluejay. He smiled and nodded. "Go on, I'll call you. I promise."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He put the skateboard on the ground and got on it. "See you later, Aria." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He issued a smile and then he was gone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria faced Carter. "You and Mila? This can't be good." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He laughed. "I wouldn't look at it that way. You might be surprised." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pointed at his car, which was parked illegally. Aria grinned at him, desperately wanting to make a sarcastic remark. He read her expression, groaning. "Yeah, yeah. Mr. officer breaking the law, get in the car." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She giggled and made her way over to it. As she shut the door behind her, she wondered what was going to happen next..</span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-8411709544197857912013-01-29T23:51:00.002-08:002015-12-31T05:51:07.773-08:0027- Fix You<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Birthday's first ahah, who would've guessed ;) )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lawson, child.</span></div>
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Anastaisia, child.</div>
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Reece Rapture</div>
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Zephyr Rapture</div>
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Chyler and Kingston Rapture.</div>
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Lawson, teen.</div>
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Anastaisia, teen.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria entered the building, heading towards the waiting room. She gave the woman at the computer her information and looked at the clock. She still had 20 minutes. She had <i>told</i> Levi they were going to be way too early, but of course he didn't listen. He never did. She sat on a seat one chair away from a boy dressed in black with sandy brown hair. He didn't look up at her as she took her seat. The only sound in the room was the receptionist's clicking on her keyboard. She looked over at the boy, who was just staring at the wall opposite of them.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0ILh6SFrIo/UQjNZ-DZGpI/AAAAAAAACmE/cAG4-MoM0g8/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0ILh6SFrIo/UQjNZ-DZGpI/AAAAAAAACmE/cAG4-MoM0g8/s640/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You don't look like you want to be here."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The boy looked at her, his eyes sad. They were the most remarkable eyes Aria had ever seen. She was completely caught off guard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked away quickly. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUCrVIttMUI/UQjNjlJI65I/AAAAAAAACns/KAR-6a40r04/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUCrVIttMUI/UQjNjlJI65I/AAAAAAAACns/KAR-6a40r04/s400/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sighed, slumping against the back of her seat, arms crossed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't either. I was forced to be here by my fiance."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The guy leaned back against the seat, smiling a little. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I was forced too." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She glanced over at him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You don't look crazy." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He smirked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Neither do you, but you're still here."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria couldn't help but smile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, i'm not crazy. I did some crazy things, but I'm not insane. I'm just.." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at the floor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sad." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "I am too." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were quiet as the minutes ticked by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What's your name?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked up at him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He handed her a piece of paper as one of the doors in the office opened. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm Bluejay. Call me sometime. We can be sad together." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked down at the paper as the door shut behind him. He had written his name and number in black eyeliner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She smiled, putting the number in her phone. And then for some reason, she folded the paper up and put it in her pocket anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few minutes later the door to the office next to that one opened and a woman with bright pink hair stepped out. Interesting. This is the person I am supposed to tell all of my secrets to? Aria thought with a sigh, following her inside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">--</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lilac held the door open for Aria and she exited 90 minutes later. Not much had been talked about but Aria felt a little lighter. Maybe this therapy thing wouldn't be so bad. She walked over to the desk and made her next appointment with a bit less of a heavy heart. When she turned around, she was startled to see Bluejay, sitting in a chair, looking at her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shifted her weight nervously, biting her lip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you like, stalking me or something?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He laughed quietly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I could be. But If you saw me, I wouldn't be a very good stalker now would I?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grinned shyly. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3y36MAj20U/UQjNT3kkGoI/AAAAAAAAClE/xuceq3mWHNA/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3y36MAj20U/UQjNT3kkGoI/AAAAAAAAClE/xuceq3mWHNA/s400/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I guess you wouldn't be. But shouldn't you be gone already? Your appointment was before mine." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded and stood, walking over to her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You looked like you could use a friend, so I stayed behind."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria raised an eyebrow. Levi was supposed to be here any time, but this guy had immediately caught her interest... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I.. need to tell my fiance. Give me a minute."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She and Levi had done nothing but fight lately. She had just twins with him, babies 57 and 58 (Twin girls, Avalon and Everleigh), and as soon as she had given birth the fighting returned. He acted like he hated her. He was overprotective, overbearing and a complete ass most days. She hesitated, pulling out her phone. Then she sent him a text that a friend would bring her home later, shutting her phone off. The onslaught of responses were due to start at any moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Let's go," She said, slipping her phone in her pocket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Bluejay smiled, and walked to the door, Aria following behind. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwhGl-J6j80/UQjNU8tUNsI/AAAAAAAAClM/hXlSnWZcKaw/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwhGl-J6j80/UQjNU8tUNsI/AAAAAAAAClM/hXlSnWZcKaw/s400/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was freezing outside, their breath turning into fog as it hit the icy air. And for some reason Bluejay wanted to go the park. And he wanted to <i>walk</i>. Whatever, Aria wanted to get away. That was one place Levi wouldn't expect her to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were quiet as they walked, the silence stretching out ahead of them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually, Bluejay broke it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So I'm guessing your fiance' isn't the nicest guy?" Aria huffed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I didn't say that. He just.. worries about me. So he wants to know where I am." Bluejay raised an eyebrow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sounds more like he keeps tabs on you because he doesnt trust you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria knew he was right, but didn't she say anything. She was trying to work things out, but they were sliding steadily downhill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They came to the park, which was consequently a playground, and Aria laughed a little. She hadn't been there in a long time. It was only a block away from the office.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kiZ49LLmoM/UQjNWbV5XlI/AAAAAAAAClU/OJh0zX1SBs8/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kiZ49LLmoM/UQjNWbV5XlI/AAAAAAAAClU/OJh0zX1SBs8/s400/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He took a seat on a swing and Aria sat next to him, smirking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're gonna swing? Are you like 7 or something?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He seemed slightly amused. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"17." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria instantly felt uncomfortable. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Jeez, I'm so much older than you. I'm 22." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">B</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">luejay shook his head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That's not that much older. 5 years is nothing. I feel like I'm much older than I am." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stared off into the distance, nodding assent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I feel the same. I've been through so much in my life. I might as well be 90."</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSGYgjgksTI/UQjNWVUW1ZI/AAAAAAAAClc/Yv-wiAwxBfc/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSGYgjgksTI/UQjNWVUW1ZI/AAAAAAAAClc/Yv-wiAwxBfc/s400/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, his breath making hazy shapes in the icy air. Aria smiled, watching him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You aren't even old enough to do that." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shrugged, pulling one out and handing it to her. She hesitated a fraction of a second before taking it. She sighed, inhaling and exhaling, her nerves calming almost instantly. It had been years since she had smoked. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A15bgJFRNlE/UQjNW7yjVLI/AAAAAAAAClk/_pJkMC5gWj0/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A15bgJFRNlE/UQjNW7yjVLI/AAAAAAAAClk/_pJkMC5gWj0/s400/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In fact, she had been Bluejay's age, and it was with someone a little older than she was now. She felt odd remembering, not that it would ever matter again. Hidden Springs and that part of her life was far behind her now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What are you thinking about?