ARIA
It's around five in the morning when I feel Ryder shaking me awake. My eyes are burning and I feel so exhausted that I want to ignore him and go back to sleep.
"Aria," he says. "I have to go."
My eyes suddenly spring open and I climb off the bed. My room is still dark, and I look around disoriented while he puts his clothes on. He's watching me with a humorous gleam in his eyes. He whispers, "You okay?"
I nod, rubbing my eyes.
I step out of my room first to make sure the coast is clear. Then, Ryder follows me toward the door. It doesn't even cross my mind that a neighbor could be watching this happen and will later tell my uncle. Right now, that's just not my concern.
When we reach the door, he turns around and tells me, "Promise me you're not mad at me anymore."
I can't hel
