𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 ━━ 𝘔𝘈𝘛𝘛 𝘚𝘛𝘜𝘙𝘕𝘐𝘖𝘓𝘖

( 𝐓𝐖𝐎: 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐘𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐁𝐎𝐘 )

I hover over the edge of my open window, debating if I should really be doing this or not. My eyes switch from looking at the bedroom that lay in front of me and the chilly outside that had also been laid out in front of me.

My glance gets stolen by the door handle, my mind wondering if I had made sure to lock it which I had. 

I take one deep breath in then out before stepping foot on the roof.

I shut the window behind me silently before sliding down the roof in hopes my parents wouldn't see or hear me.

I successfully make it to the backyard that had led to this shared garden with the Sturniolos. I had never seen any of them come out to the garden, so I knew I was in the clear from seeing any of them.

I sigh as I sit down on the floor against some fence. I tuck my knees in, wrapping my arms around them as I bury my head into my legs.

I feel a presence beside me then hear someone sigh loudly, clearly wanting my attention.

"Goddammit mom can you leav- oh." I snap, looking up to see that it was in fact not my mom but Matthew.

"What are you doing out here?" I ask, "Needed a breather. You?" he sighs, "Breather." I answer pursing my lips into a thin line as I stand up.

Matt grabs my wrist pulling me back down to him.

"Matt I really can't be seen with you, it's forbidden." I state, "What did you have for dinner?" he asks, completely ignoring my statement.

"Why is that important to you?" I ask back, "Just what did you have for dinner?" he answers.

"Why do you need to know!" I exclaim, "Because I heard you at the diner saying how she starves you!" he replies.

"That's not true." I lie, "Aria you don't need to lie to me." he assures me.

"I'm fine, I don't need you protecting me!" I tell him, "Well you're gonna need somebody! And I know you don't have anyone so don't sit here and lie to me!" he exclaims.

"Look Matt, you can't tell anyone about that. Who else knows?" I ask, "My brothers and my mom." he answers.

"God dammit!" I exclaim, putting my head in my hands in stress.

"Why can't anyone know?" he asks.

"No one seems to understand! This is why I don't need anyone here for me cause I have to explain all of this shit to them." I reply, "Aria you can talk to me. I'm here to listen." he assures me, resting a hand on my back.

After a few seconds of silence I reply.

"My mom doesn't want me ruining our family image, and by doing that, she doesn't feed me much or let me have a lot to eat. And if somebody finds out, then it ruins her image and it makes people think she's a bad person." 

"Isn't she a bad person though?" he asks, "MATT!" I exclaim.

"What? It's true." he answers, giving me a look that clearly tells me that I can't say he's wrong.

"She's not that bad." I mutter.

"Aria, she treats you like shit, tells you how to behave and I saw what she did to you in the parking lot." he states, "Yeah well you weren't." I reply.

"But I did." he states, "And I don't think she should treat someone that she gave life to like that." he continues.

"Everyone does. But it's not like she's gonna listen. Even your mom has tried to help which is why my mom hates you guys." I reply.

"Well I'm sorry she treats you like that. If I could, I'd raise you." he jokes, I lightly laugh at it.

"I'm being serious." he states, "No you're not, but thanks for making me laugh." I reply, patting my hand on his shoulder.

We sit in silence a few more minutes before he speaks up once more.

"Am I gonna be able to talk to you again?"

"I don't know, there isn't really a time I can talk to you without my parents getting mad or your mom getting mad." I answer, "What about at night? Like here. We can meet up here at night sometimes." he offers.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" I ask, "Yeah! I can be like your backyard boy." he answers.

"My backyard boy?" I laugh, "Yeah, like the boy that hangs out with you in your backyard, except it's our backyard." he clarifies.

"Okay." I giggle, "So is that a yes?" he asks, "Sure." I answer.

"Great, so I'll see you tomorrow night, this exact spot. Let's say... around 11?" he replies, "Around 11." I answer.

"Sweet. So." he starts.

"What did you have for dinner?"

"You're funny." I laugh, "Ariaaaa." he groans.

"Fine, I had a salad." I sigh, "Tomorrow, I'm bringing you chick fil a." he states.

"Really? You don't have to." I reply, "I do. I want you to remember the taste of a sweet fried chicken sandwich." he says.

"I've actually never had chick fil a." I state quietly, "YOU'VE NEVER HAD CHICK FIL A!" Matt exclaims, "Nope. It's always been healthy food healthy food my entire life." I state.

"So I take it you've never had Mc Donalds either?" 

"Nah."

"Burger King?!"

"Nope. I've always wanted to try the whopper though, it sounds good." I answer, "Damn Aria, you got me spending a lot of money on you." he shakes his head.

"You're not buying me food." I state, "If you've never had burger King! Then yes I am." he replies.

"But you don't have to." I state, "I want to though, you have to try it!" he replies.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes as my phone vibrates.

"Shit, I gotta get back, my mom doesn't know I snuck out." I tell Matt, "ooo my backyard girl is a bad backyard girl. Bad girl Aria. It fits." he replies.

"Yeah yeah." I wave off.

"K well then I'll see you tomorrow night at 11. Remember don't eat too much dinner, I'm bringing you chick fil a." he informs me, "Okay." I giggle.

"Bye Matt."

"Bye backyard girl." 

KIERA SPEAKS: ok but like I actually love this chapter, I thought abt it in mass today and I've been DYING to finally write it.