Aria
I feel my heart shatter into a million tiny pieces, and before I can blink, the waterworks are in full force. Ugh, I’m like a human Niagara Falls.
Ethan, the smug asshole, leans in, clearly enjoying my misery. “Oh, poor girl,” he says, pouting dramatically. “Don’t tell me you actually thought Lucas wouldn’t cheat on you. You didn’t, right?” He pauses for dramatic effect, then smirks as his eyes flick over my shoulder. “Oh, speak of the devil.”
I spin around so fast I almost give myself whiplash. And there he is-Lucas, looking all confused, like he just walked into the wrong movie. My blood boils instantly. Nah, I don’t wanna hear whatever bullshit excuse he’s about to pull out of his ass. I take off running because, honestly, I don’t trust myself not to deck him right in his lying face.
From the corner of my eye, I see him chasing me. Great. “Aria! Wait!” he yells, his footsteps echoing in the hall. I pick up the pace like I’m running from the cops in a GTA heist, but the bastard catches up and grabs my arm, spinning me around.
“What the fuck is the matter?” he snaps, his brows furrowed. “What did Ethan say to you?”
I yank my arm, but his grip is like a goddamn vice. “Let go of me, you fucking bastard!” I yell.
“Aria, calm down,” he pleads, his voice softer now. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, you wanna know what’s going on?!” I scream, my hands balling into fists. “You betrayed me, Lucas! You fucked Serena!”
His eyes widen. “What… what the fuck are you talking about?”
I glare at him, disgusted by his stupid, innocent act. “Don’t even try that shit with me! I saw the video! She was all over you kissing, straddling…everything!”
His jaw tightens, and he shakes his head like a broken bobblehead. “It’s not what you think. I didn’t do anything with her!”
“Oh, fuck off with that!” I yell, shoving him back. “Stop lying, Lucas! I’m done with your bullshit!”
“Aria, please,” he begs. “You have to believe me. Just listen-”
“Fuck you!” I scream, cutting him off. I yank my arm free, and before he can say another word, I bolt.
By the time I get to my suite, I’m a complete wreck. I throw myself onto the bed and bury my face in the pillow, sobbing. Goddess, Lucas is such a sick, lying bastard. And the fact that he had the nerve to stand there and lie to my face? Un-fucking-believable.
The door swings open, and in come Mia and Lily, looking like two detectives ready to crack a case.
“What the fuck happened out there?” Mia demands, plopping down on the bed next to me. “The whole party’s talking about you.”
“Yeah,” Lily chimes in, crossing her arms. “Something about Alpha Lucas cheating or some shit?”
I groan, sitting up and wiping my tear-streaked face. “I saw the video,” I snap, my voice trembling. “Ethan showed it to me. That bitch was on top of him…kissing, straddling. He fucking sucks, and I should’ve never agreed to be his girlfriend.”
“Aria, calm down,” Lily says, her voice all soft like she’s talking to a feral cat. “Are you sure you actually saw it?”
“Yes!” I snap, glaring at her. “With my own two eyes!”
“Aria, come on,” she starts, but Mia cuts her off.
“Leave her alone, Lily,” Mia says, shooting her a look. “Stop trying to make excuses for him.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Don’t fight, guys. It’s not worth it. It’s not like me and Lucas are even together anymore. I’m just… disappointed, you know? I need to rest.”
Mia grabs the duvet and drapes it over me like I’m a burrito. “Geez, does this mean you’re not going to the farewell party? We need to celebrate New Year’s together.”
“Oh, I’m going,” I say, my voice muffled by the blanket. “I’m not missing that shit for anything.”
“Atta girl,” Mia says, grinning. She nudges Lily. “C’mon, let’s give her some space.”
They leave, and as soon as the door shuts, I let the tears loose again. I cry until my face feels like it’s been through a car wash. Eventually, exhaustion takes over, and I fall asleep.
When I wake up, my head’s pounding, and I feel like a zombie. The doorbell rings, and I groan. “Who the hell is that?” I drag myself to the door. “Who’s there?”
Silence.
“Hello?” I snap, annoyed.
Still nothing. My curiosity gets the better of me, so I open the door.
And guess who’s standing there? Sarita. Freaking Sarita. I roll my eyes and go to slam the door, but she shoves her foot in stopping me.
“Aria, please, just hear me out,” she says desperately.