ARIA
My alarm clock rang and I groaned. I patted my beside table for that darn clock which was a gift from Lucia when I turned 16.
I made to slap off the clock, but a breaking sound jarred me up from bed.
I broke my alarm clock.
My hands trembled and I couldn't stop myself. I began to cry. I didn't think the amplification would last this long.
"Muffles", dad called and opened my door.
I rushed out of bed and into his arms. "I broke the alarm clock Lucia gifted me three years ago".
"Broke it? Like it fell on the floor?"
"Noooo", I wailed, "I wanted to snap it off, but I didn't know just when I became so strong. I broke it with my bare hand".
He went over to assess the damage. "Aria you were never strong. How did you do this?"
"I don't know", I drawled and stomped my foot on the floor.
"Okay. Okay. You're just stressed little E. Sophomore year is hard on you, I totally get it. Then with the breakup. Sheesh, that's a lot for my princess to handle".
I folded my arms across my chest and pouted. "Don't call me that. Stick to what you've always called me since I was little".
He came to me and clapped both my shoulders. "Whoever calls you princess must be worth it".
I flushed and rolled my lips into a thin line. "No one calls me princess".
"I know", he said and walked out of the room.
"Dad, I'm serious", I called after him.
"And I was born yesterday".
I groaned and stomped my foot. My phone pinged with a message and I picked it up.
Can you come over?
Sure thing Luce. Whatcha need help with?
I'll tell you when you get here.
I sobbed. No tears, just a pout. I loved surprises, but giving Lucia such power easily turns her into Satan's favorite spawn.
Aria Eden Winters, don't be late.
Did you seriously use my full name just to tell me not to be late?
I know you too well.
I chuckled. She did. After my dad, she was the only one who knew me very well.
What time should I come over?
Now.
I typed my reply furiously.
It's settled. You're a crazy bitch. You want me to come over and you're just telling me?
I went to the bathroom, staring at my phone. No message bubbles had appeared and I wondered why she was messing with me.
I dropped my phone on the sink and brushed my teeth. I checked my phone to see if she had replied. Nope.
I huffed and connected my phone to the Bluetooth speaker I never moved from my bathroom. I clicked into Spotify. I vacillated on my JVKE and Boywithuke playlists. I went with JVKE.
When the music flooded the bathroom, I stepped into the shower, ready for a music concert with a hint of showering.
"Lucia you're not the only one that has a surprise".
° ° ° °
"Good job Luce. Another A", I heard dad say when I came downstairs.
I thought she wanted me to come over? Why's she here? Maybe it's not her.
"Thanks Kenan. It's all in a day's work".
"Okay, it's definitely Lucia". She was the only person that called my dad by his first name.
I blew out a quick breath and stepped into the living room.
"Wagwan Luce", I said nervously.
She raised her brow as her jaw ticked repeatedly.
Yup. She's mad.
"Aria, what time did I text you?"
"Uhhh", I ran my hand through my half-up waterfall ponytail, "I don't know. I mean, it shouldn't be more than thirty minutes ago right?"
"Bitch the hell you talking about? I text yo ass by 8:15. It's 9:20. The fuck you been doing for an hour and five minutes?"
"I'll be honest. I had a bathroom concert with JVKE. I make an amazing back-up singer by the way. Then I had to get ready. You know how terrible I am with my own hair, it took me a while to get it like this. Then my outfit. A round neck short sleeve t-shirt and chinos with a pair of loafers".
Lucia slapped her hand on her forehead and dragged it down her face. "I'm only let it slide because you're hopeless".
"Heyy!"
She glared at me. "Am I wrong?"
"No", I giggled.
"You do look good Mr. Armstrong"
"Why thank you Miss transition".
"Come on", she stretched out her hand and I took it. She led me out of the house.
I gasped and covered my mouth, tears prickling at my eyes. My car was parked in the driveway with a cake on the bonnet.
She walked to the car and got the cake. "Happy friendaversary. Here's to 13 years of amazing friendship".
I burst out into sobs and hugged her. She held me with one arm and the cake in the other.
"You've been the best friend to me Ari. My very own personal ball of sunshine. My bioluminescent bestie".
I laughed. "I didn't remember. How can you still remember, we were six!"
"I never forgot the day I started at Vai. I was a sobbing mess. No plushie, no mom, no dad. You hugged me. Held my cheeks and called me pretty. Invited me to your house for an afternoon of Bluey and cookies".
I cried harder. "Best way to ruin your makeup".
She laughed and kissed the side of my head. "You're perfect Ari. Always have, always will be. Like the first day of spring".
I sniffed and looked down at the cake. "Is that ice cream fudge cake?"
"You know it", she cheered.
"God I love you".
"I know".
"Sorry to break the friendaversary celebration, but Muffles you've got a 12pm class", dad called from the front door.
"I know dad", I called back.
"Don't be late".
I rolled my eyes and groaned exasperatedly, but a smile was on my face nonetheless.
"Muffles huh?"
"Don't start Luce".
"Oh I will. I remember when you were seven, you told everyone your name was Muffin Heeler".
"Arrrgh", I dragged my hands down my face, "Don't start".
"Then your dad started calling you Muffles".
I smiled sadly. "And mom called me cupcake. I miss her. I wish she was here, to see you bring my car back from the repair shop with ice cream fudge cake".
"She can see me. She watches over us everyday Ari. Come on, let's get to school. I'll make dinner when we get back".
"It's still morning! And I haven't even had breakfast".
She gave me a mischievous grin and opened the car door.
My eyes widened at the loaded plate of waffles in her hands. "You thought of everything. I didn't even do anything for you".
"You will. I want you to never dim yourself because of Josh".
"We're done".
"Yeah, but you're still cutting down yourself, your intensity. Be loud and bright Ari. That's all I ever want".
I nodded. "I'll try".
° ° ° °
Classes went by in a blur. I was high on ecstasy, well not on ecstasy, ice cream fudge cake maybe. But I was very happy. The happiest I'd ever been since the breakup. Since Josh actually.
"Aria".
I let out a frustrated sigh.
There goes happiness.
"Mila", I said and turned around, "What the hell do you want?"
"How dare you touch my boyfriend with those disgusting hands of yours?"
A blade sliced open my heart. Boyfriend?
They're dating?
"He told you. Josh ran to you like the incompetent child he is".
"The only child here is you. You still watch cartoons and eat cereal. When things get overwhelming, you cry. Grow up Winters".
Her words cut through me like a katana. I felt tears making an appearance in my eyes.
"He'll dump you Mila. It's Josh, you call me a child, but what about Josh? When things don't go his way, he breaks you down making you feel like the worst person on the planet".
"Stop!" She screamed. "You don't know Josh. I love him".
"Funny. I said that two weeks ago".
She growled and barreled into me. My back hit the wall with a thud, and her shoulder hitting me in the gut knocked all the wind in my lungs.
I pushed her away. "Mila, I don't wanna hurt you".
She panted, glaring daggers at me and I walked away.
I didn't feel anything for a moment. I thought she'd given up. But in a split second, I felt her hands on my back. The ground came faster than it should've.
I used my shoulder to break my fall. I screamed when it hit the ground. The world spun for a few grueling seconds, and black dots danced in my vision. I felt my pulse in my eyes. I closed my eyes to stop it, and then I couldn't reopen them.