Chapter1-September

"Aria? Aria?" The three girls called frantically.

I blinked my eyes, trying to figure out what was going on around me. I still didn't know. "W-what..."

Hannah shut me up. "No, don't try to talk. It's alright."

"You just passed out." Emily said, worry lines wrinkled on her forehead.

"I-I did?" I asked, trying to sit up.

Hannah pushed me back down. "You need to relax, Aria. I'll get you something to eat."

"But I'm not-" I started as Hannah left Spencer's living room.

Someone unlocked the door and all three of us held our breath. My heart started racing.

Spencer walked in, talking to Toby. She froze when she saw all of us. When she saw me.

Toby cleared his throat. "I should go."

Spencer looked over at him and sighed. "See you tomorrow?"

He nodded sadly and dropped her hand.

I sat up though Hannah told me not to and looked at Spencer apologetically. "You didn't have to make him leave."

Spencer dropped her purse, shed her coat, and ran to my side. "Aria, what happened?"

Emily swallowed hard. "We were just sitting here, talking about A, and she collapsed." She gave me a worried look. "You don't remember anything?"

I shook my head. "Not really. I know we were talking but everything else was a blur."

Spencer rubbed my arm. "I'm sorry."

I shrugged. It wasn't her fault. "I'm fine now."

Hannah handed me a bowl of chicken soup and sat down by my feet. "Maybe you should stay here tonight. All of us should."

Spencer nodded. "I wouldn't want you hurting yourself on the ride home."

I ran a hand through my dark hair and started eating. The girls continued to talk around me. I didn't bother joining in. My thoughts were still a mess.

I could remember everything about the moment before I fainted. I was thinking about September 29th, only three months earlier in the year.

I had just walked home from Hannah's when Jason, Ali's older brother, walked out from the backyard.

"Hey, Aria, have a second?"

I nodded and went to talk to him. "Sure."

He took my hand and led me back to the shed behind his house.

"What are we-" I tried to ask. He shut me up, pressing his lips to mine. I tried shoving him away. "Jason, stop."

"No." He said, getting very angry. He held my hand tighter. "I want you."

"But, Jason, I don't-"

He kissed me again, his hand sliding up my shirt.

I screamed against his lips, squirming in his arms. "Let me-"

He slapped me, my face turning a bright red quickly. I fell to the ground, tears falling to my eyes.

I glared up at him. My glare soon turned to fear. "Jason, stop!"

He pushed me back and threw my bag towards the trees. He pulled my shirt off over my head and unlatched my bra. His hands slid down my bare chest until they stopped at my belt.

I whimpered against his lips.

He growled. "Shut up." It wasn't long before he was naked along with me. He kissed me again, ramming his tongue through my soft lips. "I want you, Aria. And I know you want me, too."

I shook my head, coming back to reality.

Emily gave me a worried look. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, unable to speak. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't tell my friends. I hadn't told them about, I hadn't told anyone about it. But I would have to sooner or later.

"I'll call your mom and tell her where you are." Hannah said, grabbed her phone.

I sighed. "I-I don't have to-"

"You're staying, Aria." Hannah growled, putting the phone up to her ear.

I laid the half full bowl of soup on the coffee table and ran the back of my hand over my forehead. I was sweating and I felt flushed. I had a headache from falling and remembering what happened months before wasn't making things any better.