Falling Apart (GANG Series)

Chapter 5

Aria's POV

     December. I am three days into December. Two weeks exactly away from my birthday. Which I assume I will also be spending alone. Nine days had gone by since Jacob showed up unannounced. He finally gave up on his mind games, I'm assuming.

A part of me can't help but wish he didn't. Only because I want so much to believe that what he and I had was real. I need to stop being so disappointed about this. He gave up. That's what I wanted. No texts. No calls. I didn't even have to block him. But, for some reason, every time I tried to pay for another nights stay, They told me a card under the name of Jacob Delgado had already handled it.

Why is he paying for it? Out of guilt? Maybe he's so guilty that he let a game go so far, the girl in the end of it ended up having nothing. Not even her school. That was also linked to him.

The past couple of days, I was able to clear him out of my mind for the most part. I had to. Or else I'd never move on. It's slow and painful but I have to get somewhere. I also thought about my aunt. I kept thinking about what she said.

" . . . And don't you ever come back to me when he breaks your heart. I won't be here for you."

I've wanted to walk up to her door so many times in the last couple of days. I'm scared she'll slam the door in my face as soon as she sees me. Or she'll tell me she told me so then slam it in my face.

I try to clear my head from all these negative thoughts and focus on getting ready. I slide my black yoga pants up my legs after slipping on my white cami tank. I get my soft, cotton Juilliard hoodie on. It's grey with navy blue bold letters. Juilliard, New York. I double layer and add my denim jacket over it.

I grab my dance bag after sliding my feet into a pair of air forces. I pull a bit of my hair back, making it half up, half down. A couple loose strands hang down by my temples. My half down hair cascades in waves down my shoulders.

The only thing I've been looking forward to is seeing some snow. I've never, ever been around snow. It hasn't been snowing at all, just a little chiller than usual. I make sure I have my car keys, phone, and key card. I need to get out of living in this hotel. Who the hell would I stay with? I could never intrude into Sierra's life like that. I doubt my aunt will take me back. She hasn't even tried to contact me ever since she kicked me out of her house.

On my way to campus, I grab a coffee. Luckily I finish it before stepping into class.

"Good morning." I say to Gina and Nate who are stretching at the front of the classroom.

"Hey," they say simultaneously.

We've all already gotten to know the rest of seniors and juniors. They're a lot nicer than they seem.

"You wanna come to the cafe with us after classes?" Nate asks me.

"Yeah , sure. Who's going?"

"Us two, carter, and Kylie." Gina tells me.

"Oh okay."

I stretch out my arms and legs.

"Aria," Carter walks up to me. "Can we go over that double count step from yesterday?"

"Yeah." I align myself next to him.

"G, come on." He tells Gina.

"Step, lunge . . . Use your arms to balance as you spin to the floor." He says more to himself.

I get up, leading with my heart. My back slightly arched, my head is the last thing to come back up. Kylie begins us does a leap in the meanwhile, and then we all pirouette in synch. Soon the whole class gets in formation as the teacher walks in. I work with Nate on a duo routine. I get a little nervous at the fact that he has to carry me.