Save Me

Chapter Seven: I Didn't Ask For This

*ARIA'S POV*

"What?! Are you serious?" I was furious about the fact that Ezra was the one who called the organisation, even though he knew I'd have to leave.

"Aria, are you seriously mad? Have you not noticed how Patrick has been treating you like crap for the past years! I did you a favor" He crossed his arms, leaning against his wardrobe.

How could he even think what he did was a favor? The right thing to do?

"I'm old enough to make such a decision on my own, don't you think? That's not something you get to decide! You barely know me!" words couldn't describe the anger and frustration that was hiding in my head and my heart.

"You might be old enough, Aria, but you don't seem to be smart enough! You were never gonna change anything, just admit it! You should've taken responsibility to do something about it, instead I did!" He was raising his voice, just the way Patrick did, only not as bad.

"Exactly! You did! And that was not your decision to make! How could you? I really can't deal with you right now!" I stood up. Ezra grabbed my wrist, a little too hard to my liking. I flinched.

"Aria" He didn't let go. "Don't you walk away from me" his voice almost came out as a hiss. If I hadn't known any better, I'd think this guy hated me.

"You're hurting me" I said, trying to keep my voice from cracking. But he did finally let go. As soon as my arm was released, I walked straight out the door, not even giving him another glance.

Deep down, I knew I'd be thankful one day, but for now, I didn't need to see him. For a long time.

---

I looked at a floral crop top as I was packing my bags. I used to wear it every summer. It was my absolute favourite top. I hadn't worn it for ages. But I would never throw it away. It had a sentimental value.

The pink orchids reminded me of the way my parents used to organize these huge barbeques and I'd always be ecstatic to wear my favourite top.

That was all over.

I put it under the rest of my clothes, right at the bottom. As if it wouldn't have any meaning down there.

At that moment, Patrick barged in, without knocking. The only reason he could do that, was because no one ever fixed my lock.

He just stood there for a couple full seconds, silent. I was waiting for him to hurt me in every way possible. But to my surprise, it didn't happen.

"Well, I guess you're leaving then" His voice was toned down in a hiss. "Finally"

"Yeah, I guess I am" I avoided his eyes at any cost. There was no way I was ever meeting those again. "Finally"

"Just so you know, I'm not ecstatic or anything" he didn't seem to understand the fact that he was the last person I wanted to talk to right now, together with Ezra.

"Good to know" I tried my best to keep my voice as monotone as possible, to show him how little I cared about his emotions.

"But-" He started, coming closer.

"Can you please.. Please leave me alone" I noticed how nervously I was beginning to throw my clothes in my bag. I took a step away from him en turned my back to him, emptying my nightstand.

He didn't say a word, I only heard the door close so I supposed he left my room. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I had held in all this time. I sat down on my bed and sighed. I turned my head and looked through my window. Ezra's curtains were closed, so I couldn't see inside. Not that I wanted to.