Aria's POV

I cursed the moment I let a guy I just met drag me into doing something completely out of character for me.

If this were how he cultivated his social life, then I would gladly skip having one entirely.

On the couch before me was Kevin, engrossed in a make-out session with another guy.

Lily said it was hot, but I couldn't agree. I mean, I don't engage in these things.

I'm the principal's daughter, the one who's supposed to be home on nights like this, either studying or sleeping.

I had let my guard down simply because a guy asked me to a party.

A guy who is gay.

I chugged down my drink, a fruity concoction I found in the fridge of the party host.

My legs ached in my boots, and for a moment, I was tempted to take them off.

I took another gulp of my drink and scowled at the noise erupting from the house.

This was my second party ever. The first was Lily's birthday, and she wouldn't let me miss it for the world. I attended, but I had avoided the beer and dancing, which Lily insisted was the essence of the party.

"My, my... Who do we have here?"

Oh no. I recognised that voice.

It belonged to Jason, and he was the last person I wanted to see right now.

I glanced up and locked eyes with him. Tonight, he was dressed normally, in a plain long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, unlike the first time I saw him.

"If it isn't my tutor. You know her? She's Principal Bennett's daughter, the one and only." Jason slapped the back of a guy standing beside him.

I let out a frustrated huff and decided to ignore him. If only he could read my mind and leave me alone.

"What's that? Beer?" Jason snatched my cup before I could protest.

I watched in disbelief as he drowned the contents. A smirk curled on his lips. "Does Daddy know you're at a party full of hot hockey players and drinking beer?"

I rolled my eyes, shot my middle finger at him, and turned away. But it seemed Jason wasn't going to let me off that easily. What was wrong with him? Was he drunk?

"Leave me alone," I spat.

Jason grinned slyly and leaned in closer. "You know I heard you dressed up thinking you were going on a date, and the guy turned out to be gay."

My eyes widened, and my mouth fell open in shock. How did he know that? His friend beside him shot me an apologetic look. Good to know he recognised that Jason was being a jerk.

In a drunken stumble, Jason stepped too close and fell on top of me.

A huge guy leaning on my small frame? We both toppled to the ground, me on the bottom and Jason on top.

I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and I scrunched my nose in distaste while trying to push him off, but I was unsuccessful.

"Get off me," I managed to say.

Jason's eyes fluttered open slightly as he cupped my face. I froze. His hands were warm against my skin, but rational thought fled me.

He gave me a look that screamed trouble. And just as I suspected, he leaned in and kissed my lips.

"Dary... don't leave me again, please," he murmured against my mouth before biting my lower lip.

My brain had completely shut down. It was my first kiss.

Despite the bitter, mangy taste of beer, I found myself getting lost in the moment until I heard the flash of a camera.

I broke the kiss, turning my head to the side and gasped.

The party had moved outside, and people were taking shots, laughing loudly. Oh no.

Coming here was the worst mistake I'd ever made. Someone helped pull Jason off me, and I looked up to see his friend from earlier and Lily rushing to my side.

My throat constricted, and I fought the urge to burst into tears. I was sitting in the sand, my clothing ruined, and my lips swollen, with glassy eyes.

I scrambled to my feet, pushing my way through the crowd amid the boos and jeers from the students. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Aria... are you okay?" Someone held my wrists.

It was Kevin, gripping my wrists while his date or boyfriend stood beside him. I sniffed and nodded.

There was no point in saying anything. I had already embarrassed myself enough for one night. I tried to leave, but he didn't release my wrist.

"Earlier today, I'm sorry. I should have told you I was gay. I didn't know you'd dress up for me or anything. Are you okay?"

"It's okay, Kevin. Honestly, I'm fine," I mouthed, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Are you sure? Do you think we could still be friends?"

That pushed me over the edge. I snapped, "You know it's not fair to tell people I dressed up to go on a date with you. I didn't know you liked guys, so stop being a jerk about it."

Kevin let go of my arm and shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. Bastard. "Well, you can't blame me. You were just too desperate. I could see the way you fawned over me..."

Little tears spilt down my cheeks, and I wanted to crawl under my bed and cry. But then, a hand rested on my shoulder, and I turned to see Lily and Jason's friend.

"You're going to apologise to her," he said to Kevin, his tone serious.

Kevin sized him up and seemed to realise he wasn't a match for a hockey player, but still scowled. "What the hell, man?"

"Apologise to her," he said. "You don't want to mess with a hockey player, do you?"

Kevin grunted an apology and then stalked off with his pitiful excuse for a date.

Now I was left with Lily and the strange guy, so I mouthed a thank you to him and admitted that coming here was a bad idea.

"So, how was the kiss with Jason?" Lily grinned.

I pushed her away and walked off, ignoring her shouts for me to come back.

Aria's POV

The snow outside had gotten heavier, but in a soft, pretty way, none of yesterday's slush and chaos.

I stood by my bedroom window, holding the curtain open just a crack, watching the flakes drift down in lazy spirals.

The world looked quieter when it snowed. Like everything was on mute, and I kind of wished my nerves were too.

