Chapter 2: The First Invitation
She knocked on the door. Killian answered as he was zipping up his overalls for his jumpsuits. "Good morning Tris." He said stepping aside for her to come in. Not seeing a car he noticed she walked again. "I wasn't sure what time I should be here but Aria said she doesn't like to eat breakfast, and I wanted to see when she got home from school and how she gets to and from there." Tris said. "Yeah well she walks for the most part says she likes it. I can't complain it's about fifteen minutes or twenty if she takes her time, there is a field of wild flowers every now and then she likes to sit in and draw. Kind of like a happy place a guess. Her little escape. The shop is about the same time distance. So if you ever need anything just know I'm not too far. About the time she leaves here about seven thirtyish school starts about eight and gets out around two. However she is starting senior classes and they are out at twelve thirty so I would feel better if you were here at least here when she got home. I try to get to work by seven and try to get home between 5, 6, no later than seven." He was sliding into his shows.
"Just please make sure she eats; she gets homework done. She will probably help clean I prefer she does honestly make her earn that allowance just give her some things to do, make sure if she got to be somewhere please get her there if I can't. She normally has a lot of art shows. I always get there just a little after it starts but I could never get off work to get her there sooner." He said feeling bad. If she needs money she has a bank card linked to mine. Money for you to get anything for the house is on the owl on top of the shelf above the sink just shove receipts in there and take what you need from there. How do you want to be paid like weekly or biweekly?" He asked. "Whichever you choose. I am honestly not picky. I left all my bank details for you to just deposit or wire it to me. Thought it may make it easier since you a busy man one less extra trip to bank or ATM maybe better for you. If you have a special dinner you'd like write it on calendar, and I will make a shopping list with Aria. Maybe she would like to come and get out with me." Tris said.
Killian smiled at her, she wasn't like the other girls who came and tried to work for him. They mostly were just trying to get in his pants and pushed his little girl to the side. Since he started talking to her a few weeks ago, all she asked was questions about what she can do with Aria. It made his heart smile. "I think she would like that. Do you have a car?" "Yes, I do. I will take Aria when it rains. Ellie says it doesn't rain to much but you know it's the middle of February it still got some wet times ahead." Tris said making Killian nod along. "I would appreciate that so much. I am going to go ahead and head out. Do you need anything else?" Killian asked looking back before he walked out the door. "Um yeah is Aria allowed to wear make-up? You know lip balm or gloss, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow?" Tris asked.
Killian looked at her lost. "I never thought about it. I guess she's going to start thinking about that stuff now jumping so far ahead in school and looking around at the other girls at the rallies and stuff." He said scratching the back of his neck. "I don't know. If she wants to start trying that kind of stuff, could you, um, could show her how? You know try and keep it subtle. Like yours, like how you got yours right now with all that natural look. I don't want her to over do it, or try looking like grown twenty five or anything like that." He said as he stomach was turning as he was coming to terms that his little girl was growing up. Hell he didn't even let her shave her legs. The thought of her self cutting her legs up with a blade made him uncomfortable plus he wasn't sure how to show her. She never wore shorts or dresses because he knew she was embarrassed of the hair on her legs. Thank god she hasn't gotten her period yet, he thought to himself.
He didn't even know if she knew what a period was. Thinking about all the things she was being held back from his mind started wondering all over the place. He started to feel sick. "KILLIAN!" "I'm sorry what?" He asked snapping back to reality. "I was saying how when I was doing her hair yesterday she was wearing the wrong bra. So I was wondering if you're ok with me taking her after school to go get the right ones. Just a couple. It's really going to be mess her up and get painful if you don't." Tris said. "Oh geez. Tris I haven't taken her shopping like that actually my mom did when she started sprouting but it's been over a year. If she is ok with that, than please just take money from the owl and get her whatever it is she needs. I'm out of my element but I really want her to have what she needs, so if she is uncomfortable with you going I'll make sure she gets them this weekend. I got to go. Thank you Tris." He said starting up his truck hitting his head on the stirring wheel. That was one topic he was not ready for second day with the house keeper/nanny. When did Aria get so damn grown up he wondered as he drove off to work.