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Bluejay asked, bringing her out of her thoughts. She shrugged, taking another drag and blowing the smoke into circles in front of her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just the past. Things that aren't important." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded, kicking the snow on the ground in front of his swing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen. It doesn't seem like your boyfriend does much of that."</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjIxrPvzOVA/UQjNZNfMb1I/AAAAAAAACl8/iYTCmuIX_6Q/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjIxrPvzOVA/UQjNZNfMb1I/AAAAAAAACl8/iYTCmuIX_6Q/s400/Screenshot-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was quiet, finishing the cigarette and tossing it into the snow, where it sizzled out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not that he doesn't listen, it's that when he does, he doesn't hear me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Bluejay stared at her, and then he looked away. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know exactly what you're saying." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An orange SUV pulled up, the drivers side door opening and slamming. <i>Great</i>, Aria thought, standing up. Levi looked pissed. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Where is your phone?" He demanded. She pulled it out of her pocket and waved it slightly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's right here, I'm sorry. It must have died." She lied, quickly slipping it back into her jacket. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi crossed over to them, stopping in his tracks when he noticed Bluejay. "So this is your 'friend' you've been with?" Aria nodded, looking over at him sadly. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlcuG-WTGiw/UQjNa6k-aKI/AAAAAAAACmM/49EhEbIIrHs/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlcuG-WTGiw/UQjNa6k-aKI/AAAAAAAACmM/49EhEbIIrHs/s400/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bluejay stood up, shrugging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, I'm not trying to start anything. I just met Aria. I wanted to be friends. I'm not trying to fuck with your territory or whatever." Levi crossed his arms over his chest and Aria bit her lip, looking at the ground. Bluejay sighed, starting to walk away, and then he turned around. "But a word of advice," Levi looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "You keep treating her this way and you're going to lose her." </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvwBWKZk5HU/UQjNbvppI-I/AAAAAAAACmU/wmf2W_cfekM/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvwBWKZk5HU/UQjNbvppI-I/AAAAAAAACmU/wmf2W_cfekM/s400/Screenshot-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that, he was gone before Levi could respond.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Who is he?" Levi asked sharply. Aria sighed, trudging through the snow towards his car. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yay for the third degree. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"His name is Bluejay. I met him at therapy. " Levi smirked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the fuck kind of name is that?" Aria shrugged. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I actually kind of like it." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked over her shoulder at Bluejay's receding figure, thankful she had gotten his number when she did. She opened the door and climbed inside, Levi grimacing as she did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You smell like an ashtray." Aria sighed, shutting the door. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, yeah."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria turned on the fireplace and sat close to it. The living room was freezing, and Levi was at work like he always was lately. Every baby in the house was sleeping and it was getting late. She was so lonely all the time. Levi picked up as many extra hours as he could so they wouldn't fight constantly. Every extra second that they had, however, that is exactly what they did. Over everything.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6f1ZADBRuv8/UQjNfdKRs2I/AAAAAAAACnE/OLITtefht6k/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6f1ZADBRuv8/UQjNfdKRs2I/AAAAAAAACnE/OLITtefht6k/s400/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sat close to the fire, pulling out her cell phone. She had a few texts from Danielle, the bliss she was in was ridiculous. She hadn't even had the heart to tell her that everything with her son was falling apart. Something told her that she shouldn't marry Levi, but she was determined. She LOVED him, flaws and all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She texted Danielle back, another plan for her wedding with Chase blossoming in her mind. As she hit send, the doorbell rang. She looked out the peephole when she reached it and was both excited and hesitant at the same time. She swung it open and ran into Carter's arms. He looked surprised as he hugged her back, looking down into her eyes. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz74SyGYamQ/UQjNgDvkp-I/AAAAAAAACnM/RzjZUva_178/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz74SyGYamQ/UQjNgDvkp-I/AAAAAAAACnM/RzjZUva_178/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you drunk or something?" He asked, laughing. Aria shook her head. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I've just been alone so much lately. It's nice to see a friendly face. Come inside." Carter looked at her, amused, and brushed past her into the living room. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where's your future husband?" He asked, walking over and taking a seat on the couch. Aria followed him, smiling. He still wasn't happy about it, probably never would be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He's at work," She answered, sitting next to him.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUA6vox-chg/UQjNhH3k9iI/AAAAAAAACnU/jbt4smFIxbY/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUA6vox-chg/UQjNhH3k9iI/AAAAAAAACnU/jbt4smFIxbY/s400/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Carter looked shocked. "Is that all he ever does? I'm a cop and I don't work as much as him." Aria looked away, shrugging. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah well, with the wedding coming up, and I'm helping pay for Danielle's honeymoon and with ANOTHER baby on the way-" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter groaned. "You're pregnant right now?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded "I just found out this morning." Carter looked at her stomach and she covered it with her hand, embarrassed... somewhat. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"How many babies is that now?" Aria looked down. "59." Carter looked away, at the fire still crackling. "Over halfway huh? Not that long and you'll be done." He trailed off, his tone blank and then he looked back at her. "Is Levi giving you 41 babies?" He seemed amused. She picked at a loose thread on the pillow behind her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That's the plan."</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udW6xV38gyU/UQjNh0tdZWI/AAAAAAAACnc/BqPHzGb00OY/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udW6xV38gyU/UQjNh0tdZWI/AAAAAAAACnc/BqPHzGb00OY/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were quiet for a while, music tinkling in from the twins' rooms, Anastaisia couldn't sleep without it. "So when is the wedding?" He finally asked. His voice was distant. "When I'm finished. I told you, I'm not getting married until It's over." Carter looked at her, surprised. "I didn't know that still applied." She nodded slowly. "That's been the deal from the beginning." He shrugged. "Yeah, I know. I thought this Smores kid changed that. " He looked away as Aria slowly shook her head. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nope. I know what my goals are and I expect to meet them."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They heard the door open behind them and both turned to look at Levi as he entered. He narrowed his eyes at Carter when he saw him and Aria quickly got up, rushing over to give him a kiss hello. He put a hand on her chest, stopping her. "Why is he here?" He growled in her ear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was taken aback. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He.. He's my best friend L. Chill." Levi smirked, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Your best friend that's in love with you." He said it pretty loudly, and Carter's ears perked up and he chuckled quietly, standing and walking closer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm not in love with Aria, Levi. Get your facts straight. I'm her best friend. I have also known her since she wore diapers. And if you want her, you're going to have to deal with me."<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptaMP5e73tA/UQjNiqbv4PI/AAAAAAAACnk/gJBB9RxinV4/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptaMP5e73tA/UQjNiqbv4PI/AAAAAAAACnk/gJBB9RxinV4/s400/Screenshot-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi huffed, pushing Aria to the side slightly and heading for the stairs. "When I come back down, he better be gone." Levi ascended and Aria turned to Carter, her eyes sad. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why do you put up with that shit?" He asked after Levi had disappeared. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He came over to her. "You deserve so much better." Aria watched the snow fall outside, not meeting Carter's eye. "I hurt him, it's hard to just get over something like that." Carter clenched his fists and released them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It seriously makes me sick. He's not worth it. You're not happy." Aria shook her head quickly. "I am happy!" She didn't convince him, but he nodded. "Okay, Aria. Okay. I'm just gonna go. I'll text you later. I don't want to get you in trouble." He said the last word like it was poisonous. He glanced at the staircase, and then back at her, an idea crossing his mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You know, you could come with me. Get away from here for a while." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened. She hesitated, thinking it over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't know if that's such a good idea.." She said, knowing Levi would freak and she just didn't want to deal with it. "I don't think so, Carter. I'm sorry." He looked disappointed, pulling his keys out of his pocket. "Are you sure?" He dangled the keys in her face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stared at them, almost considering it, when she heard Levi's footsteps on the stairs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He descended, walking over to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Glad YOU'RE still here." He spat at Carter, taking Aria's hand. Carter groaned, putting his head in his hands. "I'm fucking leaving, okay." He turned to exit, but as he did, a knock resounded from the other side of the door. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They all looked at each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Who now?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter opened it, his eyes widening. He stepped aside, revealing a girl around Aria's age with streaks in her hair the exact same color of pink as Aria's. She looked at Carter, confused and then her eyes fell on Aria and she grinned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria Rapture?" She said, her voice soft and sweet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria nodded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm your sister, Rene."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dead silence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>[Authors notes:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The guy in the beginning of this chapter, Bluejay, (Who you will actually be seeing quite a bit more of <3 ) Is from my best friend Anna's Legacy, This Little Bluebird. If you haven't read it yet, you totally should!</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>You can find it <a href="http://annasims.wordpress.com/">here</a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you so much Annnaaaa <3</span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </b></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>]</b></span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-31188405346065552322013-01-21T17:58:00.002-08:002015-12-31T05:37:03.157-08:0026- Breathe: Part Two<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>BEEP BEEP BEEP</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria opened her eyes groggily, stretching and reaching over to turn her alarm clock off. Carter was asleep like a rock next to her. She leaned over, tracing her lips over his ear. He always looked so cute when he was sleeping, she didn't want to wake him. She sighed, laying her head on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and it was almost like music. She couldn't believe that they had been married 7 years tomorrow. Time really did fly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She felt him stir underneath her and looked up at his face, smiling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hi sleepyhead." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smirked, playfully pushing her hair into her eyes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I can't believe you are watching me sleep, you creep." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She giggled and kissed him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's my job to creep on you. I earned that right a long time ago." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter groaned and threw his pillow at her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"You've been a creep since I met you. Don't lie." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She grinned and laid next to him, her face next to his.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GaDTaLA3Ot4/UP3ujR7ztpI/AAAAAAAACj0/71AaCjTnTss/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GaDTaLA3Ot4/UP3ujR7ztpI/AAAAAAAACj0/71AaCjTnTss/s400/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He played with her hair, kissing her forehead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you Aria. I always have." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She smiled, burying her face in his shoulder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you too Carter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A soft cry resounded from down the hall. Danielle must be awake. She had just turned two the week before. She was still pretty much a daddy's girl. She laid there a second, wondering if Jack would get her out of the crib and get her a toy. Her cries grew fussier and Aria sighed, parting from the warmth of the bed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter sat up and chuckled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't worry, Ar. I'll be right downstairs. It's like you're scared I'll just disappear or something."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria smiled weakly. For some reason, she was terrified of just that. Which was un-explainable. There was no reason to be afraid of that. They were married. They had two kids. Their life was perfect. No reason to be afraid, and yet she was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She shook her head, clearing it, and quickly got dressed, heading off down the hall to get Danielle out of her bed. She rocked her softly, bouncing her on her hip on the way to the kitchen. Jack was already in there, reading a book and eating cereal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Hey there sunshine. You could have gotten your sister you know." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shrugged, not responding. That kid would rather read than do anything. She sat Danielle in her high chair and gave her some baby goop, hearing Carter's footsteps as he came down the stairs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hello, beautiful." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He said to the toddler, ruffling her hair. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_THORl_e84/UP3uBNRBGJI/AAAAAAAACfs/QNu85HSo6z8/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_THORl_e84/UP3uBNRBGJI/AAAAAAAACfs/QNu85HSo6z8/s400/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She squealed and smiled as wide as she could at him. He bent down to Jack's level and looked at the book he was holding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What are you reading, J?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jack looked at him, raising an eyebrow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"A. Book." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He held it in his face, moving it a little. Carter laughed, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yeah, yeah." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He crossed the kitchen, wrapping his arms around Aria's waist. His breath tickled her ear and she laughed, extracting herself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He pulled her back to him, kissing her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Guys, seriously, that's so gross." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jack covered his eyes with his hands and groaned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They laughed, pulling apart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aren't you late for your bus?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter pointed at the clock and Jack's eyes widened. He threw down his book and grabbed his backpack, racing for the door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Bye guys! You can be gross now." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They chuckled, embracing again. Jack was 7. And he was amazing, but he had his fathers attitude to a tee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter rest his chin on Aria's head, sighing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Did you take that test this morning?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was suddenly nervous. She had totally forgotten. After the last three she didn't even WANT to. She couldn't handle another heartbreak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> They had been trying for a year to have a baby, and every time she took a test it was negative. Each time, her heart broke a little more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stared off into the distance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I don't even want to. I'm more than likely NOT pregnant Carter. My body is broken." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sighed, turning her to face him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Your body is NOT broken. It will happen baby. And if it doesn't..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He kissed her forehead softly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It obviously wasn't meant to be." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria bit her lip and looked off in the direction of the bathroom. Carter followed her gaze and laughed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do I need to hold your hand?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grimaced at him and stuck her tongue out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, I think I have it handled." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She pulled away from him pretty unwillingly and made her way into the bathroom, casting a final glance at Carter's shadowed form. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Here goes nothing.." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She said, shutting the door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She waited three minutes, biting off every single one of her nails. With a sigh she finally decided to get up off the floor and look at the test. When she saw the result window her stomach dropped. She composed herself, tossing it in the trash. She opened the door and made her way into the kitchen, where Carter was busy attacking Danielle with his 'claw' hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked up at her, his face instantly going colorless with worry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Again?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He put Danielle on the floor, crossing over to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Baby, I'm so sorry." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He hugged her close, to comfort her but Aria started laughing. He looked at her, confused. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I really don't think this is funn-" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He started, but that only made her laugh harder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think you've lost your mind Aria Eden."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter, I'm pregnant."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His entire face lit up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Seriously?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She nodded, a giant grin spreading across her face. Carter kissed her, hugging her close. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you. You know that. You gotta stop scaring me." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria smiled, his hand touching her face. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you too. I'm sorry." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He shook his head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No, It's fine. You just scared me half to death, I couldn't stand to see you go through another no." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YHzCUF4srM/UP3uD8flvHI/AAAAAAAACgA/r3NtMTREkv8/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YHzCUF4srM/UP3uD8flvHI/AAAAAAAACgA/r3NtMTREkv8/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For some reason, Aria's vision started to grow fuzzy. She shook her head to clear it, staring at Carter, but the fuzziness just grew worse. He didn't seem to even notice, still talking. But the more he talked, the darker everything grew. