OK! SO I DECIDED 'WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ARIA WASN'T IN THE MYSTERY OR ONLY SHOWED UP AT THE LAST BIT OF IT?' TYPE OF STORY, SINCE MY MIND WAS CURIOUS AND I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FULLY INVOLVE HER AND ALSO WANTED HER TO FIX THINGS WITH DILTON IN DETAIL, SO HERE IT IS! ENJOY!
Chapter 58: All Day Date & The Incredible Shrinking Teens!
*Aria's POV*
I had a date with Dilton, but because I blew him off thanks to that stupid robot, I decided to choose Dilton over a day with Archie and Jughead at the mad scientist convention. Besides, Archie and Jughead need a day together. Sure, I'm missing out on a science convention with awesome technology and machinery, but Dilton's worth it. Plus, his dad didn't know I was taking him out which made it better and my casts were now off, being 3 days after they were put on. