SHADOWS OF NEW YORK

ARIA

what's is he doing in there ?.I noticed a group of people getting out of a van and heading into the room where Niki was, while I was coming from a different direction. I thought to myself, "What the heck is going on?" My gut feeling was telling me to go inside, but Niki hadn't given me any kind of signal yet. fuck it. I am going inside I don't care .

NIKI

There were seriously nine people who walked into the room with guns. I thought I could handle it on my own, but then out of nowhere, the door swung open. aria what the fuck is she doing .aria hits the ground, fires two bullets...Aria fires at the guy, hitting him in the leg. She quickly pulls him behind the pillar, puts him in a headlock, and then takes the other two out with two quick shots....Each strike one of the man calves, he crashes to the floor. I ducked behind a nearby pillar where Aria was hiding as a gunman came closer.

Aria rushes at the other gunman, and hits him in the throat, and then quickly shoots him twice under the chin -- now there are 4 gunmen remaining.

I ducked behind a nearby pillar as the other gunman got closer. Then, I fired all four shots at once.

The killer is just standing there, completely stunned. We don't even pay him any attention. Aria gives me a cold stare. I step closer, closing the gap between us. "What the heck were you thinking, Aria? Were you out of your mind?" She stays silent, her eyes fixed on Jules, who's hurt and still near the killer. "I was trying to save my friend who was in danger," she finally replies.

"I told you to wait until I signalled to call you"
. She didn't take her eyes if  Jules . Until I called her name again . "Is that really important right now Niki". My anger was going to the top level " yes it is important what if you got shot or -" why do you care". I saw the killer trying to runaway  from us . He tried to go near the exit until he groaned in pain after I shot him right in his left leg. "Aaa you motherfuc- .aaa". I went near him " sorry can u repeat what u just said now I didn't quite hear you properly ". 

Out of nowhere, a police siren blared. We rushed to help Jules get up. "Jules, if they ask who saved you or what happened, don't say anything about us. Do you understand?" She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "How did you guys get guns? And what's this card he mentioned? Is Dad going to be okay?" Aria wrapped her arms around her. "Jules, it's alright. Nothing bad is going to happen. Just promise you won't say anything about us, okay?" Jules nodded again. Aria and I slipped out the back door of the private club without the cop noticing.

ARIA

We dashed into the underground subway, both panting heavily. "Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I showed up to this party, or she could have been kidnapped or worse," I said. Niki burst out laughing. "Aria, you didn't just show up; you totally snuck in!"

I shot him an angry look. Just then, my phone started ringing. I checked to see who it was. "Oh no, shit it's Ella," I said in a murmur, quickly swiping the green button to answer.

Ella :ARIA WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU AT THE MIDDEL OF THE NIGHT .YOUR DAD IS KILLING ME WITH QUESTION. 

ARIA: oh god Ella you are gonna make me def .  just give him some excuse Ella.

" damn, someone seems really angry. I can hear everything so clearly.   "Could you be quiet? I'm trying to have a conversation here." He raised his arms and replied, "My bad, princess." ugh him and his nicknames for me . 

ELLA: aria are you with someone ?

ARIA: umm.. no 

I glance at Niki and then return my attention to the call.

ELLA: stop lying is that a boy.. it sounded like a boy. is that niki. that's definitely Niki's deep voice 

ARIA: umm. yea. I mean no.

ELLA: did you really seduce him with that dress.

ARIA: shut up Ella

ELLA: I will just tell your dad your with niki at least he would clam down that bad anger of him

ARIA: Ella no do-..

the call got cut 

shit shit..he asked me "is something  wrong". i looked at me and said, "No, it's just my dad. He's wondering why I'm not home yet." he nodded, understanding. "Yeah, you should really head home. Your dad is probably worried about you." Just then, I noticed the train approaching, and the wind from it blew my hair all over the place."ok then see you at GHA tomorrow ".

I begin to walk over to the metro train as its doors slide open. 

As I took a step toward the open doors, an unexpected grip on my hand stopped me in my tracks. I turned my head swiftly to see him—his dark black  eyes wide with determination. "I'm coming with you. It's not safe to go alone, especially with that..." He glanced down at my dress—a short , floral black piece that my I had worn in Jules party , one that felt more like a costume at this hour.

"Really, it's fine," I replied, but the words felt weak. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he was right; the city had a different face after dark.

The moment hung in the air between us, and I felt his hand still clasping mine, a lifeline in the growing darkness. I swallowed my pride and gave in, nodding silently. There was something comforting about his presence, a reassuring flame against the uncertainties of the night.

We boarded the train, the bright lights inside contrasting sharply with the dark street outside. The overhead lights flickered as we found a spot near the sliding doors, the rhythmic clatter of the train soothing my anxiety.

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad back   there," he said. "I just... you look nice, but it's just not the best choice for traveling alone."

I glanced down at my outfit—completely impractical for a night in the city. "Thanks, I guess? I didn't really think anyone would notice."

He laughed softly, and I liked how it curbed my nausea of embarrassment. "Well, now you know. People notice. And if it makes you feel any better,"

I peered up at him, surprised by his authenticity. "You know, people often don't say what they mean. They'll compliment you but not really mean it."

"Maybe," he replied, his expression serious now. "But I mean it."

At that moment, the train lurched, and we stumbled slightly, my hand instinctively tightening around his. He chuckled again, a sound that felt like warmth in the coolness surrounding us.

"looks like someone has a crush me ". jeez why was I blushing like idiot " i was making sure I am not falling on my ass in the public ".