"Goodmmo-rrning Trriiss." Aria said as she came out in her pj's. "Good morning Aria would you like me to make you something for breakfast maybe lunch while you get dressed?" "I donnn't like ttto eat breakfasttt reeallyyy. IIIIttt sometiiimes huurrrttts myyyy ttuummmy. Luunnch would bbee nnniice tthhhough." She said as she turned quickly and went to get dressed. Tris quickly went and made her a simple turkey sandwich, with some chips, some strawberries and red grapes in a ziplock bag and stick of string cheese. Not sure about to drink so she put a juice bottle and a sprite along with a water bottle in the side of her backpack. Walking up to Aria's door she knocked on the inside since the door was opened. "You look cute." She said looking at Aria who was wearing her black jeans, a white sleeveless turtleneck, and was putting a thick hoodie on, with her black vans.
"TThhhannkk you. Ccouulld yyoou braid mmyy haairr liikee yessterrdayyy pplleasse. I reeaallyyy likeeed that." "Sure no problem. It's so easy to do it to other people but it's difficult to do it to yourself. If you want I can show you how than maybe sometimes you can help me do mine." Tris said making them both laugh. Aria just nodded her head happily. "So you're going to be a senior today? That must be exciting. You know I hear you get to get out like about two hours earlier. If you don't have any big plans maybe I can drive over to the school and we can walk to the diner and have lunch. We could get to know each other a little bit, or we can make lunch here? Just in case you don't like what I packed." Tris asked.
"YYoouuu waanttt too ggoo to luuunnnchh wiithh mee?" Aria asked shocked that she just asked to spend time with her. "Yeah and I don't want you to feel weird about this but honey your bra's are not quiet fitting you properly see." She showed her through the mirror lifting her hoodie. "So maybe I could just to pick you up and we can get lunch and get you some better supportive material for up here you know what do you say? How about a little girl time with me than I will bring straight back here and you can do your homework and I can start cleaning and get dinner done. Does that sound ok?" Tris asked.
"UUummm ookkk. III ddonn't kknooow muuchhh about ssiizzinng thhoougggh." She said feeling embarrassed looking down at the ground. "That's ok millions of women don't. We just get you measured around the rib cage and your chest and then well work with the cups as we go. See simple. MOSt sizes are wrong anyway nothing is ever really the same you just got to try it on and hope for the best." Tris said showing her what the difference between the numbers and the letters of her bra was. Aria looked kind of happy. Tris kept showing her new things she felt she should have already known. Aria was only hoping that she would keep this up and stick around for a bit there was still a bunch more she wanted to find out. Just not from her dad. She thought to herself sadly.
"It's settled than were going to have us a little girls day afternoon. I will park somewhere near the front. You have my number and I will see you about twelve. I am going to go ahead and keep going on this place here, so we can have more time when come back to make dinner. "It's Friday your dad has poker tonight right?" Aria smiled and nodded happy to see her uncles come and have fun with her dad. Killian did so much for Aria she loved seeing him be happy just being herself. "Ok well than I will go to the store and we can make some awesome dinner. Would you like to help?" Tris asked Aria as she finished up tying off her hair. Aria nodded happily smiling.
"You better grab your backpack everything you need is in there see you at twelve." Tris said waving her off. Ok let's get this started as she went and scrubbed out two bathrooms that weren't Aria's. The guest room. The living room and dining room. The kitchen was still cleaned from yesterday and she will be making a big mess in there later. It was about nine thirty so she quickly went home and got all the things she needed for the food later she was missing. Walking around the store was a little awkward because she was new in the smallish town, being the introvert she was, this was the first time she really got out into town guess she just accept that being the new person will blow over soon enough.
As she got home and prepped somethings for later, she looked at the time and realized she only had twenty minutes to get to the school. Putting things away she quickly got her keys and locked up the house. Parking in the spot she saw the kids just starting to walk out of the classrooms some were going to other classrooms and some were going to the parking lots. She noticed Aria smiling looking down as she walked. Getting closer to the front of the school she looked up and then she saw Tris who waved at her through the windshield smiling brightly to her. She returned the smile and walked to the passenger side of the car.
