Type 1

Type 1 diabetes: I give it a one out of five.

Way too expensive, hard to manage, and didn't come with instructions. Would not recommend.

After that whole Dylan incident, I went home knowing that I still hadn't gotten my jacket back. I still can't believe Hailey could just leave my belongings in his car knowing full well that I don't like the boy.

I opened the door to my house and entered, closing it behind me as I took a look around.
My stomach growled as I creased my brows after smelling something delicious. Hearing footsteps approaching, I looked over and saw my mother standing in the hallway. She smiles at me while wearing her apron and her light brown hair in a low bun with her fringe covering her forehead and a few strains of her hair sticking out.

My eyelids flutter at the sight of her, and my heart immediately warms. I've been missing her terribly.

"Mom," I said, dropping my bag and sprinting over to her. She widens her smile and extends her arm, knowing I'm about to hug her. I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin against her shoulder once I've reached her. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, smelling her Chanel perfume.

"You have no idea how much I have missed you, Mom." I told her the truth and hugged her again, expressing my love for her. She hugs me back and smooths her hands through my hair.

She leans back and holds my arms as her hazel brown eyes look at me with sincerity. "I know my love, I miss you girls too," she said softly, her smile lines visible as her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

I continue to look into her eyes, softening my brows as I move my gaze away, filled with emotion. I just wish I could tell her everything and be completely honest with her, but I can't. It's not that I don't want to, but I'm not sure how.

She takes notice of my expression and places her hand on my cheek." Aria, is everything all right?" She questioned, her voice concerned. I gave a weak smile, nudged my head to the side, and shrugged my shoulders. She lets out a soft sigh and taps her hand on my upper arm. "Let's talk in the kitchen, and I'll make tea," she suggested, motioning for me to join her in the kitchen.

I trail her, noticing her cooking something on the stove. She rushes over there and turns it off. She then begins to make our tea. I walked over to our kitchen island and sat on the stool, both hands on the table. I continue to watch her, not speaking up as she place the tea bags into our mugs and turn the kettle on for it to boil.

She sighs softly and rotates her body to face me, leaning against the kitchen counter. "What has been bothering you?" She asked, wanting to know.

I glazed over and chuckled nervously, straining a hair behind my ear. "I'm not sure what to say..." I responded by rubbing my lips together and fiddling with my fingers.

"Aria, Is it a boy problem?" She asked me abruptly, and I raised my head, staring at her. She smirks and nods to herself when she notices me staring at her. "All right, and we have an answer."

"Mom, it's not a boy problem," I replied, my face expressionless. She chuckled and crossed her arms, as if she didn't believe me.

"Honey, I was a 16-year-old once, and I know a boy problem when I see one," she said confidently, looking at me.

I returned the smile and raised both brows before exhaling. Slowly but steadily, I began to open up to her.

"There is this one guy..." I spoke while looking down at the table.

My gaze was fixed on the ground, but I could sense her smirking when I mentioned a guy in my sentence. I smiled, trying not to blush in front of her. I open my mouth to continue when Hailey enters the room.

" Mom, oh my god," Hailey exclaimed as she dashed towards her, holding her phone in her hand.

Mom turns around to face her, a light frown on her face. "What's the problem?" Mom questioned, her gaze now fixed on Hailey.

As my gaze returned to the table, I felt my shoulders drop and my head lower. For once, I simply want to be heard without interruption. Only once.

Hailey exhaled deeply and swallowed hard before speaking. "Dylan, he'd like to come over."

My head shot up and I focused directly on her, my eyes widening. My heart began to race, and I noticed my skin turning pale from being sick.

I just punched him in the face, and now he wants to come over?

Hailey is going to murder me.

I gradually start panicking, looking down and quietly thinking to myself. I closed my eyes and felt my heart pounding, anticipating his arrival.

"Who is Dylan?" Mom questioned. I covered my face with my hands and remained silent while they spoke.

This cannot be happening. 

"Dylan, the guy I'm seeing. He will be my boyfriend "Hailey explained, and mom scoffs in surprise.

"Honey, I'm thrilled for you, but I truly hope he's better than all the other guys you've dated in the past," Mom said.