Today was my first official tutoring session with Jason Monroe.

I closed the curtain with a sigh and grabbed my tote bag.

I'd packed it earlier with my old Algebra textbooks, a few sharpened pencils, a calculator, highlighters, sticky notes... maybe a little overkill, but better to be over-prepared than caught slacking.

Especially with him. I tucked the folder with the placement tests and zipped it up before slinging it over my shoulder.

I reached for my purse, still sitting on my desk, and paused at the door.

"I wish Lily were here with me," I murmured.

I didn't even realise I'd said it out loud. Everything just felt... off without her by my side. Lily was my buffer, my confidence boost.

She made walking into unknown situations feel like jokes instead of heart attacks.

Now I was going to a stranger's house alone to tutor a guy who my subconscious thought looked like he belonged to a Calvin Klein billboard.

Ugh. Not that I'd ever admit but Lily was right. Hockey players were hot. But Jason was not just hot. He was hot hot. Like unfair levels of hot. Like, why do you even have a shirt on, sir? It's kind of hot.

Only... the problem was, when he opened his mouth, all that heat turned into cold rudeness.

Whiplash much?

I locked my front door and trudged toward the car, tossing my things into the backseat before sliding into the driver's seat.

My breath fogged up the windshield for a second, and I sat there, gripping the wheel and trying to calm the jittery energy buzzing through me.

I was five feet tall on a good day. Jason probably bench-pressed people my size for fun. How the hell was I supposed to survive this arrangement?

"Just be professional," I whispered to myself. "Help him pass. Keep it cool."

I glanced at the folder again and bit my lip. Please, I prayed silently, let him have actually done those placement tests. Just so this doesn't turn into a complete mess.

As I turned into the familiar bend toward his street, my stomach twisted itself into knots. My fingers clenched a little tighter around the steering wheel.

This was fine.

Totally fine.

I pulled into the driveway, parking behind a sleek black car that screamed money and speed. Probably his. Of course.

This time, a maid answered the door instead of his mom. She was kind and polite, introducing herself quickly before ushering me inside and up the staircase. I muttered a soft thank you and followed her steps, feeling smaller with every one I took.

Jason's door was already open when she stopped in front of it and smiled at me before leaving.

I stepped inside.

Typical boy's room. Hockey gear everywhere. Sticks propped against the wall, jerseys draped over a chair, and posters plastered everywhere.

Not just random players, though. Most of them were him. On the ice. With teammates. Mid-celebration after a goal.

The colour scheme was grey and black. I sidestepped a hoodie on the floor and a stray Gatorade bottle before moving further in...

A low growl stopped me in my tracks. I froze, turning toward the sound just as Jason looked up from where he sat on a couch near the far window.

Another guy was slouched beside him. A tall, broad-shouldered guy with buzzed dark hair and a wolfish smile.

Jason's eyes locked onto mine. "Who let you in my room?" he asked.

I flinched, instinctively taking a step back.

The other guy snorted. "Dude. Go easy. She's a cute little thing." He grinned at me.

The other guy pushed himself off the couch and walked over, extending a hand.

"Name's Aiden."

"Aria," I said, trying to make my voice sound normal.

His eyes flicked down. Then he tilted his head, almost thoughtfully, before saying...

"You might want to change your pants. They're... stained."

My heart skipped a beat. "What?"

I turned slightly, reaching behind me. My fingers touched the fabric. It was wet and sticky. Blood. Oh my god. No. No. No. No.

I stepped back, my face burning so hot. My period. Right now? I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

I couldn't move, nor could I breathe. My fingertips were pressed lightly against the stain.

Aria's POV

Of all places. Why is this happening now and here? Why didn't it happen at home, in my bathroom, where I could easily fix it in like a second?

I slowly pull my hand back in front of me. I can feel the burn in my face, climbing from my neck to the tips of my ears.

Aiden gives a low whistle and turns away like he's trying to give me space, which... I guess, thanks?

Jason doesn't even utter a word. But I know he is watching me intently.

For one, I'm glad he doesn't make a comment or act like anything has happened.

"You can use my bathroom," He says.

I bit my lip, nod quickly and bolt toward the door he tilted his head toward.

If it were any other day, I might've gawked at how luxurious the bathroom looked. Black marble countertops, warm golden lights, a huge walk-in shower. But I could care less right now.

My periods have never snuck up on me. I know the exact date down to the damn hour and I don't even need to check my Flo app to be sure.

But here I am, in a stranger's house, bleeding through my jeans.

I probably look like a clueless middle schooler who got her period for the first time.

I stare at myself in the mirror, sweaty despite the snow outside. My bangs stick to my forehead and my eyes are glassy.

Let's face this. I have no pads or tissues with me. I bit into my fingernail, a habit I haven't kicked since forever.

Ten minutes later, I'm still standing in the same spot, trying not to cry when I hear a knock behind me.

"Aria?" It's Jason's voice.

What does he want? I don't answer fast enough before he asks again. "You okay in there?"

