Long Distance

Croissant.

[Aria]

When I wake up the next morning my eyes are puffy and red from crying. I decide to take a hot shower hoping all the steam will help loosen me up and make me feel more relaxed. When I get out of the shower I look and feel better but I know that there's nothing that can be done about the puffiness of my eyes.

I change and put on some makeup before heading out, deciding to make the most out of my stay in New York before I leave. I can't stop thinking about Mason though and it's killing me because I want to move on but a small part of me just wants to run as fast as I can back into his arms.

But I can't and won't do that because what he did hurt me more than ever. I follow my GPS to a cafe which I made sure was far away from Mason's penthouse and the warm smell of cinnamon that hits me when I walk in is almost enough to make me forget about everything that's happened these past 24 hours.

After scoping out the menu and I head up to the cashier to place my order.

"May I have a nutella croissant and a large coffee?" She punches in my order, and I unzip my purse.

"That'll be $8.17." I search for my wallet and a feeling of dread settles over me when I realize I can't find it.

"I'm so sorry I-"

"I'll pay for her order and mine." A familiar voice says from behind me and I turn around to see a smiling Dr. Gonzales. He hands the cashier a debit card and my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"You didn't have to do that, I promise I'll pay you back." I rush out as someone hands us our orders.

"It's no problem really." He smiles at me again and motions for me to follow him to a table at the back of the cafe.

"What're you doing here by yourself?" He questions and I sigh, the sad feeling from this morning returning.

"It's a long story."

[Mason]

I dial Matt for what has to be the fifth time before trying Madison. I've been trying to call Aria all night but my calls just went straight to voicemail and I realize that she's probably blocked my number.

When Madison doesn't answer I groan and throw my phone across the room. I fucked up, really fucked up and I just really need to find Aria and try to fix this. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have thought so low of her to believe that she would jump in bed with another guy? How could I be so insensitive to the fact that she was almost raped?

I wasn't there to protect her. I wasn't there to make sure she was safe from my own friends. She was probably petrified, and I cheated on her.

I didn't know what made me more angry, the fact that I cheated on her, or the fact that some sick bastard I called my friend put his hands on my fiancé.

I give up on trying to contact her before grabbing my windbreaker, my phone, and my keys and rushing out the door. I didn't bother going to school today, I wouldn't be able to focus on anything knowing Aria was out there by herself because of me.

I drive my car to the police station and try to report a missing person, but unfortunately, Aria had to be missing for at least 48 hours for them to do anything.

Frustrated and helpless, I leave the station and get into my car, starting my route to the nearest hotel. She had to be staying somewhere nearby.

I park in front of the building and walk in going straight to the front desk.

"Hi, I need to know if there's an Aria Mendez staying here."

"Hello," the woman smiles back. "Unfortunately that is confidential and it is against our policy to share-"