Chapter Three

Aria's POV

"I'm in my room!" I yelled as I slammed the door shut behind me, shrugging off my coat and hanging it on the hook by the door. The house was eerily quiet, except for Mum's mid-rant in the living room with my older brother, Drew. Once she got into that zone, it felt like everyone else in the house ceased to exist.

I sighed and trudged into my room, letting myself flop face down onto my bed. Ugh! School was getting worse with each passing day now that we were in our senior year. But I was looking forward to the winter break, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Rubbing my temples, I reached under my bed, my fingers finding the cool, smooth wood of a small lacquered box. I pulled it out; it was an old music box, a gift from my grandmother. Inside, a tiny porcelain ballerina, poised on one leg, began to twirl as the faint melody of "Claire de Lune" tinkled out. Next to it sat my silver ring, which meant much more than met the eye.

I stared at it until a voice made my heart jolt.

"Is Dad home?" I whispered to myself. I pushed the box back under the bed, shut it quickly, and dashed out of my room.

My father stood in his usual thick coat with a brown leather principal's bag.

"I saw what you did with the Monroes," I said, crossing my arms.

He grunted without looking at me. "Be grateful, Aria. I was helping you."

"Helping me?" I scoffed. "You should have consulted me first. It's my time, my schedule. You can't just volunteer me for things without asking. I'm not part of your school supplies!"

"Don't raise your voice at me."

I bit down on my lip, trying to suppress my anger, and retreated to the kitchen where Mum was scooping white porridge onto plates.

"Here," I mumbled, grabbing the ladle from her. Helping with dinner was safer than arguing with Dad. We were halfway through setting the table when the doorbell rang. Loud greetings followed. Curiosity got the better of me, so I peeked out from the kitchen.

An unfamiliar boy stood in the foyer, smiling and laughing with my dad. He was tall, with bright blonde hair and grey eyes... just like mine.

I stepped out as my father waved me closer. “Aria, come help him with his things.”

I walked toward him, brushing past my grinning brother, who leaned over to whisper, “Don’t drool.”

“What?” I hissed back, elbowing him.

Outside, the boy handed me a small bag and smiled. “Name’s Kevin.”

“Aria,” I replied, matching his smile.

He repeated my name, then casually said, “It’s a bit early to ask, but there’s a party tonight. I’d love for you to come.”

My mouth fell open. “Oh, um… I don’t do parties.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "No one 'just' has a social life. They make it."

I blinked, then grinned slowly. "I’ll think about it."

He nodded and pulled out his phone. "Can I get your number?"

We exchanged digits, and when he smiled at me again, I felt like maybe my life didn’t completely suck. I could make a social life. That would mean attending the party tonight.

He waved as he drove off. I was still standing there, giddy, when I whipped out my phone and dialled Lily.

“Girl,” I whispered as soon as she picked up, “you will not believe what just happened.”

***

I was halfway through smudging eyeliner on my upper lash line—badly, I might add—when I finally gave up, dropped the pencil into the makeup bag, and stared at my reflection.

"I look like I've been crying," I mumbled to myself, dragging my fingers through my hair. They puffed out in different directions as if they had minds of their own. I gave up on trying to tame them, too, and just fluffed the ends, hoping the curls would pass for 'effortless'.

I tugged on a dark sweater and paired it with yoga pants and ankle boots. Comfortable and cosy—perfect for the light snow that had begun to fall.

"Aria!" Mum's voice rang from downstairs. "You've got someone here!"

My heart thumped in my chest. Oh my God. Was it Kevin? I had texted him earlier to come pick me up. I checked my breath before rushing to the top of the stairs. But instead of Kevin, I found...

"Lily," I blinked.

Lily stood with one hand on her hip as she stepped into the hallway and looked me up and down.

"You are not wearing that," she said flatly.

I stared at her. "Um... I was going for comfy?"

"You look like you're going to a sleepover, not a party—with boys. And possibly... Kevin boys." She dropped her purse and stalked right past me into my room. "We are fixing this."

"I don't..." I started to protest, but she was already flinging my closet doors open.

"No ofoffencebut you dress like a soft pretzel," she muttered, flipping through hangers. "Cute, safe, and too twisted for your good."

She finally pulled out a fitted black top with long mesh sleeves and a pair of high-waisted jeans that had just enough rip to toe the line between 'trying' and 'hot'. She threw it at me and pointed. "Put that on."

I hesitated, holding up the outfit. "I don't know..."

"Trust me," she said, already plugging in my curling wand.

"I can't curl my hair. It never holds," I protested weakly.

"You're lucky to have me," she said with a wink, already sectioning my hair with her skilled fingers. "Besides, you want him to stare, don't you?"

I froze. "That's not why I'm going."

Lily snorted. "Sure. You're going for what, then?"

I rolled my eyes but sat obediently as she curled my hair into waves and dusted a little shimmer across my eyelids.

"You're glowing," she said, satisfied. "Now let's put some gloss on those lips, and... done."

I glanced at the mirror. I looked good—not like a different person, but like a more confident version of myself. A slow smile spread across my face.

Lily grinned at me through the mirror. “You’re welcome.”

Just then, we both heard a knock downstairs. This time, I was sure it was Kevin.

“Coming!” I called, practically flying down the stairs. And yes... it was him. He leaned casually against the porch rail, his hood down. His hands were tucked into the front pockets of his black jacket, and his eyes met mine the moment I opened the door.

"Hey," he said. "You look... different."

I blinked. "Good different or 'you tried' different?"

His lips twitched. "Good. DeGood

I resisted the urge to touch my cheeks—I was blushing, and I knew it. Behind me, Lily let out a low whistle. "Okay, wow. Hello, tall and..."

I cleared my throat, stepped outside, and shut the door behind me. "Kevin, this is Lily. Lily, this is Kevin."

"Nice to meet you," he said.

Lily leaned in close and whispered, "You didn't tell me he was going to pick you up. Anyway, text me if you survive." Then she winked and disappeared back inside.

"Uhm... Aria? I'm gay." Kevin said, and my jaw dropped.