Surviving Summer Ari Novels & Stories

Aria forced a bitter smile. That day, she had prepared for the worst—but never imagined Micheal would be so enraged as to actually shove her into a cremator. When the scorching heat engulfed her, she thought it was the end. Yet somehow, she had survived. She had thought death would be the end—she could go to her daughter, accompany her. But unexpectedly, after everything… she was still alive. Since she hadn’t died— Then she would live. She would live on… And drag the true culprit into the light.

But on foot, with night falling, the mountains Pru had run tame in as a child felt like a whole other country. Was Ari scared? Her trail had led them in a southerly direction, skirting town. Where was she going? Did she even have a plan? How much of one could she really have come up with in the half hour she had to slip out of the house? She was resourceful, but she hadn't had the same kind of hard life before coming to Joan that many fosters had. She hadn't had to learn to survive. Certainly not any kind of wilderness survival. "Ari!" Flynn's voice carried from somewhere up ahead. She could barely see him in the dimming light.

Bethy and Lily already removed their overalls and are running into the water excitedly. "Aria come on" Lily called from the water. Aria is not used to going to beaches. This bikini is the only one Aria ever owns, and it was given to her by her mother. It's a red bikini with black polka dots one. She too removed her shorts and t-shirt, to join the others. Aria jumped into the water, and she had fun playing with her friends. On the other hand, Aiden woke up and went to his office, from where he overlooks all of his restaurant joins, by the live camera footage.

Ariya’s voice remained calm, practical. “If she miscarries, Alessandro will see her as damaged goods.” I swallowed. “And if she dies?” Ariya shrugged lightly. “Accidents happen. Especially in the desert.” I stared at her. “You’re serious.” “Completely.” She walked closer. “Where is she now?” “With Julian,” I said bitterly. “Hiding like cowards.” “In neutral territory?” I nodded. Ariya’s lips curved slightly. “Deserts are unpredictable. Heatstroke. Dehydration. Sandstorms.”

“You’re staying in on a full moon?” “I have the whole summer to go out. It’s fine.” My chest tightens. It’s not a good enough excuse. If anyone can see right through me this summer, it’s going to be Aris. Aris scans me from head to toe before heading through the doorway. “I see you haven’t changed a bit.”

You didn't starve to death. I could not take it anymore. "Mom, do you know how I've been surviving this semester? On handouts from my roommate and digging through trash for leftover food! And today, if my advisor hadn't been kind enough to buy me a meal, I probably would've collapsed and ended up in the hospital!" I thought hearing about what I had been through might change her mind. Instead, she let out a scornful laugh. "So what, you're trying to brag to me about your good luck? How you ran into a nice roommate and a nice advisor?