Lake Aria

~ Prologue ~

- ARIA - (One year ago)

"We're moving." Two words I'd been dreading for weeks.

"We're what?" I whispered cautiously. "We're moving." My mother said calmer this time. Yep there it was again. Those two words I was hoping she wouldn't say. "I- but- why?" I stuttered shocked and wishing time would bloody rewind. If only time machines existed. For fucks sake.

"I know I should have told you sooner but I've been offered a job in London." I knew this already but I let her carry on. " The pay is extortionate and the time off I'll receive is even better." She exclaimed sheepishly. I stood still like a marble statue and then nodded, slowly. "I know Mum, I saw the letter." Her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. Crap. I'm in deep now.

"Why didn't you say something Aria?! I've been worried sick about telling you for weeks! I mean- how?" She spoke fast and high pitched like nails on a chalk board if that had a voice...ew, even thinking about that makes my skin crawl...no. Not today Aria, we have much bigger problems to deal with. Such as my mother staring at me expectantly waiting for an answer.

"How what?" I said confused. "How did you find the letter?" She was still staring at me brows furrowed, eyes open wide. They weren't as wide as they had been. I'm taking that as a good sign. " Well, I mean, it wasn't hard. You left it on the kitchen table, I saw the fancy stamp and got intrigued. I read the letter and I found out. That's all." My mother looked stunned and slightly irritated. "Aria, you don't go snooping through my stuff and I don't go through yours. That's an invasion of privacy young girl!" Oh shit. She 'young-girled' me. I'm in for a treat...

"And don't you dare "that's all" me. You snooped Aria. Snooped. That's unacceptable! Is this how I raised you?" She yelled with a huff. Dear lord Jesus in the heavens above, if I thought her eyes were wide before then you should see them now. They're the size of fucking Jupiter...no joke. I am slightly scared now. My fight or flight instinct is kicking in. I quickly snap myself out of that. If I run she'll follow and god damn it shes fast as fuck. This women was a pro athlete back in her college days, so 'flighting' is out of the window. If I fight, well I think this goes without saying but I'd be 6ft underground...quite literally :D

✨ I love my mother ✨

"I'm sorryyy Mum, the stamp had this gold foil shit on it and I couldn't help myself." I groaned. I was grasping at straws now. Hoping she'd still help pay for my college accommodation. " I swear I didn't see who it was addressed to before I read it, otherwise I never would have! I. Swear." I'm becoming aware I didn't breathe enough before that little speech as I'm now gasping for air... not concerning at all. My mother looks very confused. So am I to be honest. Good one Aria, snoop, get caught, and then almost die in front of your mother, well done!

"Aria? Are you okay?" I put up my thumb whilst regaining control of my breathing. Ugh help me. "Words Aria, use your words." She said tilting her head to the side. "I'm okay, just spoke too fast and forgot to breathe prior...you know, as you do." I said with a careless shrug. 'As you do'?! Who the fuck does that?!?! God stop talking-

" I'm sorry okay. I am, I promise it won't happen again." I said with a tight smile. Mum relaxed a little and of course I couldn't just keep my mouth shut. Ohhh noooo I had to go further and ruin it. *Sigh* " And if it does I'll tell you straight away." I chuckled nervously realising what I've just done. What happened to stop talking?!? "Aria Rosanna Vernice!" Mum shrieked. "I'm joking...sorry." Again another thing to work on - learning when making a joke is acceptable. "In all seriousness though, when do we have to move?" I asked, dreading the answer. I liked our neighbourhood. London just seemed big and intimidating. Not to mention how posh people are - or so I've heard - dear lord, I have no posh outfits. I'd live in my pyjamas if I could. Unfortunately our society is too stuck up for that though. As most people say and live by 'Beauty is Pain'...

"Tomorrow afternoon at 4. Be packed and ready before lunch." She said, still prickly from my very 'uncalled for' joke. Oops. To be fair I was only trying to lighten the mood - and stop her from murdering me with a kitchen knife - I thought it was funny.. apparently not though. God I hope people in London have a bloody sense of humour otherwise I fucking give up. Jokes are all I have.. I would protest but given the circumstances I don't think I'd live to see tomorrow. I guess we're moving then.
*Big sigh*

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Prologue is complete. I will most likely make a few changes as time goes on and I get more feedback, but for now this is it. Let me know what you think. :)x