Loving the Enemy

33

"Really?" Xander raised his eyebrow at me me

"Yes, I can't do this anymore it's getting too complicated" I muttered softly avoiding his gaze. I had been avoiding Xander all week knowing well that I couldn't avoid him forever. I had to break up with him sooner or later.

"Complicated well that it is" nodded Xander surprisingly in agreement "Right Dave?"

"Umm I guess it is" Dave answered awkwardly surprised he was suddenly part of the conversation.

"Fine then I guess I'll leave" I said backing away trying to go back to the tent.

"Yeah sounds like a plan, let's go" Xander nodded looping my arm in his and walking along with me 

"Where are you going?" I asked stopping him abruptly by placing my hand on his chest.

"With you into the tent" he stated the obvious

"Are you insane, my dad will have you killed" I yelled

"He's already killing me by making you break up with me" Xander pulled me closer, holding both my elbows and looking intensely into my eyes.

"He hasn't... I mean he wouldn't" I look away not being able to face him.

"Aria who are you fooling? Even an idiot like Dave can see that you're being forced to break up with me"

"Hey! Why you gotta call me an idiot? But yes I can clearly see you don't want to break up with Xander" Dave chimed in.

"Xander.." I tried to free myself from him but he abruptly let me go.

"What was it? Did he threaten to send you to Europe? To send the police after me? Or place a hit on me? What did he say to make you give up so easily?" Xander asked desperation evident in his voice.

"I don't have to answer to you!" I yelled. I had to go end this swiftly it's the best for both of us I thought "Assume what you want, this is over!"

"You have one thing coming if you think this is in any way over!" He warned grabbing my arm

"Look at me Aria!" He insisted glaring down at me. I couldn't take it, I felt like I was going to crumble any second now when..

"What's going on here!" A loud voice boomed. Both of us looked simultaneously to our left to my dad fuming with both of my brothers behind him.

I pushed Xander with all my strength creating a good amount of distance between us.

"Xander I told you. We. Are. Done! Now leave" it took everything in me not to crack but I managed to sound determined when I said it.

"NO WE ARE NOT!" Yelled Xander "You can fool all the people you want Aria but I see it in your eyes, I see your love for me and your pain and if you think you can push me away then think again!"

"You Montgomery's really don't know your place!" Dad sneered grabbing Xander's collar "I am warning you! If you don't leave right away I'll take care of you personally"

"What more can you do to me?" Xander snorted a laugh, he didn't seem fazed the slightest bit "You've already taken away the best thing to ever happen to me"

"YOU LITTLE" my dad swung back a punch but thankfully my brother held him back.

"What are you doing dad?" Mason held Dad back separating him from Xander "You really want to create a commotion here!"

"I don't care! I want to take care of this infidel once and for all even if it's the last thing I do!"

"Ashton stop this insanity at once!" My mom came up suddenly scolding my dad. I took a sigh of relief only she could control him at this moment.

"Tell this boy to leave or so help me god"

"Or what you'll leak to the press he's a suspect to a crime he's already been cleared from like you warned Aria you would" My mom challenged.

I closed my eyes not able to face Xander, finally allowing my tears to flow freely.

"Samantha that was between me and Aria!" My dad yelled

"It's clear that you find this silly feud more important than your daughters happiness"

"I'm doing it for her own good!"

"What do you mean for her?" My brother Mason intervened which shocked me a little "Aria is miserable but you don't care cause all you care about his getting even with the Montgomery's"

"Yeah I thought we came first, Dad. That's what you always said but now we know it was all a lie" Patrick added

"Stop!" I shouted speaking up at last "Just stop all of you!"

"Xander I think you should leave" I said turning to Xander

"But Aria.."

"Don't you see Xander, they'll never let us be together in peace. Today they did this tomorrow god knows what else they'll do to break us up and I would much rather we broke up on own than our fathers making us break up" I resolved slumping my shoulders in defeat. That's it I lost. We lost.

"Is that what you really want?" asked Xander remained quiet his eyes firmly on me like everyone around us didn't existed

"Yes" I replied even though my voice was cracking by the end. Not able to take it anymore I moved away and started walking towards the street.

"ARIA STOP!" I heard someone yell behind me but I quickened my pace.

"ARIA!" They all called out again and someone seemed to be following me so I began running. Tears were flowing down, so I raised my arm to wipe them away as I crossed the street. When suddenly I was blindsided by two large headlights....

It was like the world slowed down, like I could literally see the light rain drizzling down in slow motion, as the headlights neared me and the truck's horn got louder. I held up my arms to shield myself as the light engulfed me..