I burst out laughing after she said that, and they both fell silent. I continue to laugh, removing my hands from my face and smacking my hand aggressively against the island table.

Oh, man.

For some reason, that made me laugh. Dylan being a better boyfriend than her previous relationships? This has helped to break the ice for me.

I continued to chuckle, staring at them as they returned my stare with seriously concerned expressions.

" Aria, is everything all right?" Mom asked as she continued to look at me with worry in her eyes. I came to a stop and exhaled deeply, exhausted from too much laughter.

"She's obviously not normal," Hailey said, looking at me as if scared of my sudden laughter.

I gave her a fake smile and a middle finger. Hailey follows and shows me her middle finger, which has acrylic nails.

"Okay, both of you enough," mom said, wanting us to behave. I lowered my hand and averted my gaze, trying to think of something to say about the situation.

Before speaking, Hailey sighs."I need your suggestions on what to wear, Mom. It's important because I already love him."She pleaded, pouting her lips and making puppy eyes at her.

I rolled my eyes and scrunched my face, feeling sick to my stomach.

"I know honey, you've said the same thing with the other past relationships," Mom comforted Hailey by rubbing her arm.

I snorted and laughed at what my mother said."Burn," I said quietly enough for both of them to hear. I chuckle quietly, my gaze drawn to Hailey, who was giving me the death stare.

Mom sighs to herself and rests her hand on her brow. "Enough is enough. When will he arrive?" She asked Hailey, and I remained silent in order to listen.

"He's coming tonight and will most likely stay for dinner," Hailey said. I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes. I slowly rise from the stool and walk over to them.

I ran my hand over my arm and gently rubbed it." If he's coming over, could you two please avoid mentioning my diabetes?" I asked, my gaze fixed on both of them. Mom nods her head and smiles warmly at me, assuring me that she will not tell anyone.

Hailey, on the other hand, twists her head around and looks down at me. "It's not like he cares about you Aria, Dylan is coming over for me and not you," she explained, her nose scrunched slightly as she critiqued me.

I lowered my gaze and smiled hesitantly. Sometimes I wonder if what I say comes across differently to people. Do I say it incorrectly so that they misunderstand and find it offensive?

"Keep your mouth shut, Hailey. I don't like how you're talking to Aria "Mom stated sternly to Hailey.

I looked up and smiled weakly, my hands trembling. "It's all right," I said, looking over at mom and clearing my throat before continuing. "I'll be in my room because I don't want to be here when he comes over," I said as I backed away from the kitchen.

Mom looks at me and rests her hand on her hip."You have to come down to get some dinner," she said, and I turned around to walk away while groaning.

********************************************

Dylan had just arrived at 6 p.m., and it was now night. I was still in my bedroom when I gave myself an insulin injection. As I overheard them from downstairs, I paced around the room, playing with my hands.

As I continued to walk around, I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. Hearing my mother greet and introduce herself to him. They walk over to the dining table, and hearing them sit down.

" Dinner, Aria!" My mother called out to me, telling me that dinner was ready and that I should come down and get some food.

I groan, refusing to go downstairs and face him. I sighed deeply and walked cautiously out of my bedroom and down the stairs. I looked over and walked slowly towards them. Observing them as they sat down and placed food on their plates.

I look over at Hailey, who is sitting next to Dylan. When I approached, he was the first to turn around and notice me. He loses his smile and looks at me with stern eyes. I gulped nervously as I noticed his nose was bruised.

Don't feel sorry for him; unfortunately, villains do not suffer and die quickly enough.

Mom turns around and smiles as she notices my presence." Aria, please go to the kitchen and get the salad bowl," she said, continuing to place food on Dylan's and Hailey's plates.

I rolled my eyes and glared at him, as instructed by my mother. I entered the kitchen, grabbed the bowl, and returned to them. I was about to set the bowl down on the table when Mom gave me a quick look.

"Aria, offer salad to everyone at the table "she said, and I closed my eyes and groaned softly.

Mom is a visitor freak. Always tries to be perfect around them and goes above and beyond for them.