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then everything went black.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">--------</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-364RLZPlBEc/UP3uEw5ElSI/AAAAAAAACgQ/YQfR9NwJcg0/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-364RLZPlBEc/UP3uEw5ElSI/AAAAAAAACgQ/YQfR9NwJcg0/s640/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep ........ Beep....... Beep......... Beep..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You found her like this?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Do you know how many she took?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep..... Beeep.... Beeep... Beep...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Jesus, she came to your house right before this happened, why the fuck didn't you stop her?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What was I supposed to DO? Tie her down? i didn't know she was going to try and commit SUICIDE!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beep ........ Beep....... Beep......... Beep..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The two whispering voices blurred into each other and a third voice rang out, clear as a bell . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You guys aren't helping anything by acting like teenagers." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZeYOceFNyg/UP3uINdMIvI/AAAAAAAACgk/r4P5JCxqrnk/s1600/Screenshot-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZeYOceFNyg/UP3uINdMIvI/AAAAAAAACgk/r4P5JCxqrnk/s400/Screenshot-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Would you shut up Carter. You haven't been around for a while. She doesn't even LIKE you. Why are you here?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You talk to me like that again and I'll knock your fucking teeth in."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I DARE you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's mouth was dry, but she managed to get "Shut up, you two." out of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZ_vl7ijpY/UP3uFVgNkSI/AAAAAAAACgc/uSPIVfsEV20/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZ_vl7ijpY/UP3uFVgNkSI/AAAAAAAACgc/uSPIVfsEV20/s400/Screenshot-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> All three of them snapped their heads in her direction, rushing over to the hospital bed. Danielle's face was colored with worry and Levi looked equally upset. Carter kind of just stood there. His expression unreadable. For some reason, he was the one Aria was the most concerned about upsetting. What the heck was that dream all about? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSz34MbB3AM/UP3uKqijLkI/AAAAAAAACgs/IAQAy-NDWdA/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSz34MbB3AM/UP3uKqijLkI/AAAAAAAACgs/IAQAy-NDWdA/s400/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, out the window. His expression showed nothing, but Aria could feel the resentment seeping off of him. He really didn't like Levi and being in this close proximity was really pissing him off. Levi bent down, brushing Aria's hair aside and kissing her forehead. She was shocked by his kind gestures. Last time she checked, he had 'given up on her for good'. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She cleared her throat, it was raw from something. Having her stomach pumped she presumed. Awesome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nothing like attempted suicide to bring everyone together huh?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She said, trying to lighten the mood. All it did was earn her three different very dirty looks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Is she okay? Where is she?!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria groaned, hearing Mila's panicked voice from the hallway. Great, she had flown in all the way from Starlight Shores. Good job Aria.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Mila stormed into the room, Ariana trailing behind and a redhead she hadn't seen in months. Willow.<i> Seriously? I didn't even die</i>. She and Ariana stalled at the edge of the room, they didn't seem to want to get near her. Maybe they thought suicidal was contagious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giPN1qNYlT4/UP3uLXkvkZI/AAAAAAAACg8/mXu-MqEuHy4/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giPN1qNYlT4/UP3uLXkvkZI/AAAAAAAACg8/mXu-MqEuHy4/s400/Screenshot-49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila pushed Carter and Levi aside, coming up to Aria with a mixed expression on her face. It seemed lke sadness... and anger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What the fluff were you thinking?!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She demanded. Yep, that would be anger. Aria shook her head. Not quite knowing how to answer. What was she supposed to say? It was obvious what she was thinking. Carter murmured something under his breath and Levi turned to him, his tone livid. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Would you just shut the fuck up?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila smacked his arm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Leave him alone. He's been around her for a hell of a lot longer than YOU have." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi narrowed his eyes at her. He said nothing, but his feelings were written all over his face. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't look at me like that. All you've ever done is abandon her. This is partially your fault." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His face colored with anger, but right before he said anything, it crumpled with grief. He looked at Aria, and then at the floor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He muttered the words before exiting into the hall.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Danielle glared at Mila. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You didn't have to say that. He feels guilty enough." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mila laughed bitterly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He should." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter just stood there solemnly, staring at Aria. She caught his gaze and looked away. Those eyes ate through her soul. Mila's cell phone vibrated and she cast a concerned look at Aria, holding a finger up and exiting into the hallway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ90PdiLOTw/UP3uNEeURdI/AAAAAAAAChE/fspepc5N3qQ/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ90PdiLOTw/UP3uNEeURdI/AAAAAAAAChE/fspepc5N3qQ/s400/Screenshot-51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ariana and Willow didn't really say anything. They were in the corner, lost in conversation with each other. Carter just sighed, coming closer to her and sitting in the chair next to the bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You gonna try that stupid shit again when they let you out of here?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria shook her head vigorously. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No. I'm not touching anything ever again." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter smiled at her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I sincerely hope so. Cause I'll kick your ass if you do. And I am pretty sure the rest of the people here will too."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNSwwr5xND0/UP3uOQ9RWFI/AAAAAAAAChM/OMNNi_Q8rSM/s1600/Screenshot-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNSwwr5xND0/UP3uOQ9RWFI/AAAAAAAAChM/OMNNi_Q8rSM/s400/Screenshot-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle nodded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Especially me. I can't lose my best friend Aria." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She walked over to her and squeezed her hand. She looked up at Danielle and noticed there were tears in her eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"When I found you like that, I thought you were dead." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened. Danielle had found her. She felt sick. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm so sorry." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She said, her voice cracking.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That was the stupidest thing you've ever done. I can't believe you would put all of us through that!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Carter glared at Danielle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Would you NOT do that. I think she knows what she did was wrong." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle looked at him icily. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What I say to her is none of your business." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sneered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "I'm pretty sure Levi was right. She doesn't even LIKE you, so there is no reason for you to even be here."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He stood up, clenching his fists. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I seriously have had enough of you AND your sons bullshit." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked back at Aria.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "I'll wait in the hallway for you after you're discharged." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked towards the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Which should be anytime. The doctor said after you woke up you would be."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He walked out the door and Danielle crossed her arms over her chest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"About time he left. He's been here since the ambulance brought you in. I didn't even call him. And somehow he showed up."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She sighed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-nAKMlqD9U/UP3uO-YqatI/AAAAAAAAChY/aBVLUgZz27w/s1600/Screenshot-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-nAKMlqD9U/UP3uO-YqatI/AAAAAAAAChY/aBVLUgZz27w/s400/Screenshot-54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "That's because I called him."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Mila said, entering and bringing a bottle of water over to Aria. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"He has just as much of a right to be here as your son does. Seeing as we grew up with him." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle huffed, looking away. She really didn't like Carter. Aria couldn't figure out why. He had never done anything to her.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The doctor came in a few minutes later, checking Aria over and letting her know she was released. Then he gave her a list of numbers for therapy. She groaned, folding the paper and putting it on the bed while she got dressed. She put it in her pocket, thinking to herself that maybe it wouldnt be such a bad idea...