I stared blankly at her mother in front of the door. She had an empty expression on her face while she eyed me up and down, then proceeded to look at her daughter as if I wasn't existent. But, the judgement was plastered on her face.

Well, at least wait for me to walk inside before insulting me.

"Mom!" She hissed. "This is Eli. He's my boyfriend." Aria looked up at me with begging eyes.

I cleared my throat and suppressed the urge to open my unfiltered mouth. I extended my arm. "It's nice to meet you." Gritted teeth. Play nice, don't fuck up.

Her mother nodded then smiled politely and shook my hand, placing her other hand on top of my hand. "My name is Annabella, it's a delight to meet you," They had similar smiles but her mother's was fake.

Annabella moved out of the way and began walking inside the house. "I wasn't expecting an extra guest to come along, Aria. Your father won't be too pleased when he sees you. Oh, he's been so stressed out with work lately. You know how he feels about surprises."

Aria nudged me to follow her in the house. I restrained the urge to pull away. I held her arm and walked slowly beside her while leaning down to her ear. "You didn't tell them I was coming?" I queried, suspicious.

She gave a sweetened look and bit her bottom lip. "That little detail must've slipped my mind."

I narrowed my eyes. Fuck sakes.

"So, Elijah, is it? What do you do for a living?" Her mother swiftly turned around in the middle of what looked like a living room for tea drinkers and non television watchers. Did she forget my name so quickly? Figures. Odd fancy designs all over the carpets and chairs. Abstract swirls, I'd go insane in this room.

"Just Eli. I'm a mechanic." I cleared my throat again.

Her eyes wavered to Aria. "I see." She turned to me and gave me another smile while walking past the two of us. "I'll go get your father, dear. He will want to hear all about your... Updates."

Once we were alone, I let out a breath of air and stared in the space where her mother disappeared.

"So that's my mom," Aria turned towards me. I could see in my peripherals, her gritty smile. "Eli?"

"Aria, what the hell?" I glowered and finally turned to her. "Why didn't you tell them I was coming?"

Her expression changed to worry. "Because if I did, they wouldn't have allowed it. And I want them to meet you, I want you to meet them."

She touched my arm but I moved away. "You're throwing me into a fire, Aria."

"I just think that... I want you to see every side of me and my life. I have bad in my life too and I want you to see the good and the bad parts of me. I want you to meet my brother. I want you to be here for me-"

"-I am here for you. You should have warned me prior to this. My chances of proving myself worthy to them are already dim enough as it is." I couldn't contain the hollow look on my face. I was furious.

"I'm sorry, Eli. I'm just trying to make everything go smoothly." She pleaded with her eyes.

"So what, you brought me here to piss your parents off? You're with a lowlife guy who fixes up cars and gets into mischief, is that it? You want to use me that way?" I was angry and I couldn't help but feel set up.

She frowned and shook her head. "No- I... We both know they weren't going to accept you Eli. I don't care what they think, I just want you with me. You're not a lowlife."

I glared at her.

"I should've told them. But I knew if I did you wouldn't be here right now. And I want you to see my life and get a look into who I am. And Miles is excited to meet you... I'm sorry."

I stared at her eyes, with ice. Her eyebrows were pulled together and her doe eyes were twice the size as they usually were.

I sighed and grabbed her arms and pulled her close to me. Three more days. Three more days and we can put this weekend behind us. Fuck. "Just please, no more sur-"

"Honey?" A male voice appeared.

Aria removed herself from my grasp and put on a smile similar to her mothers. "Hi daddy," She said.

His structure came into view and I immediately hardened my face. He even looked arrogant. At first he stood there, staring at the two of us. His eyes went from her face to mine and the second he laid eyes on me, I could see disappointment oozing from his features. He looked pissed, angry, repulsed. I didn't blame him. I mirrored his attitude.

We were on two different sides of the world; Two completely different lifestyles with completely different rules of living. I wasn't proud of my past but at least I knew proper respect.