I took the bowl in my hands and approached Hailey. I'm standing next to her, and she and Dylan are laughing. I cleared my throat in an attempt to get her attention. She stops giggling and turns around to look at me. She returns her gaze to her plate after looking down at the bowl.

I draw my lips to a thin line and slowly offer her some salad. I placed a small amount, and she turned her head to face me.

"I want some more," she said, wanting more salad. I kept staring at her with no emotion and lean in close to her ear.

"You deserve this much salad because you left my fricken jacket in ass wipes car," I hissed into her ear. She sighs deeply and attempts to take the bowl from me. I nudge her hands as I walked around and stood next to Dylan.

My gaze was fixed on a blank wall, refusing to look at him and I could tell he was smirking at me.

He clears his throat and looks at my cartoon-printed pajama pants. "Nice pants," he said to me, trying to keep his charm in front of the others.

I look around the table and notice Hailey talking with our mother. I stomped on his foot with a half-smile. He jerked up in his seat, groaning quietly in pain.

"Nice nose," I said back, staring at his bruised nose from the time I punched him in the face. He frowns and looks at me with contempt.

"I don't want any salad," he says, turning away from me as if waiting for me to move on. As I place some salad on his plate, I look around and smile to myself.

He immediately looks down at his plate before looking up at me. I smirked and continued walking around the table, feeling his eyes burn fire to my back.

I walked away from the table after preparing my plate.

"Are you not eating with us?" I came to a stop when I heard him ask.

I spin around, holding my plate in my hand. "No, I'd rather eat in my room away from everyone else," I said, staring only at him to make it clear that I didn't want to see him.

Mom remains silent, sipping her wine and staring at both of us, while Hailey leans against her seat, arms crossed.

"So you'd rather eat alone in your room than sit here with your guest?" He said this while wiping his mouth with his thumb and staring deeply into my soul.

I cast a glance around and smiled. Before speaking, I raised both of my brows."I'd rather entertain the ghosts in my room than entertain Hailey's guest," I replied truthfully, a gloomy expression on my face.

He smirks and looks at me before turning away.

I look around the table and notice mom looking at me with confused and curious eyes, wanting to know what was going on. I cleared my throat and walked out of the room, up the stairs.

" Excuse me," mom says to them as she runs after me.

I was about to open my bedroom door when I was stopped by mom standing behind me. I remained silent, watching her hazel brown eyes dart around before returning to me.

She leans in close to whisper something to me. "What on earth was that back there?"She pointed downstairs and whispered.

I frowned slightly, not knowing what she was getting concerned."Mom, I'm not sure what you're talking about," I said as I turned to walk into my room, but she stopped me again. I sighed and returned her gaze.

"Are you and Dylan..." she begins, but stops herself as she closes her eyes. She doesn't want to continue on. She reopens her eyes and gives me a stern look.

I focused on her eyes, slightly frowning, trying to figure out what she was trying to say. When I realized what she was trying to say and continued to stare, I made a disgusted face.

Dylan and I?

Yuck

"Oh my god, no way" I said quickly, shaking my hands at her to demonstrate that I have nothing to do with Dylan.

She kept staring at me, examining my features to see if I was telling the truth or not.

She frowns as she looks down the stairs and then back at me. "Is the boy you mentioned to me not Dylan?" She questioned. I opened my mouth wide, surprised to hear her think that. "It's not right, Aria, if you're seeing him. Hailey has her eyes set on him, and you know how she reacts when things don't go her way "she said, her brow furrowed, unsure if Dylan and I are a thing.

I looked down and nodded, knowing how crazy Hailey gets when things go wrong.

"I know mom, and I can tell you that I have no feelings for that thing in there," I stated honestly, pointing my finger downwards as I stared into her eyes with determination.

She remains silent and warmly smiles, as if she believes me. She nods and rubs the back of my upper arm.

" So, who is this guy you're talking about?"She asked, changing the subject and looking at me with glee.

I take a look around, my lips smiling and my cheeks heating at the thought of him. I look down, and when she notices my expression, she tickles my stomach.

