It's Been Five Years

Six

I told my mom specifically not to invite them. I need to think fast. Without hesitation I rush over to Lucy and Clara.

" Hey, Luce! Sorry to interrupt, I just need to talk to Clara really quickly."

I say before scooping Clara up. Thankfully she was so occupied with her hand game that she didn't notice Angelina and Henry. I rush up to my room and set Clara down on my bed.

" What's the matter, mommy?"

Clara asks with wide eyes and I panic. God, why can't my mother just listen to me for once and not make things so damn complicated? I pace the room and run my fingers through my curled hair.

" Clara, baby, will you stay here for a minute? Just for a minute, baby, I promise."

I say in an incredibly rushed tone. Clara's face falls with disappointment before she nods sadly.

" Thank you, honey bee!"

I say and give her a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing out of my room, shutting the door behind me. I angrily stomp down the stairs and scour the living room for my mother. I find her talking to Angelina and my blood boils. I walk up to my mother hurriedly and grab her shoulder. My mother spins around and looks at me with wide eyes.

" Oh, honey! There you are!"

My mother says in a carefree tone and my rage almost boils over.

" I need to talk to you... now!"

I say through clenched teeth and my mother grows rigid.

" Hello to you too Aria."

My sister says snarkily and I send her an annoyed glance.

" why haven't you returned any of my calls? We haven't heard from you since you rushed out of lunch five weeks ago."

The way she says " we haven't heard from you" like her and Henry are some kind of team. I know they are married and all that bullshit, but I could care less. She'll never know Henry as well as I do, never.

" That's because I want nothing to do with you, Angelina... or your "perfect" husband."

I snap and my mother and Angelina gasp simultaneously.

" Aria Caprice Michaels! What on earth has gotten into you? That's no way to talk to your older sister. I roll my eyes and tug on my mother's arm.

" Now! I need to talk to you, now."

I demand. My mother scoffs and shakes her head, apologizing to Angelina for my behavior. She follows me to the kitchen and I turn around to meet her disapproving gaze.

" I told you not to invite them!"

I whisper, shout and my mother rolls her eyes.

" I know, but I thought that it would be nice for your sister to be included in your send-off. I thought you could put all of your misgivings aside just for one night, and properly say goodbye to each other.

My mother explains and I just about explode from anger. If only I could tell her the truth.

" I-I can not believe you. I understand where you're coming from, but I can't deal with Angelina tonight, mom. I just wish you would respect what I want... for once!"

I yell as tears roll down my cheeks. Just as my mother opens her mouth to say something I hear a voice speak behind me, that voice.

" Aria."

Henry says my name like it's a command for me to turn around. I spin around to face him, and as soon as his bright eyes meet mine my anger is replaced with complete sadness. I begin to sob and stumble against the wall. Henry immediately rushes over to me and pulls me against his chest. I would be lying if I said it didn't feel amazing to be in his arms, but I also knew it was wrong. Angelina is just in the other room. I weakly try to push out of his embrace, but he just holds me tighter and strokes my hair.

" Just go away Henry!"

I sob against his chest.

" Who is Henry? What is she talking abou-."

Before my mother can start her questioning he shushes her and kisses the top of my head. I can't believe he's doing this in front of my mother.

" I'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving you again. I can't, because I love you, Aria."

Henry says quietly and my crying subsides suddenly. This is everything I've ever wanted to hear from him. I've been waiting five years to hear him say those words, but it's too late now and I can't hurt my sister.

" We can't be together. You're with Angelina! It's too late now, just forget about me!"

I yell and push him off of me. As soon as I'm out of his grip I look over to my mother. She is looking between me and Henry like we've both just grown two horns. Her mouth is agape and she's shaking like a leaf.

" W-what! How do you two-how well do you two know each other?"

My mother asks breathlessly as her panicked eyes search mine for answers. I can't tell her. If I tell her everything, she'll immediately go run and tell Angelina.

" I-I can't tell you, mother. I'm sorry."

I whisper. I look at Henry once more, and I notice his eyes are brimming with tears. Oh, how I'd love to say " I love you too, let's take Clara and move to New York together, and screw everything else." But, I can't. It's not that easy. Before I can walk out of the kitchen Henry gently stops me by grabbing my arm. He spins me towards him and before I know it, I'm up against his chest again.

" Please, baby. Angelina and I- she's not you, Aria! I love you more than anyone else in this entire fucked up world. Please, give me another chance. I want to be a part of Clara's life... and your life."

His voice is strained and pleading. When I look up at him, his eyes are hopeful while tears run down his cheeks. I gently lift my hand to brush his tears away and he closes in eyes and leans into my touch. He is making it incredibly hard to push him away right now. I know I have to though.

" We can't do this, Henry. Our lives have changed so much and I-."

Before I can finish my sentence Henry's lips are on mine, and suddenly I forget what I was about to say. His hands tighten around my hips and I fling my arms around his neck. I hear my mother cursing and gasping, but I don't care. Apparently Henry doesn't care either because he just deepens the kiss and holds me closer. I know this is wrong. This is so wrong to do in front of my mother and with my sister in the other room. But, how can something so wrong feel so gosh darn right?

" WHAT THE FUCK?!"

I hear Angelina shriek and Henry and I immediately pull away from each other. Oops?