A hot mess

chapter 11

Aria

"Mom, where are we going?" I asked, sliding into the front seat of her car.

I had traveled back home to get my head back on track. Everything happening was too much for me to bear.

And I am glad that I came home because my Mom's love was all I needed to find bliss.

"We are going to the mall to buy some groceries," she answered with her honey sweet voice.

God knows how much I have missed hearing her voice.

I fastened my seatbelt and let her drive down to the mall.

The trip to the mall was ten blocks away from our house. It was quite far but not too far to take hours.

I got out of the car and we both went into the mall to buy the things we needed.

"Honey, go around and pick what you want. I will go find the items on my list," she said and I gave her a quick kiss on her cheeks.

"Thank you, Mom." I blew a kiss at her before going to get what I wanted.

I thought of getting some new skin care products since my old ones were almost finished.

As I looked through the shelves for the less expensive products, I heard a loud thud like someone had been punched on the face.

"Damnit man, you have to calm down or you will make things worse than they already," a guy said, trying to calm the other down.

I took out the face scream I needed and hurried away from them. I didn't want to see or get involved in their banter.

"What did I f*****g tell you about messing up at the ritual? You only had one f*****g thing to do and you messed it up!" Some other guy growled and his voice sounded familiar.

Before I could take any step forward, I felt a dark presence behind me.

"And where do you think you are going, little slut?" he forcefully grabbed my neck from the back.

I gasped, slamming my back against his rock-like abs.

"Evans? What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, shocked to see him at the mall in my hometown.

"Hi, Aria," some other guy muttered from behind us. Then a hand flung Evans hand away from my neck.

"Don't just let any guy touch you." Another familiar voice growled and I turned to meet Ivan's gaze on me.

I looked to their side and saw the whole of their circle standing aside.

"Why are you all here? What did I do this time?"

"Don't panic sweetie."

"Sweetie?" Ivan scoffed at his friend who called me that.

"Can you let me talk? if you hadn't acted up, we won't be in this situation in the first place." his friend growled.

I looked at Ivan and noticed that he had been the one punched from earlier.

"Are you alright?" I asked, out of concern.

"Please, ignore him. Aria, please we need your help. We are in a bit of a situation right now. And we would appreciate it if you don't ask questions," his friend said and I skeptically glanced at Ivan and Evans then back to their friends who were behind.

"And how may I help you all?" I asked even though I wanted to run from them. They all looked dangerous to me especially Evander who was scowling at me.

"Great. I like you already. We would like you to house us for some time until we settle the problem we have," he said and I backed away.

"I am sorry but I don't think I can..."

"Baby, are you alright? What are you standing there looking confused and frightened? is there anyone causing you trouble?" my mom questioned as she approached me.

"No...no...um..." I stuttered unable to explain the situation to her properly.

When she got to where I stood she raised her brows in surprise and turned to me.

"You didn't tell me you had six charming young men as friends." She switched from her protective Mom voice to her flirty Mom voice.

"They are not my friends."

"Ouch." the guy who had spoken to me exclaimed.

"Well, hello there. Please forgive my daughter's poor manners. If you don't mind, may I know who you all are." My Mom extended her hand cheerfully willing to know them.

"No, your daughter just forgets herself all the time. We are friends from school, and theses are my friends, by right, is Ivan, left Evander, behind, August, Tim, Jeremy and I, Vince." he introduced six of them.

"How wonderful to meet you all. I overheard you asking my daughter for help. She can be hostile sometimes. But there is nothing to worry about, I will shelter you all until you are done taking care of your problem," she said, willfully.

I was stunned that she would accommodate them.

"Mom, you don't even know these people. Can't you see how dangerous they look?" I protested against her choice.

"No, baby. All I see are six charming young men who need a place to stay." She smiled then extended her hand to Vince.

He held her hand, a little confused on what to do then, kissed it when he couldn't think of anything else.

My mom chuckled at his gesture and removed her hand from his.

"I didn't ask you to kiss my hand. But thank you anyway. Help me carry the groceries. I need to buy more food items since we will be having a full house temporarily," She said, giving Vince the bags she was holding.

"Oh, thank you, Ma'am. You are too kind." Vince beamed and I rolled my eyes.

If only my mom knew the hell I had passed through because of the same people she willingly accommodated, maybe, she would reconsider helping them.

"C'mon, don't just stand there, show them what to do," she scolded me and went off with Vince who continued to be a lovely prince charming to her.

"You heard the boss, come with me," I said reluctantly. Ivan and Evander stepped forward, intimidating me with their height.

"Not you two, August and Tim," I muttered before walking off. The last thing I wanted right now was to be in the same space with those two.

I guess this short break of mine will be a hell hole for me. How wonderful.