Our Fate Under Stars

Chapter Eighteen

Ariana's P.O.V:

      "Ugh you guys have NOOOO idea how much I missed hangin' out all together." Camila states as she takes a sip of her decaf. "I'm pretty sure we do Cami." Skylar replies. "I'm just glad all of y'all are here, I don't know where I would be now if it weren't for all of you ." I say back as they all smile at me, and 'Awww's come from Mila and Justin.

  "Isn't Dylan gonna join?" Justin asks with pink flushed cheeks, weird. I feel Hayden stiffen up at the mention of Dylan, as he clenches his jaw. I shake my head 'no' and look at the empty tea cup between my hands.

  I have to tell them soon.. I can't let them learn it from my mom or anyone else. But is now the right time? Shouldn't Dylan be involved in this too? I can always call or meet u with him when he's free..

  I noticed he's been quite distant lately, but it's probably just his artistic side taking over. He likes to be left alone whenever he comes up with new ideas for sketches or paintings.

  Focus Ariana. Try to figure out how to tell them. 'UHHH HEYY GUYS' nope definitely not, maybe rip off the bandage quickly? I could always try to sugar coat it and tell them slowly and calmly? Ugh this sucks.

  "Earth to Ariiii." Hayden waves a hand in front of my face and snaps me back to present reality, they send me questioning looks and I realized they got closer. They ask if I'm okay, if I need anything. "I appreciate it, thank you but I'm fine." I stand up abruptly and speed walk to the kitchen to put my cup down as if I would find the oxygen I need to inhale there.

  I open the front door and stand there for a minute, enjoying the calming breeze of the night. I look up as I admire the bright night sky, illuminated with a billion stars, not one cloud in sight.

  "Hey.. You okay?" Justin stands next to me and tilts his head to the same direction mine's tilted and tries to find answers to all the questions he seems to be dying to ask. "Come here hun." Is all he says and opens his arms wide for me to join his warm embrace. And I do so. He holds me tightly and brushes my hair, "You'll be alright sweetie, you're the strongest person I know."

   "Well that's offensive." Camila speaks from inside, and both Justin and I chuckle at her remark. "Seriously Ari, you're amazing. We'll always have your back."
 
  "Agreed." Both Hayden and Skylar say simultaneously.

  I smile at this blessing I'm allowed to call friends. But I can't hide it from them anymore. "Guys we need to talk." I sigh as they walk with me to the couches, worried looks drawn on their faces.

  "I have no idea how or where to begin, this is gonna be just as hard for me to say as it's gonna be hard for you guys to hear.."

  Silence.

  "So.. My mom came by the other day. She wasn't carrying good news. Apparently, she's selling this house." Camila gasps as everyone's gazes are still worriedly focused on me. "W-wait but where will you live?" Hayden blurts out. "Wasn't the house under Hunter's name?? How is she legally allowed to sell it without his consent and signature because I know for a fact Hunter would never sell his father's house." Skylar adds.

  "You're right Sky, Hunter disapproved. But he got a call from the lawyer or bank or whatever saying that the house was originally under both parents' name and Hunter's was just recently signed. So my mom still sorta co-owned this house since she wasn't there to sign it off to Hunter, until she said she wasn't. And apparently she decided to sell it and drag me to rich hoe ville with her and her so called husband."