" Aria Lane, tell me right now or I'll tickle you nonstop," she warned, a huge smile on her face, happy to know I was seeing someone.

I groan out and chuckle softly."His name is Jay and we are only just talking..."I told her, slowly looking up at her eyes.

She remains silent, smiling and admiringly staring at me."I already like him," she said, and I lowered my smile, staring at her with blank eyes.

How could she possibly like him already? Has she even met him? No.

" How? You haven't seen him"I said, and she grins as she caresses my cheek with her hand.

"The way you're acting at the thought of him, I just know he's a good guy," she said softly, before walking off and down the stairs to rejoin the others.

Shit, am i making it that obvious?

After she said that, I remained motionless, frozen in place. I placed my hand on my chest as I felt my heart pounding loudly against it. I exhaled heavily and quickly entered my room.

********************************************

I was now in my room, seated at my desk, and had finished my meal. As I scrolled through my homework, I set my empty plate on the side next to my laptop.

I placed a yellow sharpie into my mouth and sucked on the lid while opening my textbook with the other hand. I sighed deeply and began taking notes.

My phone suddenly delivers me a text message. I lowered my sharpie and took my phone from the drawer attached to my desk.

Yes, I keep my phone in my desk drawer because I know that if I had my phone nearby, I would be distracted from my homework. As a result, I hide it so that I can focus entirely on my work.

When I opened it, I saw it was a text message from Jay.

From Jay: FaceTime?

My cheeks began to flush, and my gaze was drawn to his message. FaceTime?
I've never done FaceTime with anyone before. I mean, I've heard of it but never used it.

He wants to talk to me on FaceTime? I'm a little nervous, which shouldn't be the case given that I've seen him in person. Why does the sound of FaceTime make me nervous?

Perhaps because he'll see me in my bedroom, being my usual self.

From me: Okay

From Jay: Give me your number and I'll call you

With shaky hands, I typed my phone number and sent it to him. My stomach ached, and I was nervous. I quickly examined myself in the mirror to see how I looked. I brushed all the knots out of my hair with my fingers and brushed my brows up. I opened my mouth to see if my teeth were in good condition.

It's good enough.

I sat very still, waiting to see him through facetime. I closed my eyes and exhaled heavily, anticipating his call. I reopen my eyes and look at my laptop screen after hearing an unexpected sound. Seeing someone calling me on FaceTime and knowing who it was.

I answered with a shy smile. Observing him sitting at his desk, staring at his computer screen.

He was dressed in a black jumper, his dirty blonde hair was a mess, and his face appeared tired. I remained silent as he frowned slightly at his bright screen.

Why was he staring at me so intently?

" Aria, your screen isn't turned on," he said, looking around and waiting for me to open mine.

My eyes widened and I began to panic. I look around the face time, attempting to figure out how to show my screen.

"Okay, um, just give me a minute..." I said, and he waited. I felt sweat trickle down my face and back, not knowing which button to press.

He clears his throat as he stares at my blank screen. "I believe you press a button with a camera icon," he explained, assisting me. I remained silent and fixed my gaze on him.

He most likely knew I was in trouble and wanted to assist me without making me feel stupid for not knowing.

"I found it," I said, clicking the button that made my screen visible to him.

He changes his face and smiles at me." Hey"

"Hey," I said shyly, holding my hands together and close to my mouth. " How did practice go?"I questioned, and he averted his gaze.

He appears exhausted from the game and smiles at me." Football practice was exhausting but fun," he said, leaning against his chair and scratching his hair.

I nod my head and smile. I return my gaze to the screen and look around his room. It looked like any other typical boys' room. He has a blue painted wall, posters of his favourite music band, and a football game on his wall.

"How are things going?" When he asked, I smiled warmly before raising my textbook and showing it to him. He frowns slightly and squints his eyes at my book before lightly chuckling."Oh, I definitely completed my homework."

My eyes narrowed."Really? I just started"I replied, watching him smirk and bite his bottom lip. "You must be very smart," I said, and he looked away before laughing.

"I lied. I haven't even started my homework because I was too preoccupied with practice "I widen my eyes before covering my mouth with my hands, he said.

" Do you want to study with me?"