Amelia had everything- family, friends, a promising future- the sky was the limit. But just like that everything was taken from her. One moment she's planning her high school graduation party the next she's laying on a therapist's couch. It was as i...
After a long, rigorous argument between Elijah and myself- he finally agreed to let me drive home. I was touched by his concern for my safety. According to him, I still looked exhausted. But I wasted so much time today when I should have been contacting "S". Just the thought of reaching out to this person made me queasy.
I pulled into the driveway and quickly pulled out my phone. Not even two steps into the house and already I heard loud voices coming from the kitchen. Wait. I knew those voices. . . Aralyn?
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What the hell is she doing here? I thought she was so supposed to leave after that failed attempt of a graduation.
"I have no idea," I said quietly. "Wait a second. Yes, I do. Shit, I know why she's still here. We were supposed to go apartment hunting after graduation. But we had to postpone because-"
Because a certain doctor got in the way, as usual. She can't know anything about what's going on right now.
"Not even about Seth?"
I felt her anger simmering.
Not even about Seth.
"Mia-"
I know. I know you don't want her to get hurt. But right now you have to trust me. The less she knows or suspects that something is wrong- the better. If you tell her to stay away from Seth then he will suspect something is wrong which means-
"Which means Zachary will know."
Bingo.
I took a deep breath before setting my bag down. "Okay."
Just play it cool like before.
I headed into the kitchen where I found Aralyn working behind the counter with Regina. As usual, Chris was working in his home office down the hall while Lily was sitting in the living room on the couch.
"Hey, look who's finally home," Aralyn exclaimed.
I forced myself to smile.
"Sorry, I got caught up in the paperwork at the office again," I said. It should not be this easy to lie through my teeth to my best friend.
For a long moment I stood there just watching her. Her hair was tied back from her face. She wore a cream colored blouse with a pair of dark denim shorts. Flour covered her hands and parts of her arms. That's when I noticed her skin was slightly darker since the last time I saw her. A sweet, gentle smile married her lips as she focused on the dough in front of her. She was practically glowing.
As much as I resented Seth, could it be possible for his relationship with Aralyn to be genuine. Or, was their relationship all a lie as well?
"Well you're just in time. Your Aunt and I just finished making some pizza dough, wanna help us decorate the pizzas?"