"Did you have a good day as a senior?" Tris asked proudly. Aria nodded quickly buckling up as they drove around the corner to the diner. They walked in and sat down. "What can we get you ladies to start with?" The waitress asked. "I would like a cherry coke please. Aria?" "Ssamme." She said slowly trying not to stutter. "Ok, be right back here are your menu's." The waitress said as she went to go collect there drinks. "What would you like?" "Tthhheee aaavvacoodoo buurggerr annnd frrriiieess. Pleeaasse cccouuld youuu tellll heerr." Aria asked not wanting others to hear her stutter. "Sure if that's what you want." The waitress came back and gave them their drinks. "Thank you, could we have two avocado burgers, with fries and onion rings to share on the side. And when you bring the bill could please get some chocolate shakes to go?" Tris asked nicely handing their menus to the waitress with a sweet smile. "Sure thing hon." "Thank you." Tris shouted back to her as she walked away.
"Thhheee ootthherr girrrllls would nneeever bbee thattt niiicee orr eaattt thhiiissss mannnyy carrbbs. Thheey would saaayy ittsss too fattening." Aria said looking at her wide eyed. "Yeah, well personal I never liked those kinds of girls. I rather live my life to the beat of my own drum and this drum beats hard for comfort food. Besides as long as you exercise you can eat whatever you want. You know what my mama used to say is what's bad for the heart is good for the soul." Tris said with a wink. "Besides, food is life. Food is the number one bae." She added. Making Aria snort her drink through her nose laughing so hard. They got to know each other cracking jokes. When the food came. Aria decided to open a little more.
"III hhadd gooood day attt school. Ttheee classesss I takkkeee are sooo fffarrr awwaayy frroom thhe meeannn giiirrlls inn myyy oothhherrr grraadeee eeven diifferent luunchh times. III doon'tt haavee tttooo ssseee theemm too muucchhh any-any-anymore." Aria said with a big smile. "Thheee giirrrlllsss iinn myyy cllasss lliikked myy haiiirrr tthhheeeyy asskeddd iifff I usssed viinegarrr liikkeee thheeyy ddooo. Theeyy were nicee. We taallkked abboutt thhee tricks yoouu tolldd mee. III saat witthhh fourrrr off thhee girrrlsss inn classs foorrr thheee first tiimmeee inn yeeaarsss. Tthhankk yoouuu Triss. Fooorrr all thhhee addviiicee. IIItt wasss niicceee too bee noormalll foor awhilleee." Aria said a little teary eyed, but still smiling.
"Well I'm glad you got away from the she-bitches and happy you're happy. If you liked them tricks what until you see what else I got up my sleeves. So there's our shakes let's go shopping we still have a lot of things to get done before your dad gets back. After a couple stores and tears from laughing so hard they finally made their way back to the house. "Ok so today you are going to learn how to fry chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and salad. Fruit salad, deviled eggs, bean dip, salsa, crescent rolls stuffed with mozzarella cheese sticks and the cob ears of corn. Let's get started." Aria was paying attention typing everything on her laptop so she could have the recipes for later. They even made raspberry cheesecake cookies ,chocolate chip cookies, and vanilla cupcakes with homemade buttercream icing and topped them with chocolate covered strawberries.
Tris and Aria wanted to do something nice for Killian and the guys so they set up the kitchen table with all the food and in the entertainment room on the other side of the dining room they set up the card table. Killian came rushing through the door. "I'm here, I'm here I'm sorry I'm late. The guys are going to be walking up any minute. Do you think you can please help put out something to… oh my. Wow. Damn it smells so good in here. Did you seriously do all of this?" Killian asked looking at the food, the clean house and his daughter smiling the biggest he's ever seen. "Yes, we did. Let me tell you, she really put her foot up in it to." Tris said proudly wrapping an arm around her. "Well you grown men are left to fend for yourselves. I must go clean my house and shower. Call if you need anything and other than all this the kitchen is clean just add lids to all the food on the table. You can reheat chicken in the air fryer, and don't do anything I wouldn't do see you party people. Monday. Aria same time?" Aria smiled deeply nodding her head.