After analyzing me for what felt like forever, his eyes darted down to my hand which was holding his daughter's hand. He didn't like that.

"Your mother told me you've brought a... Guest," Distaste filled his tongue when he finally spoke again. He walked up to us. "And you are?"

I stepped forward and offered my hand. "Eli."

"Eli?"

"Kingsley."

Why did he look so familiar?

He didn't shake my hand, but instead stepped around me and hugged his daughter. "I missed you, sweetheart. I was hoping for some one on one time."

My hand fell back to my side. Coward. I watched as Aria hugged her father back. "Dad, we can all spend time together. Eli is very important to me so please be civil." She eyed my dark expression.

Her father sighed. "I didn't invite your... traveler nor would I have accepted the suggestion. I would like to discuss things with you in private, so it might be best that your guest-"

"Well I guess it's a good thing that he already knows everything, dad. So you can talk to the two of us," Aria straightened her posture and stepped back to my side. Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around her waist. His jaw was grinding and it amused me.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. I could have some fun while here.

Ah, parents really didn't like me. How could someone so sweet be raised by people so repugnant?

"Did I hear my little sister and a tense conversation in the works?" A familiar male rounded the corner with a large grin on his face and his arms out in a friendly surrender. His white shirt was tight, showing his average muscles.

"Miles!" Aria grinned and ran to his arms for a hug. He was the one from her screen saver - Ah yes, the brother.

"Sup, smallfry," Miles hugged her back. "This must be the famous boyfriend you never shut up about!"

I kept my poker face but internally admit that I was curious. He extended his hand to me and shook my hand. "Hey," I dumbly said. I hated meeting people. He was the important one to impress.

"Hey man, Eli right? You're the main topic my sister talks about when she visits. I'm happy you're here." Miles smiled. He had a firm handshake.

"Yeah, that's right," I said. "I uh, I am glad to be here." First lie of the trip, that didn't take long.

"Son, you've known about this?" Annabella spoke with grace but her repulse was present.

"Yeah, of course." He gave them a raised eyebrow and rolled his eyes playfully at his sister.

"Why weren't we informed?" She asked.

"You were," Aria sighed.

"Mom, Dad, if you listened when she visited, you'd know she's been seeing someone for a little while now," Miles laughed. His voice carried free spirit. "So how was the flight over here?" Miles wrapped one arm around Aria and one arm around me and guided us away from the weird room and into another. Normally I'd be gritting my teeth at the contact but I was thankful he was getting excusing us; I could feel their parents burning a hole in my back. "Don't worry about them, you'll get used to the cold temperatures when they're around."

"I see," I muttered.

"They're used to things going perfectly planned out and tend to get pissy when they aren't their way."

"How the hell do you live here?" I blurted out.

Aria looked at me, then her brother. Miles laughed. "I have a lot of outside hobbies. I'm training for the army, I've been disciplined with patience."

"He's also the golden child and Mom and Dad see no wrong in him," Aria stuck her tongue out.

"Perks," Miles grinned. "You guys were smart to have chosen the late flight over so. Give you some time to adjust to the dense air in the house before you're interrogated by our father. Tomorrow we can all hang out because dad works all day, but Saturday, you're screwed buddy."

"Cozy," I grunted.

"What are we going to do tomorrow?" Aria asked. She seemed so relaxed in the presence of her brother.

"Whatever you guys want to, but at night we're going to a party."

Aria led me up the wide staircase to her bedroom. When the lights flicked on, it was evident that I was in her childhood sanctuary. The room was painted a pale pink with rose colored bedding and white furniture.

She closed the door behind her while I inspected her room. "Are you still mad at me?"

I exhaled a heavy sigh. "I'm not impressed," I said while touching the fuzzy throw pillow.

"Oh," She mumbled softly behind me. "What can I do to make it up to you?"

I looked up. "You have a chandelier in your room?"

She stood beside me and looked up. "Yeah, it's a little much, isn't it."

