Aria's POV

If humiliation is an actual object, I'd be it right now.

Jason didn't mention that his teammates were coming over. So I can imagine how confused I look once I push open the door and standing in front are his hockey teammates.

The jocks. The popular guys from our school. The ones who sometimes called me a nerd for being the principal's daughter.

And they are all staring at me. Please, earth... open up and swallow me, I pray.

I recognise some of them. Like Jason's friend from the party and Aiden. They give me polite little nods as they step past me into the house without a word. I could kiss them for being nice and respectful. Love that for me. But for the others?

Of course not.

"Wait, wait, wait." One of them grins so wide it hurts to look at him. "Is that... the principal's daughter? In Jason's house? Bro."

I'm still trying to recover from the rude remark when another one whistles lowly. "Jason, my man. Bagged yourself a whole principal's daughter, huh?"

He didn't bag anything, I want to scream.

But the hollers and the laughter from the other guys make me shut my mouth. They are all trooping in one after the other and each one of them has something to say. It's either them hailing their stupid captain or laughing.

The last person is someone I know. Nate. I've tutored him once before when he was failing algebra and the least I expect from him is to be nice. Like Aiden and the other guy.

"Yo, is this the walk of shame?" He says. "Looks like it to me. She's running out with her face red as hell. Hold up, hold up," He continues and the laughter dies down. "Jason has never... I repeat, never... given any girl his jersey."

"I... just..." I stutter, then shut my mouth because what am I even supposed to say? Hi, yes, it's totally not what it looks like? Yeah, sure. Like that will fix the rotten brains of these guys.

So I do the only thing I'm good at. I hold back my tears and run out the open door, making straight for my car.

I yank the car door open and the second I slam the door shut, I can't hold back the tears any longer. I zoom off, barely seeing the road through the blur in my vision.

The sob that breaks out of me is so ugly, I have to press a hand over my mouth so no one can see me if they pass me by.

Screw Jason.

Screw his stupid, idiot friends.

And screw my father for being a principal and for even signing me up for this. I am never going back to Jason's home again. His parents can find someone else to tutor their son.

I'm already halfway down the street when my phone buzzes. I wipe my face with the back of my hand and check who it is.

Lily.

I sigh and answer. "Hey."

"Well?" She asks immediately, no hello, no nothing. "How was your first tutoring session with Hockey Boy?"

I roll my eyes even though she can't see me. "Don't even start."

"Oh my God." Her voice perks up. "You sound weird. Did something happen? Please tell me you at least got a..."

I stay quiet as Lily trails off.

"Aria..." she drags out my name suspiciously. "What did he do? Whose ass am I kicking? Because you know I will."

I let out a weak laugh. "Nobody's. He was just being a jerk. That's all."

There's a pause on her end. "Ugh, I knew it. My poor baby. You sound miserable."

"I'm fine," I mutter, even though I don't sound like it.

"No, you're not," she says gently. "But that's okay, because I know exactly what'll cheer you up. I'm coming over. Five minutes. Just get ready."

"Lily, you don't have to..."

"Too late. I want to, and you need me. End of story." I can hear her moving around, probably already grabbing her coat.

I smile a little despite my moody self. "You're ridiculous."

"Yeah, but you love me that way. Don't you?"

"...Yeah."

"Good. Now stop sulking till I get there. I'll bring snacks. We'll talk. You can rant as much as you want, okay?"

I exhale, feeling a little lighter already. "Okay."

"See you in five."

The line goes off and I pull up in front of my home.

The first thing I do when I enter my room is take off Jason's jersey and hurl it across the room. I also take off the panties and the soaked-up pad.

Everything that Jason gave me burns my skin. I can't even look at the stupid number 17 jersey without recalling all of the insults hurled against me by the hockey team.

And it's his fault. It's his stupid fault.

I'm curled up on my bed, when I hear the knock at the front door. Seconds later, Lily barges straight into my room.

She drops a plastic bag of snacks on my desk and raises a brow at me. "Wow. You look... great."

"That bad huh?" I mutter.

She plops down next to me, nudging me with her shoulder. "Alright, talk to me. How bad was it?"

