Arya's POV -

Saturday was mostly a study and get assignments done day.

I was able to finish my government assignments, and after a ton of teasing comments from Rome, I got my essay finished as well.

A huge weight lifted off my chest when it was finally finished.

I was happy I got to write about Rome, but I'd never let him read it even though he's asked multiple times already.

I'm going to turn it in, get my grade, get the essay back, and then hide it somewhere it can never be found.

He will never get his hands on that essay, even if he begs me until we've grown old.

Even though Saturday had been a working day, I was on the phone with Rome for most of the time.

Since mama and papa weren't home. As usual. I could talk to him freely.

We talked for hours, even as I did my assignments and barely said anything he stayed on the phone.

This guy was like my rock.

After barely speaking for an hour when I was working, Rome had insisted we facetime so he could see me.

Of course I agreed, so we did so and I don't know why we haven't done it before.

It was so much better then calling because I could see his beautiful face.

He smiled at me when I accepted the call, and I angled my phone on my desk so he could see me as I worked.

James ended up showing up and bragging about his crepes for 10 minutes and begging me to show up at the house.

I also learned that the house wasn't just Rome's. James, Rome, and Elijah all shared it.

Speaking of Elijah, I really wanted to get to know him even though he kind of scared me to no end.

I had only seen him once, but if he's a close friend with James and Rome, I wanted to be a friend of his as well.

The next time I went over I'd ask about him. There was also another matter at hands.

Trevor.

I had to ask Rome about Trevor.

I know for a fact he was with him last. He had to know where he went.

Or just anything about what happened that night.

However that was a conversation for in person. One that could be serious since he's been missing for so long.

I'd worry about that later, because when I woke up on Sunday morning I was determined to get back on mama's good side.

Things have been going good lately. With school. With Izzy. With Rome. With James. With Papa. I just needed Mama.

So the first thing I did when I woke up was shower. Feeling refreshed in the morning was always an amazing feeling.

I picked out some leggings and a hoodie from my closet and threw them on quickly. I searched through my drawer for a pair of fuzzy socks.

I love my fuzzy socks.

Finally finding a pair, I slipped them on my feet and checked myself in the mirror.

My phone buzzed and I smiled, already knowing who it was.

I picked up the call,

"Good morning pretty girl." I hear Rome's voice through the phone.

"Hi Arya!" I hear James which makes me laugh. He's been all around Rome lately.

"Hi guys!" I reply happily.

"What are you doing today?" Rome asks.

"I'm actually going to try and talk to mama. I really want to get on good terms with her."

"She still hasn't forgiven you?"

"I don't think fully. But I'm determined to make up with her."

He didn't say anything else, so I quickly said that I had to go and walked out of my bedroom and tried to boost my own confidence.

Come on Arya, It's only mama. Just try to start conversation.

I actually found her in the living room watching TV which was quite surprising.

She was almost always in the kitchen.

Deciding to test the waters first, I went into the living room and sat down on the couch next to her.

Placing my hands in my lap, I took a small glance at mama only to see her staring at the TV, barely acknowledging me.

It sent a small tinge of pain through me, but I tried to brush it off.

I cleared my throat softly, but still got no response or even a glance my way.

Was she still that mad?

I tried cracking my knuckles to get her attention, but they didn't even crack so I gave up on that after attempting it multiple times.

Since she won't start the conversation, I guess I will.

"Hey mama?" I questioned, my eyes looking up to her.

No response.

"Can I talk to you about something? Please?" You could hear the small pleading in my voice.

After a second or two she sighed and turned to me, "Yes Arya?"

She answered!

"W-What can I do to get us on good terms again?" I asked.

Mama rolled her eyes at me.

Rolled her eyes.

I was speechless.

Was she playing a joke on me?

"Mama?" I questioned again, quietly.

"We can be on good terms again when you start focusing on school." She said, looking to me with cold eyes.

The same cold eyes she hit me with.

"B-But mama, it was a mistake. I am focusing on school! I really am!"

She scoffed, "Hardly, what about that essay you got assigned?"

"W-What? How did you even-"

"I know everything Arya, I know what assignments you're given. It's on the site I use to check your grades."

"Wha- Okay." I stutter but then continue, "But that essay is done! It's not due until Friday and I got it done already!"

She doesn't answer.

"Mama I promise I'm focusing on school. You know school is one of my big priorities."

"It should be your ONLY priority!" She booms, getting up from the couch and standing in front of me.

I launch back into the couch, my heart pounding erratically.

"You should be thinking of NOTHING but school, you hear me?!" She yells and my eyes widen like saucers.

Something was wrong with mama.

No.

This wasn't right.

"Mama, I do focus on school. I do!" I try to get it through her head but she seems to believe I don't care about it.

"No! All you care about are parties!"

"I've only gone to one and I realized it was a mistake! Trust me I...I k-know it was a mistake!"

"Oh really, do you really? Or do I have to physically get it through your head?!"

She was literally in my face.

Screaming.

Yelling.

'Or do I have to physically get it through your head?!'

I gasped, trying to stand, only for my forearm to get grabbed tightly.

"Mama! What are you doing?!" I yelled as I stared at the woman in front of me.

She didn't have that warm look in her eye like she used to.

Something was terribly wrong.

"Mama! What did I do wrong?" I beg, tears in my eyes from the grip on my arm that was getting tighter.

I try to struggle out of her grip as I hear the front door open,

"Honey! Arya! I'm home early!"

But then mama pushes me...

Right into the glass table in front of the couch.

The glass shatters as I fly through it, and I feel pain everywhere throughout my body.

I can barely move as my head spins.

I hear papa screaming, mama yelling.

My eyes get blurry not only from tears, but from the darkness consuming me.

But there was something I had forgotten to do before I came down the stairs.

I had said goodbye to Rome and James, but I never actually ended the call.

And as I glanced weakly to my phone that was now lying next to me from flying out of my pocket, half the screen cracked, I saw that the phone call was still going from when he called me this morning.

I never actually hung up the phone.

They heard everything.

I heard more screaming of different voices as my eyes closed. Everything hurt, I wanted it to go away.

And the only way was to let the darkness swallow me whole.

So I did.