ARIA’S POV
I always knew my relationship with Xander was bound to end someday. The list was getting shorter, and once we finished all thirteen things, what would we have left? What would keep us together?
But I didn’t expect it to end this way. I didn’t expect it to end with the revelation that everything started as a cruel joke.
My feelings for Xander are too real now. He’s the only person who’s ever touched me and made me feel more whole instead of less. He’s the only person who’s made me feel beautiful, wanted, worthy of love.
But I’m sad. So incredibly sad that he made that stupid bet about me. That somewhere in a room with his friends, they all agreed that the fat girl would be easy prey. That they put money on it like I was some kind of game.
I haven’t stepped out of my room for two days. I’ve been living on the granola bars I keep in my desk drawer and the water bottles my mom brings me when she thinks I’m asleep.
But I’m finally hungry enough to venture out to the kitchen. I need real food, and I’m pretty sure my parents are both at work.
I tiptoe down the stairs and make it halfway to the kitchen when I hear my mother’s voice.
“Aria? Honey, is that you?”
Shit. I try to turn around and run back upstairs, but it’s too late.
“There you are,” my mom says, walking into the kitchen. “I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Just getting some food.”
“Good, because you have a visitor.”
Before I can ask who it is, Camile appears in the doorway behind my mom.
“Hey,” she says softly.
I feel tears threatening to spill over just seeing her familiar face.
“I’ll leave you girls to talk,” my mom says, squeezing my shoulder as she passes.
The moment she’s gone, Camile rushes into my arms.
“I’ve been so worried about you,” she says, hugging me tight.
I can’t hold back the tears anymore. They come streaming down my face as I cling to my best friend.
“It’s okay,” she whispers. “It’s going to be okay.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is. Come on, let’s go to your room.”
She takes my hand and leads me back upstairs. Once we’re in my room with the door closed, she sits me down on my bed.
“Talk to me,” she says. “Tell me how you’re feeling.”
“Like an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot.”
“Yes, I am. I fell for it completely. I actually thought he cared about me.”
“Maybe he does.”
“He made a bet about sleeping with me, Cam. A bet. With money involved.”
“I know. He told me.”
“He told you?”
“He came to find me at school yesterday. He was looking for you.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he needed to explain. He didn’t do it for the money but because he cares about you.”
“Of course he said that. What else was he going to say?”
“He seemed really desperate, Ari. Like he was genuinely heartbroken.”
“Good acting, I guess.”
“I don’t think it was acting.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because I’ve seen guys lie before. I’ve seen them fake emotions to get what they want. This didn’t feel like that.”
“What did it feel like?”
“Like he was telling the truth. Like he really does love you.”
I want to believe her. I want to believe that somewhere in all the lies, Xander’s feelings became real. But I’m too hurt to trust my own judgment anymore.
“Do you believe him, Camile?”
She nods without hesitation. “I do.”
“Why?”
“Because Xander has been single for two years. We all assume he’s this bad boy who goes through girls like tissues, but the truth is, all those girls throw themselves at him and he doesn’t care. He’s never had a real relationship with anyone.”
“So?”
“So why would he suddenly decide to make a bet about you if he wasn’t already interested? Why you specifically? And now he’s begging to have you back.”
“Because I was an easy target.”
“Or because he was already attracted to you and his friends picked up on it.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way.
“Do you think I should ask Caleb or one of the other guys if it’s true? If Xander really has feelings for me?”
Camile shakes her head. “Caleb hates him now for the two times Xander has fought him because of you. He’d be the last person who would want you two together. He’d lie just to keep you apart.”
“Then how am I supposed to know what’s true?”
“You could talk to Xander.”
“I can’t. Every time I see him, I remember that stupid bet.”
“Maybe the bet doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Of course it matters.”
“Does it? If his feelings changed, if they became real, does it matter how they started?”
I look away, not wanting to answer that question.
“Our relationship was just a fling anyway,” I say. “It was meant to end eventually.”
“Was it?”
“Of course. Once we finished the list, what would we have had left?”
“Each other.”
“For how long? Until he got bored? Until his friends found someone else for him to bet on?”
Camile shakes her head. “I think you’re wrong, Ari.”
“About what?”
“I think Xander is in love with you.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. I want them to be true so badly it hurts.
“What?!”
“I don’t know. But maybe you should give him a chance to prove it.”
Before I can respond, someone speaks from my doorway.
“It’s true. Xander is madly in love with you.”
Camile and I both turn to see my dad standing there, smiling at us.
“Dad!” I gasp.
I look between my dad and Camile, both of them telling me the same thing. That maybe, just maybe, Xander’s feelings are real.
30
