In My Mind

Chapter Thirty - Aria's POV

Watching Olivia stand up for me like that was... Really good actually. I feel kind of bad for her now. Tyler is a jerk but she seemed to like him.
I watch her run down the school corridor and Cara sprint after her. I think Cara needs to handle this in her own.
I stare into Tyler's blue eyes. He grins at me with his perfect teeth. He looks like he's just one a football game
"Oi!" I yell.
He looks shocked. I step forward. And he almost seems scared. I almost want to laugh in his face but I try not to smile.
"Don't you ever hurt one of my friends again!" I hiss.
He opens his mouth to speak but next thing I know I've raised my hand and slapped him across the check.
I let out a grin but then return to my frown.
I turn around and storm off. I leaving Tyler in utter shock. I love it.
I grab my bag and get ready to leave.
Cara's car is gone so her and Liv must have gone home after the Tyler incident. I know my way. I pick up my school bag and start heading down the street. This gives me time to think.
I hate having time to think.
I think about Mum and Dad. Do they really not love me? My shoulders drop and my heart beat starts racing. It's not fair. Cara has a family who loves her and Liv's grandmother must be an amazing women to have her say. My grandmother would never let me into her gigantic estate in case I touched anything I shouldn't and if I did my grandfather would hit me with his walking stick. Now that was never fun. A tear sheds down my check and I try to keep my head up.
But I've been keeping my head up for years. I don't know how much longer I can...
It's far to walk. I'm almost there after about thirty minutes and I see someone familiar. It's Ruby.
I don't know if I should approach her or not. She makes my mind up for me.
"Aria!" She yells running over to me.
"Hey," I mumble.
"Cara wasn't in design class. Is she okay?"
"I think she went home to comfort Olivia," I say in almost a whisper.
"Olivia?" She repeats. "Why would she comfort her?! She's the rudest human life I've ever meet."
"She's not that bad," I say tucking my hair behind my ear.
"As if," Ruby laughs.
"She's actually quite nice..."
"Whatever," she laughs. "I've got to go."
And with that she runs off and I wonder if everyone has the same opinion on Liv.
At Cara's I'm greeted by Maddi and her wedding talk. I love weddings but I didn't need to talk about it this much so I make an escape to Cara's room.
"Hey," I greet her.
"Oh my gosh!" She bursts. "I'm so sorry I forgot to pick you up!"
"It's fine. Has Olivia gone home?"
"Yeah."
I put my bag down and sit facing Cara.
"How was the rest of school?"
"It was okay," I mumble.
Then my stomach lets out a gigantic gurgle.
"Are you hungry?" She asks laughing.
"No," I reply quickly, my words injected with lies. "I'm just not feeling great..."
"Oh."
She stares at me oddly and I avoid eye contact.
"I think I just need to lie down..."
"Sure," she replies.
I kick off my shoes and lay down on her bed.
"I'll get you some chicken soup," she stares me down furiously.
"No thanks," I say pretending to fall asleep. "I couldn't eat a thing without being sick."
"Fine."
And with that she leaves the room but I still feel tension in the air.
I will eat. Later...
Tonight's the night I get India's diary. Or at least the location.
Cara leaves me alone until it's time to sleep.
"I told everyone you weren't feeling well."
"Thanks," I say fake yawning.
"If you ever need to talk," she says. "I'm here."
I pretend to not here and go to sleep. She hops into the bed and falls asleep in an instant.
At eleven thirty I get back up and head to my bags. I change into some weather proof clothes. In about to leave when my stomach grumbles. Really loudly.
I walk back a few steps and see the pantry.
I open it. It's eye candy. Rows of half eaten packets of chips, a selection of cereal, bread and muesli bars. In the fridge there is cake and some milk. I slide my finger into the cake.
It's good. Really good.
No one would mind I I had one slice...
I pour myself a glass of milk and a slice of cake and take a bit. Yum... But I'm still hungry.
I grab three of those packets of chips and devour them fast. I drink most of the milk and then eat some fruit loops. I have another slice of cake and then stop. I'm so full I might burst.
But I'm not full.. Quite the opposite actually.
Oh my gosh! How much did I eat?! I didn't mean to. It was like I... I... I did et it but that wasn't me...
I but my lip sacred and sit in the floor. I need to be lighter and skinnier for mum. Why do I need to please her?
Just because I don't live with her doesn't mean I don't want her approval.
I miss her in a way. I miss having a mother. Not that I ever really had one.
I look at the time. It's almost midnight. I should go.
I look down. I see my bloated stomach and groan. I've done it once. Why would a second time hurt?
I head to the bathroom.

---

At the warehouse I feel a little light headed but ignore it. I need the envelope. Once I have it and tear it open.

I have found the location of the diary or so I believe. I will not retrieve it for you but I feel you should have the address. 74 Cornell Ave. Thank you for your money, time and patience...
Private Detective P

I smile, hugging the paper as tears rolls down my face. I found it! India will not be forgotten and I will make who ever did this pay.