Chapter 2

Clare Haistings gives me a hug, her sweet perfume filling up my nostrils.

  It makes me want to vomit.

  “Hey twin.are you enjoying the party?”she asks but doesn’t let me answer. “Everyone is enjoying themselves and the presents look really good, our guests really outdid themselves”she gushes. Her sparkly dress shimmers every time she moves. And the ruby red necklace she is doning looks amazing on top of her cleavage. She looks perfect.

  “Yeah”I mutter.

  “Well I for one am sad your mother felt too sick to come, she would have loved this” she runs her manicured hand up and down my arm in what Is supposed to be a comforting manner.

  “Yeah me too. How’s the cure coming along, any progress?” I hate the hopeful tone that underlines the question, no matter how many times I get disappointed.

  “I’m sorry Aria, but you know this is tidious work. I’m doing everything I can”her hand squeezes in another comforting way which just makes my heart sink because that’s how I feel every time this topic is brought up.

  “Maybe if you share your research I can help out”I offer like I have been ever since I learned anything about developing an antidote for my mothers sickness.

  “You know I can’t, but I promise I’ll figure it out”she says like she always does whenever I offer.

  I nod. She takes a small sip from her wine looking around then she says “Look Shane Ryder is here, don’t forget what we talked about”something in her voice changes when she says this to me in a hushed whisper which I barely hear above the soft music playing. When she notices the doubt written all over my face she adds a more stern “please” leaving no room for further discussion. I search for Shane Ryder with my eyes and when they land on him my heart skips a beat. He looks so handsome in a royalty bred sort of way. His hair is short on the sides and long on top making him look less intimidating. But his green eyes and the permanent scowl knock those silly thoughts away. His suit fits him perfectly. Clare cleares her throat when I keep staring motioning me to go to him with her eyes.

  “I’m not going to talk to him right now, he is surrounded by people”

  “Make a plan Aria Reed, tonight me and Shane will finally be together for good”she flips her hair, a naughty smile gracing her lips.Her words slice at the remaining butterflies I had regarding Shane.

  “Aren’t you scared…it could be painful you know”maybe if I scare her she’ll drop this ludicrous idea of hers.

  “No I’m not. Besides this won’t be my first time having sex” when I give her an incredulous look she simply shrugs saying “I did it with Percival. I had to practice before I did it with someone I like” she winks.

  She says this as if it wasn’t a big deal, as if giving your first time to someone is not something to think twice about. In our circle it’s not a big deal if you’re not a virgin as long as you’re discreet with your sexcapades but we still are encouraged to keep that essence of being pure for our future husbands. So Clare being so nonchalant about this is rather shocking. 

  I honestly wish I felt like that too but I want my first time to be special with someone just as special. And that someone used to be Shane Ryder until Clare claimed him as hers.

  That night was one of the worst ones I’ve ever experienced. So I push the thought to the back of my mind.

  Clare is still talking my ear off about how amazing everything looks when two girls walk towards us and I immediately want to run away.

  It’s Megan Rose and Eden Park, Clare Haistings friends. They both look absolutely amazing in their matching satin oval green dresses and strappy heels. They’ve always matched and I thought it was childish at first then I realized that Clare encourages it only because she looks like a main character when she’s with them.They are mean girls that Clare uses to hide behind in order to keep up her prestigious reputation. Eden and Megan are heiresses but even though my family is richer than theirs they’ve always acted like I was beneath them. All thanks to Clare. Eden rushes towards me and gives me a hug.

  “Aria Reed” she gives me cheek kisses and then looks me up and down “you look rather.. .”she trails off not completing her sentence.

  “Homeless. Horrible. Like she doesn’t care about how she looks” Megan supplies and Clare lets out a small snicker. I feel my my face getting hot from embarrassment.

  “But honestly Aria look it’s your birthday couldn’t you have tried a little harder on your appearance”Eden adds patting my arms with the hand. Her nails are short and perfectly done and Her tan looks good too I guess I understand why she’s being mean. But I look like this because of Clare Haistings and now it’s clear to me that it was a setup. She purposely did this so she can get everyone to make fun of me.

  “Actually Clare gave this design to be made for me. She said it’s what’s in right now” I glare at her and she immediately holds on to my arm to keep up the innocent facade she puts up in front of other people.

  “I’m sorry Aria” Clare says “You two please Stop being mean to her, she looks cute.” She scolds them but I hear the tone of amusement in her voice She turns to me again“Don’t mind them . You look nice” It’s a lie but I nod my head like I always do in these situations,I’m used to it anyway.

  They move on from the topic as they judge what everyone else is wearing, eating and who they came with when Megan says “Aria I don’t mean to be rude but I just don’t understand what Shane Ryder sees in you. You’re not in his stardads at all. No offense”

  “Oh yes no offense but In my opinion he would be a better match with Clare” Eden backs her up. Which is funny because Clare’s family is way below mine but alas, I digress.

  “Girls don’t be rude to Aria. She and Shane Ryder have a wholesome relationship since childhood”she says but you can tell she is happy to hear this. Shane Ryder is a heir to the Ryder empire and Clare Haistings would be accomplished if she ended up married to him. Which is something she is currently working on.

  “You’re too kind Clare. Honestly this reaffirms the fact that you would look best with Shane”Magan tells her, her voice full of envy.

  “Honestly I wanted him for myself but I guess we will have to live vicariously through you” they all giggle like a bunch of school girls.

  Kill me now.