Like he cares. Why wait until it's past ten minutes before coming to check up on me? Anyway, it's not like he's obligated to help me anyway.

Time to bury my shame and just ask for some help. "I could use some help." I squeak.

There's a pause and I'm starting to regret asking. Then I hear him laugh. "There's a bag outside the door... if you need it."

A bag? I wait until I hear his footsteps retreat before I open the door and snatch the bag. Inside is Pads, a fresh pack of panties and a huge jersey with 'JASON #17' on the back.

Oh. My. God. I don't want to think about how or why he has these things.

I just change, wash my jeans in the sink and hang them over the rail.

After wiping myself down and putting on the shirt, it falls to my knees like a dress.

"Aria Bennett," I whisper to my reflection. "You can survive this." With a deep breath, I walk out. Aiden is gone, thank God.

But Jason sits on the edge of a couch in front of a desk, his elbows on his knees. His eyes lift and land on me. Then slowly drops, taking in the jersey and my legs and my exposed knees. I tug at the hem, suddenly wishing the shirt went to my ankles.

Jason stands. Why does he have to stand? "I... are you..." He scratches the back of his neck. "Okay?"

"Yeah," I say in a small voice. "I'm fine."

I think about asking him about the bag, pads and panties. But I decide against it. It's a good thing he isn't bringing it up, I don't have to just remind him.

So, I just let it down quietly, pretending I didn't just live through the most humiliating fifteen minutes of my life.

"So, did you do the tests?" I say, looking everywhere but at Jason. It doesn't help that he's staring at me and even though he isn't laughing or smirking, I can feel the amusement behind his stare.

I feel mocked.

"Your period usually decides to embarrass you every time, sunshine?" I hear him ask.

What?

I thought we'd gone past the period saga?

"Can we focus on this..." I point at the book on the desk. "Instead of my period?"

Jason raises a brow. "But I want to talk about your period?"

I fight the urge to glare at him.

"Do you get heavy flows? Or light ones. I once read somewhere that know-it-all girls get heavy flows as punishment for the damn stick in their ass."

I'm trying not to run mad at this point. I squint my eyes at Jason, unsure of a reply befitting his research.

Why is he so rude? No... Why is he one person this second and an utterly different person the next second?

The guy who helped me out minutes ago couldn't be this... annoying freak, could he?

I look inside my bag and bring out my watch and I set the time for three hours.

Yeah. That's how much time I'll spend with him. If he decides to waste the time by stalling me and trying to work me up, it's his own damn problem.

"So, how about the tests? Did you... finish them?"

"I tried." He says lazily before dumping the file on the desk.

Good thing he tried. At least today will be half productive. I'll get to know how bad he is at his school work and then I'll...

You've got to be kidding me.

The first page is blank. I flip through the next page, and the next, and the next and a permanent scowl creeps up to my cheeks. I look up at Jason.

"You... you tried?" The words leave my mouth, making it bitter.

Jason's shrug only infuriates me more. I slam the tests on the desk. "You didn't even try. Everything's empty..." I wave the papers in front of his face. "What is wrong with you?"

Jesus Christ, help me with this. Who is this boy? The one his mum claimed was reserved and didn't eat or talk. Could've fooled me.

"Look, I'm gonna get paid to do this." I start, " And if I can't fix you then..."

"You can't fix me. I am not a malfunctioned robot."

I lift my chin upwards, matching his glare. "I'm not doing this with you," I say, and I take my bag and start packing my things. To my surprise, Jason doesn't stop me. He just folds his arms and watches.

"See? Being the principal's daughter doesn't make you special after all."

I raise my brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that... you are just like the others. The other girls who want me but can never have a piece. And you're intolerant, impatient and..."

That's it. I am so done with him. I slung my bag over my shoulder and walk to the door. By the time I'm down the stairs, and halfway out the door, I stop.

Crap.

My jeans.

I stand and stare down at Jason's jersey swaying down my knees, and silently curse myself. I can't walk out like this. Not in the freezing snow. Not through this town. Not back to my home where my mom will 100% ask too many questions.

I have to go and get my jeans.

I groan and spin on my heel. I'll just go back, head straight for the bathroom and not even look at him.

"Forgot something?" He asks when he sees me enter.

"Just my jeans," I reply.

"Oh right. The bloody jeans." He smirks.

I stop walking. "Jason..." I warn even though my voice is shaky.

He tilts his head. "Relax, sunshine. It's just... You looked so cute running off in my jersey. You know... You were totally killing the walk of shame vibe, although without the fun part of it."

I exhale. "Haha, very funny," I say dryly.

"And could you please come with your bad influence next time? The girl with the pink hair? She's a whole lot more fun than you could ever try to be." He grins.

It shouldn't hurt. Because I've heard that comment every fifteen years that Lily and I have been best friends. Hell, I don't expect the tightness in my chest that comes with Jason's stupid remark. But it's there. As I grab my damp jeans, I picture it.

I picture Lily in my situation. She'd have it under control. And here I am, acting like a coward. A damn coward. Tears prick my eyes as I bolt out of Jason's room.

And his stupid perfect house.