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She exited into the hallway, Mila and Ariana had just left to go back to Starlight Shores and Willow went with them to catch her plane to Hidden Springs. Levi and Carter had stayed behind. Or at least she thought both of them had, but she couldn't see Carter anywhere. Levi had been leaning against the wall outside her room, waiting for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He took her hand when she exited. She looked down at their intertwined fingers, confused. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She let it go, squeezing his hand tightly. They had just made it to the reception desk when Levi pulled her to the side. Aria's brow crinkled, puzzled. Levi shifted his weight, looking her dead in the eye.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Every time you look at me , my heart shatters. I can't stand that you would do this to yourself because of me. I feel like this entire thing is my fault." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shook her head, making her world spin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not, Levi. Don't say that. I'm stupid. I made a mistake." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her voice cracked.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You tried to <i>kill</i> yourself. How is that a mistake?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi had not let go of Aria's hand since he had grabbed it. He finally took one hand off, reaching into his pocket. Aria's eyes widened as he dropped onto one knee. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wg_2JcqnyKc/UP3uQ_egfdI/AAAAAAAAChk/qBkTM_SamIo/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wg_2JcqnyKc/UP3uQ_egfdI/AAAAAAAAChk/qBkTM_SamIo/s400/Screenshot-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria. You have no idea what i went through thinking that I had lost you forever. I can't imagine spending one more moment away from you. I dont care what you've done, the mistakes you've made. I love you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He popped the all too familiar box open, and Aria's eyes fell on the beautiful ring. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Will you marry me?" </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N88EuO62FbQ/UP3uReRUW7I/AAAAAAAACh0/BQnSPkxMWf8/s1600/Screenshot-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N88EuO62FbQ/UP3uReRUW7I/AAAAAAAACh0/BQnSPkxMWf8/s400/Screenshot-60.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria stood speechless. She had NOT been expecting this. They were still in the middle of the hospital for Gods sake. She though of the dream she had just had.. Shouldn't that have been Levi? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why the hell was it Carter of all people?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She swallowed, a grin surfacing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Of course Levi. Yes!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Levi slid the ring on her finger, Aria noticed a figure off to the side down the hall. All she saw was a flash of green eyes as they exited into the stairwell. In the back of her mind she thought of the dream she had awoken from back into this nightmare. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19begIn8EIo/UP3uSkn9bpI/AAAAAAAACh8/mL-HNmLYC-I/s1600/Screenshot-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19begIn8EIo/UP3uSkn9bpI/AAAAAAAACh8/mL-HNmLYC-I/s640/Screenshot-62.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which one was truly better?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She started walking away with Levi, but looked over her shoulder. She came to a stop, and Levi looked at her, confused. She smiled weakly, detaching her had from his. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hold on, there's something I have to do."</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUg8uNH1A8I/UP3ua9i6BEI/AAAAAAAACi8/GmpWtkwLNcw/s1600/Screenshot-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUg8uNH1A8I/UP3ua9i6BEI/AAAAAAAACi8/GmpWtkwLNcw/s400/Screenshot-66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned and rushed to the stairway, opening the door and taking the stairs two at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Carter! Stop!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stopped descending, looking up at her. As she approached him, he let out a heavy sigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "What is it Aria?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She thought for a second. She actually wasn't sure WHAT it was. The dream she had had was still clear in her mind. Maybe it just made her want to talk to him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I just couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She stated quickly, touching his shoulder. She wanted to hug him but he didn't look like he was in a very huggy mood. He smirked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Okay.. So. Goodbye?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He turned to leave again, but she put a hand on his arm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait. Are you mad at me?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked at her, dumbfounded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Seriously?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked at the floor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "I'm furious Aria. Levi isn't the only one who doesn't want to lose you." </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEZUAhR-4v8/UP3uXM7yctI/AAAAAAAACig/wmbSyPSTAoE/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEZUAhR-4v8/UP3uXM7yctI/AAAAAAAACig/wmbSyPSTAoE/s400/Screenshot-68.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She smiled a little, looking back up at him. She was constantly doubting the fact that he cared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "So you're going to marry him?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter asked, his eyes on the ring attached to her finger. Aria nodded, smiling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you going to be the best man? Cause you know, he has no choice in the matter." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter scoffed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Is that supposed to be a joke? I fucking hate that guy." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria groaned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Can't you just suck it up for me?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter shook his head slightly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria couldn't believe he was acting like this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Carter we've been friends for 20 years, doesn't that trump a petty dislike of someone?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> He crossed his arms over his chest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Not this guy. You almost killed yourself because of him." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It's not his fault." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He raised an eyebrow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yes, it was. Part of it was him. You just don't want to admit it because you supposedly 'love' him." </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yk8r3pKavB8/UP3uZGvAMNI/AAAAAAAACis/j3XXLGfyiK4/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yk8r3pKavB8/UP3uZGvAMNI/AAAAAAAACis/j3XXLGfyiK4/s400/Screenshot-69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria grimaced. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I DO love him." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carter nodded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know you think you do. But I don't believe that's the case anymore." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She sighed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You are blind then." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He smiled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nah, I'm not. But you are." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was something in his smile that she couldn't quite put her finger on. It made her feel like she was missing something. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What is that supposed to mean?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His phone rang, pulling his attention away from her. He looked at it, rolling his eyes and pushing ignore. Aria was curious but she didn't ask, it was none of her business. They stood there for a second, quiet. Aria stared at the peeling paint on the stairway walls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I think you should probably get back to your fiance." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He said the last word with a finality that Aria didn't understand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't forget about me, okay, Carter. I still want to be your friend. I still want to see you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He nodded, pulling her into a hug. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'll always be here. I couldn't go anywhere if I wanted to. 20 years later and I still can't seem to stay away from you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria smirked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "You know you love me." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She punched him playfully in the shoulder, turning and heading back up the stairs. He said something before the door closed, but she didn't quite catch what it was.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5JKPYRMrNA/UP3ubSf5q5I/AAAAAAAACjE/77Z5JqmQdF0/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5JKPYRMrNA/UP3ubSf5q5I/AAAAAAAACjE/77Z5JqmQdF0/s400/Screenshot-73.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria felt more confused than she ever had in her life..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anastaisia Rapture</span></div>
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Lawson Rapture</div>
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Chyler, child</div>
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Kingston, child.</div>
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Kennedie Rapture, Baby 50.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Levi and Aria brought 2 babies, a girl, Reece and a boy, Zephyr, into the world soon after her stint in the hospital. After the birth, Levi demanded that Aria go to a therapist. Reluctantly, after weeks of fighting, she agreed...</span></div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-81041789286089647042013-01-14T01:13:00.002-08:002015-12-31T05:21:37.291-08:0026- Breathe: Part One<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>[Authors Note: Content Warning. This Chapter is extremely heavy. This is as bad as it gets for Aria. Rock bottom.</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>and also, this chapter is a bit shorter than usual..]</u></i></b></span></div>
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Demetria and Leilani, Young Adult.</div>
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Chyler Rapture.</div>
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Kingston Rapture.</div>
