KATIE'S POV
Aria regains consciousness not too long after we discover her, she let's out a weak laugh as she places a hand on her forehead. "Sorry for giving you all such a scare." She says sitting down at the kitchen table. She gratefully accepts the coffee cup Ella has filled with a strong herbal tea - which she says will give Aria a bit more strength -.
I do my best to ignore the overwhelming stench. My folded arms are resting on the table, I look at Aria concerned. "Aria, seriously, are you okay?" I ask.
She nods her head and sips a bit of her tea, "Totally, just collapsed from exhaustion I guess. Haven't been sleeping much." She says.
She looks at me and I know she can see my doubt. However, her facial expression doesn't change or give me any clues to if I'm correct in my doubt. "Why was your door locked?" I ask her with a raised eyebrow.
She raises an eyebrow, "It was?" She thinks to herself for a moment before something in her eyes sparks to life she lets out a weak laugh. "Oh yeah, that stupid door." She says with a small sweeping motion of her hand. "It will lock sometimes, the mechanism is broken. I can't tell you how many times I have gotten locked out of my bedroom. I must have forgotten to check to make sure it hadn't locked when I closed the door to change my clothes." She picks up her coffee cup and takes another sip. She places a hand on her chest, "I'm really touched by your concern, but I promise you that everything is okay, just some exhaustion is all." She says patting the top of my hand a couple times.
My phone beeps in my pocket, I pull it out a little and glance down at the glowing screen. Sh*t, I forgot to tell my parents I'd be out past curfew. "I really have to make a quick call." I say to Aria as I begin to get up from the table.
"Go right ahead." Aria says.
I slide the glass double-door open to step out onto the small outdoor patio. I slide the door shut behind me and call Dad's phone. I glance back at Aria through the glass door, she does not notice me looking at her, she sips the tea from the cup. "It's about time you called." Dad says when he answers his phone.
"I'm sorry, I-" I stop myself. Should I tell them? I ask myself. My parents, undoubtedly, would already be pulling out of the driveway before I could get halfway done explaining all that has happened in the last hour. Quickly! Make a choice! "... lost track of time." I finish, a half-truth. I did not realize how late it was.
"Are you on your way home now?" Dad asks. "Or do I need to come pick you up?" He asks.
"I'll be heading out soon, Ella is getting a quick snack and then she'll drive me home." The lie comes out almost too easy, I don't even have to debate what to say.
"Okay, next time you know you'll be out late just remember to keep an eye on the clock and call if you are going to be late for curfew." Dad says. "There better not be another next time of this though, we have been worried." He says firmly.
"Yes sir." I say. "See you when I get home, I love you." I add.
"Love you too, Champ." Dad says before hanging up.
I lower my phone from my ear and let the guilt rush in. You should have told. I silently scold myself as I let out a sigh. I put my cellphone back in my pocket and head back inside to finish speaking with Aria.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I can trust that you'll call Dominick, right?" I ask looking back at Aria as Sawyer, Ella, and I begin to leave her apartment. Aria stands up the door and flips on the outside light, she gives me a smile, "Yes, Katie. I will."
YOU ARE READING
No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)
Roman pour AdolescentsThere are events that you hear about but never want to experience. The seams of my old life seemed to finally find their place in the tapestry of my new one. Yet, one horrible day, all the seams were yanked out. Forced to rebuild my life, I find mys...