I shake my head. "I don't even want to talk about it."

"Figures." She rolls her eyes. "So, solution time. We're going to the diner."

"What? No." I sit up a little straighter. "Absolutely not."

"Yes."

"No, Lily."

"Aria Bennett, don't test me. You're coming. You can't sit here sulking in your room all night. The longer you stay in bed, the more you're gonna replay everything in your head. And then you'll call me at two a.m. crying about it. So let's just skip to the part where I drag you out and you thank me later."

"Lily, I look like crap, I feel like crap, and I don't want to be seen in public right now."

Her eyes narrow. "Okay, first of all? You never look like crap. Second of all, you need fries... and milkshakes... and me."

Typical Lily. But I am still not going. I shake my head stubbornly. "Nope. Not happening. End of discussion."

Lily leans back, crossing her arms. "Alright. So you can say no... but remember that time I didn't want to go to your cousin's baby shower because it was literally a two-hour drive, and who still went with you? Me.

I'm speechless. "Lily, you know that's different."

"Different my butt. Or what about the time I covered for you when you skipped gym and hid in the library?"

Aria's POV

"That was freshman year."

"Still counts." She jabs a finger at me. "And don't forget the sleepover incident. One of those moments of you begging me to stay and watch that horror movie with you, even though I told you I'd pee myself. And guess who screamed so loud your brother came to check? Me. Again."

I stare at Lily, fighting the urge to laugh. "You didn't pee yourself."

"Not the point. The point is... I do all these best friend things for you, and now it's your turn. So you're coming to the diner."

"Lily, you always do this. You wear me down until I say yes. But will saying yes shut you up?"

She grins. "Yes."

I cover my face with my hands. "Fine."

"Atta girl." She's already halfway to the door when she adds casually. "Oh, by the way, there's this guy you should meet."

I frown, wondering when I began meeting guys. But since it's my best friend talking, I say... "Uhm... Okay."

Maybe this is what I even need. Food. To forget everything about today.

The car ride to the diner starts with Lily blasting the radio so loud my ears buzz.

She's belting out some old pop song off-key, while smacking the steering wheel, forgetting it's not a drum.

Despite myself, I give in halfway and join her. Our voices together would make a sane, human deaf. They overlap, it's like we are squeaking and it's totally off the rhythm. But who cares?

"THIS! IS! MY! JAM!" Lily screams, dragging out the note.

I stop singing, clutching my stomach and laughing. Lily keeps tossing her hair and singing until I get distracted by the buzzing in my lap. I glance down.

Mom Monroe.

Dad Monroe.

Two missed calls. Three unread texts.

I turn the screen face down.

"Who's blowing you up?" Lily asks.

"Nobody," I say too quickly.

She looks at me. "That wasn't a nobody. That was a somebody."

I sigh. "It's his parents."

Jason's parents.

"What do they want from you?"

"Nobody cares. I can't with them right now." I shove the phone deeper into my pocket.

Lily studies me for a second, then nods. "Okay. No questions asked. You don't want to deal, we don't deal. Period."

I send her a grateful look. "Thanks, Lily."

"Anytime." She flicks her blinker and pulls into the parking lot. "Anyway, enough about them. We're here."

I look up at the neon lights of the diner that glows against the snow. It's a pretty sight. It's been a while since I came here, though.

I arch a brow. "Who's the guy?" I'm tempted to ask. Don't blame me for being extra inquisitive. I mean, I once dressed up to go on an actual date with a gay guy. What if this one was worse?

"Trust me, Aria. You'll like the guy."

"How do you even know him?"

"Hey," she points at me as she kills the engine.

"Have a little faith in me, Ria. When have I ever set you up with someone terrible?"

"Do you want me to list the names or alphabetise them?" I stare at her.

"Rude." She leans into the mirror, fluffing her very pink hair. "Okay, check yourself. Do I have lipstick on my teeth? I think I can feel..."

"Nope. All good."

I follow her out and she loops her arm through mine and tugs me toward the glowing diner doors. "Smile," she whispers as she pushes the door open.

