My Life in Rosewood

Chapter Thirty-Nine

While I'm practicing I see Aria seems to be doing homework, not paying much attention to what's going on. My teammates and coach did notice her, but they don't seem to be phased by it. The only one who cares is Rachel, and I do everything I can to make sure she shuts up and leaves Aria alone. So I do what Luna recommended. I knock her around like the captain I am. Not only for Aria, but for myself.

When practice is done I head back to the locker room to take a quick shower. Rachel gives me her usual tough guy act, making it seem like she is going to beat me up and I shoot back at her that she was too chicken to put her hands on me when I actually got my ass beat, so she definitely wouldn't try at school. She did not like that at all as I walked out and then met up with Aria. She is still sitting on the bleachers with her head in a book she is reading now. So I walk over and sit beside her. That's when her head pops up and she stares at me, a slight smile on her face.

"All done?"

I smile gently at her and nod, "You didn't really watch me in my element."

She laughs softly, "I'm sorry. I wanted to get my homework done."

I press my lips together and half smile. She never seems interested in the sports I play and rarely comes to my games. I know she was never into them, even growing up, but I always hope she'll support me in some way.

Instead of voicing this I tap onto her leg to gesture to leave and we head out the door to get into the hallway and through the school until we hit the front doors. When we get outside we head to the car and to head home. On the way back I ask her to take the way to pass by the store to make sure there isn't anything visible on the outside. I always like to check that no one broke in while it's closed for the days myself and Marie aren't working. As we pass it and see it's okay I notice movement of a person walking out of Ezra's place and see it's Uncle Byron.

I point my hand out towards Aria's window, "Look."

She turns her head while slowing down a bit and we watch as her dad gets into his car and looks heated. "What is he doing?"

I shake my head and tell her to continue to drive because I don't want him to see us, "He came out of Ezra's building."

"Oh no." She says with a hint of fear in her voice.

"He talked to him." I say before she does, because what other reason would there be.

"We have to check on him."

I shake my head again, "No way."

"Jessie..."

"Ria, if your dad finds out you saw him he'd murder me for not watching you."

She takes a sad breath, leaning back into her seat as she turns the corner to head home. "This is so annoying."

I take a sad breath, "I'm sorry. But once things die down you'll figure things out. But until then I'm responsible for us not getting into any more trouble."

-

The next day at school I'm standing at Andrew's locker as Mona and Noel both pop up almost immediately next to us. When I turn my head from my name being called I see that she has her hand looped through his arm. I stare for a second and then look at both of them with a sweet smile. They've been dating openly for about a week now and I still can't get used to it.

"Aren't you guys adorable."

Mona blushes slightly, even Noel's million dollar smile looks shyish. "Well the two most popular kids in school were bound to date eventually." She says this as if that is the normal.

I internally roll my eyes and smile, "Obviously." I stare at Andrew who tries not to laugh.

"And we're overdue on a double date of course." she adds, her sweet smile is seeping through.