Chapter 2- The unknown text 

Aria

“Who are you?”

The words cut through me like a blade, muffled beneath his mask but still sharp enough to make my legs nearly give out. My back pressed against the wall, his hand locking me there. His breath was warm, too close, too dangerous.

My stomach twisted. Oh God. He knew. He knew it wasn’t Bianca. My lips trembled, my mind racing so fast I thought I might faint. What do I say? What excuse could possibly save me now?

Panic hijacked me. Without thinking, my knee jerked upward, slamming into his groin.

“Ouch!” His body crumpled forward, his hands abandoning the wall to clutch himself in pain.

I didn’t wait. The moment his grip loosened, I bolted. My heart pounded so violently I thought it might rip out of my chest. I tore through the door, down the corridor, into the night air, not even caring who saw me. My feet carried me like a thief fleeing the scene of a crime.

By the time I stumbled into my room, I collapsed against the door, gasping. My whole body trembled, my hands shaking uncontrollably as I slid down to the floor.

I did it. I actually did it.

My legs kicked against the carpet, restless, overwhelmed. I couldn’t stop fidgeting, couldn’t stop replaying every second of what had just happened. Mason’s lips, Mason’s touch. The way he held me, the way I had finally crossed that line I swore I’d never cross.

And yet… it was wrong. It felt messy, reckless, dangerous.

But he wouldn’t know it was me. He couldn’t. I didn’t dress like myself. The mask, the dress, the heels, it wasn’t me. He’d never connect the dots.

That thought soothed me only for a heartbeat before dread rose again. My chest tightened. What if he did figure it out? What if he told Bianca? What if the whole school found out?

I squeezed my eyes shut, burying my face in my hands. This was supposed to be my secret, my memory to carry with me before death stole everything.

A knock jolted me upright. My blood ran cold.

“Who’s there?” My voice cracked.

“It’s Mason.”

The sound of his voice on the other side of my door made my heart stop.

No. No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t know. He couldn’t have come here, not now.

I scrambled to my feet, tearing off everything I’d worn at the club, the mask, the dress, even the jewelry. I shoved them under my bed in a frenzy, my heart hammering. I threw on an oversized hoodie, tugging the hood over my head like armor, anything to look as far from that girl in the club as possible.

With shaking hands, I opened the door.

Mason walked in, his hood drawn low, hiding half his face. My eyes immediately darted to his hands, his arms, searching for the tattoo I thought I glimpsed last night. Nothing. He kept himself covered, like he didn’t want me to see.

He dropped onto my bed, his shoulders hunched. His presence filled the room, suffocating me.

“I went to the club last night,” he said suddenly, his voice tight.

My heart lurched.

“What?” My throat dried out instantly.

“Why did you lie to me?” His gaze flicked up, sharp, accusing.

My chest constricted. Was he here to catch me? Did he know?

“What did I do?” I asked, feigning confusion, but my voice shook, betraying me.

“Bianca told me she never asked me to come. Later, she even told me not to go at all. I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up.”

The room tilted around me. My breath caught, shallow, uneven.

“What do you mean? You didn’t go?” I whispered, every word tasting like dread.

His lips parted. “Aria… I didn’t go to the club.”

The ground ripped out from beneath me.

“What?” My hands flew to my mouth.

Then who the hell had I been with? Who had touched me, kissed me, taken my virginity?

My stomach dropped into a pit of nausea. My fingers tangled in my hair as I pulled hard, like I could rip away the horror building in my chest.

This can’t be real. Please, God, no.

“Are you okay?” Mason’s voice broke through, laced with concern now, but I couldn’t look at him.

“I’m fine.” The lie scraped against my throat. I forced my face to still, forced the chaos to bury itself deep. He couldn’t see me break. N

He sighed, leaning back, completely oblivious to the storm inside me. “I just came to tell you, I’ll be going on vacation with Bianca. I’ll miss you.”

The words cut deeper than any blade. My chest caved in as he stood, pulling me into a quick hug before walking out the door, leaving me in silence.

As soon as it shut, I broke.

Pacing back and forth, my hands shook violently. The room felt too small, the air too thin. This was bad. This was worse than anything I’d ever imagined.

I gave myself to a stranger. Not Mason. Not the boy I’d loved for years. A stranger.

I pressed my palms to my eyes, fighting the tears burning to spill. My heart wouldn’t stop racing, my body buzzing with panic.

And then, the door swung open.

“Get up, you and your sister!” Mom’s voice sang, loud and bright. She burst into the room like a glittering storm, twirling with perfume trailing behind her. “My man finally proposed, we’re getting married!”

“What?” My voice was a dry croak.

“Today! Come on, help me with my makeup. I need my girls looking beautiful!” She spun once more, her dress flaring, before vanishing back down the hall.

I sat frozen on the bed, my mouth open, my thoughts scattered.

Marriage? Today? To who? When did she even have a man?

My stomach twisted with shame. She cycled through marriages like they were hobbies. I couldn’t even count them anymore. Each one more embarrassing than the last, each one making it harder to call her “Mom” without cringing.

Before I could process further, my phone buzzed.

I grabbed it, my hands trembling. A new message blinked across the screen, from an unknown number.

I had fun last night. Thanks to you.

The phone slipped from my grip, landing on the bed as my heart plummeted.