All That Matters

Chapter Three

ARIA'S POV

Over the next few days, Alina and I grew close. We were beginning to confide in each other slowly and we always had a good time together without fail.Needless to say, Ali and I were glad we found each other.

We met every evening and walked for about an hour talking about our day and thoughts in general.

Her mum had been in England for the past week tying up all loose ends and was arriving today.

I hadn't really been to Ali's house yet and I was really looking forward to meeting her mum. Alina loved talking about her, her face lit up at the mention of her. I'd heard so much about her and she sounded absolutely wonderful.

Alina, on the other hand, had met my entire family. They adored her, which wasn't very surprising as she had a striking personality and infectious laugh.

My mum was pleased with me being friends with her which was a little new because she often disapproved of my choices in friends and she was usually right about them.

Your parents can often tell between your real friends and the fake ones, I figured that out the hard way. My younger brother, Vivan, was especially a huge fan of Ali's. It was a comfortable friendship.

Ali's mum landed in Hyderabad around noon and her husband and daughter went to receive her at the airport.

Ali had called me home at six in the evening. As the clock struck five I woke up from a short nap and got dressed in an pretty black lace top and denim shorts.

Nothing too special. I put on a little eyeliner and mascara and coated my lips with a thin layer of lip gloss. I don't really know why I was making the effort but I just wanted to make good impression on her family.

She lived in the block next to mine so it wasn't very long walk for me. I took the elevator to her floor and rang the doorbell.

Ali opened the door and pulled me into a giant hug.

"I'm so glad you're here. We were just talking about you", she said in a chirpy tone. "Mum, Mr.H, this is Aria, Aria, meet mum and my step - dad, Mr.Harvey", she said, introducing me to her family.

"What a delight to finally meet you sweetie, I've heard so much about you", her mum exclaimed, giving me two air kisses on both cheeks.

"All good things I hope", I said with a laugh.

"Oh absolutely", her mum replied.

I saw where Ali got her personality from now. Her mum was lovable. Her sharp features has softened over the years and she had bags under her eyes from exhaustion yet she looked stunning for her age.

"What a beautiful young lady, we're glad Ali and you've been keeping each other company. We were rather afraid she'd complain of being bored all day", her step father chimed in.

"Oh we have the best times together Mr.Harvey", I said with a smile.

"Oh call me Mr.H", he said.

I observed that both Ali's mum and Mr.H didn't have an accent. We sat at the dinner table drinking juice and tea and have some delicious snacks.
The room was full of lively chatter and happiness.

Suddenly one of the doors of the three rooms swung open. No one quite noticed at first till Ali's mum's expression changed. Everyone turned around to see the intruder .

There stood a boy with messy dark hair  falling across his forehead wearing grey joggers and a plain black t shirt.

What stood out most to me was his lip piercing. To say he was hot would be an understatement. His sharp features closely resembled those of Alina's which made me guess he was that brother she'd talked about.

I'd quite forgotten about him. Wasn't it a bit rude to start off tea without him ?

"For fuck's sake take your stupid tea party outside or pipe it down will you", he said in a low voice suddenly. Instantly I gasped at his use of language.

If I cursed in front of my mom you'd bet I'd get my ass whooped. He had a heavy British accent and all my female hormones swooned.

"Language young man. We have a guest over", Mr.H said out aloud.

I wish he hadn't said that because the angry boy's eyes landed on me. I wish the ground would open up and swallow me.

"Don't tell me what to do", he sneered.

He opened his mouth to add something but quickly shut it as we made eye contact. He stood there for a second and turned slammed the door shut and seemed to have disappeared just as soon as he'd come.

"I'm sorry you had to see that honey", Ali's mum said to me, breaking the silence.

"Oh no its quite alright. He must be having a hard time adjusting to a new country.", I said with an awkward laugh.

"Oh I wish baby", his mum said in an almost whisper.

I looked up to see tears in her eyes. "

"Do you want to go see my room?", Ali asked, cleverly excusing both of us from the awkward situation.

"Welcome to my family", she said rolling her eyes as she shut her bedroom door. We spent the rest of the evening going through her closet and mindless chatter.

As I lay in bed that night, thoughts of angry boys, British tea and beautiful Chanel dresses replayed in my head in a loop till sleep finally came to me.