Chapter 61

"Hello, the Salvatore's home". "Hello aunty, it's Paul. I would like to speak to the girls". Paul says excitedly. "Heyo son... How're you?" "I'm good aunt". "Hollup, I gotta scream them they're upstairs". "Ari.... Aurora". "Yes mom". The two raced downstairs. "Paul's on the phone waiting for you". Mrs Salvatore drops the receiver for the two to pick. "Why's he calling so late at night, I can't believe I raced down here. We'll meet in school tomorrow right?" Aurora asks, her expression the definition of bewildered. "You can come ask him that". Mrs Salvatore walks away tutting. "Heyo Paulo.... You good?" "Ari.... How's Sunday?" "Beautiful.... How're you doing and how did cathedral go? "Fine... The hymn marvelous and all". "That's great... Aunt must be really pleased". "Hollup Ari... Is that you?" Asking how his day went and being all inquisitive about his wellbeing is not something Ari would do so thoroughly. She's not a bad person, but she's not used to caring about others. "Yeah". "Okay thought you girls were playing a prank on me". Paul smiled. Still weird to him. "Why would you think that?". "Nothing bothering". "Paul Saint why'd you call?" Aurora asked interrupting the conversation. "To make sure you've not changed your mind about coming to school tomorrow". "Could I possibly..? With Ari here ticking the clock". "Says the one who suggested we go prep for school since noon". Arianna replied with a scoff. "I needed to keep your hands busy for the sake of my mentality". "I'm excited for school honestly". "My car to see you too disappointed faces when school turns out the same with no difference". "Sure, sure". Arianna and Paul echoed. "It's my birthday soon I'll be the first to the hood I guess". "Give it a rest I don't care and can't possibly care". "Because you're too jealous to". "True quotes starts from within and you my dear are only going from outside so what's the use". "Oh.. really?" "You two never stop the banter once you start, I wonder if the friendship would still be without me as the third wheeler". "You can have my words that it would". Paul responds. "Hollup..... who called you a third wheeler?" "Paul just did". Ari laughs. "I'm serious here... Where did you first hear that?" "Tori". *Remind me to put her in her place when school resumes". "You don't need to, I'll do the putting in place myself". "Ari, I'm sorry I didn't think too much about what you said, I just focused on answering the question". Paul apologizes from the other end. "It's fine. So any special request for your birthday, big boy?" *Who's gonna give home a birthday gift talk less of granting a request". "My request is that we throw a party, we by ourselves". "I never agreed to granting an6 request and what? You want us to plan a party for you, your mum always does a good job. Why do you want us to plan the party instead". Aurora scoffs. "But I don't want a good job this time around.... Arianna you're with me right? "On this Paul... You would have to persuade Aurora. If she's good, I'm good". "Ari did Aurora give you a potion over the weekend?" "Nope I'm growing". "Is this real right now ?" "Goodnight Paul, see you in school tomorrow". "Goodnight Arianna, goodnight Aurora". Paul drops the receiver. "Let's head upstairs as well". "Now I don't feel like sleeping anymore". "Same here". "Should we watch a show?" "No.... Let's have a candid discussion". "Okay.... What's the conversation about?" "I know I don't express myself well and it's just my nature. I believe in being feisty and if at all I want to say something I say it by actions. I feel you would understand me better by speech and that's why we're here. You're not a bad person Arianna, if anything you've shown us all that we were unfair to you. You're human and it's human to love pampering and good things. Nobody hates to live in comfort and we shouldn't have expected too much from you. You're not perfect, but you can be the best you want to be. I want you tove yourself more. Don't think, now you need to have a 360 degree change for us to love you, we love you as you are but it's you who should see if you love yourself like this?" "If I love myself like this? I don't love being someone that drives you all crazy trying to please me. The difference was clear all day, that this is who I should have being. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner". "It's fine since we have you know Ari, school year actually seems like it would be a lot of fun and I can already picture us being saved by you". "How exciting would that be?" *How do you plan on putting tori in her place". *I don't have a plan yet, but it shouldn't be hard for me to do now". "You're right". "Let's go to sleep now". "Who are you most excited to see in school tomorrow?" *Nobody actually. It's the same people we've known all these years, from principal Bates to our homeroom teacher, to the janitor everybody is a known face". "How about a new face then?" "You and this whole new face thingy. A new face? Nobody transfers u in their last year of high school, if at all they'll be better off putting up with their present school". "It could be a severe situation". "A severe situation then they'd be better off transferring somewhere else. The school's harsh reputation is enough to dissuade then and if that doesn't, one minute I'm front of principal Bates should". "You're right... Tell me why you think you can sit in our classroom and wear the prestigious uniform adorned by each and every students here? Do you not feel it's an honour?" Arianna says doing a mimick of the principal. "Sleep is here". THE VEIL ON THE DARK