The little bell above the door jingles as we enter. The place smells like fried foods and coffee... the exact kind of comfort place Lily would drag me to when I was in a mood.

Lily scans the room, her eyes landing on someone at a booth near the window. Her grin widens, and she grabs my hand. "There. That's him."

I squint, trying to keep up, and then all I do is stare when I see him. He looks about our age, maybe a little older, with messy brown hair and a goofy smile.

I think this is the time when girls my age tell their type in guys and try to see if the guy they have just met fits in. But me... I do not have a type. Since I've never dated anyone, I don't know what to look for.

But this guy... he looks nice. And I'm going for nice. Before I can object, Lily is tugging me forward. The guy stands up when we reach the booth, and the smile is still plastered on his face.

"Hey," Lily says, sliding into the booth. "This is my best friend, Aria. Aria, this is Matt. Matt, this is the genius I've been telling you about."

I blink, heat rising in my cheeks. "Genius?" I give her a look.

"Yes, genius. Don't argue." Lily waves me off and turns back to Matt. "She tutors literally everyone and still manages to be cute while doing it. She's the principal's daughter, and she..."

"Lily, stop." I pinch her. "Forget about the last part."

Matt laughs. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Aria." He extends his hand.

I shake it quickly, wishing I could melt into the diner floor. "Nice to meet you too."

"Okay, okay, small talk's cute and all," Lily interrupts as she grabs a menu. "But I already know what I'm getting, so Aria..." She leans in to whisper. "Why don't you, like, actually talk to him while I go grab some ketchup or something?"

My eyes widen. I am not ready for this. "Lily..."

But she's already sliding out of the booth. "Be nice," she winks. "I'll be right back." And just like that, I'm alone with Matt.

He gives me a small, amused smile. "Does she always do this?"

"All the time," I mutter, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. What now? "Uhm... how do you know Lily?" I ask.

"Next door neighbours." He says simply.

Right. He doesn't elaborate or anything. I get the memo dude. You're not up for more discussion. Well, this is some awkward shit. Where the hell is Lily? Does it usually take this long to get ketchup?

"Looking for Lily?" Matt asks me.

"Huh? Yes." I admit. She's kind of... relentless."

"I can tell," he chuckles. "But hey, I don't mind. Means I get to meet you."

Is that a pickup line? Because it's damn cheesy as hell. But it doesn't stop the blush that comes to my cheeks.

Jason's POV

The way I feel right now? It's like my head is pounding like someone's been using it as a drum all night.

I groan, trying to piece together the mess that's my brain right now.

There's an arm draped over my neck. I don't even have to look to know it's her.

The cheerleader. Tracy? Danny? Fuck, I can't remember. All I know is we spent last night drinking and then fucking.

Her perfume is still in the air and the cloying sweetness of it is making my stomach churn. I scowl, shoving her arm off me with more force than necessary. She doesn't even stir. Lucky her.

I stagger to my bathroom. The moment I step in, the smell hits me again. Her perfume, everywhere. The hell permitted her to use my bathroom? I squeeze my eyes shut, but it's no use.

Fuck, I feel like death.

And to make it worse, the thought of my tutor pops into my head. My ex-tutor, probably. After yesterday, after I pushed her... yeah, she's not coming back. Good riddance.

I brush my teeth, then splash cold water on my face. It helps a little, but not enough. I stumble back into my room.

Cheer is still asleep on my bed, looking so relaxed. It makes me want to do something stupid. So I do.

I grab a bowl of water from the sink and, without a second thought, fling it on her. She jerks awake with a gasp, her hair plastered to her face, her body drenched.

Her eyes meet mine and I can't help but smirk. "Time to go do the walk of shame," I say.

She glares at me, as she touches her hair, trying to fix what's already ruined. "Screw you," she snaps. She looks around the room, probably trying to remember where the hell she is. "Fuck you, Jason. You couldn't bother to be a gentleman and wake me up properly?"

I laugh. "So what? You'd be expecting breakfast in bed next? Get the fuck up and go. My parents will be home by noon, and I have to get to the gym. Plus, this room stinks."

She frowns.

"No, not of your perfume," I add, smirking. "But of sex. It has to be cleaned. Now go." I raise my voice.

