a said, staring at the cei

almost numb. Nausea twisted in her stomach, leaving her mouth dry, with an ugly chemical taste lingering. A

edge off. Aria had been anxious, desperate to feel something other than the constant humiliation and restlessness that had dogged her life since the move. She couldn't remember exactly how much she was supposed to take; in her frustrat

and. She thought she might just lie down for a minute until it passed. The next thing she remembered was this sterile ceiling. She tried to focus, fighting the

by the sudden sound from the do

ow?" Her dad said as he rushed immedi

drug or something, Aria. Why would you do that? So, it's no longer drinking, you're do

at it looks like, I'm not into

I went to your room, and I found you unconscious, Aria, you were unconscious! I

any of this to happen. I promise I'll c

im like this before, and the guilt hit harder than the headache pulsing behind her eyes. She opened her mouth to

sinking into the chair beside her bed, "but Ari

ting in her eyes. "Dad, please. I me

as if picking his words carefully. When he final

."Aria's heart sank. "Dad, wh

that was how she kn

er hes

his throat. He let out a shaky breath. "You're... leaving tomorrow." He did

hey twisted in the bedsheets. It was like the floor tilted under her. No. No, this couldn't be happening, not like this. Her heart pounded, wild and desperate, and for a split second she wanted to yell, to run, to do anyt

h your mother for a while

a f

ed, as if he'd just spok

he movement shaky. "I'm not going there, Dad, I don't even know her anymore. And

e you more than anything, but I can't do this alone. Your mother and I talk

ess laugh. "In a mansion with stra

lready arranged. Her husband is sending a private jet tomor

d as tears finally sl

je

orr

like

riends, her boyfriend, school,

hip me off like t

whispered, "I'm t

aring at the wall as if it co

enched again

leaving

she liked

e was about to