Fifteen: Free Fallin'

Chapter 21: The Sweetest Taboo

Aria walked into the dive bar 15 minutes from campus. It was the last stop on the campus bus and it was just far enough away from the madness she caused. The bar looked crazier on the outside than it did on the inside and she appreciated that.

It wasn't too full, but just the right number of students in the school spirited gear sat at the tables and sprinkled the dance floor. There was a stage with a band and neon light that read Open Mic Night. She smiled at the thought of singing. It would relieve this pressure! Her mind coaxed, but she shook it off and sat at the bar.

"What will it be?" The bartender called over her shoulder. "Shirley Temple," Aria offered not looking up. "You didn't even try to get a drink. Good girl!" Aria was shocked when she looked up. There standing in front of her was Ms. DuBois.

"What are you doing behind the bar Ms. Dubois?!" She laughed at the shocked expression on Aria's face. "I work here!" She replied giving a martini to the guy sitting two seats down. "Why? You're thee Ms. Dubois!" She laughed heartily at Aria's inability to grasp the sight of a theatre legend behind a bar.

"Sometimes you just do things for fun." She offered handing her drink. "So, what brings you to Catcher in the Rye?" Aria didn't even attempt to look at the neon sign outside. She didn't know if she was so forlorn or if it was the smile on Ms. Dubois' face, but she began divulging the PG rated tales of her love triangle. She told her about her feelings, she told her about both fights, and she told her about how horrid she felt currently for possibly causing a rift in their delicately woven group.

"That's a lot, but I'm proud of you for feeling out your options." Aria looked at her crazily. "How is that something to be proud of? I basically led two guys on!" Ms. Dubois shook her head. "You did what every guy in college does. You played the field and figured out who was best for you. Now you can move forward in a relationship sure of yourself and your choice."

Aria sighed. "But I haven't made a choice." Ms. Dubois handed a drink to a woman nearby. "Haven't you? I think you're just not willing to see that." Ms. Dubois gaze followed Aria's. "The way you keep looking at the stage I think you ought to let your voice let you in on your decision."

Aria looked at the stage that had been unoccupied for a few minutes. She looked back at Ms. Dubois who gave her the thumbs up. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was 12:05 am, she would call Sophia Kate afterwards.

Aria got off of the barstool and made her way to the stage. She whispered the song to the band and turned to the microphone. The crowd began to settle down as the instrumental of 'Run to You' by Lea Michelle began.

Aria couldn't know that DJ AudiTory was in the building or that he was currently recording her for his tv segment on the campus channel. She began harmonizing before singing and the entire audience was enthralled despite the slowness of the song being the polar opposite of the victorious mood.

As she began singing it was as if everyone could feel the emotion she was emitting. Adoration. Aria couldn't deny she was singing for Caleb. She had lied to him. Run to You was his ringtone and a song that reminded her of him and what life would be like if he were hers. She knew he had his reasons to keep her at an arm's length, but she didn't care. She wanted him. She wanted to show him her very real, very deep, very true feelings.

*****

"I found her!" Gracia yelled in Jaden's living room. They had all met at midnight to figure out a new plan of action to find her, but Gracia had seen her on tv and called out. "What is this?" Jaden asked. "This is the Warrior Station. The school campus channel. It's after midnight, so it's DJ AudiTory's segment. He goes to various places and records artists." Brooke informed.