"The most I had in my room growing up was a light bulb and no lampshade," I mumbled. She looked at me, batting her big beautiful eyes. Damn. I wrapped my arms around her waist. "Your parents don't like me very much."

"An emotion even hate is better than none at all," She spoke soft. I gave her a look. "They just don't know you. Besides, it's Miles that I want you to get along with more than anyone. Please play nice."

I groaned and rested my chin on the top of her head. "I'll be good." Keeping my mouth quiet was going to be the death of me. I needed a dozen cigarettes.

I didn't even remember falling asleep, my dread was distracting me. I awoken to bright lights beaming through the large window of her bedroom. It cascaded on my face in an evil fashion, forcing my awaken. Two more days.

I threw on clothes and forced myself to walk down the stairs where voices were present. My girlfriend was hugging a mug of coffee in between her hands talking to her older brother, laughing. The only thing that made this better was her happiness. I slowly strode into their view, catching the attention of Miles who seemed to be awake for hours now, dressed in camo clothing.

"Good morning, Eli," Miles grinned and offered a wave.

I grunted in response while sticking a smoke in my mouth. "Morning."

"I take it you're not a morning person," Miles chuckled.

"He is, he just needs breakfast," Aria flicked the cigarette.

I wrapped my hand around her mischievous finger. She watched me with doe eyes and I smiled and brought her hand to my lips, planting a gentle kiss. I then exited out of the front doors of her maze house in silence.

Fresh air, it was so inviting. The driveway was short a car, having the Lexus absent due to its owner working. Odd that someone with such wealth, claims to worry about his daughter's well being, yet allows her to drive a car that is a literal rolling death machine. If I hadn't fixed it up myself, it would have killed her a long time ago. In desperate need for another one and yet, he would rather spend his money trapping her in visits.

I ashed the butt of the smoke and put it in the ashtray that seemed to never be used. Entering inside the house, Aria was changed into short spandex shorts and a peach colored tank top. Miles was still in his camo pants and white shirt. I raised an eyebrow.

"How would you like to see some of California by going on a hike?" Miles asked, wrapping a bandanna around his wrist.

In the time I've been in California, I've never once hiked here. "Yeah, that sounds good," I replied.

"Are you going to be capable for steep hills?" He challenged.

"Eli goes for runs practically everyday," Aria laughed. "Trust me he can handle it."

I wouldn't have minded sleeping in a little longer considering I've been working my ass off the last week due to taking a day off to come visit here but I didn't want to disappoint.

"And yet you're a chronic smoker," Miles awed. "How do you not pop a lung out?"

I smirked. "Baby steps."

Calabasas.

Calabasas hiking trail. Peak.

The trail was more dull than I remembered California being. The beige, sandy walking trail was perfect for three to four people, but oddly and ironically enough, we seemed to be the only ones here. The trees were normal, and not waving around in blurry cartoon like images. The sky was an average blue, unlike when it was looking like waves of water and I was upside down.

Last time I was in California I was on a lot of hallucinogens

We moved in a slow speed, keeping stamina for the ascending mountain. Aria and Miles were on a nonstop conversation about names that I would never know. She's mentioned a few names before in passing; Her past friends. Her state was breezy compared to inside the house.

"So Eli, I hear you and my sister had a rocky start," Miles said as we passed by a rock which he coincidentally patted with his palm.

Aria nudged his ribcage which caused him to wheeze out a laugh.

I scratched the back of my head. "Uh, yeah you can say that." I glanced at Aria who had a crinkled nose with tilted up lips.

I wasn't sure how much she told him.

"She was being intrusive wasn't she? She tends to do that, it's so annoying," He said while holding onto his ribs.

"Hey!" She called.

I smirked while keeping my gaze on her. "She tends to have that habit."

"Seems like it worked," Miles casually mentioned.

"She has good timing. Tends to always appear when I'm at my worst although I don't know how good of a thing that is," I picked a green leaf off a branch and inspected it. "In the beginning I was skeptical."

"Ha!" Aria chimed in. "In the beginning you wanted nothing to do with me."

"Things change," I said.

