Chapter 33 *

Chapter 33 Chapter 33
Angelina's POV

I got back from my rugular exercise around two in the afternoon. The house felt wrong the second I walked in. Too quiet, but not the peaceful kind.

"Aria! Finally!" Mom appeared in the hallway, smoothing down her skirt for what must have been the hundredth time. She was wearing the navy blue one she only brought out for church and funerals.

Dad emerged from the bedroom in an old suit. A suit. To a barbecue.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"What am I doing? We're going to be late! Go change into your blue dress. The one with the flowers."

I looked at Dad. He was struggling with his tie, his hands shaking slightly. Something was definitely wrong.

"Mom, it's just a barbecue."

"It's not just a barbecue, Aria. It's Uncle Robert's housewarming party. Now please, go get changed."

I didn't move. Dad finally gave up on the tie and let it hang loose around his neck. He looked at me and I could see it in his eyes. That desperate look he'd been carrying around for months now, ever since his business partner disappeared with all his money.

"Aria, listen." His voice cracked a little. "Robert said something. He said he convinced Mr. Harrison to come today. The investor. This is our last chance. I have to talk to him. Maybe he can help us get through this. Or at least give me a job opportunity."

"I need you to look presentable," Mom added. "Please, Aria."

"I'll get changed."

I went to my room and stared at the blue dress hanging in my closet. It looked sad. Desperate. Everything I didn't want to be.

I put on my black leather jacket instead. Jeans. Combat boots. My armor.

When I came back downstairs, Mom's face fell.

"Aria, I asked you to wear the dress."

"I know."

She looked like she might cry. Dad put a hand on her shoulder.

"Let's just go," he said quietly. "We're already late."

I grabbed my phone and headed for the door. That's when I saw him. Caelan Thorne, standing by his motorcycle across the street, watching. His eyes traveled from my face to my leather jacket and stayed there for a second too long.

I ignored him and got in the car.

Uncle Robert's new house was massive. One of those modern places in the suburbs with too much glass and too little soul. The backyard stretched out like a football field, complete with an in-ground pool that probably cost more than our mortgage.

Cars lined the circular driveway. Expensive cars. Dad parked our beat-up Honda at the very end, like he was ashamed of it.

"Remember," Mom said, turning around to look at me. "Be polite. Smile. Don't cause any trouble."

"I never cause trouble."

"Aria."

"Fine."

We walked through the side gate into the backyard. The party was already in full swing, but even from here I could see the division. Group A was on the covered patio near the pool, Uncle Robert and some older men in golf shirts holding wine glasses. Group B was scattered on the lawn, looking uncomfortable and out of place.

We were definitely Group B material.

"Nathan! Grace!" Grandma appeared out of nowhere, pulling me into a hug that smelled like vanilla and cigarettes. "And Aria! Oh my goodness, you're all skin and bones! When was the last time you ate? Go get yourself a burger right now!"

"Hi, Grandma."

"No, I'm serious. Look at you! You're wasting away!"

"I eat, Grandma. I promise."

She patted my cheek and disappeared back into the crowd, probably to find someone else to feed.

Dad stood at the edge of the lawn, his eyes locked on the patio. On Mr. Harrison, specifically. The investor. The man who could save us or let us drown.

I watched Dad take a deep breath, straighten his suit jacket, and start walking toward the patio.

"Aria! Sweetie!"

I turned. Aunt Karen. Of course. She was coming toward me with Ashley trailing behind her, both of them looking like they'd stepped out of a country club catalog.

Aunt Karen's eyes traveled down my body, stopping at my leather jacket and combat boots. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oh, Aria! Your outfit today is very interesting. Very unique."

Ashley tossed her hair and examined her manicured nails. "Mom, is my orthodontist appointment next Wednesday or Thursday? I keep forgetting."

"Wednesday at three, sweetie. The braces are almost done. Dr. Peterson said your teeth are coming along perfectly. Six thousand five hundred dollars well spent."

She turned back to me, her eyes landing on my mouth. I'd never had braces. My teeth weren't perfect, but they worked fine.

"Your teeth, Aria." She paused. "Never mind. I just think if you'd gotten them fixed earlier, by now they would be. Well. You know."

She shook her head like she was genuinely concerned about me.

Ashley jumped in. "By the way, Aria, you're still at Roseville High, right? I heard their field trips are super cheap. Like fifty dollars? Our school's trip to New York last month was eight hundred, but the experience was totally worth it."

Aunt Karen put a hand on Ashley's shoulder, but her voice carried across the lawn. "Ashley, don't say it like that. Not every family can afford private school. Aria's family is going through a special situation right now. We need to be understanding." She turned to me with a smile that made my skin crawl. "Right, Aria? Public school is perfectly fine. At least you don't have to pay tuition."

My jaw clenched. I was about to say something when I caught movement from the corner of my eye.

Dad had reached Mr. Harrison. He was holding a beer, his hand shaking slightly as he extended it.

"Mr. Harrison? I'm Nathan. I wanted to talk to you about something, regarding..."

Mr. Harrison didn't even look at him. He completely ignored Dad's outstretched hand, smiled at Uncle Robert, and turned his back on Dad. Literally turned around and walked away.

A few of the Group A people saw it happen. They exchanged glances. Small smiles. Like they were watching a dog beg for scraps.

Dad stood there, frozen. His hand still extended. His face turning red. He looked like a beggar who'd been left standing on the street.

Something cold settled in my chest.

"Aria, I'm just saying, investing in a girl's education is really important. The right schools, the right opportunities..."

I turned back to Aunt Karen. She was still talking, completely unaware of what had just happened to my father fifteen feet away.

I cut her off.

"Aunt Karen, you're right about one thing."

She blinked, surprised.

"Education is important. That's why it's such a shame Ashley is learning all the wrong lessons from you."

Her smile froze.

"Like how to measure a person's worth by the price tag on their clothes. Or how to kick someone when they're already down. But I guess when you have nothing genuine to offer, showing off your credit card bill is the next best thing."

Ashley's mouth fell open. Aunt Karen's face went white, then red.

"How dare you..."

"I dare because at least I know the difference between class and cruelty. You should try learning it sometime."