Aria The ship’s deck is lit up like a damn Christmas wonderland, bright lights and colorful decorations everywhere. The full moon’s doing its thing, casting this warm glow over the place. It’s supposed to feel magical or whatever, but all I feel is annoyance. The crowd is buzzing, people all hyped
Lucas So here I am again…drunk as shit. But this time, it’s not just the whiskey doing cartwheels in my gut, it’s her. Freaking Aria. I smile like an idiot, feeling those damn butterflies again. Not the good kind. These are rabid, drunk butterflies that feel like they’ve been downing tequila shot
Mia This is so fucking stupid. I mean, I've been strutting around with this dumb glowing necklace all night, and guess what? Absolutely nothing has happened. Nada. Zilch. It’s like some big stupid joke. I'm just walking around like I'm in a Disney movie, hoping Prince Charming is gonna show up or
Mia “Mia... you're my mate,” Damon says, looking at me like I just sprouted a second head. His expression is this weird mix of confusion and desperation, but honestly? I couldn’t care less. I glance around the empty game room, relieved we’re alone. “Alright,” I say with a sigh. “Let’s just get th
Aria "Mia, what the fuck? Why didn’t you tell us this?" I ask, hands on my hips, giving her my best What is wrong with you? glare. I mean, seriously, we’ve shared everything…from crushes to that one time Lily ate five burritos in one sitting and ended up crying on the toilet for hours. But this? T
"Okay, fine," I mutter. "Let’s stop talking about these losers. Seriously, we’re all down so bad right now it’s pathetic. We need to let out some steam." Lily perks up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, I have an idea." Oh no. That look never ends well. "Lily, if this involves glitter or get
Aria When I finally pull out of the kiss, panting so fucking hard, Lucas is nowhere near the bar anymore. Nope, he’s all broody and angry, sitting in the lounge area with Serena flapping her gums beside him. Except he’s not even listening to her. His eyes are laser-focused on me, and holy shit, if
“No Aria. I'm not letting you make a mistake just because you're mad at me,” Lucas snaps. His tone alone makes my stomach flip so hard. “It’s not because of you!” I fire back, even though ugh, fine…it might be a little about him. “Are you sure?” he growls, pulling me closer. Now my body’s pressed
Aria So, Lucas slowly starts driving the car into the pack, and the people standing there just part like the damn Red Sea. The second we pass through, the gate shuts behind us with this loud-ass BOOM that nearly makes me jump out of my skin. I glance ahead and realize the only thing lighting up th
“Relax already,” he says with a soft laugh. “You’re turning into a damn yapper.” I smack his arm playfully. “I’m serious, Lucas.” “I know,” he says with a nod. “And I get you. But with Mark and me, just let it be. There’s no fixing shit there.” “He shouldn’t have brought up your mom... that wa
Aria Lucas grips the steering wheel tight, his knuckles damn near white, and lets out a deep breath. “It’s none of your fucking business.” Mark throws his head back and laughs like an idiot. A full-blown, body-shaking laugh. “Calm down, man. I was just curious. I just wanna know what she was li
Mark looks like he’s about to throw out some excuse. “No... I just feel like…” “Listen, Mark,” Before he can finish that sentence, I cut right in, already tired of their dumbass back-and-forth. “If you want, you can ride with us in Lucas' car.” “What?” Lucas snaps his head toward me, eyes wide an
Aria It’s finally morning, and Lucas and I are all set to head out. The air is calm and sharp with cold, the kind that bites through your clothes, so we both throw on our winter jackets for extra warmth. We didn’t pack much, just a school bag stuffed with a few essentials, and Lucas had said if we
“Yeah, but he already told us everything he claims to know.” “Not enough, though,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I wanna know what it looks like, the people, the way they live… all of it. I don’t trust that fucking jerk, Aria.” I glance up at him, raising a brow. “And you guys are supposed to b
Aria Aunt Esther has been staring at Lucas and me from the couch like I’ve completely lost my mind. For the past hour, she hasn’t stopped looking at us that way, ever since I barged into her apartment and told her everything that’s been going on. “I still can’t believe this,” she says for what f
He pauses for a second, like he’s trying to find the right thing to say, but then he just nods. "I get it... I understand." I watch his face closely, trying to read him. "I’m thinking tomorrow," I add, my voice soft but sure. I wait for his reaction, but he’s holding it together better than I expec
Aria "So you're telling me the man just disappeared? Like, poof, gone?" Mia’s eyes are still wide as hell, looking all sorts of shocked, even though this is like the tenth time she’s asked. "For the last damn time, Mia, that’s what they said," Lily mutters, rolling her eyes, but Mia still looks