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Kennedie Rapture</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jayberri wasn't coming into town just yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria filled her anxious waiting time with a donor pregnancy. Yeah... she was smart. She was going to continue having babies even though she was going to do pills with her ex. She felt insurmountably guilty. And irrational. Her life no longer made any sense, so why should her actions?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was twins. Babies 53 and 54. Lawson and Anastaisia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She met up with Jayberri right after the birth of her babies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Every step she took towards his hotel room from her car felt more and more wrong. But she just didn't care. And she had no idea why. Her absence of conscience hadn't worried her for a while. Pretty much the only thing she felt was guilt. And self hatred. She was becoming inattentive to pretty much everything. Except for her growing desire to destroy herself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He opened the door as she came to it. He seemed smack dab in the middle of an episode, but Aria couldn't be too sure. His eyes were rimmed with red and his clothes were rumpled. But then again, that could be from the pain pills. It was hard to sleep when you were wired. He looked over her shoulder and grabbed her hand, pulling her inside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hey, what's the rush Jay? What's wrong?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He looked through the crack as he shut the door, locking it with the deadbolt and the lock attached to the doorknob. He turned to look at her, an odd look in his eyes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I just, don’t want anyone to find us. I never get you to myself.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His comment made Aria uneasy, spending time with him was not the reason she was here. She was here to forget. At least for one night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She put a hand on his shoulder, nodding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> “It’s okay, Jay. I’m not going anywhere.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He sat on the bed, a bottle of prescription pills open on the table next to him. They were spilled everywhere. Aria sighed, brushing past him to clean them up. The quantity on the bottle said 90. There were 29 left. She looked over her shoulder at him as she twisted the lid back on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“When did you get these Jay?” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Concern shone through her voice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Three days ago.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He mumbled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was shocked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> “There are SIXTY ONE pills missing Jay! You did NOT take 61 pills in three days, did you?!” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jay just stared at the wall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I threw up seven.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He said blankly. Aria sighed, setting the bottle back down softly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Jay, that's 54 pills in three days. Don’t you think that’s a little much?” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jayberri shook his head. I’m not even high. I don’t feel a thing.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria slumped onto the floor, leaning against the end table. She had clutched the bottle on her way down. She opened it, sliding a few tiny pills into her hand. She put them in her mouth, swallowing them dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What she had done was either very sad or very stupid. Or both. She wasn’t sure she knew which feeling she was leaning towards the most. She choked back tears that she had no idea she was even trying to cry. They just sat there in silence. Aria felt about a thousand emotions at once as she shut her eyes, a single tear falling down her cheek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They lay on the ground, Jayberri staring at the ceiling, her on her stomach staring at the floor. Aria had been there for three days. She had lost count of how many pills she had taken. and she hadn't slept. But she wasn't sad. At least she didn't feel sad. Which was something new. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You still doing that baby challenge thing?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jayberri asked the ceiling. Aria groaned, taking another drink from the water bottle she was holding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I am, I forgot all about that. Funny what this stuff can do to you." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jay smirked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I didn't forget. It's hard to forget when your ex becomes a whore." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria choked as she was swallowing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He cackled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You're nothing but a crazy whore now. Good thing I got away from that while I still had a chance." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria sat up, staring at him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "What the hell is wrong with you Jay?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He continued to stare at the ceiling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You heard me Aria."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She threw a book that had been laying next to her at his head. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You are such a loser. You ask me to come here with you and then you start saying these things to me? I forgot why I started ignoring you in the first place apparently." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She stood up, her eyesight blurring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She leaned against the wall, head spinning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria the only reason you stopped talking to me was because I slept with Kora. You're still the same scared little girl inside that you were back then. You still push everyone away. You're pathetic. You can't deal with anything."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aria's mouth dropped open, so it was more than a kiss? Figured. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where is all of this coming from? We've been hanging out all this time and then you just randomly attack me?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jay sat up, looking at her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I just can't stand all of these games you play." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria was completely confused. They had barely talked about anything the entire time they were together. What GAMES was he talking about? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Jay, I didn't do anything." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jayberri laughed, laying back on the ground. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I should have just given up on you when you freaked over Kora. It didn't matter to you how I felt. You only care about yourself. Sometimes i wish you would just go AWAY." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria went numb. She shut her mouth, grabbing her purse off of the end table. She noticed the bottle of pills next to it, almost empty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed them, slipping them in the pocket of her jacket. She hastily walked over to the door. Before leaving she turned around and fixed him with a blank stare. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Jayberri, I <i>never</i> want to see you again. Do you understand? I'm through. Whatever this was? Pretend it wasn't." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He quickly stood, rushing towards the door, mumbling something Aria couldn't understand. She was out it before he crossed the room. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz95RYKkEA8/UPPKNY3ntPI/AAAAAAAACc0/yeAsoROO8FM/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz95RYKkEA8/UPPKNY3ntPI/AAAAAAAACc0/yeAsoROO8FM/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His shouts echoed across the parking lot as Aria slipped into her car, but she didn't understand a single word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">--------</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria arrived at Danielle's house almost 3 hours later.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> After a brief stop at the park, where she changed her clothes in the bathroom, She had been driving and driving and the gas gauge on her dashboard was finally flashing red in her face. She looked in the rear view mirror, fixing her makeup. She really didn't want Danielle to worry about her. It was useless at this point. She glanced up at Danielle's house, she saw Chase look out the window and walk off. Presumably to get Danielle. Aria sighed, opening the door. She couldn't believe her best friend was getting married... </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She knocked softly on the door and heard footfalls on the other side. Danielle opened the door and immediately looked worried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Aria, you look terrible. What's wrong?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She grabbed her hand, pulling her inside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nothing, I'm fine. I actually just came by to drop off the extra set of keys to my house for you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She dropped them in a ceramic bowl on the table, next to Danielle's car keys. Danielle looked puzzled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wait, why? I don't even remember asking for them.." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She trailed off.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JS2D3lxl1_U/UPPKPnFhYYI/AAAAAAAACdI/DuceNwQlFhI/s1600/Screenshot-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JS2D3lxl1_U/UPPKPnFhYYI/AAAAAAAACdI/DuceNwQlFhI/s400/Screenshot-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shrugged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "Even if you didn't, i feel like it's something you should have." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle didn't look like she believed her for a second. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Aria you have been so weird lately. It's really starting to scare us. Ariana is in the other room, you should come hang out with us. We haven't seen you in weeks." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria's eyes widened. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ariana is here? I- I have to go." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned to go, but Danielle stopped her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Why does it matter if people are here? Mila is too. We just miss you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria pulled her arm out of Danielle's grip, moving towards the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Danielle, if anything ever happened to me, would you make sure that my kids are taken care of?