"When?" Miles asked, a stern voice. He was trying to subtly interrogate me and it was laughable.

"Hm... I received bad news and she was really there for me when I was going through it, and it was around then that I finally opened my eyes." It was still touchy to talk about Twig because I was still feeling so guilty about it. The full truth wasn't something I could tell her brother. I saved her when her car died in the middle of nowhere; Didn't fall for her then, but sure as hell wanted to fuck her brains out.

But she saved me when I found out he died. In more ways than one.

"Wait what?" Aria snapped her neck towards my direction. "You've had feelings for me for that long?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I became aware of it when we went to the beach."

"Aware?" She blinked. "And you knew all that time and didn't say anything?"

Miles laughed and shook his head while we continued walking.

"Sounds about right," I smirked.

"Why?"

"Because I'm an idiot," I said simple. "Had to play the field first, make sure you could handle it."

"Sounds about right," Miles mumbled. "But you changed your mind, I see," His eyes were trained on me even though I pretended not to notice.

"I did."

"And you've got no regrets? You seem like a person who doesn't want to be tied down," Miles hinted.

Aria whispered something to him which I didn't pick up on. "I have no regrets." Clear as day stated. "I don't want anyone else, and I don't want her to have anyone else."

Miles glanced at me for a moment before turning his attention back on the hike in front of us. I wasn't sure of what he was thinking and I understood him for second guessing me. I didn't look like the type of guy who was interested in having children and wearing a suit down the aisle.

The top of the mountain gave off a nice view of the world beneath us. The air was fresher and smelled of nature that has never been tampered with. The breeze was even different from the top, not cold but not stilled. There's only been a few moments where I've been able to really look at nature and feel tranquility within. I never paid close attention to the details that the world had to offer me, I'd only take advantage. Here I was, standing on top of a fucking mountain of all places.

Bliss.

Aria was a little ways away from me, taking in her own moment of scenic in front of us. I couldn't help but observe her and the way she so peacefully looked out into the universe. Her eyes didn't hold negativity in anything she did in life. She always took even the worst times and made them into beautiful memories, capturing only the essence of wonderful. She saw things in life that other people didn't. It was as if she had the answers in her pocket.

I never had someone fully consider me as a partner; a teammate. Someone you didn't have an agenda with, nor fear. She was special and it took certain people to realize that in her. I don't think I'll ever be more lucky than to experience that with her.

She put her hand sideways on her forehead to shield her eyes from the sun while she looked out into the horizon. I walked cautiously behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. Her body melted into mine while I held my hands against her stomach and rested my chin on her shoulder.

"It's kind of magnificent when you look at the bigger picture, isn't it?" She asked with focused eyes. "I grew up here and I've seen this setting more times than I can count, and yet I never found the point of it all. Crazy how much your perspective can grow when you leave the toxicity."

"Sounds like you're preaching to the choir," I muttered while slowly moving my hands up and down her toned skin.

Crumbling sounds of footsteps tiptoed behind us; my instincts were telling me to whip my Smith and Wesson knife out of my boot. Miles stood beside me, tall and proud while his eyes were facing the direction we were looking.

"Ah, I love being the third wheel," He said with nonchalance. "It's a pleasant reminder of how lonely I am." He grinned with the allowance of showing his teeth.

Aria turned her head over and raised an eyebrow "Yeah, okay. You could get any girl you want," She laughed. "You just prefer to use them like a boomerang. They throw themselves at you and you have your fun then reflect them and throw them back where they came from."

I cracked a smile and let out a laugh. Reminds me of how I used to be. "You can't be lonely if you always have a lineup," I said.

Miles laughed. "I'm not going to put a girl through the pain of being with a military man. I wouldn't want to put the constant burden and worry on them."

"A man?" Aria remarked.

"That's considerate," I said. "It must be difficult to make that choice."

Miles gave a saddened smile. Aria rested a hand on his shoulder. "I loved a girl once," He spoke with regret.

"Here we go..." Aria mumbled with a smirk.