All That Matters

Chapter Fourteen

Aria's POV

Soon enough the food arrived. I was starving and it all looked heavenly.

"Y'all heard from Vanya ? I can't believe Kevin did that to her man. That's fucked up", Sam said suddenly. Everyone turned towards him and their faces fell. I had no clue what he was on about.

"Same. I thought he learnt his lesson last time . Aria you know what happened between Kev and Vanya right?", Mark asked.

I was shoving a fork full of fries into my mouth and stopped chewing mid way. Everyone's attention turned to me. I felt like a deer caught in headlights. Actually more like a chubby chipmunk.

"No", I managed to mumble through my mouth full of fries. From the corner or my eye I saw Ryan stifling a smile. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Kevin cheated on her at Jina's party. He hooked up with some chick from school. We haven't seen them since but they're probably gonna get back together. People make mistakes", Rhea explained.

I couldn't conceal the horrified look on my face. Cheating is never a MISTAKE. Its always a choice. I was a firm believer in the fact that if you truly had feelings for someone, you couldn't hurt them that way. You could never do that to them. I would know.

"Its not the first time he's done that Ari chill. You look like you saw a ghost.", Alina said.

"I did see a ghost. Of Vanya's self respect actually, which seems to have died", I said with my mouth open.

The table burst out laughing. Sam shifted the conversation to a lighter subject and instantly everyone was in a better mood.

Out of everyone, Ryan was the least talkative. He sat there scrolling through his phone with a blank expression masking his face. No matter how funny the joke was, he didn't react. His brooding features making him look as beautiful as ever.

They cheque arrived and we walked out to the parking lot. The sun shone bright above, making Ryan reach for his shades in his pocket. Instantly he looked like a lost actor who'd wandered off from the set of a movie.

"Um Ali, I was wondering if um, you want to go see a movie right now ? I don't want you to leave just yet.", Sam asked Ali suddenly, looking flustered.

Ali turned to me, a pleading look on her face. I'd have to go home alone in a cab. Great. Sam was supposed to take us home. I'm sure as hell going to stop depending on him for transportation.

"I'll take Aria home", Mark said stepping beside me. "If that's okay with you of course, Aria?", he smiled at me.

" I'll take her. Its more practical anyway", a voice said behind me.

I froze. I was not getting in a car alone with Ryan. I had promised myself I'd stay away from him.

"Its no problem man. Don't you have plans with Jess anyway ??", Mark said, his tone cocky.

"Yes he does ", Jessica said fluttering her lashes and grabbing his bicep. I noticed Ryan flinch as his muscles went rigid. She should take her hand off. Clearly he didn't like the gesture.

"I'm taking Aria home", Ryan declared, an edge to his voice as he yanked the passenger door open for me.

With a sigh I stepped in. I'd rather go with him than wait around for a cab. Besides I don't think it was a good idea arguing with him.

He got behind the wheel and pulled out of the lot. He barely acknowledged my presence.

I turned to look out the tinted window. This was going to be a long ride.