Chapter Four

Aria's POV

I cursed the moment I let a guy I just met drag me into doing something completely out of character for me. If this were how he cultivated his social life, then I would gladly skip having one entirely.

On the couch before me was Kevin, engrossed in a make-out session with another guy. Lily said it was hot, but I couldn’t agree. I mean, I don’t engage in these things. I’m the principal’s daughter, the one who’s supposed to be home on nights like this, either studying or sleeping. I had let my guard down simply because a guy asked me to a party.

A guy who is gay.

I chugged down my drink, a fruity concoction I found in the fridge of the party host. My legs ached in my boots, and for a moment, I was tempted to take them off. I took another gulp of my drink and scowled at the noise erupting from the house.

This was my second party ever. The first was Lily’s birthday, and she wouldn’t let me miss it for the world. I attended, but I had avoided the beer and dancing, which Lily insisted was the essence of the party.

"My, my... Who do we have here?"

Oh no. I recognised that voice. It belonged to Jason, and he was the last person I wanted to see right now. I glanced up and locked eyes with him. Tonight, he was dressed normally, in a plain long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, unlike the first time I saw him.

"If it isn’t my tutor. You know her? She’s Principal Bennett’s daughter, the one and only." Jason slapped the back of a guy standing beside him.

I let out a frustrated huff and decided to ignore him. If only he could read my mind and leave me alone.

"What’s that? Beer?" Jason snatched my cup before I could protest. I watched in disbelief as he drowned the contents. A smirk curled on his lips. "Does Daddy know you're at a party full of hot hockey players and drinking beer?"

I rolled my eyes, shot my middle finger at him, and turned away. But it seemed Jason wasn’t going to let me off that easily. What was wrong with him? Was he drunk?

"Leave me alone," I spat.

Jason grinned slyly and leaned in closer. "You know I heard you dressed up thinking you were going on a date, and the guy turned out to be gay."

My eyes widened, and my mouth fell open in shock. How did he know that? His friend beside him shot me an apologetic look. Good to know he recognised that Jason was being a jerk.

In a drunken stumble, Jason stepped too close and fell on top of me. A huge guy leaning on my small frame? We both toppled to the ground, me on the bottom and Jason on top. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and I scrunched my nose in distaste while trying to push him off, but I was unsuccessful.

"Get off me," I managed to say.

Jason’s eyes fluttered open slightly as he cupped my face. I froze. His hands were warm against my skin, but rational thought fled me. He gave me a look that screamed trouble. And just as I suspected, he leaned in and kissed my lips.

"Dary... don’t leave me again, please," he murmured against my mouth before biting my lower lip.

My brain had completely shut down. It was my first kiss. Despite the bitter, mangy taste of beer, I found myself getting lost in the moment until I heard the flash of a camera. I broke the kiss, turning my head to the side and gasping.

The party had moved outside, and people were taking shots, laughing loudly. Oh no. Coming here was the worst mistake I’d ever made. Someone helped pull Jason off me, and I looked up to see his friend from earlier and Lily rushing to my side.

My throat constricted, and I fought the urge to burst into tears. I was sitting in the sand, my dress ruined, and my lips swollen, with glassy eyes. I scrambled to my feet, pushing my way through the crowd amid the boos and jeers from the students. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Aria... are you okay?" Someone held my wrists.

It was Kevin, gripping my wrists while his date or boyfriend stood beside him. I sniffed and nodded. There was no point in saying anything. I had already embarrassed myself enough for one night. I tried to leave, but he didn’t release my wrist.

"Earlier today, I’m sorry. I should have told you I was gay. I didn’t know you’d dress up for me or anything. Are you okay?"

"It’s okay, Kevin. Honestly, I’m fine," I mouthed, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Are you sure? Do you think we could still be friends?"

That pushed me over the edge. I snapped, "You know it’s not fair to tell people I dressed up to go on a date with you. I didn’t know you liked guys, so stop being a jerk about it."

Kevin let go of my arm and shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. Bastard. "Well, you can’t blame me. You were just too desperate. I could see the way you fawned over me..."

Little tears spilt down my cheeks, and I wanted to crawl under my bed and cry. But then, a hand rested on my shoulder, and I turned to see Lily and Jason's friend.

"You’re going to apologise to her," he said to Kevin, his tone serious.

Kevin sized him up and seemed to realise he wasn't a match for a hockey player, but still scowled. "What the hell, man?"

"Apologise to her," he said. "You don’t want to mess with a hockey player, do you?"

Kevin grunted an apology and then stalked off with his pitiful excuse for a date. Now I was left with Lily and the strange guy, so I mouthed a thank you to him and admitted that coming here was a bad idea.

"So, how was the kiss with Jason?" Lily grinned.

I pushed her away and walked off, ignoring her shouts for me to come back.