Chapter 2

Aria's POV 

Thank God that nightmare of a school day is over. I just wanted to curl up in my bed and forget the world existed.

"Hey, Aria! You're back already? How was school?" my aunt Jenna called from the kitchen, the sound of pancakes sizzling in the pan almost drowning out her voice.

"It was fine, thanks," I muttered as I stepped into the warm kitchen. The comforting scent of pancakes wrapped around me like a hug.

Staying with my aunt and her husband, Matt, was the only upside to being in this town. Jenna treated me like her own, maybe because she and Matt didn’t have any kids of their own. I heard they’d tried, several times…..but nothing ever worked out. I didn’t have the heart to be a brat to them, no matter how much I hated this town.

"That's good to hear" Jenna said softly, wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm glad you're settling in, Aria."

I gave her a small smile. It would make her happy to think I was okay here, and I didn't want to crush her, not when she was the one person who made this place tolerable.

"Go on and freshen up. Matt’s out in the garage fixing something as usual. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready." She ushered me toward the stairs.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I jogged up. I liked it here, in this house. I liked the warmth I felt here. Something my parents' mansion never had, despite all its chandeliers and priceless art. My parents were always off on some business trip or the other. Even when they were around, they had a talent for finding the most suitable nannies in the country to look after me. I may be spoiled, but I wasn’t born that way. My parents practically raised me with a checkbook and boarding school applications.

---

My room was the coziest part of the house, all soft blue curtains and sky blue sheets. The white walls gave everything a light, airy feeling, and that wasn't even the best part. It overlooked Jenna’s beautiful garden. That view alone made Belary slightly bearable. 

After a long, much needed shower, I threw on some comfy clothes and crawled into bed. I had a lot of studying to do, but thank God it was Friday. A long weekend ahead meant I could procrastinate studying in peace but then the rumble of a moving truck broke through my thoughts. Groaning, I dragged myself to the window and peeked through the curtains.

A middle aged couple wrestled with boxes outside the house next door, and with them was a boy around my age. He had earbuds, looking entirely uninterested in whatever was going on. 

And then he turned, before I could lose interest and those same irritatingly beautiful gray eyes I’d sworn to hate appeared. Although I was certain he didn't see me, I could feel my heart beating furiously against my chest.

I snapped the curtain shut and flopped back into bed with a dramatic groan. Of all the people in the world, Damon had to be my new next-door neighbor? I'm pretty sure the universe hates me.

---

Dinner, at least, was a welcomed distraction. Jenna and Matt were ridiculously cute together—joking, laughing, stealing kisses like teenagers. I smiled through it all, even laughed when Matt dropped the mashed potatoes on his shirt.

As much as I enjoyed watching them, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever have that. The Real Love. The kind that looked messy and mundane but felt like home. I wasn't sure my parents had that and I didn't want to end up like them. 

I offered to help Jenna with the dishes after dinner, but Matt shooed me away, pretty sure he wanted more time with Jenna.

"Go relax. I got this one," he said, already rolling up his sleeves.

I was about to head upstairs to change for my usual evening walk when Jenna called out, her voice teasing:

"Sweetheart, I heard the family who just moved in next door has a son your age and that he goes to your school too. Maybe you should drop by–bring cookies. Who knows? Maybe you both can hit it off"

I paused mid-step and turned back toward the kitchen.

"No, Jenna. I told you already—I’m not trying to make friends here. And definitely not with Damon Romero."

Her brows rose in surprise. "Oh? You’ve met him already?"

"Yeah, and trust me, he’s not exactly friendship material."

She chuckled lightly. "You won’t know until you give it a chance, Aria."

I rolled my eyes and didn’t bother replying. The idea of seeing Damon again made my skin crawl. What was the deal with him anyway? I literally scoffed. 

I tugged on a sweatshirt, grabbed my earbuds, and headed toward the door, pausing only to shout a quick, "Going for a walk!" to Jenna and Matt.

The cool breeze hit my face as soon as I stepped out of the house, whipping my hair around every which way. I pressed play on my favorite playlist and let the music drown everything else out. My thoughts drifted—back to my old life, my friends, the noise of the city, the rush of parties and late-night drives.

Everything here felt small. Too small for someone like me.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed. The sky was a shade darker now, painted with stars. I sighed and turned around, heading back toward the house.

That’s when I noticed a man walking just a few paces behind me.

He hadn’t been there before. I was sure of it.

I turned down the path leading home, trying not to panic. The estate was gated, and the crime rate was supposed to be almost nonexistent.

Almost.

My heart jumped when I felt a hand yank me backward, hard. My scream tore through the air as I hit the ground. The man grabbed my hair, pulling me roughly toward him.

He tried to haul me over his shoulder, but I kicked and screamed, thrashing like my life depended on it… because it did. Tears blurred my vision, and my breath came in short, ragged gasps.

He was taking me closer to a parked car on the other side of the road. No. No, no, no—I chanted in my head as my life flashed before my eyes.

Suddenly, he dropped me.

I hit the ground hard, gasping as the weight vanished. My head spun. I looked up just in time to see someone slam into him.

I could see a boy tackling the man to the ground, fists flying. Over and over. The man suddenly went limp from all the blows. 

And then he turned to me, crouching low. 

Damon

"Aria," he said, voice rough. "You okay? Can you hear me?"

I nodded shakily, too stunned to form words.

He didn’t wait. Just scooped me up bridal style like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Which house is yours?" he asked, already walking.

I pointed, still in shock. My limbs felt like jelly, and the adrenaline crash was already hitting me.

Damon knocked furiously on the f

ront door as my world dimmed. Jenna’s worried voice came from somewhere far away. And then—Darkness.