21. Arya

Hip hop music blasts through Sam's car as we drive through the night. I'm exhausted enough to accept listening to it. If I close my eyes and let my mind wander, I barely hear it anyway. As soon as I drift off, every single thought is occupied with what's going to happen in the coming weeks.

"You alright over there?" Sam asks, taking his eyes off the road for a split second.

I just nod in response, leaning my head against the chilled window, my fingers clasped tightly around my phone.

"It's going to be a couple hours until we get home. You should try and get some sleep. You look exhausted." Sam always had a way with words.

"Thanks." I mutter, stifling a yawn.

He doesn't say anything else then and I am grateful. He is right, of course. I am exhausted. Not only had the past couple of weeks drained me to the core but today especially was way longer than expected. Originally the plan was to tell Seth about me leaving early, spend the rest of the night with him until Sam picked me up.

Fate had decided otherwise.

After the phone call from Axel Baumgold's secretary, I felt like I was about to explode. There was no way I could have eaten anything so Seth and I decided to go back to campus. On the way there, we had a quick stop at the beach, dipping our toes into the chilled ocean water.

"I'm going to miss you so much." Seth whispered against my neck, his arms tightly wrapped around my waist, holding me, warming me up as the chilly ocean hear hisses against us. His breath tickled my skin, sending chills down my spine.

"You have no idea." I replied, digging my naked toes into the wet sand, enjoying these last moments with the man I love before leaving him here.

He went silent then and I snuggled up against him. His breathing got heavier with each passing second and soon enough he was gasping for air. His fingers dug into my back, bunching up the material of my shirt in his hands. Automatically I led my own hands caress his back whilst nuzzling his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" I asked him, causing him to pull away from me. My arms dropped down to my sides and for a split second I thought he was mad at me, but no... the look on his face said so much more. Even remembering it now has my stomach twisting and turning.

"Would you think me to be the most egotistical person in the world if I told you that I'd rather you stay here with me than go back home to follow your dreams?" He broke out into a pained grin, leaning forwards and running his hands through his hair, leaving it perfectly messy. "Even saying it makes me hate myself!"

A somewhat hysterical laugh echoed over the ocean waves and Seth grinned down at me, making my knees weak. Waves splashed against our legs and I couldn't help but stare at the man in front of me.

"I love you and I know you don't mean that!" I answered, yelling a little because the sound of the crashing waves was drowning out my voice.

"No, but I do! I do mean that. I'm an asshole! Maybe I haven't changed after all." He strode towards me, long legs fighting against rowdy waves. A smirk was now fighting with the pretend scowl on his face.

"Oh?"

"Maybe I should just..." The closer he got, the clearer the spark in his eyes got. "Go back to my old ways and..."

He didn't finish but charged at me instead. We both crashed into the ocean full force. Where we stood the water hadn't been deep enough to engulf us both but my back side was drenched and Seth on top of me, laughing hysterically.

"You jerk!" I squealed instinctively splashing him with saltwater.

"And proud as hell." He growled, giving me his best high-school Seth impression. My heart lurched when he dipped his head down to kiss me. His hand held my neck tightly and his lips moved roughly on mine. The waves splashed around us mercilessly as he lit my whole body on fire with passionate kisses.

Seth only pulled away to catch his breath.

"I was such a fucking loser back then." He shook his head, planting another quick kiss on my lips before hoisting us both out of the water.

"You?" I gasped, chuckling. "You literally had everyone at your mercy, Mr. Smith. You were undoubtedly the most popular kid there."

He scoffed, wrapping his hand around mine, leading us back to where we'd left our shoes.

"I was an idiot and blind, too. Whenever I think about what I said to you... the stupid shit I did." He actually blushed at that. I laughed. It felt good to laugh about it... to be completely over it. It was in the past.

We stopped walking when we reached our shoes and I brushed some wet strands of hair out of his forehead. He licked his lips and I analyzed every inch of his face, trying to burn it into my memory. My eyes stopped at the tiny grey scar right above his eyebrow. My fingers gently touched it.

"You remember this?" I asked hesitantly, the day he got this scar still very clear in my own mind. The day of the first soccer game of my first school year at Westview high school. The one I had dreaded and then never had to watch because my cousin Sam beat my mortal enemy turned boyfriend into the hospital with a severe concussion.

