Darkest Seduction

Aria

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to anyone who's ever lost someone they loved 🎀

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I stand in front of the mirror, I've decided from now on I hate the color black.

I hate this black dress I'm wearing because of what it means.

Mamma used to always tell me and my sister that love and grief are forever entwined. To grieve someone means to have love. And what a privilege it is to have loved someone so deeply you're left broken in their absence.

But standing here I wish to never love again because I can't imagine feeling this pain again and again as the years drag by and I lose all those I've loved.

Helen knocks on my door softly and tells me it's time for us to go. She is sad too but she didn't know Alana the way I did. Alana was my bestfriend.

She is my best friend, and that won't change even now.

The drive to the church is silent and I'm glad for it, it gives me time to think and time to calm down. I hold my hand over my heart, it feels like it's breaking and the only reason it hasn't been ripped from my chest is because I'm holding it in place.

When we step out of the car I'm temporarily blinded by the bright sun, it's dazzling in the sky. I find that so odd. The world keeps spinning, Alana is gone and I'm barely holding myself together but the sun keeps shining and the hours still slip by. The world is not frozen with me in my grief.

Everyone starts to walk into the church and I notice Ares, he's in a black suit with his styled hair, and of course that one curl hangs on his forehead.

He is beautiful as always.

He notices me and walks over, I'm not sure what he wants to do but I hug him. I hold onto him for a moment because he's strong and solid. He is not broken and I need to be reminded of that.

His arm slides around my waist and the other one brushes my hair, "It's alright, Aria." He murmurs kissing the top of my head and I feel part of my heart heal.

It's small but it's something.

We all walk into the church and sit in the second row, the ceremony is beautiful and tragic. Helen cries softly into her hands but I stare, unflinching, at the coffin. It's closed but I know Alana is in there.

There's nothing wrong with the ceremony but it just isn't right. Alana hated the color black, she wasn't even religious. She wouldn't have liked any of this I don't think. I suppose it doesn't matter now.

Ares watches me as people get up and speak but I shake my head, I wouldn't be able to get the words out. There is so much to say about Alana, I couldn't get it all out in two minutes.

When the ceremony ends I stand and walk over to her. I don't even know if I'm allowed but Ares stands a couple of feet behind me whispering harshly to a few people so I know no one is going to stop me.

I place my hands on the cool wood and just stare at the sealed coffin, "I love you, Alana. I'll see you again one day. Be brave." I whisper.

She didn't ever fear death, I can only hope she wasn't scared as she took her last breath. The thought knocks all the air out of me and I feel completely empty and dejected. And then I turn away and walk away from her, it's the last time I'll ever have to do that.

Me, Helen, and Ares stand outside in silence as we watch her parents hug and say thank you to everyone. I wave to our other friends but I can't bring myself to engage in conversation.