Cheer is one of those girls I hate dealing with after. Well, I like fucking her... I enjoy it... But the aftermath? Gross. The way she clings to you, makes her pathetic.

She stands up from the bed, and I can't help but stare. My eyes darken as I take in her naked body, the way she moves... she's trying to tempt me. She walks over to me, her hips swaying, and then she leans in like she's going to kiss me.

But I grab her neck, my fingers tightening just enough to make her gasp, and push her back onto the bed. "It's not happening," I tell her.

And of course, she starts whining. Her voice is high-pitched and annoying.

"Uh... can you get dressed, Tracy, I..." I start but she cuts me off.

"It's Penelope, you idiot." She yells.

I stop, blinking at her. Right. Penelope. I can swear it's the first time I'm hearing her name, even though we've fucked a dozen times.

"Hey, why didn't your folks give you Pen or something? I mean, it's simpler and easier to remember," I say, half to myself, as I turn around toward the door.

And then I freeze.

My stomach drops, and I swallow hard, even though there's nothing in my throat.

Standing in the doorway is my mum, who's supposed to be on a business trip with her husband... my dad.

Her eyes take in the scene... Pen naked on my bed, me standing there in just my boxer briefs.

Her face goes from confused to horrified in seconds, and then she yells, "Honey, you've got to come down here."

Shit.

I am so fucked.

🏒🏒🏒

Aria's POV

"Girls," Mum's voice floats into my room. "Up. There are chores waiting." Mum's voice is too chipper for a Saturday morning.

I blink groggily, my eyes landing on the mop of messy pink hair beside me. Lily who ended up sleeping over last night, dramatically yanks the blanket over her head.

"Nooo. Tell her I died in my sleep." Lily muffles.

I sit up, laughing. "You're impossible. Come on, it's just chores. It won't kill you."

"It might," she grumbles, peeking one eye out from under the blanket. It's not her fault. Lily is an only child. I'm not sure if she does a single chore at home.

"Lily, come on."

"Look at me, Aria. I'm a shell of the girl I was last night. I need, like, twelve more hours... at minimum."

I shove her shoulder. "You're so cranky in the morning."

Before Lily can reply, a shadow appears at my doorway. Drew. Shirtless. His hair is sticking up. My brother forgets he has to comb his hair sometimes.

"Rise and shine, princess," he says, aiming it directly at me before letting his gaze settle on Lily who immediately squeals and yanks the blanket all the way over her head.

"Ugh!" I make a gagging sound. "Drew, seriously, go put on a shirt. Nobody needs to see that first thing in the morning."

He hisses. "It's my house. I'll walk around however I want."

"Gross. Ew." I grab a pillow and throw it at him.

He catches it easily and tosses it onto the bed. "Dad says you need to be downstairs in five minutes. His orders. And you know what happens if you keep him waiting."

"Yeah, yeah. We'll be there."

From under the blanket, Lily whispers just loud enough for Drew to hear. "Tell your dad I'm still asleep. He'll understand."

Drew chuckles. "Lily, is that you under there? Wow. Didn't think I'd ever see you willingly hide your face."

"Shut up!" She squeaked. "I look like... just... nobody talks to me."

Drew shakes his head and leaves. That's when Lily peeks out with narrowed eyes. "Your brother is the worst."

"Tell me about it." I giggle. "Come on, let's go."

She nods and grabs a scrunchie from my nightstand to tie her messy hair up. "What if I break a nail? Like... I just got acrylic last week."

I ignore her and walk out. Dragging her down the stairs while she's clinging to the bannister is a chore for me. She keeps saying that if my mum hands her a broom, she'll leave. Which I wouldn't let her do.

"You are..." I tug at her wrist. Just a little more before we get to the final step. "...not leaving. You're helping."

Finally. I smile and open my mouth to greet my parents. But the smile falls right off my face the second my eyes land on the living room.

Jason. His parents. Sitting neatly on our couch like some formal family visit.

Is this what it takes to ruin a good mood? Just a bunch of visitors?

My jaw clenches as I look from my dad to my mom. "So... this is why I'm here?"