No Strings Attached

Chapter 18: Bulletproof and Tired

She continues glimpsing at the windows and relocking the doors when James stopped her abruptly.

"They're gone, " he insisted, placing his loving hands on her shoulders. "We're safe, Aria."

But Aria doubtfully shakes her head. "No, we are not. It's my fault. I should have told you about those guys earlier."

James raised his eyebrow, clearly concerned.

"What do you mean?" he questioned.

Marco, who was sitting comfortably on the couch, stretched his neck a little to see what was going on.

"Is everything okay, Aria?" he asks.

Overwhelmed with guilt, she shakes her head again.

Gently pulling her away from the front door, James calmly led Aria to the living room sofas and had her sit down.

"Start from the beginning," he urged. "Tell us what's really going on."

As I seated myself on the white living room couch, Marco props his butt on its left arm.

The boys consoled Aria, whereas I sat awkwardly away from my friends, unsure what to say to her.

A part of me wants to give her hug, but the other encouraged for Aria to speak up.

However, I didn't know what to do in these circumstances. As I sat down next to Marco, I ask Aria: "Do you want me to tell them or-"

"No, " she sighed in defeat. "I think it's better if they hear it from my perspective."

And so, Aria cleared her throat then told the boys what happened at the hospital.

She mentioned Peyton and Conan, as Aria repeated their brutal interrogation and threats to the boys, whose faces are hardened by her honest words.

As soon as Aria is finished, Marco growled, "Jesus Christ, I should have punched them in their faces when I had the chance!"

Even James clenched his fists in fury. "This is unacceptable! We have to do something!"

"Like what?" I ask. "We can't go to the police! What if those dicks are hiding in the station?"

Marco clicked his tongue. "Fuck, Nadine's right; we shouldn't tell the cops."

"Then what can we do?" James groaned, slinking into the couch. "I am all out of ideas."

"Me too, " agreed Aria.

"Me three." Marco sighed.

"Why don't we tell our parents?" I suggested.

James, Marco, and Aria all stared at me in surprise.

"I know it's a stupid idea, " I went on, "but maybe if we tell our families what's going on, then they'll contact the police."

James wrinkled his nose. "Nadine, we know you care about your mom and dad, but-"

"It's too risky, " Marco finished, crossing his arms.

I blink my eyes very slowly. "What?"

Aria nods mutely, drawing a horizontal line across the floor with her nimble feet.

"Your plan is like a horror movie cliché, " she remarked. "It's terrifying, risky, and you die at the end."

"Besides no one will believe us," James pointed out.

Nodding once more, Aria said to me: "I think it's better if we keep our parents away from this shit. That we can protect them."

I did a sad sigh.