𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐀 ||The Girl Behind The Act||

Chapter 13

Tristan

"I'll just get a large pepperoni pizza, thanks," I placed my pizza order over the phone before slipping it into my back pocket.

Meanwhile, Ariana was still getting dressed in my room, and I was getting pretty anxious.

Not because of the possibility of Josh or my parents showing up suddenly and finding her here, since we weren't that close. No, it was more about why I had this sudden urge to help her.

Why did I invite her to stay at my house and even use my bedroom for the night? It seemed crazy. We weren't friends or anything. I barely even knew her. But I could tell she needed a friend, and I was open to being that friend. Even though her current state confused me, I felt compelled to help.

What am I thinking? Just today I turned her down at school, and now I'm offering her a place to stay.

My thoughts were interrupted by a ringing phone. I spotted an unfamiliar iPhone on the counter, grabbed it, and saw it was Ariana's. Her dad was calling her. I let it ring for a bit before notifications started popping up.

Curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to know why she was at the park earlier. When I'd been to her place for a party, I knew it was far from here. She was alone in the park, with no car, no suitcase - ruling out the idea of her running away.

I picked up the phone, glancing at the messages that revealed more about her situation.

Dad: Ari sweetie, you need to come home. You can't ignore her forever.

Her? Who's her?

Shay: Hey Ari, not sure why your Dad's calling me at this hour, asking for you. Where are you?!

Joanna: Girl, answer your phone! Your father's asking where you are. Don't worry, I covered for you, said you're at my house. Please call me.

At least one of her friends cared enough to cover for her. Relief washed over me as I set the phone down. Just then, Josh arrived with the pizza.

"Hey, got the pizza you ordered from the pizza place. Paid for it too. So, movie or game?" he asked.

"Thanks for paying. How did your date with Joanna go?" I inquired.

"Went well. She surprised me; she's not like the typical mean cheerleader stereotype. She's different, and I like that," Josh grinned.

I smiled back, agreeing with him, although my thoughts started drifting back to Ariana. I had rejected her earlier, but now I was helping her. What was I doing?

As Josh munched on pizza, Ariana suddenly appeared from the stairs. I tried to call Josh's attention to stop him, but he had already headed upstairs.

Ariana and Josh exchanged a puzzled look as she descended the stairs. I couldn't help but notice how different she looked in my oversized t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up casually, and she wore no makeup.

"Whoa, did I miss something?" Josh asked, joining us in the kitchen.

"Hey, Josh," she greeted casually, descending the steps and stopping in front of him, casting a quick glance my way.

Josh's gaze shifted between us, and my eyes widened as I realized he was already forming an idea.

"Wait, it's not what you think!" I blurted out, and their attention turned back to me.

Josh wore a sly smile, while Ariana seemed to grasp the situation as well.

"Oooh really?" he quipped, arms folded and a smirk on his face. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.