Aria's POV
The car ride back was silent.
Kane sat beside me, stone-faced, jaw clenched, like the air itself had turned to ice.
Even I, as slow as I could be sometimes, could tell he was angry.
But what for? What had I done wrong tonight?
I kept to myself. I avoided Caleb. I barely even let his fingers graze mine—and only for a second. I didn't speak out of turn, didn't step out of line.
So why did Kane look at me like I'd betrayed him?
"Are you mad?" I asked cautiously. "Why?"
He let out a cold laugh, sharp and bitter. "I'm mad because you're a tasteless hillbilly. Is that not allowed?"
The words sliced straight through me—ice-cold, deliberate, and cruel.
I froze in my seat.
So that was it?
He was embarrassed by me. Embarrassed because I didn't look the part. Because I didn't know the right brands, or wear thousand-dollar shoes.
But is that really my fault?
I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing myself to stay calm.
Don't argue, Aria. Don't lose control. You don't get to figh
