A R I A
I don't even know why I'm doing this.
I stand outside Lucian's building for a full minute, arms crossed, trying to convince myself to leave. But something in me, something stubborn and quietly desperate, keeps me rooted in place. I need to see him. I need to know that he's okay, that I'm okay. That this whole world isn't tilting further off its axis.
I lift my hand and knock.
A beat. Then another. The sound of locks shifting, and then the door swings open. Lucian blinks at me, obviously surprised. He's in a black hoodie, sleeves rolled to his elbows, his curly hair slightly tousled like he's been pacing or running his hands through it too much.
"Aria?" he says, low and soft, like he wasn't expecting me in a thousand years.
"Hey," I murmur. "Can I come in?"
He hesitates for a