"Of course I do. Head-first with a concrete door. Only Seth Smith." He muttered and I let my fingers trace his temples, cheekbones and jaw.

"Well if I remember correctly my cousin had quite a bit to do with that. You paid the price. You were sick for weeks. That poor little head of yours has been through quite a bit of trouble." I shrugged away the thoughts of Seth in hospital.

"It's fine. I've got a thick skull." He knocked on his head for effect.

"Sure, if you say so." I giggled then and the rest of the night turned hazy.

"God, you're disgusting." Sam remarks snarkily.

"What?" I snap out of my little daydream and turn to face my cousin.

"That disgusting little smile on your face. You're thinking about him already, aren't you?" I know he's just giving me a hard time so once again, I just lean my head against the window and ignore him.

My phone buzzes in my hands and I quickly unlock the home-screen. A new text message from Seth.

Want me to let mom know, yr coming over tomorrow?

I think about that for a second but decide that I want to surprise them. Honestly, I've missed them and I think they might have missed me too. I've grown really fond of them.

No. I wanna see Poppy all surprised when she sees me. Is that ok?

Yup. No prob at all. Thank you for going. Love you.

I miss them, too. Love you more. <3

Not possible, babe.

I grin to myself and Sam grunts next to me. This is going to be a long ride.

When I open my eyes next, the sun is coming up and we're just pulling into a small driveway. I am disoriented for a few seconds but a quick look at Sam next to me and I remember where I am. I check my phone for messages but there are no new ones. Seth probably fell asleep as well. I can't blame him.

Sam's apartment is small but with two separate bedrooms and a tiny living-room it's just enough for the both of us. My room is pretty much empty except for a small bed and a dresser across from it.

"It's not much but..." Sam apologizes quietly, rubbing his bloodshot eyes.

"It's perfect. Thank you so much for letting me stay. Really. I owe you." He nods at that and excuses himself to bed.

I drop my things next to the bed and slip my shoes off. Still tired, I give myself a few more hours of sleep before visiting Seth's family. As I drift off, I imagine Paulina in my head. I wonder if she's grown much and realize how truly excited I am to see her again.

A couple hours later, my phone buzzes somewhere across the room. I wake with a jolt. Bright sunlight streams into the small room and despite it being winter, I break into a sweat from its warmth. There are no seasons here. In summer it's boiling hot and during winter time it's just hot.

I brush tangled strands of hair out of my face, tucking them behind my ears haphazardly.

My phone, I realize, is still vibrating loudly so I get out of bed and grab my purse. I locate the phone quickly. Seth's name lights up in capital letters on the screen. We talk for a while whilst I get ready to meet his family. Holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder, I help myself to a bowl of cereal. Sam is still fast asleep in his room so I don't count on getting anything to eat anytime soon. Seth tells me that Tessa, the girl who wrote the blog post about me, caught up to him this morning when he was on his way to practice. He finds her annoying but I owe a lot to her. If she hadn't shown interest in me, I wouldn't be meeting with an executive of Baumgold gallery.

If this works out for me, I would have to make sure to thank her. Big time.

I take my time getting ready as it's only around lunch time now. Dressed in a black flowy dress that hits right above my knee and some simple black sneakers, I grab my phone and purse and make my way out of the apartment building. As Sam is still asleep, I decide to take the bus to Seth's house. It's about an hour bus ride but when I finally see the huge mansion-like houses, my heart starts to flutter nervously.

I'm the only person left on the bus when it stops just at the outer perimeter of the neighborhood. I climb out and admire the clean street, the unimaginably expensive cars lining pretty much every driveway and the occasional person entering or leaving their house. Everyone here looks like they stepped out of a Neiman Marcus catalogue. I on the other hand am more of a forever21 mishap.

Finally I reach the end of the street and with that, the large iron gate to Seth's house. I push the small button with the picture of a tiny bell on it by the intercom.

"Smith residence how may I help you?" I recognize the maids, Lilly's, voice.

"Hi Lilly, it's Arya. Can I come up?"

The iron gates slide back, allowing me entrance and I immediately walk up the gravely driveway. It's still as steep and long as the first time I came here and when I reach the top, I'm struggling for air.

Lilly opens the front door, greeting me with a bright smile.

