Long Distance

4th.

[Ethan]

How come every time I vowed to move on I had to fuck it up somehow? I thought yesterday with Amber was the start of something new, something that Aria had no part in, but like most of the time, I was wrong.

I walked into the gas station, my plans being to buy Amber some ruffles and a grape gatorade. They were to kiss Aria. Did I feel like a total dick for doing that to Amber? Definitely. But did I regret kissing Aria? Definitely not.

Ever since the night at her house, I hadn't been able to get her out of my mind. Everything I did had to make me think of her. Every time I kissed Amber, I'd be picturing her. Every time I went to sleep, I dreamed about her. It was like Aria had completely overthrown my mind.

I couldn't get the feeling from that night out of my senses. She wanted me, and I wanted her, so badly that it hurt when she stopped everything. I just wished Aria would have realized that she felt something for me then. That night was confirmation for me that I was wrong. Aria felt something for me too. Even if she tried denying everything, I knew how she really felt.

But if that was the truth, why was she still marrying Edwards?

[Aria]

I had barely managed to get any sleep last night after what happened at the gas station. Madison had noticed something was wrong, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth. Fortunately, she let the matter go and enjoyed the rest of the night with me.

I guess cheering me up was Madison's motive for planning a last minute Fourth of July party today. The gang had the annual tradition of going to the beach every fourth and just hanging out there for the entire day.

This year, however, was different. This year we would be celebrating at Madison's house with our families and a few people from school. I had no problem with going to a party instead, but it seemed a bit unexpected.

I was in my room getting ready for the party when my mom walked in.

"Hey, mija." She greets.

"Hey, mom." she leans over to give me a kiss on my cheek and I smile.

"What's the plan for today?" she questions.

"Mason and I are going to a party at Madison's house." she gets this look on her face at the mention of Mason and I frown.

"What?" I ask as I turn around in my chair to face her.

"Mija, are you sure about marrying Mason?" I hesitated before answering and I know I shouldn't have but I did and that was enough to make my mom press on even further.

"You know you don't have to marry him if you don't want to, right?"

"Mom, trust me. I want to marry Mason." I was trying to convince her that this was what I wanted but the sliver of doubt in the back of my mind made me think that maybe I was the one who needed convincing.

"Okay," she says. "If that's what you want." She kisses me on my forehead before exiting the room and I sigh before facing the mirror to finish my makeup.

A few minutes later I get a text from Mason, telling me that he was outside and I give myself a once over before grabbing my things and heading downstairs. I tell my parents goodbye and head out the door and into my driveway where Mason is waiting.

"Hey gorgeous," he greets once I get into the car and I smile as he leans over to kiss me.

"Ready?" he asks when we pull away and I nod my head.

We were left in a comfortable silence on the way to Madison's house, and when we finally get there, my eyes widen at all the cars in her driveway. We get out of the car and walk up to her doorstep, ringing the doorbell, only to have Madison open the door immediately.