SECRETS BETWEEN US

Aria's POV Thank God that nightmare of a school day is over. I just wanted to curl up in my bed and forget the world existed."Hey, Aria! You're back already? How was school?" my aunt Jenna called from the kitchen, the sound of pancakes sizzling in the pan almost drowning out her voice."It was fine, thanks," I muttered as I stepped into the warm kitchen. The comforting scent of pancakes wrapped around me like a hug.Staying with my aunt and her husband, Matt, was the only upside to being in this town. Jenna treated me like her own, maybe because she and Matt didn’t have any kids of their own. I heard they’d tried, several times…..but nothing ever worked out. I didn’t have the heart to be a brat to them, no matter how much I hated this town."That's good to hear" Jenna said softly, wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm glad you're settling in, Aria."I gave her a small smile. It would make her happy to think I was okay here, and I didn't want to crush her, not when she was the one pers

Aria's POV Going back to school after that night felt like walking into an unwanted spotlight. The gossip mill here ran faster than Wi-Fi.By now, I was sure half the school had heard about “the girl who almost got kidnapped,” and I didn’t want to be that girl.I didn’t want pity and I didn’t want whispers in the hallway or curious eyes watching my every move.I just wanted to survive this place, graduate, and get the hell out.But lately… lately my brain has been acting like it was on vacation from my better judgment.Every time I tried to think about anything else, I found myself replaying flashes of the gray-eyed, irritatingly handsome devil who had shown up like some knight in shining armor.I hated it. I hated him and I hated that I couldn’t stop thinking about him.____________I was halfway across the school field when I heard it.“Hey! Aria, wait up!”I knew that voice oh so well. I turned, already bracing myself, and there he was. Damon, jogging toward me. He had that same

Aria's POV The fire crackled louder than the voices around me, but my eyes stayed fixed on the phone in my hand.You shouldn’t be here.I read the message again and again, as if the words might change if I stared long enough. My stomach twisted. My fingers felt stiff, too cold even though the flames painted my face with heat.I didn’t even hear the footsteps behind me until a voice cut through my thoughts.“Goldilocks, you plan to burn a hole in that screen or what?”I jumped, my phone slipping from my hand. Damon bent fast and caught it before it hit the dirt. He straightened up, his grin ready, but it faded as soon as he saw my face.“You okay?” he asked. His tone wasn’t playful this time. It was sharp, like he was paying attention to every detail.I forced a smile. “Yeah. Just… zoned out.”He narrowed his eyes. “Zoned out? You look like you saw a ghost.”I shook my head quickly and reached for my phone. “Give it back.”He didn’t. He held it up, tilting his head. “Why so jumpy?”“B

Aria's POV The ride to the police station felt endless. The siren wasn’t on, but the weight in the air made my chest tight. Damon sat beside me, handcuffed, staring straight ahead like he didn’t care. His calmness only made me more uneasy.When we arrived the officers took us to a small room with metal table.The bright lights of the police station made my eyes hurt. My wrists still felt sore from the tight grip the officer had used when shoving me into the car. I sat on a hard plastic chair, arms crossed, trying not to look as scared as I felt. Damon was across the room, calm like nothing was wrong.I wanted to scream at him. How could he just sit there, quiet, when my whole body was shaking?“Aria Gilbert?” A tall officer called my name.“Yes,” I said, my voice small.“Come with me.”I shot Damon one last look. He didn’t even lift his head. My stomach twisted as I followed the officer into a small room.---The room had one table, two chairs, and a buzzing light above. The officer

(Aria’s POV)The next morning, I woke up to my alarm buzzing like it had a personal grudge against me. I groaned, dragging a pillow over my face. Another day at Belary High. Yay. Could life get any more boring? Probably not.I dragged myself out of bed, muttering, “Great, another day of fake smiles, boring teachers, and people whispering behind my back. Can’t wait.”After brushing my teeth and throwing on jeans and a sweater, I went downstairs. Aunt Jenna was sipping her coffee, looking like she’d been awake for hours.“Morning,” I mumbled.“Morning,” she replied. Then, without looking up, she added, “Behave.”I rolled my eyes. “I’m not five.”Her eyes flicked up at me, sharp. “Then don’t act like it.”I stuffed a piece of toast in my mouth before she could lecture more and left for school.By the time I got to school, the halls were buzzing like always. Whispers. Stares. The usual.I clenched my jaw and walked faster. Of course. One mistake and suddenly I was Belary High’s favorite c