Borrowed Names

Adrian's grandfather sat in the sitting room, thoroughly absorbed in his favorite show. He laughed out loud at something on screen, munching contentedly on a snack, the picture of a man enjoying a quiet evening at home.

"I'm home," Adrian announced, stepping through the door.

His grandfather didn't so much as glance away from the television. "So, did everything go well with Ms. Aria?" he asked between bites. "What about the wedding? Both of our families should meet first, alright?" He pushed himself up from the sofa, finally giving Adrian his attention.

"I've decided not to marry Ms. Aria," Adrian said quietly.

His grandfather's expression shifted at once, his voice climbing.

"What? What do you mean by that?"

"Please," Adrian said, holding up a hand. "Don't bring it up right now. I'd rather not talk about what happened."

Across town, Chloe was walking home after the date, her mind snagged on one small, nagging detail. The name Aria had given Adrian's grandfather—Stephanie.

Why did that name keep surfacing in her thoughts?

She frowned, slowing her steps. It wasn't just familiar... it felt important. She was sure she'd heard it somewhere before, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember where.

She pulled out her phone and called Aria.

It rang once, then went straight to voicemail.

Her phone's off?

Chloe stared at the screen, frustration building.

"Turned her phone off, huh?" she muttered under her breath. "Fine. I'll just wait until I find you, Aria—and then I'm going to strangle you."

She quickened her pace toward home.

As soon as she turned the corner, she spotted Aria stepping out of a business store just ahead. Both girls froze mid-stride.

"Chloe! You're back?" Aria said, lifting a hand in an awkward wave.

"Aria!!"

Chloe didn't wait for another word. She broke into a run.

Startled, Aria bolted, dropping the item she'd been carrying as she fled.

"Calm down!" Aria shouted over her shoulder.

"You! You are a terrible person!" Chloe snapped, snatching the dropped item off the ground.

"Hey—what are you doing? Please!" Aria begged, and for a moment the street rang with both of them shouting at once.

They ended up sitting across from each other in Chloe's room, the anger between them cooled just enough for words. Aria looked stricken, clearly sorry for what she'd put Chloe through.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't realize my phone had died. I swear I wasn't ignoring you on purpose. Really."

"Save it," Chloe cut in, arms crossed. "It's a good thing I thought fast and gave him a fake name, or he could have fired me on the spot. What were you thinking, dragging me into that?"

Aria sank to her knees.

"I'm really sorry. But you saw him—how charismatic he is! I didn't feel like I had a choice. At least this way he doesn't know you're actually his employee, so—"

"He found out my family runs a fried chicken shop!" Chloe cut her off, panic edging into her voice.

Aria blinked.

"What? How?"

"I felt bad about skipping the birthday party my coworkers threw for me, so I brought some coupons for them—and I dropped them." Chloe's shoulders slumped as she said it.

"Why would you even bring those coupons with you? You idiot!" Aria shot back.

"You have no right to yell at me like that," Chloe fired back, voice rising. "This is all your fault. Wearing this stupid apron in the first place isn't—"

The door swung open before she could finish.

Chloe's mother, Mrs. Bennett, stood in the doorway, taking in the scene—her daughter with a fistful of Aria's collar.

"What are you doing? Why are you grabbing Aria like that?" Mrs. Bennett demanded.

"No, this is—" Chloe started.

But Aria spoke over her, her voice suddenly soft and pleading.

"I'm in the wrong, Mrs. Bennett. Please don't scold Chloe. It's all my fault, and I deserve it."

Chloe stared at her in disbelief. Seriously? A second ago she had been shouting, and now she looked like the world's most innocent victim.

Mrs. Bennett wasn't having it.

"I don't care whose fault it is. You cannot grab your friend by the collar like that! Look at your temper. Let go of her now."

She pried Chloe's hand loose and pulled her back by the arm.

"You like Aria so much—why not just adopt her instead of me?" Chloe snapped, her eyes burning.

"Look at that temper. Why do you have to be so mean?" her mother said, giving her a swat for emphasis.

"Mrs. Bennett, please—it's all my fault. I'm sorry!" Aria cried, catching Mrs. Bennett's arm, playing the picture of remorse.

Chloe stared at her, incredulous.

"Wow. Look at you."

"Excuse me?" Mrs. Bennett rounded on her.

"Stop—both of you, please, just stop!" Aria said, stepping between them at last.

Chloe folded her arms and looked away, biting back every word she wanted to say.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.