Crossover

Chapter 6 Aria's Theory

Chapter 6

Aria's Theory

    When Aria entered her house, she quickly ran up the stairs, grabbed her phone and texted Vanessa, 'call me ASAP!' She, however, knew it would be almost an hour before Vanessa finished running and showered.

    Aria dropped her phone on her desk and sank down on her own bed, pondering over her possible birthmother. Honestly, she had no idea how these feelings suddenly surfaced, but she always felt this close connection with her neighbor. It was as though she was somehow connected with Aria's past.

    As Aria sat on her bed staring blankly at the ground still in deep thought, her phone rang, reining her mind back to reality. Hastily, she rushed over to her desk snatching it, her heart rate elevating.

    "Vanessa!" Aria screeched slightly louder than she intended.

    "Hey, what's the emergency?" Vanessa demanded, her voice concerned. "Are you okay?"

    "Yeah, fine," Aria assured in a ramped tone. "I just need to talk to you about something... something important. Is it all right if I come over now?"

    Vanessa paused to think but then answered, "Um, sure. Mom and Dad are out shopping and Aaron's over at a friend's so we'll have the house to ourselves for a while."

    "Great! I'll be over in two minutes." Aria hung up and soared downstairs, finding her mother sitting on the couch reading a cooking magazine.

    Aria approached the coach and asked, "Um, Mom, is it okay if I go over to Vanessa's for a while?"

    Elizabeth smiled and said, "That's fine. Just be sure you're back in time for dinner."

    Aria agreed and quickly rushed across the street and rang the doorbell. It's times like this when Aria was especially glad that her best friend lived right across the road. Most friends did not have this luxury.

    Once Vanessa opened the door and let her in, the girls walked upstairs to Vanessa's room, and plopped themselves on her bed.

    "Okay, what is going on?" Vanessa asked looking at Aria with a concerned expression.

    Now that the moment to talk has finally arrived, Aria found herself at a loss of words. "Let me think of the best way to start this. I think I just had a sudden realization."

    Vanessa grinned. "What is it? You actually do like Derek after all?"

    Aria rolled her eyes. "No, it's not that. There is no way I would ever be interested in him! Also, this whole Derek-liking-me and me-liking-him thing you and Walter seem to be amusing yourselves with lately really needs to stop. Okay? I do not like Derek!"

    Vanessa sighed but her smile did not fade. "Alright, I'll meet you halfway and agree that you don't like Derek." As Aria opened her mouth for retort, she quickly asked, "So, what is your sudden realization?"

    "Now you made me lose my train of thought," Aria groaned and, as Vanessa muttered 'sorry,' she regathered them. "Okay, I know this is going to sound completely out there, but I think Ms. Fleming might be my biological mother."

    Vanessa stared at her blankly. Her mouth started to open but no words made their way out.

    Aria stood up, pacing in front of the bed as she continued, "Think about it. She's lived here my whole life. My parents said she moved in that house shortly after they adopted me. She has always been involved in my life and she's giving me advice about having a boyfriend. It almost sounded like maternal advice."