Turning Tables {Sequel To Hooked}

Chapter 3: Start Talking

{Aria POV}

I woke up this morning feeling a little better than usual. I finally felt like things between Jaden and I were slowly on the road to recovery. Me and Mona were doing better than ever and I was't too sure about what I felt for Diggy, but something was there. When I got to school I saw Diggy so I caught up with him. "Hey." I greeted him. "Hey Ari." He replied. Mona joined us to and Diggy greeted her with a hug and so did I. It wasn't anything big, but he didn't greet me with a hug. That was a little offensive, or maybe I'm just being dramatic.

"Hey Aria, did you get home alright yesterday? I know you said you ended up having to walk since your mom was still at work." Mona said. "Oh, uhm yea. I got home safe and sound. In perfect condition. Everything was normal." I said nervously. Why was I nervous? "Ok  then." She laughed. "Guess what?" Diggy said. "What?" I asked. "We're going to the mall with some friends again." He said. "What friends exactly?" I asked slowly. "Jaden, a friend of his, and...Amaya." He said. "Amaya? You want me to hang out with Amaya?" I asked annoyed."Look, here's an idea. Will you feel better if Mona comes along? She can have your back." He insisted. "Me?" Mona asked. "Yes you, it'll be fun." He said. "I'd rather not, I don't want to intrude on you and your friends." Mona said. "Don't be ridicoulous, my friends are your friends. It'll be fine." He sad smiling at her. Mona looked at me nervously. I'm guessing seeing Jaden wasn't something that she wanted to do.

Since it was a Friday night, after school we were going to meet up with everyone and head to the mall. I threw on a blue jean button up, leather shorts, and some cute black wedges.( -----> pic on the side) Mona, Diggy, and I rode together. When we got there they were already waiting on us. For awhile we walked around an shopped then stopped to get something to eat. "Hey Aria." I heard Moises say. "Yea?" I replied. "Mateo says hi to you and Jaden." He said. "Whose Mateo?" Diggy asked. "Uhm, just a friend." I replied quickly. "Jaden know's him to?" He asked surprised. "Oh yea of course you didn't know that-" "That we all used to attend the same school." I said interrupting Mosies. Obviously Moises didn't know what went down that summer, and even the little bit that he said was going to cause suspicion from Diggy.

"Jaden I thought you said you didn't know her." I heard Amaya say. "Of course I know her it's just-" "You said she didn't mean anything to you." She said her voice rising. I was more shocked at the fact that Jaden said that to Amaya. I didn't know what his purpose was but why would he lie about that? Then I stopped myself. I hadn't been too keen on telling anyone either. "Amaya, it's nothing really." He said through clenched teeth. "Well then why'd you lie?" She said a little louder. She was starting to make a scene. "Amaya just calm down." He said. "Fine. Just one question though. Aria, have you guys had any past relationship?" She asked quieter. By then, the whole table was staring at me. I turned to see Diggy looking down at his plate but obviously listening. "No, we were just classmates." I said. "Well fine, let's eat." She said smiling. The table sat in awkward silence.

Moises even knew that was a lie but held his tongue. I'm sure Mona had no problem with that cover up, and Diggy-well if he knew when I was lying like he said. He was probably dying to know the truth.

After we ate we decided to call it a day, and go home. Mona told me her mom would pick her up, because she had to go to a dentist appointment. So Diggy would just take me home in his car. When we got in the car it was silent. An eerie kind of silence, and I didn't know what he was thinking. After awhile he finally spoke. "Aria, what is so bad that you can't tell me?" He asked his eyes still on the road. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "Aria really? What's your past with this guy Jaden?" He asked. "Oh my gosh it's nothing." I said irritated. "You wanna know why we've been meeting up at the mall, and the movies, and all these fun fun places?"He asked. I rolled my eyes. "Look I'm not stupid, I know here's something up with you guys. I'm thinking he's your ex?" He said.

