Their Princess

Ch. 13- Dreams and Faults (Edited)

Aria's POV:

Sitting on the ground, I supported my weight against the bed as I shuffled through photos. Whoever had brought my things from Canada must have brought these accidents.

I had overheard Adrian say only to bring clothes in case I had anything to hide. Instead of feeling offended, I was a bit hurt but I moved on. 

I had to.

I thought I threw out all my photos of them but I must've missed these. The three of us are sitting around a little Christmas tree at their mother's house, in our little matching pyjamas. We grinned from ear to ear without a worry in the world.

I continued to shuffle and saw a photo of Mama after she had given birth to me. She looked exhausted, her hair was a mess, and her face looked in pain in the photo. But there was this look in her eyes that had seemed to brighten the moment.

Letting out a sigh, I lightly dropped the photos beside me and rested my head between my knees but jumped when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said as I staggered as I stood up.

The door opens before Ms. Elaria reveals herself holding two large bags as she trudges into my room. I sped over and grabbed both bags from her but before she could protest I gave her a certain look and she let out a small sigh, but there was a tiny smile that had made its way onto her lips.

Setting them down on the little coffee table (yes, there is a coffee table and some couches in my bedroom), I hovered my head over the opening and peeked into the bags.

Oh shit. Lawrence took your ass seriously when you said you were fine with tomorrow.

I had forgotten about that school talk. I stifle a groan as I face-palmed myself on the forehead.

"These are such sweet photos, Aria!" Ms. Elaria says and I spun on my heels. "Are they of you?"

My eyes widened as I saw the thin stack of photos in her hands as she observed them closely.

"Um, yeah it is," I mumbled as I sped over and grabbed them from her, taking her by light surprise.

She must have sensed my sudden outburst and began apologizing. "Oh, I'm sorry dear. They were just on the ground and I picked them up off the ground and got distracted."

She began her little rant and I unknowingly let a small smile slip.

"Well, I was informed to tell you that you will start school tomorrow and to be ready by 8:30 am to leave the house." Ms. Elaria told me and I nodded silently.

"Oh, and there's school supplies and your uniform in your bags..."

Uniform?

"...And would you like me to wake you up?" She finished off, clasping her hands together as she waited for my answer.

"No, I'll be fine," I said shaking my head politely. "Thanks though."

"Of course sweetheart," She says with a bright smile as she makes her way out before shouting over her shoulder. "If you ever need anything just let me know, Aria!"

"Alright!" I yelled for her to hear before the door slammed shut.

I let out a little grunt of displeasure as I looked at the two big bags. Of course, I'm going to be the strange new kid who joins in the middle of the year. And what's even worse is that I'm going to be learning a whole different curriculum than what I had learnt in Canada.

Social is going to be a bitch.

Sighing, I grabbed the MP3 Player that Lawrence gave me and placed the earbuds in before punching play.

It had become a habit over time and I realized every time I had become stressed over something, I listened to her voice to soothe my nerves.

As I listened to the message she had left me, I emptied the bags and began working away. I shoved school supplies into the brand-new, black backpack that had been provided for me.

I grimace at the sight of the navy blue uniform, inspecting all the articles of clothing that I would have to wear. There were cardigans, pants, skirts, white polo shirts, and other accessories laid out in front of me.

I've never had to wear a uniform or go to some big-shot school. Although my school wasn't the best, I had still gotten good grades and got into all the honours for my classes. Mama was really proud of me that day and we ordered a bunch of takeout and ice cream to celebrate.

Fatigued, I plopped down onto my bed staring off into the ceiling as I fought to stay awake. It was still 5 o'clock and it would have messed up my whole sleep schedule.

After some struggle, my eyes relented and I let the fatigue finally wash over me and I was put in a calming peace.

No. I can't be here again.

The bright sun hits me in the face forcing me to squint my eyes as my heart sinks lower into my stomach. I force my eyes to take in the sight around me which had been in the same condition as the day it had happened.

I remember the elderly woman tending to her little garden from the other side of the road and the sounds of arguing from an alleyway.

"Come on, Aria!" I heard a familiar squeal with the sound of the beads in her hair clinking against each other. She had her favourite bright pink ones hanging off the end of her braids today.

She giggled as her tiny hand latched onto my forearm. I was a teenager but the two never had gotten a chance to grow up.

She dragged me behind her, running across the street as she talked about the most random things.

"We have to hurry, Ari!" She yells as she runs ahead. "Or he's gonna leave without us!"

"Don't leave without me, Talia!" A younger me runs past me, attempting to catch up with Talia. They both disappeared down the sidewalk as I stood there frozen with shock.

A loud engine roaring gathers my attention and a bright red vehicle speeds past me in the girls' direction, despite it being a school zone.

The sleek car causes my hands to shake with anger and tears to fill my eyes. My heart beat twice as fast as it should have as I knew what was going to happen.

Then I ran.

I sprinted down the sidewalk as I tried to catch up with the girls and the little boy they were going to meet. I ran as fast as I could but it seemed as if the world around me had slowed.

The eight deafening shots filled the unusually quiet neighbourhood and my steps slowed.

I was too late.

I couldn't save them. Again.

There was so much blood. Too much blood was coming from their little bodies. I could hear the same frantic shrieks for help I had given when I was 9 years old.

I was the only one that made it out and I hated that.