Aria

When we got home I walked straight to my room. I quickly changed into something more comfortable and grab my laptop. I had a blog where I wrote anonymous thoughts, I made sure no one could ever link it me. I smiled as I typed.

Normal is so underrated, we have no idea how much some people crave it.

I published it and closed my laptop, talking to Layla today made me feel good, for once someone didn't have to talk to me because of circumstance. She came up to me because she wanted to and she didn't hate me.

Sometimes I can't believe my age, some teenagers have better experience than I do. I've missed so much of the world that I feel like I shouldn't consider myself 20 but 5.

Dad never let me go anywhere, not the mall, not the movies, not to parties and not even to a normal school. I had to be homeschooled, and I had a ton of bodyguards following me around college.

I couldn't go to classes, I couldn't go to home coming, I couldn't go to prom and I didn't even have a graduation. I only got a certificate and an expensive Louis Vuitton bag from mum.

I was only able to hear Lily's escapades from the phone, how she got her first piercing, how her first party went, how she punched a guy for the first time, how she kissed a guy for the first time, how she got her first boyfriend and how she lost her virginity and the other hookup stories.

My life was only in between the walls of my room and I couldn't escape it, I couldn't sneak out, couldn't run away. This house always felt like a prison. I never had a high school experience I could brag about.

I was subjected to stupid gatherings that were fille with snotty rich people full of Botox, plastic and bullshit.

I hear a knock on my door and walk towards it, I yank it open and stare at the maid in front of me "Can I help you?"

"Miss your father wants you downstairs for lunch"

I gave her a nod and she walked away, I closed the door and stared at myself in the mirror. I was wearing shorts and a tank top and my hair was a messy bun on top of my head. I shrugged and headed downstairs.

Dad was sitting at the table with mum and I was shocked because they were never here for lunch. I walk towards them and slip into a chair "Why are you home?"

Mum gave me a disapproving look "What is that supposed to mean? This is our home"

I snort "That you're never in, I was just surprised" I shrug and reached forward to serve myself some pasta. I catch Dad's eyes looking at me with disgust

"You couldn't dress more properly Aria?"

I roll my eyes "It's just lunch and I'm having it with my parents not the president"

He sighs and continues with his food, I start eating and so does mum. We eat together in silence and I hate it. I look down at my pasta because I refuse to look at their faces.

"Gustavo informed me that you insisted on visiting the park today"

That little bitch.

I nodded "Yes I did. Is there a problem?"

"The problem is that you're taking your safety too lightly"

I dropped my fork "Oh my God dad it was the damn park! I didn't go to a strip club!"

"You can be recognized and someone might assault you"

I picked up my fork "Well you don't have to worry about that Dad, I've been well hidden. Nobody knows who I am"

"Don't talk to your father like that!"

I glare at her "Oh really? What do you want me to do mum?! Stay cocooned in this house until six months and then become some trophy wife like you?!"

"Aria!" mum bellowed

Dad's lips were set in a thin line "You just don't understand"

I look at him "Maybe I don't want to understand dad"

He frowns "You know who you are Aria, you can't go around doing whatever you want. We have a reputation to uphold!"

I was angry, so angry. He doesn't have the right to yell at me because this was his fault "No dad you have a reputation to uphold, I don't owe anyone anything"

"Well you have to deal with it, we've given you everything! What more do you want?!"

I slam my hands on the table and stand up "What more do I want?! I tell you what I want dad! I want a normal life where I can go anywhere I want and do anything I want without having to worry about it appearing on the headlines tomorrow! I want to have normal friends who love me for me and not for what I can offer! And maybe I want parents who actually love me and give a damn about me!"

I was crying now and breathing hard, I stare at my parents and shake my head because I see nothing. My words or feelings don't have any effect on them. They only do what they want.

"Thanks for lunch guys " I walk up to my room. I slam the door hard and then walked to the balcony of my room. I close my eyes and inhale and exhale, it helped me calm down a little bit but tears were still running down my cheeks.

I heard my door open but I didn't check who came in, I didn't have the type of parents who came to see if I was ok. I stared at nothing, sometimes I just hated my life. I hated living like this, I feel lonely every single day. I have no siblings, no friends, no pets and not even grandparents! Mum told me they were all dead.

After some time I walk back into my room and see the tray on my table with food on it. I rolled my eyes and pressed the intercom to tell the maid to come get the food.

I walk to the shelves beside my closet and picked a book. Reading could help. I chose Macbeth by Shakespeare. I loved Shakespeare.

I climbed into bed and my mind flitted to how I do this everyday. Same routine every single time. I shook my head and opened the book which I've probably read a thousand times.

°°°°°°

I was already nose deep into my book when my phone started ringing, I looked around for it and saw that it was all the way on my vanity mirror table.

There's no way I'm getting up, I'm so comfortable.

Unfortunately for me, it kept ringing, I sighed as I dropped my book and marched over to the phone and answered it without looking at the caller ID

"What?!"

"Woah! Chill"

"Scott?" I pulled my phone away from my ear to look at it "It's you"

"Yeah it's me, looks like I called at a bad time huh?"

"No no! it's not that! I was reading and the phone was ringing non stop and it was far away so I had to stand up and get it and I was mad because I thought it was Lily tha-"

"Aria!"

I stopped and help my breath "Yes?"

"You're rambling!"

"Yeah sorry, I didn't expect you to call"

"Yeah, thought it might be a good start to clear the awkwardness between us, if you're comfortable talking on the phone you'll be comfortable talking to me in person"

"I'm not sure that's how it works but ok"

"Anyway I called because apparently I'm supposed to buy an engagement ring soon and I have no idea what you like"

I bit my lip "Does it matter?"

"Yes, it's going to be on your finger. So what will it be?"

"I'm fine with anything Scott, it doesn't matter to me"

"Alright then, I'll do all the work. Bye Aria"

I nodded then remembered he could've see me "Yeah bye"

I wish I could be as calm as Scott in all of this, instead my lack of social life makes me look like a retard. It was nice for someone who isn't Lily to ask my opinion on things. It made me smile. This contract might just be a blessing.