Chapter 11

Dangerous Sixteen

"Aria, time to wake up." Elizabeth knocked on the door and walked in.

Aria, for a change, woke up faster than usual for one particular reason.

"Happy birthday, sweetie!"

"Thanks, Mom." Aria sat up. "Now, could you help me brush my hair, please? I want to look extra nice today."

Normally, Aria wore jeans and a t-shirt to school since she didn't care to spend a lot of extra time on her appearance, not to mention, she was always too sleepy in the morning. Today, however, is different. As Edmund said, you only turn sixteen once. Aria just knew today is going to be the best day of her life.

"Aria."

"Yes, Mom?"

"Your father and I were thinking, maybe you would like to stay home from school today since it's your birthday. We can call in sick for you if you want?"

If her mother had offered this any other day, Aria would be all over it, but not this day. Tonight will be her first official date with Edmund. Aria would not miss that for the world.

"No, Mom. Edmund taking me out for dinner tonight."

"What! Who?"

"Edmund, Mom. Remember, the boy I told you about?"

"Oh, sweetie, not tonight. Your father and I had something special planned for you."

"Can't it wait until I get home? After all, it is my birthday."

"No, Aria! You can't go out today." Elizabeth seemed real stressed out for some reason Aria could not imagine. "Listen to me. I know we can't keep you home from school but I want you to promise me you will come straight home after, okay?"

Now this is getting really weird. Aria wondered why her mother wanted to keep her home so badly today. She had never been like this before on Aria's birthday.

"Aria?"

"Okay, sure," Aria agreed though she secretly planned to go out with Edmund anyway.

As Aria opened the door to go downstairs she overheard her parents.

"I told you, Elizabeth. You should have just let her sleep. By the time she would have woken up, school would be out."

"And what would we have told her when she woke up, Ted? She can already tell something's wrong. Besides, we have no valid reason to keep her home from school."

"You told her to come straight home?"

"I made her promise. Don't worry. Lets just hope nothing happens."

xXx

Aria told Vanessa everything about that morning as they walked to school.

"It sounds like they think something's after you," Vanessa commented.

"What could that possibly be?"

"Well, hello, birthday girl!" They heard a voice from behind them.

"Ms. Fleming! You're back!" The girls rushed up to her.

"Believe me. It's good to be back. My sisters are rather difficult to be around sometimes. So, anything new?"

Vanessa looked over at Aria, "You wanted to tell her, remember?"

"Tell me what, Aria?"

"Well, I met someone at school recently and, well, we're kind of dating."

"Wonderful!" Ms. Fleming beamed and clapped her hands together. "And just in time, oh, uh, I mean that great! What's his name?"

"Edmund Calloway."

Ms. Fleming seemed less enthused. "Has he always gone to your school?"

"Actually he recently moved," Aria answered

Ms. Fleming suddenly got quiet for a moment then said, "Well, I need to go check on something. Bye girls! Oh, and Aria. Make sure you come straight home after school, okay?"

"Sure," Aria replied then turned to Vanessa. "How did she know my parents said that?"

Vanessa just shrugged.

xXx

This day was absolutely perfect for Aria. No one bothered her for a change, and best of all she got to spend it with Edmund. This had to be Aria's best birthday, ever.

Once school let out Aria remembered to ask Edmund, "Hey, do you think we can go ahead and go out together, now instead of waiting for tonight. You see, my parents told me I had to come straight home and I have a feeling once I'm in my house, I won't be allowed to leave it."

"As you wish," Edmund replied. "After all, today is your special day."

Aria beamed joyfully. Never in her life had she felt so blissful. Aria knew she would remember this day for the rest of her life.

Aria and Edmund shared the most amazing dinner together at the Palace Royale. The servers at this restaurant actually treated their guest like royalty. It was even decorated just as Aria pictured an actual castle with red, velvet banners hanging from the walls, chandeliers from the ceilings, and stained glass windows. It was all so beautiful. Aria felt like a princess and Edmund her prince. Maybe all this time, Ms. Fleming was right about Aria finding Prince Charming.

Aria looked up to Edmund and smiled. "Thank you for all this, Edmund. This has to be the most amazing night of my life!"

"I'm glad you are enjoying it," Edmund responded.

Aria sighed. "I hope I don't get into too much trouble when I get home."

"You shouldn't worry about that."

"Your right! I should just live in the moment. I deal with them when, I get home. Besides, how ever much trouble I get in, it will be worth it."

Edmund just sat in silence.

"Is something wrong," Aria asked.

"It just…Aria, would you like to come to my house after dinner?"

"Oh, Edmund, I really wish I could, but I better go home after this. My parents will already be mad enough."

"I understand. It's just that I left your present at my house."

"Oh, well, you can give it to me tomorrow."

"Actually, it's kind of big. I was planning on putting it in my car and driving it to your house."

"My gosh, Edmund! What on earth did you get me? I hope you didn't spend too much money on whatever it is."

"Actually its an antique in my family. There's just not enough room for it in our house and my mother would really like to see it go somewhere nice. It's very beautiful. I think you will like it."

Aria could not help but feel intrigue so she agreed. Besides, she's already out. How much more trouble could she get in?

As they drove to Edmund's house, Aria curiously observed the neighborhood. She had never been to this part of town before. All the homes looked like mansions. Edmund's appeared no different.

"Wow, your house is beautiful," Aria commented.

"Thank you. Now, lets go in so you can see your present."

The inside of Edmund's house looked very similar to the Palace Royale, like a Renaissance castle. Aria admired the banners that hung on the walls. They were all tones of gold and purple.

"Aria, your present is in this room. Come here."

When Aria walked to Edmund he covered her eyes and walked her into the room. Once he removed his hand, Aria saw a golden spinning wheel.

"Wow! This is beautiful, Edmund! How much is this thing worth?"

"It doesn't matter. I would give you the world if I could."

Aria had absolutely no idea what she was going to do with this, but it did not matter to her now. The important fact is that Edmund had given her a family inheritance. That says a great deal about their relationship.

"Would you like to touch it?" Edmund asked.

Aria was thrown off guard by this question, but answered, "Um, alright, sure."

With Edmund's hand on top of hers, Aria stroked the spinning wheel until… "Ouch!"

"Are you okay, Aria?"

"Yeah," Aria glanced at her hand. "I just pricked my finger."

"Let me see." Edmund took hold of Aria's hand and kissed her bleeding finger. "Does it feel better?"

"I, uh," Aria felt woozy. "Edmund, something is wrong."

The dizziness became worse and worse. Aria felt as if the entire room was spinning. She lost balance of her feet. Aria continued to feel dizzy for another moment and then… nothing.