"You guys did amazing baby girl. This looks and smells incredible. How was your day?" Killian said coming up to give her a hug and kiss to the forehead. "III haadd thhheee beesttt daaayyy evverrr. Trissss maaadeee mmeee a grreeeattt lluuncch whhicchh III goott ttooo eeaatt wiithh foourr oother giirrllss iinn thhee seeniior cllassseess wiitthh mee. Tthheeey goott exxciittedd ovvverr the triickkss Trriss shhoowwedd mmeee wiithhh myyy haaiirrr. Thheee ootthheerr giirrrlsss whhoo wweeree meeann too mee II doonttt hhavvee too see thhaat much annyymmoreee. Ttrisss tookk mee for burgeers aattt thee dineer afteerrr school. Thhann III goottt nneewww b-brraaas. III leearnnedd hooww too coookk. III eevvenn wrrootee itt all doownn too doo itt again later. It's beeen such good day. III eeevven maddee frrriieennds." Aria rushed out so excited. "III'lll beee inn myyy room RRyylliee aanndd thee giirrllss goooing too text mee whhillee wee all watttch SSTtrangger Thhingsss." She said as she took her plate of food and treats and rushed to her room.
Killian looked at her dumbfounded. "I never heard baby girl talk so much or so fast. EVER." Eli said all of them looking shocked. "I take it Tris has been here. I can smell her chicken." Ryder said happily all the guys stomachs started to rumble. "Tris taught Aria how to make all of this. They even set up our table over there made them snacks and worse of all yet best of all she took her out for I guess a girls afternoon to lunch and to get her some bras in her words that actually fit." Killian said with a little bit of shiver. "Did she say Tris showed her some tips that got her some friends?" Hunter asked. "You know what 's even crazier is you were the last one to meet Tris and yet you've been talking to her for weeks. That girl is truly amazing. Love her food." Zain said with a moan. "Dude this is like orgasm in your mouth. Nathan added.
"Always the charmer Nate." Killian said slapping the back of his head. "Yeah man have you seen this place just in two days I wonder what else she can do. She crazy awesome." Killian said moaning into the chicken. "She's really the best kind of person just like Ellie. I think it's the best thing we could do for baby girl to put her around positive female influence. I mean hell look at her. Normally any other woman who tried this position she would have been holed up in her room right now trying to eat pizza, because the trick can't cook." Ryder said laughing. "Where's Ellie tonight?" Nate asked. "She is having herself some her time. Relaxing in the bath with some take out and a movie to watch to go to sleep. She deserves it after the week she's had. That doctor's office been crazy this week. She's having a girls night with Tris next Friday at Tris's house. I just got to remember to call her when I'm done." Ryder said.
"They all cleaned up and put stuff away except for the wonderful snacks. Talked and laughed. Killian was a great player. Took most of the winnings which made him laugh because it would just go back into their paychecks anyway. He looked in Arias room as the tv was still going and the phone stopped dinging finally. He put her phone on the charger and turned off the tv. Aria was still in a happy smile. He pulled up a blanket and closed up her books. The laptop was still on messenger. He went to close it but he saw the group chat the girls apparently talked about cute guys from the show, the homework they apparently finished. Basically regular teenage stuff, at least these girls were smart he thought. Didn't want no one using his baby just because she was smart again. He looked at her, he could feel his heart smile. Walked out and went to go lay down himself.
The weeks went by and it was already Friday again. "Aria what's up with you tonight?" "Weelll thhheee ggiirllls wantted mee too come sllleepp oveerr tomorrow yooouu knnooww maakkee ovverrss and moviiiee niighht. III have too ask mmyy dad. I'mm sccarredd thaatt III woontt kknnwww eenoughh tttooo unndderrrstand what they arreee talking about.." Aria said looking down. "You shouldn't let that hold you back Aria. Look love bug if you want to go you should just ask your dad and if you get to go than ask questions. These girls got what like two years above you. If their your friends than they will show you. Besides I can always show you how to use make up, skin creams, lotions, brushes, the foundations, tones, Ellie and I are having a girls night we would love for you to join us. We can even have movie night also. You want to ask your dad?" Tris said side hugging Aria.
