Forgotten Memories

Chapter 8: Heartbreak and Donuts

-Luke-

I drove up to Main Event in time to see them exit.

Aria came out and waved for me to come over. Reluctantly, I decided to get out of the car.

Once I was standing next to Aria, she got all giddy. "So, this is my friend, Luke."

Hope laughed. "Of course I already know who he is."

Daniel smiled tightly. "Yes, I believe I've had the pleasure of meeting him too."

Aria smiled at me and I couldn't help it. I smiled and hugged her. She hugged me back and laughed. She was acting... friendly. She wasn't all stiff and nervous like I thought she'd be.

She pointed at another person. "That's Julian." She looked up at me again. "He's one of Daniel's friends." She giggled. Giggled. "And now is mine too."

I smiled tightly. "Well, we should get going. It was nice meeting ya'll." I waved and turned around.

"Most of you," I muttered to myself.

Aria waved goodbye and linked her arm in mine, pulling me along. "Let's talk," she muttered under her breath.

I turned to her. "Woah. What happened to Giddy Aria?"

She laughed dryly. "Ha. like I'm really that friendly. Let's get this over with."

I sighed as we reached the car. "At least let me get in the car."

She raised her eyebrows. "We're not leaving."

I froze. "Then why'd you write 'pick me up-"

She laughs again. "Okay, okay, this is gonna be hilarious, but you're gonna love it. I'm quoting the person you absolutely LOVE the most. Ready?"

She sighed. "I didn't mean that."

My face dropped, but she ignored me.

"I'm not getting in the car and we're not leaving, because I just need to make sure you have your facts straight before you wander off and start telling lies."

I took a step back, then I felt all my rage and frustration hit me like an ocean wave. "My facts straight?! You're the one who can't decide whether I'm just a friend or not! I kissed you, and you ran off, too scared to face the truth! Then I arrive, and you act like nothing is wrong with the world! You think everything revolves around you, don't you? Ever since you woke up from that stupid coma, we've been breaking our backs to help you! I wanted to return to my normal life with you in it, but I can't, because I'm trying to help you! People are telling me to lay off and give up, but I don't and I won't, you know why? Because I love you, Aria! I'm trying, I swear, I'm TRYING. But you're making it so hard to love you right now. You want the attention, you want to be remembered, you want to remember things, but you don't realize that the people around care about you more then you care about them. We can help you remember, but you don't want our help. I know you don't remember what happened, but you were my hero. Now, I don't even know who you are. I've been bottling up my feelings, trying to keep them is for your sake, but I can't anymore. Get your facts straight, Aria! And please, do it before I feel the need to straighten them for you. And believe me, it'll be worse than right now."

I know I went too far, but she was gonna be the end of me if I didn't stop her. Rue was right. She was gonna be the girl to break my heart.

Her face paled and she stumbled back.

"Aria," I whispered. I screwed up this time. I did. Gosh, what did I do?

She stared at me, her eyes full of loathing and shock, but mostly, hurt. Cold, plain hurt.