Reunited

chapter 12

It had been a week. A whole week and Ares was growing impatient. Every day he would check to see if she was in school. She wasn't.

After that day, her parents somehow grew angrier with her and they beat her so much worse. Perhaps it was the cooking? She wasn't much of a good cook.

Of course it wasn't. She knew exactly what had caused them to be like this. Brianna. Her younger sister.

She was in her first year so should didn't see much of her but that day Brianna saw her with Jake. It was obvious Jake was a doctor or at least training to be one. She told her parents that Aria was trying to tell.

The pain had been so unbearable.

She had been laying in a pool of her own blood to weak to move. It must have been a few hours by now.

One thing that had made her have hope was yesterday. Luke had come home complaining , he had a few broken fingers which he blamed on football but he told their parents that the school would get suspicious if she stayed off longer.

Their parents didn't hear but she did. She heard him muttering about how Ares wasn't going to get away with it.

She assumed the broken fingers were his doing.

It gave her hope that he didn't truly hate her. That she could apologize.

But she didn't understand why she felt so bad about what she had said. Sure she apologized to her family in fear they would beat her more. But she never apologised to people who had dared speak to her, she always told them to leave her alone, to stop speaking to her and never felt the need to apologize, simply because she wasn't allowed friends.

In a few hours she would find out if she was able to apologize. For the first time she would be going against her parents simply because they were beating her for things she hasn't done, she realised she might as well try be civil with Ares. She definitely hoped he didn't hate her, she didn't want to go back to where he bullied her and she didn't want to end up  in Luke's position. Ares clearly hated him.

A few hours passed and she weakly tried to make herself look okay. Thankfully her mother had tossed her some makeup and told her to cover up the bruises. She was thankful for the makeup but she knew her mother only did it because she didn't want people finding out.

Walking to school was hell. Every inch of her body hurt. When she finally got there she had to blink away the tears. She was in so much pain that she knew she probably had several broken bones.

She was at her locker sorting her books and trying to remain unseen yet her mind wandered to Ares. She was terrified of him yet she wanted him to like her.

As if he knew she was thinking of him, he appeared next to her.

"You're here. Finally" he said with worry.  He had been feeling a mix of emotions for the past week. Guilt. Worry. Fear. Concern. Anger. More worry

So much so he threatened Luke by breaking some of his fingers.

"You're talking to me?" She was confused at why he was bothering still.

"Yes of course I am. I'm sorry about what I said last time we spoke. It was wrong. Please forgive me" he never asked for forgiveness but he needed hers.

"Only if you forgive me, I snapped first, I'm to blame" she said hoping they would be okay.

"No it's okay I was pressuring you to speak to my brother. I was wrong to do that. Does this mean we are okay?" He replied.

Aria nodded, and in an instant she felt arms go around her. It was a weird feeling, almost like he genuinely cared. She gladly accepted the hug despite the pain but out of the corner of her eye she saw Luke glaring.

The pain grew worse the longer he hugged and she couldn't help but hiss in pain.
Ares let go instantly "where are you hurt?" He knew something wasn't right.
"Nowhere" she muttered.

Ares knew she was lying but decided not to push her.

"How about we skip school. We can go back to my place and just watch a movie and have snacks, and work on the project" he offered looking at her more clearly. She was hurt and seemed ill, she was wearing alot more makeup. And from what he had seen her brother do in school. He knew the makeup was probably hiding bruises.

"My parents won't want me skipping" she said.

"They don't have to find out" he said.

Aria glanced across the hall at her brother who was stood with some of his friends but kept glaring at her.

"Don't worry about him. Come on" Ares would gladly go beat him up again if Aria wasn't here.
As they walked away, Luke followed.

"Where are you taking my sister" he called after them.

"I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Wouldn't want you to have any more accidents" Ares warned.

"You can't just take her" he continued.

"My parents are very influential, one word from me and I'll have you expelled for bullying and beating her up" he snapped. The only reason he hadn't said that before was because he feared them taking Aria out too. Plus he wanted to make his life hell.

They went to the office and Ares tone changed instead of harsh and uncaring he managed to convince the staff that Aria wasn't feeling well and he should take her to see his brother. It wasnt hard to believe, Aria looked like she was about to pass out. He had also managed to convince the staff to mark both of them present all day.

"Um Ares how are we going to get to yours" she said.

"Xander is out late tonight so we took seperate cars" he said leading her to his car. He was greatful to grow up in a loving household where he had the privilege of learning to drive and getting his own car.

Aria was a little apprehensive but she was greatful they didn't have to walk.

When they finally got back to his she was half asleep. Ares was concerned. He wanted to take her to the hospital but she kept refusing saying nothing was wrong.

He decided If she got worse he would take her but for now he just wanted to spend time with her.