"I think that sounds like a great idea. The guys are just going to be here playing cards we can stay out of your hair. That pot roast smells bomb as hell. You girls are going to get us all fat." Killian said smelling deeply the magical smells of the kitchen. Killian and his friends were built like professional body builders and we're giants compared to the girls. "Oh if you really want to go tomorrow night, you can go which girl is it?" "IIttt'ss Rrryyliieee. AAlllexiia, Mmmaddissonnn, and Callllieee are gggoooiinngg to bbee there ttooo. Ddooo yyoouuu thhiinnkk thheeeyy ccaaannn ssttaayy Ffrriiddaayy, aandd Saatuurddayy next week?" Aria asked. "As long as you get your school work done and help out around the house if Tris asks you too. I would love to have them here. Go ahead and ask them tomorrow night. So Tris would you like to have your girls night here. You guys can have the big TV." He said scratching the back of his head.
Killian loved having Tris around she was nice, caring and did her job well and not just because they were her job, but because she actually cared. Most importantly he loved how much more Aria opened up when she was there. It was like seeing a side of his baby he never knew existed. Maybe that's because that side was never meant for him to bring out. He was thankful she did finally have some female guidance. He loved his mom but she needed someone a little more open minded and patience to understand Aria. That wasn't his mother. She always said the stuttering was a phase and would tell her to calm it down like she could control it. All that did was make it worse make her anxious and make her feel bad, causing both his parents to fight. This time he finally had someone one more understanding of her to help get advice. Hell she's giving him plenty of advice.
The one thing he loved was Tris was always making Aria read out loud to her stuff she liked and they were always singing to the radio. He still doesn't get what Tris meant by everything is in words. All the answers are in reading and singing. It's apparently also supposed to help on bad days so you don't take the bad day home with you should sing along to the radio. She kept telling Killian just wait you'll see. It all comes in time. "You know if you want to see the damage you think I will do to your daughters face you could just say so." She said laughing with Aria. "PPLleeasssee yyoouu kknnoww hheee jjussttt waantts ss the fooddd." Aria added making them laugh even harder.
"Y'all ever think maybe it's just nice to hear ya through the house you Debbie downers." He said grabbing a carrot from the huge crock pot. "Sureee." The both stretched out. The guys came through the door laughing and looked up to come give Tris and Aria hugs and kisses to the forehead. "What's up my chickies?" Ellie said loudly. "Were having girls night here." Tris said. "Bitchin'." She said making everyone laugh and shake their head. The guys went to eat their pot roast while the girls had Chinese take out. "First thing first we wash our face. Than we wash it with this special little power brush. Than we dry the face and put this charcoal mask on our face, once it dries it just peels right off. Than were going to nair your legs from the middle to your calf, to the ankles. You have to wipe it off after about ten minutes with warm rag, than shower never rub it. Than were you're out well do your nails, toenails, and well show you how to properly use the make up and all the ways to get it off. Ok?" Tris said as Ellie was bouncing up and down excited.
"So I will show you how to do make up on your face and then you can do it to Ellie and mines and well talk you through everything. It'll be better to know since all of our skin tones are so different. Just like you and your girls." Tris added as Aria smiled widely. After everything was done and applied and the guys made fun of them for their black charcoal faces. They spent about a good almost two hours and decided they were going to show the guys. Only sticking to natural tones because that's what Tris and Ellie told her she needed to know how to highlight the natural look so your trying without trying to hard or caking it on like a hoe. They walked out, with their hair all lightly curled.