"We didn't know you were coming to visit, Ms Arya. I'm not sure now's a good time." She looks apologetic but lets me come in anyway.

"Are Paulina and Ms Parks in?" I ask, looking around the house. It's still as immaculately clean as always. "I could come back another time if that's better."

"Paulina is watching a movie in the lounge," Lilly folds her hands and avoids eye contact. "Mrs Smith should be back in about half an hour. You should go join Paulina. She'll be very excited to see you. Meanwhile I'll let Mrs Smith know you're here."

I try to read Lilly's expression but she flees my inquisitive gaze. Of course I noticed Lilly calling Seth's mother Mrs Smith again but... that doesn't make any sense. After Seth's dad left the house, his mother went by her maiden name Parks again.

Deciding to let it go, I make my way to the lounge. On the large flat screen I recognize the movie. Paulina's eyes are glued to Frozen again. She must have watched this one over a hundred times by now. She has her back towards me, her hair in a long braid down her back. I slowly walk up behind her and start humming along to the song that's currently being sung on screen.

When I get close enough to Paulina, I squeeze her shoulders and she jumps up with a squeal. She turns and her eyes widen.

"Arya!" She screams at the top of her lungs and throws herself at me.

I wrap my arms around her and hold her to me. "I missed you, gorgeous."

"Missed you, too," her voice sounds slightly choked up as she tightens her grip on me. We stay like this for a couple more seconds before she pulls back to look around the room.

"Seth is not here yet." Her expression changes from excited to crushed in the matter of seconds. "I'm sorry, honey. He'll be here in a week. It's only a couple more days."

She doesn't seem convinced and just drops back down onto the couch, crossing her arms in front of her chest. I sit beside her and put my hand on her shoulder. If looks could kill, the one she gives me now would have shot right through my heart and I'd be dead on impact. When she looks back at the screen, she gasps and starts sobbing. Her hands cover her eyes as big tears fall.

"Oh, Paulina."

Something is wrong. I know just by the way she won't stop sobbing. I know she misses her brother a lot but there's something more in her cries. Something seriously bad. A bad premonition enters my mind but I quickly brush it off. There's just no way.

"Shh, calm down. Let's call Seth to say hello, ok? We could go on skype and video-chat. Would you like that?" I try to console her and she calms down a little. "Come on, let's go call him right now."

I pick up Paulina off the couch and she clings onto me like a monkey. I carry her into the large kitchen where I know they keep a laptop. Sitting Paulina down at the kitchen isle, I quickly type a text to Seth, asking if he's near his computer. It only takes a couple minutes for him to reply. He's in his dorm, studying but could go for a break.

"Ok, Paulina, come here." I slide the screen towards her and open skype. Immediately a call from Seth comes in and I answer it, clicking the large green button on screen.

"Hiya," I sit next to Paulina and wave at the screen.

"There they are! My two favorite girls," his bright grin makes my heart jump in glee. "Now, what is this I hear about my little Poppy getting all upset? You alright there?"

Paulina shakes her head no and sniffles, "I miss you..."

Seth cringes visibly and I see his hand twitch as if wanting to reach out for her. I wrap my arm around Paulina's shoulder and wipe away the few stray tears that have fallen, giving Seth a half smile.

"I'll be with you as soon as possible, ok? I promise it won't be much longer. I love you so so so much and I miss you, too." He runs a hand through his hair and I can see the pain in his eyes although he tries his hardest to hide it.

There's commotion behind us and I turn to look. Just at that moment Seth's mother walks in, closely followed by Lilly and then...

"Lilly! You didn't tell us we had a visitor," Seth's father's voice calls gruffly. I freeze.

I turn back slowly to glance at the screen to see Seth's confused stare. When I look at Seth's mother, she has her head bowed in shame and can't look at any of us. His father comes walking towards us, chucking his car keys onto the kitchen isle.

"Son. So good to see you." There's no emotion in the man's voice.

"What the fuck?" Seth hisses but his father's hand is already shutting the laptop. It closes with a click and I'm left in the middle of all of this, my arm still draped around Paulina.

***

Sorry for the wait! I didn't mean to let you wait this long but the past few weeks have been busy, busy, busy.

So, some of you guessed what was coming. Take this virtual cookie! ;)

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