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria looked at the floor, not meeting her eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What, of course I would. But why would you ask me that?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria shrugged. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Are you okay Aria? You've been so distant. I worry about you. You look like death." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Danielle touched her shoulder and Aria flinched away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm fine. I need to go. I just needed to make sure that I could rely on you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at Danielle, her eyes sad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I love you Danielle." </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdkkXZbxJsE/UPPKP5eRg6I/AAAAAAAACdQ/0jqLA8LFlzQ/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdkkXZbxJsE/UPPKP5eRg6I/AAAAAAAACdQ/0jqLA8LFlzQ/s640/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With a weak smile, she turned around and went out the door, the bottle in her pocket shaking with every step.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aria took a drink from the small bottle of vodka, crying softly. Everything was just turning into the same thing. Day after day she made mistake after mistake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one knew about Corbin. No one knew how much it hurt just to breathe. She was lost. And empty. Not even her babies made things better anymore. She was stuck in a sucking vortex of pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'What am I even doing here anymore? Why am I even trying?' </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLDoJwylmys/UPPKPSfR9VI/AAAAAAAACdE/nprH3I8S8UE/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLDoJwylmys/UPPKPSfR9VI/AAAAAAAACdE/nprH3I8S8UE/s400/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She turned the bottle in her fingers like a baton. They clattered, and it almost sounded like music to Aria's ears. She stared at the little pills, her heart aching. It was time. She was done. She was over this life and everything that came with it. She twisted the cap off and spilled them into her hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">15 pills. 15 60 mg Oxycontin. She closed her eyes, tipping them into her mouth. Aria tilted her head back, drinking the rest of the bottle as fast as she could. It burned and her heart raced and she just kept going. Every sense was on fire. She was as alone as she had ever been in her entire life. It was minutes before she felt anything. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tlk8C-IzTI/UPPKQqON5rI/AAAAAAAACdc/WN33WNW2FCw/s1600/Screenshot-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tlk8C-IzTI/UPPKQqON5rI/AAAAAAAACdc/WN33WNW2FCw/s400/Screenshot-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She thought maybe she would just pass peacefully on and everything would be over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No more pain. No more heartache. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No Corbin. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No Levi. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing to worry about. Nothing to be afraid of. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one to hate her. No one to hurt her. No one that she could hurt..</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The tears spilled down her cheeks and her breathing slowed. Her vision doubled, and she fell to her knees, her head in her hands. She thought she heard something from the other room, but she was too cloudy to make any sense of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The world spun and Aria clutched her stomach. The pain was ridiculous. The last thing she saw as the ground rose up to meet her was the empty bottle of pills, cold and lonely on the floor.</span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529903850118311671.post-13657796223694815522013-01-07T17:46:00.001-08:002015-04-29T03:34:29.044-07:0025- Lovesick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Demetria, child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leilani, child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedie Rapture. Baby 50.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tv4evkDo4OI/UOS2hBZm2WI/AAAAAAAACWg/3r_1GOLZHsE/s1600/Screenshot-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tv4evkDo4OI/UOS2hBZm2WI/AAAAAAAACWg/3r_1GOLZHsE/s400/Screenshot-4.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Levi opened the door, looking at Aria blankly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "What are you doing here?" She held the box tightly in her hands. She hadn't let it go since he threw it at her, not knowing quite what to do with it. He sighed, standing aside so Aria could enter. She turned around, holding the box out like an offering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "What am I supposed to do with this?" Her voice cracked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He stared at it. "Whatever you want. It doesn't mean anything to me anymore. I don't even care enough to take it back. I just don't want it anymore.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding right? You bought this for me? What were you going to do with it?” Levi looked annoyed. “Stop playing stupid Aria, you know damn well what I was going to do with it.” Aria looked down at the ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But.. Why. You have a girlfriend. You moved on. We were over.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He moved away, and she followed him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Levi shook his head. “I broke up with Reign the night you came to my apartment. Which is what i was trying to tell you when Dylan interrupted me.” he looked out the window, staring at the rain. “I was going to ask you to marry me today. Because it was raining. And I know you love the rain..” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria exploded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And now you’re just over it? Over us?” Levi nodded, still staring outside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You had a baby. With my <i>brother</i>.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You can't do this to me. You can't corner me and find out I made a mistake and just give up! I didn't even know there was any hope for us. Levi you were with Reign! How was I supposed to know that you still cared about me?" Aria was in tears now, her heart racing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Levi scoffed. "I kissed you Aria. While I was with Reign. I might care about her, but she's not you. No one can compare to how I feel about you. Why is it that you can never figure that out?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria shook her head. "Levi, I didn't know."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You never do! That's always the problem. You don't know what you want. I doubt you ever will." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria was speechless, still crying. She couldn't believe this. She could have had Levi. She could have had everything she always wanted. But now, he didn't want her. Because she kept making mistake after mistake. She felt like the love of her life was literally slipping through her hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"But, I love you, Levi. I love you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Levi looked away, sighing. "I used to love you too. I don't know how I could be with you now, though. I can't even look at you the same." Aria was hysterical. "Don't say that! You can't mean that!" Levi shook his head, pointing at the door. "Just go Aria. I can't be around you right now." Aria looked at the door, her heart breaking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Levi-" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Just go. Please."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"L, you can't be serious. I would give anything to be with you. To be happy. You mean everything to me." Levi scoffed, gently pushing her towards the door. "Obviously I didn't. I'm tired of this game Aria. I can't do this anymore. You drive me insane. I am always worrying, always upset. I should have given up on you when you didn't believe that Sparrow used me." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He opened the door, looking at the floor. "This is me giving up. For good."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria choked on her tears, wanting to say something, anything, to change his mind. But something told her that nothing would. She walked out the door and turned to say one last thing, but Levi slammed the door in her face. She stood there a moment, stunned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What am I supposed to do?" She whispered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She noticed she was still carrying the ring in her pocket. Dying inside, she sat the little blue box on his doorstep and walked away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phoebe and Echo, YA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Cheer up, sweetie. We're gonna have FUN tonight!" Kimari applied the makeup brush to Aria's eye again, finishing up her work. "I'm trying, K. I really am. This just sucks. I feel so empty. I dont know what to do with myself." Kimari sighed, hugging her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I know what you are going to do tonight. You, Eli, Ariel and I are going to get drunk as hell and meet this band. It will be fun, I promise. You need a night out." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria nodded, not quite believing her. She ached all over and her heart felt like it was going to explode.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She could hear Ariel and Eli giggling from the next room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She assumed that they had more than likely already started drinking. Aria took one last look in the mirror. She was beginning to hate how she looked. She was beginning to hate everything about herself. Nothing was helping. She felt like her life had just become the same miserable thing constantly on repeat. She followed the girls to the door, they were slightly tipsy, playing around. Being silly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria stood alone, Trying to muster up some excitement. And failing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Sometimes I wish I was dead." She mumbled to herself, exiting the house.</span></div>
