38. Aria

38

ARIA

T wo days after the intense confrontation with my mom and Jared's dad, I'm still shaken. When another knock comes at the door, I tense up.

I open it to find Lisa standing there, looking nervous. My anger flares. "You! What are you doing here?"

Lisa hesitantly steps back, her eyes widening at my hostile tone. "I-I came to apologize, Aria. And to warn you. I overheard my dad... They found evidence that Jared murdered Aaron. Someone had a photo of them fighting on the bleachers just before he fell and when they looked into Jared more deeply due to his cyberstalking, somehow they came across it."

I glance at Jared, seeing the storm clouds gathering in his eyes, danger sparking in their depths. "Get inside," I say through clenched teeth. "Now."

Lisa steps into the apartment, and I shut the door behind her.

Jared's fingers curl into tight fists, his knuckles whitening with anger. The tension radiating off him fills the room.

"You dared to come here after your betrayal?" His voice is soft but holds a dangerous edge. "You told them everything."

"I-I know," Lisa stammers. "And I'm sorry. But I just found out about the murder. I thought you should know about the photo. They're coming to arrest you."

His gaze falls on me, and I see the internal struggle in his eyes. "Get out," he says at last. "Or I'll kill you."

Lisa nods, fear clouding her features. She steps back toward the door, her eyes pleading with me. "Aria, please..."

I remain silent, torn between my anger at her betrayal and my desire to keep her safe from Jared's wrath. As she reaches for the doorknob, I find my voice. "Thank you for the warning," I breathe out.

A sad smile graces her lips, and she walks away, her steps hurried.

We don't even need to discuss it. The gravity of the situation hits me like a physical blow. I'm running away with Jared, leaving my old life behind, saying goodbye to my mom without a proper farewell. I turn to him, seeing the determination in his eyes.

"We have to go now," he states. "We'll pack only what's necessary and disappear."

I nod, my throat tight. Together, we gather our essentials, every movement filled with urgency. Clothes, toiletries, and a few cherished mementos are stuffed into a duffel bag, my hands trembling as I pack. Jared moves with focused efficiency, his eyes steady and resolute.

"Don't forget your passport," he says, tossing it to me. "We might need it."

I catch it, the full weight of our actions hitting me. We're outlaws now, running from the law, from our pasts, and from those who would tear us apart. My breath quickens, and Jared must sense my anxiety, for he closes the distance, his eyes searching mine.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

I nod, steeling myself. "Let's go," I whisper, desperate to leave before my courage fails me.

Shouldering our bags, we step out of the apartment, taking one final glance at the place that had briefly felt like home. The cool air bites at my exposed skin, and I shiver, unsure if it's from the temperature or the knowledge that our lives will never be the same again.

Jared guides me to his car and we toss our bags in the trunk, sliding inside. As we pull away, I watch the familiar town disappear into the distance, knowing I may never set foot in it again.

"We'll figure this out." Jared squeezes my hand. "It's us against the world, little sister."

My heart races as we speed away from everything I know, the streets and landmarks blurring together. I feel like I'm in a surreal dream that I never want to end. My hand finds Jared's, and I gently squeeze it, seeking reassurance and finding it in his strong grip.

"I know this is scary," he says, his voice steady as it cuts through the silence. "But we're in this together, always. I won't let anything happen to you."

I want to tell him that I'm not scared and ready to take on the world with him by my side. But the words stick in my throat, trapped under the weight of what we're doing. So, I simply nod, my eyes never leaving his.

My mind wanders to my mom's face, wondering what she's feeling now. I know she's worried about me, but I also know that she'll never understand my choice or our bond, especially not when they learn that Jared murdered Aaron.

Jared is the only person who truly understands the darkness within me, the desires I thought I had to keep hidden. With him, I can be the real me, embracing my dark side. With him, I am safe from the judgments of the world.

A sense of freedom washes over me as the miles stretch before us. We're outrunning our pasts, creating a future for just the two of us. We can start over together, shedding the pain and secrets that once weighed us down.

Jared exits the highway, taking us onto winding country roads. I gaze out the window at the starry sky, a sense of peace settling over me. This is where I'm meant to be—by his side, running toward something new.