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4

Aria's PoV

The shopping centre Jenna took me to was huge. People were walking around aimlessly, some looked like they were on a mission, and some parents were yelling at their kids to stop misbehaving.

"What do you say we get you a few things for you to wear, maybe even something to keep you entertained for a while?" Jenna asked, stepping out of the way of a small kid running.

"No it's okay, I don't want to spend all your money."

"Sweetie, I wouldn't have offered if we didn't have the money. Come on, let's go have a look at some things you like."

It was safe to say that Jenna did most of the shopping for me — I didn't mind — it was quite entertaining really.

After going through the checkout, we sat out on the benches just outside of the shopping centre, breathing in the fresh air. It was freezing cold, as usual, but it was nice to be able to get out of the crowds.

"Aria, I have a question." Jenna began. "Have one of the boys said something?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Something to scare you, or make you feel uncomfortable?" Jenna added.

I now realised what she meant. "I don't want you to be mad." I said.

"You can say whatever you want, I won't get mad."

I looked to the ground. "Tyler."

"What about him? Did he say something?"

"He scares me. He's mad at me."

"Aria, I can assure you he's not mad at you. I think he's upset about the situation you've been put in. He doesn't like how horrible your father was to you. He doesn't like that you would have been left there, freezing cold, in Ohio weather, alone. None of us like it, but Tyler just shows it differently I suppose. He shows it in anger a lot of the time, but I can tell you this — when Josh called him, he dropped everything to come get you two. He walked out the door crying because he hated the fact that you were being treated the way you were being treated."

I stayed silent.

"Aria, we're planning on having a chat to you about a few things when we get back home. You alright with that?"

I nodded.

Jenna rubbed her arms. "It's chilly out here! Let's go get some food and we'll go back home."

"I've got it," Josh grabbed out all the shopping from the back of Jenna's car and carried it inside for us.

"Mm," he smiled. "Mexican."

"We had to drive thirty minutes for that." Jenna piped up from behind me.

"It's because you love us."

"I kinda have to don't I?"

Josh only laughed.

"I smell food!" I could hear Tyler yell as soon as we walked in.

"There's none for you! It's all for Aria and I!" Josh joked, smiling in my direction. I let out a chuckle.

"Rude! How dare you!" Tyler's voice didn't seem to have any humour in it, or any tone that indicated he was joking. That made me panic. I whimpered and hid behind Jenna.

"Aria?" Jenna bent down to my level. "It's okay. Nothing is going to happen."

"He's mad."

"No Aria, he's not. Josh, you can take the food into the kitchen, we'll be there in a minute."

"I'm not with my dad." I repeated to myself over and over again. "No one is going to hurt me. Tyler isn't my dad. Josh isn't like my dad. Jenna isn't like my mum."

"You're completely right. Forget about them completely. You're safe now."

"Jenna?"

"Aria?"

"Everything reminds me of them."

"Who?"

"Them. My parents."

"Is there anything I can do? Anything Tyler can do? Josh?"

"I think I just need to talk. Be allowed to say anything I want. Without being scared of the consequences."

"It might take time, but I promise you'll get there."

Silence fell upon us.

"Come on. You haven't eaten all day. Let's go get some food before the boys destroy it all. Might be too late now though." Jenna smiled softly.