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The night passed in a blur of bright lights, loud music and alcohol. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria found herself back at the hotel with the girls AND the band. She couldn't even remember getting there. She was so drunk the entire room was lopsided. Kimari was being seduced by the guitarist, Eli and Ariel were off God knows where.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Aria was sitting on the bed next to Kimari and she was pretty sure the guy Kimari was all over had said his name was Elesky. Aria grabbed the bottle of whiskey off of the end table and drank straight from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> "Kimari," she mumbled. She looked over at her, expression clouded. "Mmm?" She managed, turning her attention back to the guy she was sitting on. "Kimari, I want to go home," Aria thought she had said it loudly, but it came out as barely a whisper. Kimari didn't seem to hear her, but Elesky did.</span><br />
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She noticed through her blurry vision that there were assorted drugs next to it. Including needles. Her skin crawled. Where <i>were</i> they?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hey baby, there is always room for more." Aria shook her head, her mouth dry. She took another drink. "Aww, don't be that way." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He held a hand out to her. "Come here baby. Let's have some fun." Aria hesitated. Her intuition told her not to. Some skeevy guy in a random band. She looked at Kimari, her drunk smile plastered on her face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had nothing left, why not? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria had completely lost her mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria dizzily stared at the wall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night was such a blur. Just like the past few weeks in general. She.. assumed that something happened with Elesky and Kimari. But she was so drunk the last thing she remembered was making out with Kimari when they had gotten there. She just kept making the most ridiculous choices. She was such a slut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Come on baby doll, we're heading out." Kimari called, grabbing Aria's cell phone and tossing it to her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kimari had her hand on the doorknob when they heard a knock. Aria's pulse quickened. "Riverview Police Department. Open up." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria's mouth went dry. She glanced over at the end table where the band had an assortment of illegal things. She sighed. Of COURSE this would happen. At least she hadn't done anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kimari opened the door with a smile and Aria groaned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OF FUCKING COURSE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His eyes widened when he saw her. Then he rolled them, muttering something under his breath. His partner brushed past him, walking over to the other people in the room. Carter glanced around the room and then looked back at Aria, raising an eyebrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria felt Elesky brush up next to her. He rubbed her cheek with his thumb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "I had fun last night baby girl, we should do it again sometime." Aria nervously looked at the ground. She couldn't even<i> remember</i> last night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carter groaned and grabbed Aria by the arm and pulled her out the door adjacent to the parking lot. "Tell me you're joking? Aria, no fucking way."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria bit her lip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You seriously hooked up with some random guitarist in a band? What are you a fucking groupie now? What the hell is wrong with you?" Carter put his head in his hands. "I could have arrested you. ONCE AGAIN, Aria. There was cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin in there. I could have easily taken you to jail." Aria's mouth dropped open.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "I didn't do anything like that!" She exclaimed, shocked. Carter sighed, "Technically it was in your possession." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was silent for a minute and then he slammed his fist into the wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Why is it that you can't just stop? You have a million children and you are still acting like a child yourself. I'm sick of babysitting you. The guys at the precinct make fun of me as it is." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria couldn't help herself; she giggled. "It's not funny Aria!" he said, forcefully. He moved closer to her. "I seriously just don't understand you. You're not who you used to be. You're not the Aria I grew up with. I don't feel like I even know you anymore." Aria scoffed. "You DON'T know me anymore."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carter shook his head, defeated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You're right. I don't. I haven't in a long time. You keep assuming I will just keep coming back and doing this over and over Aria. But I won't." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carter slumped against the wall, his face morose. "You keep testing my friendship. And my capabilities to deal with this shit. Aria I care about you, but you're starting to drive me insane." Aria's stomach clenched. There was that word again. Everyone says I am driving them insane. I don't even know why I try anymore. Maybe it would be better if I wasn't aro-'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Aria, are you okay?" Kimari's voice came from over her shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Aria looked up at her and shot her a weak smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "I'm okay. I'll be along in a minute." Carter scoffed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No. She won't. I'm taking her home." Kimari gave him a dirty look and seemed as if she was about to say something, but kept her mouth shut. "Okay, Aria. But please, call me when you get home." She glared at Carter once again and walked back into the hotel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You're not my guardian Carter," Aria mumbled, embarrassed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He looked at her, his expression unreadable, "Sometimes I feel like I am." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked away. She hated the way his eyes seemed like knew everything she held inside. They always had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Well, you're not. We're just friends. We will never be as close as we used to be because you hate everything about my life. Everything I do. Who I am," </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He shook his head. "You don't know anything Aria."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria just sighed. "So what do you want me to do? Beg you not to give up on me? It kind of seems like that happened a long time ago."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Carter's eyes flashed, "I haven't given up on you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> She crossed her arms over her chest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "I don't believe you."</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9abRI6Vl27A/UOt4nydhqAI/AAAAAAAACbc/DYi17obN-vc/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9abRI6Vl27A/UOt4nydhqAI/AAAAAAAACbc/DYi17obN-vc/s640/Screenshot-8.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He huffed, pointing out at the street where his car was parked. Aria was surprised to see it was his Hummer and not the cruiser. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You know, " Aria stated, allowing herself to be dragged towards it, "That car is bad for the environment. You should invest in a new one."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carter just shook his head, unlocking it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria gave birth to Elesky's babies before she knew it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Babies 51 and 52, different gendered twins, Chyler and Kingston.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6E52csRXN7U/UOt4kDBjZ0I/AAAAAAAACa4/6N0QuvSbPcM/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6E52csRXN7U/UOt4kDBjZ0I/AAAAAAAACa4/6N0QuvSbPcM/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Demetria, teen.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrY2RIAlkq8/UOt4hqu2u-I/AAAAAAAACaY/08ZsixrR2aw/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrY2RIAlkq8/UOt4hqu2u-I/AAAAAAAACaY/08ZsixrR2aw/s400/Screenshot-11.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leilani, teen.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuPbpgp0N6w/UOt4inO6LBI/AAAAAAAACao/QNwfDq0By3U/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuPbpgp0N6w/UOt4inO6LBI/AAAAAAAACao/QNwfDq0By3U/s400/Screenshot-12.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedie, child.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ZQYcLBRLA/UOt4isL6jzI/AAAAAAAACak/PIgL-CaxUtY/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ZQYcLBRLA/UOt4isL6jzI/AAAAAAAACak/PIgL-CaxUtY/s400/Screenshot-13.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She now had 52 children. And yet, she felt like she had no one. She felt like there wasn't one person that truly cared about her. She couldn't shake the dark cloud that had settled over her head so long ago. It felt like one more thing could happen and she would snap. Life had become completely overwhelming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria stared at her phone, scrolling through the names.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So many people she wished she could talk to. Mila, Danielle, Ariana, Willow, Carter, Levi, Kimari, Eli, Ariel. But her problems and feelings seemed so unimportant in the grand scheme of things. She heard the baby cry from the other room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> She sighed, deciding she should probably attend to their needs. She was about to put her phone down when it rang. She stared at the caller ID and her stomach flipped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jayberri. Really?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIyfmei6WK4/UOt4kJ-AoyI/AAAAAAAACa0/C8bzZW8zW88/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NIyfmei6WK4/UOt4kJ-AoyI/AAAAAAAACa0/C8bzZW8zW88/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She answered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Hey Aria, I was wondering. Do you want to hang out? I got some of that stuff you used to love.." He trailed off, not saying what it was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aria's mouth dropped open. Was he seriously asking if she wanted to hang out with him and do drugs? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Aria don't be an idiot. You haven't touched anything in years. You're a mother now.' </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a sigh she pushed her conscience aside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "When?"</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpr7ulzjij8/UOt4ktIdpGI/AAAAAAAACbE/KilYqlAuTZ4/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpr7ulzjij8/UOt4ktIdpGI/AAAAAAAACbE/KilYqlAuTZ4/s400/Screenshot-18.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey, she was already on a roll. Why not?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~</span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319705536439947602noreply@blogger.com5