Remember: A father`s daughter
A prize or a lover?
Shout out to Queen of music
One week later
Atticus existed the family car and scratched his arm slightly from the irritation from his cast, he had gotten the all clear from his doctors to return to his normal life but couldn't do anything too strenuous which didn't bother him. He didn't have to do any sports for a few months, but that didn't matter now. He was more concern about Aria and the upcoming dance, he was relieved she was back to normal from her corrupted mind. Danny and Ember spent hours explaining the situation and how it wasn't her fault, and how they were about to pay for all the reparations once they were completed. But he didn't need an explanation, he knew Aria would never cause destruction to her own city on her own will. Atticus suspected something wasn't right when the news was announcing her rampage, he wished he could have help during the final battle but knew it would be dead weight. He was injured and a weak human, who wouldn't be much help against a full ghost fight, he would have just been dead weight and an extra person to protect.
"Where is she?" Atticus mumble while he walked around the hallways, searching for her and could fell his heart race inside of his chest. He stopped and saw her at her locker, she wore her hair in a ponytail and wore a sweater with sweats. Atticus smiled slightly and could tell Aria just wanted to relax as much as she could, her simple clothes were proof.
"Okay... you can do this... just ask her to the dance" Atticus took a deep breath and walked towards her, he knew he wanted her but he wasn't sure if she felt the same. Aria could easily get any man she wanted, he had heard several sons from important figures have tried to ask her out, but she rejected every single one of them.
"Don't chicken out..." He mumbles as he approached her, she was really beautiful but he knew that she was traumatized by her experience. Having her mind manipulated, her body inflicted with so much, and the guilt of causing destruction and pain to her parents. He wanted to help her, but he wasn't the only man who had his eye on her. Across the hall his cousin Ashton was staring at her as well, his eyes on the prize.
"He doesn't even care about her" Atticus frown and knew Ashton's intentions. His way to the Fenton family's fortune, Aria's heritance of billions of dollars, a golden reputation, and not to mention the endless spoils of being with Danny' and Ember's only child.
"I won't lose to you anymore, Atticus" Ashton frown and quickly ran towards her, he leans against the locker beside Aria's and gave Atticus a grin.
"Oh... hey, Ashton" Aria said softly closing her locker, "How are you doing?"
"Just fine, thanks," Ashton said smiling at her, "What about you?"
"Okay... I guess..." She mumbles and held her books close to her chest, "Just fine..."
"Great! So, Aria, you know prom is coming up, right?" Ashton asked and smiled some more, seeing a future with wealth and fame. Ashton wasn't a fool, he knew prom was the moment Ember had claimed Danny as her own. Prom was the moment she secured her future of wealth and fame! Everything she has done afterwards was because she had secured Danny as hers.
"I'm not planning on going... really" Aria replied and turned around to head to her class.
"Aria" Atticus waved
"What's with today? Both Lockwood men are here?" Aria teased and looked back at Ashton before turning to Atticus.
"Are you feeling alright? You know what happened isn't your fault, right?" Atticus asked and stood in front of her.
"I know it's not... but still..." Aria whispered looking away slightly.
"Don't worry about" Atticus continued and placed his hand on her shoulder, "The city understands and don't blame you! They even thanked you for defeating Pariah Dark, so you should forgive yourself"
"It's just going to take time... that's all," Aria said sighing slightly and looking up at him.
"That's great," Atticus said smiling at her, "I'm glad you're alright"
"Thank you, Atticus" Aria said smiling warmly at him
"Hm…. I already know that Ashton asked you... But…. I wanted to ask you too" Atticus said and nervously moving his hand on his neck.
"I'm not sure... If I'm going to go" Aria said sighing softly
"Is there a reason why?" Atticus asked
"I just….. want to stay home….." Aria replied and looked away
"Either way," Ashton said interrupting the two, "Come and get me, Aria"
"Sure" Aria replied and looked away from him
"Aria," Atticus stared at her and notice she was trying to hold back tears? "Aria….. is something wrong?" he asked concern.
"I'm just so tired of this….." she said and held back her tears some more, "I just want a normal life... But I can't have it…."
"Yes, you can," he said hoping to cheer her up, "You can have a normal life"
"How?" she asked glaring at him
"If you want a normal life then take it! It won't be handed to you, you just have to take it" he said and smiled at her. "If you want to live a normal life regardless of who your parents are then what's stopping you? Your father can easily protect the city for several more years, you can live a normal life, and if you want….. you can take your father's role as a hero"
"Uh….. you have a good point," Aria said and never realised how simple it was.
"See," he said smiling some more
"Thank you," she said and giving him a quick hug before running off
"You're welcome," Atticus said
After school, hours
Aria stood in front of the school while she waited for her mother to pick her up, she stared at the ground and move some grass with her foot.
"Hey! Aria!" Aria looked back and saw Ashton walking towards her
"Hey?" Aria said
"Do you want me to pick you up at 7?" Ashton asked and crossed his arms, "We can have fun"
"Ashton….. I'm not sure if I'm going" Aria said frowning slightly
"Oh, come on!" Ashton said wrapping his arm around her, "We can have a good time"
"I really don't want to go…." She said moving his arm back
"Ashton" Aria looked back and notice Atticus glaring at them, "Leave her alone"
"Oh! Look" Aria turned her head and saw Vivian and her minions gossiping.
"Ashton only wants Aria for her money" Vivian staring at the two Lockwood's fighting over Danny's daughter.
"Atticus probably wants her so his family and brag" one of Vivian's minion replied, purposely saying these words in earshot of Aria. Aria stared and frown, she looked away from Vivian and her friends.
"Is that true?" Aria glanced at Atticus and Ashton as they gave each other a death glare, she didn't know what to think anymore. Was Ashton and Atticus only after her for selfish reasons?
"Back off, main branch! Aria mine!" Ashton shouted
"No! She's mine!" Atticus shouted back
"Stop it!" Aria shouted and back way from the two teens, "I'm not some prize to be claimed! Ashton! You want me because you want to beat Atticus? Or is it my inheritance you're after?"
"Aria" Atticus said softly and tried to approach her
"And you, Atticus! Why do you want me?! For your family to brag at the country club? Enhance your own fortune with my family's? What am I to the both of you? Why do you both want me? Would you still want me if my parents weren't a hero and a singer? How can I trust you! That the words you say are true!" Aria shouted and pushed them to the side as she quickly transformed and disappeared.
"Aria..." Atticus mumble and looked away, he bit his lip and didn't know what to do. She was right... his parents would brag to everyone they knew if Aria and he started to date, their fortune would increase drastically with Aria's... everything she said was right. Even if he told her the truth... there was no way Aria would believe them.
"Dammit" Ashton mumbles turning on his heel before walking away, leaving Atticus alone.
"Is she... a prize... or a lover?" Atticus whispered and clenched his hand into a fist, "What is she to me?"
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Continue reading for What the heart wants.
End
how will Atticus prove he cares about aria? Go ahead and suggest something