Chapter 15

*Ariana*

I stood there like an idiot long after Tristan disappeared around the corner.

My heart was doing that thing I hated—the fast, fluttery thing that made me feel like I'd just run a marathon. But I wasn't running. I was standing still. Frozen.

Tonight. The Dungeon.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? And why did he want me to bring Brit?

I shook my head, forcing myself to move. I couldn't stand there all day looking like a lost puppy. I had a reputation to maintain.

---

Lunch couldn't come fast enough.

I found my usual table already occupied by the usual suspects—Kyle, Ashton, and Bel. They were all staring at me like I'd grown a second head.

"So," Bel said, dragging the word out like she was about to interrogate me. "Care to explain why the entire school is talking about you storming into the gym with your siblings and beating up Davis?"

I slid into my seat, grabbing a fry from Kyle's tray. "I didn't beat him up. Brit did most of the work."

"Details," Ashton said, leaning forward. "We need details."

I sighed, but I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips. "Fine. So basically, Brit and Matt showed up at school—"

"We know that part," Kyle cut in. "Everyone saw you walk in looking like Sleeping Beauty's evil twin."

I threw a fry at him. "Rude."

"Accurate," he shot back, catching it in his mouth.

I rolled my eyes but continued. "Anyway, we went to the gym, found Davis and Sandra being all lovey-dovey, and Brit lost it. She punched him, Matt scared the crap out of Sandra, and I gave Davis a speech he'll never forget."

"What kind of speech?" Bel asked, her eyes wide.

I smirked. "The kind that makes him realize he lost the best thing that ever happened to him."

Ashton whistled. "Damn, girl. You really went full Reaper's Angel on him."

"That's my name, don't wear it out."

We all laughed, but I could tell they were still studying me. Waiting for the cracks to show.

"Soooooo..." Kyle said carefully, "are you okay? Like, actually okay?"

I hesitated. For a second, I thought about lying. About putting on my mask and pretending everything was fine. But then I remembered Tristan's words—someone who had walls just as high as mine.

"Yeah," I said, and for the first time in days, I meant it. "I think I am."

But Bel wasn't letting it go that easily. She put down her fork, her eyes locked on me. "Wait a minute. You said Davis and Sandra. As in, Davis cheated on you with Sandra?"

The table went quiet.

I felt my stomach drop. I'd been so caught up in the revenge story that I forgot I hadn't actually told them about the breakup. About the cheating. About any of it.

"Uh... yeah," I said, suddenly feeling very small. "That's... that's what happened."

"And when exactly were you planning on telling us?" Ashton asked, and there was a sharpness in his voice I wasn't used to hearing. "Or were we just supposed to find out from the hallway gossip like everyone else?"

"Ash—"

"Don't 'Ash' me, Ari." He crossed his arms. "We're supposed to be your best friends. And you didn't think to tell us that your boyfriend cheated on you and broke your heart?"

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but nothing came out. Because he was right.

"You've been walking around all week acting like everything was fine," Kyle added, his voice quieter but no less hurt. "We asked if you were okay, and you kept saying you were fine. But you weren't fine, were you?"

I looked down at the table. "I didn't want to bother you guys with my problems."

"Bother us?" Bel practically yelled. "Ari, we're your friends. That's literally what we're here for. You think we care about being bothered?"

"I just... I didn't know how to say it." My voice came out smaller than I wanted it to. "I felt so stupid. Like, how did I not see it? How did I let him make me feel like I was the problem?"

Ashton's expression softened. He reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "You're not stupid, Ari. He's the stupid one. He cheated on you because he's a worthless piece of trash who couldn't handle how amazing you are."

"And you should have told us," Bel added, her voice gentler now. "We could have been there for you. We could have helped you destroy him sooner."

A laugh escaped me, shaky but real. "You're right. I'm sorry. I should have told you guys."

"Damn right you should have," Kyle said, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. "But we forgive you. This time."

"Next time something like this happens, you come to us first," Ashton said firmly. "No exceptions."

I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. These idiots. They were annoying and chaotic and sometimes made me want to scream. But they were mine.

"Deal," I said.

"Good." Bel grinned. "Now, tell us everything. And I mean everything. No skipping the good parts."

I laughed, and for the first time in a long time, it felt easy.

---

The rest of the day dragged, but my mind kept drifting back to Tristan's invitation.

I didn't know what The Dungeon was. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. But I knew one thing for sure—I wasn't about to back down from a challenge. If anything, the mystery of it all was making me more excited by the minute.

So when the final bell rang, I found Brit in the parking lot. I was practically bouncing.

"We need to talk," I said, pulling her aside. "And before you say anything, I'm not asking for permission."

She raised an eyebrow. "That's never a good sign. What's up?"

"Tristan invited me to something called The Dungeon tonight. He said I should bring you."

Brit's expression shifted. Her usual playful demeanor faded into something more serious. "The Dungeon?"

"You know what it is?"

She was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Yeah. I know what it is. And I'm not sure you're ready for it."

"Ready for what? Brit, you're freaking me out." But even as I said it, I felt a thrill run through me. Whatever this was, it sounded intense.

She grabbed my shoulders, looking me dead in the eyes. "The Dungeon isn't just some secret club, Ari. It's a fight ring. Underground. Illegal. And if Tristan Hales is involved, he's not just a player—he's probably running it."

A fight ring. Underground. Illegal.

My heart should have been pounding with fear. Instead, it was pounding with something else entirely.

Excitement.

"Wait, so you're telling me there's an underground fight ring and you've been keeping this from me?" I asked, a grin spreading across my face. "Brit, that's literally the coolest thing I've ever heard."

She blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction. "Ari, this isn't a joke. People get hurt down there. Badly."

"Even better."

"Ariana!"

"What? You think I'm scared of a little danger?" I laughed, pulling away from her grip. "Brit, I've been waiting for something like this. Something real. Something that actually makes me feel alive. You think I'm gonna pass that up?"

She stared at me like I'd lost my mind. Maybe I had. But honestly? I didn't care.

"The fact that he wants you to come means he's either testing you... or he wants you in," she said slowly.

"Good. Either way, I'm in."

"Ari—"

"Brit." I cut her off, my voice firm. "I'm not asking for your permission. I'm telling you I'm going. You can either come with me or stay here and miss out. Your choice."

She studied me for a long moment. Then, to my surprise, she smiled. "You really are crazy, you know that?"

"So I've been told."

"Fine." She sighed, shaking her head. "But if we're doing this, we're doing it my way. I know people down there. I can get us in without any trouble."

"Wait, you know people? Brit, what aren't you telling me?"

She smirked, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of excitement in her eyes too. "Let's just say I'm not as innocent as I look."

I laughed, grabbing her arm. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

---

A/N

Ariana finally told her friends the truth, and they came through like real ones. 😭 Now she's heading to The Dungeon with Brit—and she's not scared, she's excited.

What do you think is waiting for them down there? Is Tristan ready for Ariana's chaos?

Vote and comment your theories! 🖤

---