"Well guys feast your eyes on true beauty done and brought to you by Ms. Aria Jones. They walked out looking beautiful with the mascara, eyeliner lightly brown eye shadow, and a little mor of the foundation for Aria and Ellie. They were all in shorts with their legs face and arms shiny and glowing. "You girls look beautiful." Ryder said as all of them just nodded along. "So dad is this ok to wear to school or out every now and then?" Tris asked. "Yes this is ok but no boys. No dating until your like sophomore in college. HOLD UP! DID YOU SHAVE YOUR LEGS?" He asked getting a little mad.
"No, Killian she did not. She used Nair. See right here, it's a special lotion that you apply on and wipe it away it's only up to her middle thigh not enough to be showing any real skin, but just enough to be more comfortable in her pants and her own sheets. I swear it's not that big of deal. It's still cold outside so she will still be in pants, no shaving was done and this way the hair won't grow as fast and won't be as thick and dark. I also did to her armpit area so she won't be embarrassed when she changes out for P.E." Tris said lowly only so Killian could hear.
"Is this part of what we talked about the compromise of control and her becoming adult thing?" He asked looking sadly at her. Tris nodded back. "This is ok. Just don't shave until you're like seventeen. Tris is right about growing back darker and thicker this is better for you." He said holding the bottle. "You look great Angel." Killian said as kissed the top of her head, as the guys started to clean up. "You all do." "Well remember to take off the make up the way I showed you don't go to bed with your mask on. Have a great time tomorrow send me lots of pictures." Tris said hugging Aria, as she walked away happily to her room after thanking Ellie and Tris again. "I swear I blinked when she was crawling round and now I got a young woman in front of me I doomed I swear. " He said banging his head against a frame.
"Well since you got your first night off as a dad, why don't we go do something fun. Let's go bowling! Nate said in an excited voice. "Yeah you two girls want go bowling?" Eli asked. "We're in." Ryder said with Ellie smiling. "I'm in." Tris said Killian just nodded along. I'll just pick you up we can go together. I may need your help letting her get out of the car." Killian said making everyone laugh. "Ok you big ol titty baby. I'm going to go give her my make up wipes and the baby oil I forgot." Tris said everyone else left. Tris walked into the open door. "Here you go almost forgot these." She said placing them in the make up bag Tris made just for her.
"TTHhhannkkk yooouuu foorr everything Tris." Aria said as she was laying down tucked into bed. Killian was walking by listening on the side of the wall after cleaning everything up standing next to the bathroom door. "CCaann III assskkk yyou soommetthhing peersoonall?" Aria asked a little nervously. "Always." Tri said smiling. "YYooouuu sooo pretty whhhyyy yyoouu ssiingle?" Aria asked. "Well I was an E.R nurse for awhile and about seven months, before I packed up and quit. I was dating this guy who I was with for awhile. He was what I thought I was looking for at the time. I helped him when his parents and family members got sick, we did everything together for awhile. We we're together for almost two years, I don't know what really happened. I thought everything was fine, nothing about us or me had changed. Until one day he looked up and said he applied to another job he thought was better he wanted me to just up and go with him. I was just shocked I couldn't believe that someone who claimed to love would make such a huge decision and not even think to include me in before he did it. I told him I don't think I was ready to leave yet. Maybe we should talk about the next day. Well when we finally talked about it, he decided to just leave me to see what else is out there. Even though he loved me or claimed to he wanted to see and become apart of something more. I guess that I just wasn't enough for him. I haven't dated anyone else since."
Killian was shocked he couldn't believe what he just heard. "II'mm soryyy Trriiiss. III shhouldn't." Tris cut her off. "Don't be sorry for asking me anything. I like Aria I told you I wanted us to become great friends and I meant it. That means friends don't lie, no matter how awkward or bad or hurtful truth maybe we will always tell it straight ok. Friends know all the bad and good about each other. If I expect to know you, shouldn't you get the same in return?" She said with a wink turning to walk out the door leaving the house. Killian ducked out into the bathroom real quick shaking his head. How can someone leave someone like her? Someone willing to bend over backwards and do anything for you and you want to see what better thing is out there what a joke. Why do good people get stuck with such toxic partners? He thought to himself as he started the shower and tried to wash both their ex's off of him.