"Why does it matter so much to you?" I yelled. "Aria I don't like being lied to. Especially by someone I trust so much, and the way you're trying so hard to cover this up makes me want to know more. If something's effecting you this much why won't you just tell me, I might can help." He said. At this point we were pulling up in front of my house." Gosh you never let things go, do you?" I said. I got out the car and closed his car door. I walked to my house door and when I opened it he grabbed my hand "Aria..." He trailed off.

{Flashback Mode}

On the way back Mateo and I made small talk, but I was still a little nervous. When he walked me to my door I turned to say goodbye when he grabbed me by my hand and pulled me to him. "Aria, are we ever gonna talk about this?" He asked. "About what?" I said impatiently. "About us." "Mateo, I want things to go back to the way they were, but you're making it hard." I said. " How so?" He asked. "Look I just think-" My words trailed to a stop when he suddenly pulled me in for a hug.

I was shocked, but the moment was perfect but unperfect. I was in his arms, and felt, safe. I hadn't felt like this in a long time. Him and Jaden were different. No matter how much Jaden made me feel loved, Mateo just brought something different to the table. After a few more seconds that feeling went away and a wave of anger came over me. It all just started to feel wrong.

{Flashback Mode End}

And at that moment I did that only thing I could do. I kissed him, but he pulled away. "Aria, ....there's someone else." He said no louder than a whisper. "Yea, of course. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-to do that." I said putting on a fake smile. "I'm sorry if I confused you or something..." He trailed off. "No, best friends right?" I laughed. "I'm gonna go upstairs now." I said trying to keep my composure. When I got upstairs I closed my door and locked it turned on loud music and fell down on my bed. The worst feeling was going through me. Rejection. I didn't stop the tears once they came.

{Jaden POV}

I was at home thinking. I couldn't believe Aria covered for me. That was..considerate. I wanted to see her, but I was going to need a good excuse.

{Aria POV}

I heard a knocking on my door that woke me out of my sleep. I groaned and got up to open it. "Hey, your mom let me-woah, Aria you look like hell." He said ."Thanks, so much. Your concern is soo genuine." I said sarcastically. "Leave now please." I said closing my door, but his foot caught it. "We need to talk." He said. "Look we're not getting back together so-" "Excuse me?That is very offensive." He said frowning. "You'd try and get me to go out with you before I would." He added. "Oh please, we both know I'm past that." I said rolling my eyes. "Are you Aria?" He asked smirking. "Oh shutup already. I wouldn't go for you in a  million years." I said. (Who knew if that was anywhere near true?) "Bet?" He said.

"Bet what?" I asked annoyed. "Since you're so sure of yourself, bet that if we start hanging out as friends like we use to you'll come on to me first." He said cocky. "Deal, you won't last a second." I said with attitude. "Didn't know my girl was so cocky." He said smirking again. I couldn't help but laugh. "If I win....you, dump Amaya." I said smiling for once. "Amaya? Why? You jealous?" He laughed. "No." I said pushing him. "And if I win....you rub it in Daniel's face." He laughed. "What, why?" I asked. "It'll irritate him." He replied. "No it won't, were just friends." I said. "Just friends or not,   I see the way he loks at you. It will irritate him." He said shaking his head. "Fine, whatever. So why did you come here?" I asked.

"Well, I wasn't planning on making a bet if that's what you're thinking. I was going to thank you for covering for me." He said seriously. "Yea, well I didn't do it for you. I have things I don't need getting out either." I said sitting down on my bed. "True, Daniel doesn't need to know all that. It'll only make him more jealous." He said. "Shutup. That's not true-." "You're just friends." He said finishing my sentence. "Why do you care so much?" I challenged. "I don't." "Well good then." I said. "Good." He replied.

This was going to be one long bet, and I know I ain't gonna lose. Jaden was once crazy about me, and he wouldn't last longer than a hot minute. Game on.