“We were, Forest. Then we screwed things up by getting romantically involved. Even if it was just fake,” She lets out a tired sigh, “I can’t handle it anymore. Putting on an act was never my strong point.”
Fuck. Aria’s really serious.
“So it was all pretending? None of it was real?” I ask, needing to hear her say the words.
“Yeah. Like I said, I’m sorry I got carried away.” She even fucking smiles at me. “The deal is done with. But, hey, Kennedy is back. You guys can get back together so the rumor won’t resurface.”
“This isn’t like you,” I bite the words out. It feels as if she’s digging into my chest and yanking my heart right out.
I’ve never seen her like this, and I have no idea how to get through to her.
“Look,” she shakes her head, still zero emotion on her face, “we should take a break.”
“A break from what?” Panic explodes in my chest, leaving me devastated.
Don’t you dare say it.
Don’t.
Please… don’t.
“Everything. I need time to process what happened, and I bet you need time to recover from dealing with my crazy ass. We should take time apart.”
“And then?” I take a step closer to her, panic clawing at what’s left of my heart.
“Then we can reassess and see where it leaves us.” Her eyes lift to mine. “But right now, I can’t be your friend. The past week was a nightmare, and I need to deal with it.”
A nightmare?
Being with me was a nightmare for her?
Shaken to my core, I can’t find the strength to face her any longer.
I turn and leave her room, and when I shut my own door behind me, the severity of what just happened nearly hits me off my feet.
My world implodes.
Aria just pretended? And me? I fucking fell for the act.
This can’t be happening.
I shake my head, unable to process everything.
ARIA
I sink down on the edge of the bed, feeling drained of all my strength, a cry rips through me.
It killed me lying to Forest. I wanted to shout at him that I love him. I wanted a chance to fight for him… for us.
But Kennedy won the fight before I even had a chance.
It’s better this way.
Then why does it hurt so much?
Tears begin to fall, and I don’t even bother stopping them.
Now I can only pray, Forest and I can come back from this and save our friendship. If I lose that as well, it will end me.
I scoot back on the bed and curl into a fetal position. Grabbing a pillow, I bury my face in as sobs begin to wrack me.
There’s a knock at my door, and I shoot up, rushing to wipe the tears away.
When the door opens, and I see it’s Hana, my face crumbles.
She comes to sit by me, and when she opens her arms, I move closer and hug her.
“Want to talk about it?”
I pull a little back, and needing to tell someone how I really feel, I admit, “I fell in love with Forest.”
Her brow furrows. “Doesn’t he feel the same?”
I shake my head. “Kennedy came back. They’ll probably get back together.”
“Are you sure?” Hana asks. “I know I haven’t been around much, but from what I saw, things were mutual between you and Forest.”
“It was all an act,” I mutter. “Nothing but a fake relationship that got out of control.”
Hana pulls me back into a hug. “Things will get better. You and Forest have been friends forever. You’ll get through this.”
“God,” I sigh, “I hope so.”
Hana gives me a caring smile. “Want some coffee?”
I shake my head. “I’m just going to shower and get some sleep.”
“Okay.” She gets up, then says, “You know where I am if you need to talk some more.”
“Thanks, Hana.”
When she leaves the room, I get up to lock the door, so I can cry my heart out without anyone interrupting me.
I grab clean clothes, and walking to the bathroom, I turn on the water. After stripping out of my clothes, I step under the water and let the droplets mix with my tears.
I’ll give Forest and Kennedy time, and then I’ll hopefully get a chance to recover what’s left of our friendship.
My chest closes up, and I drop down to my butt as the thought of seeing Forest with Kennedy shatters what’s left of me.
I love him so much.
Then you have to let him find happiness with the woman he loves. The one he’s always loved.
Feeling caged, I get up and wash quickly. I rush through the process of drying off and yanking on my underwear, sweatpants, and a t-shirt, I walk back into my room. I stop by my dressing table to tie my hair and then slip on my sneakers.
Stopping in front of my door, I take a deep breath before I open it. I let out a sigh of relief when I don’t run into anyone on my way out.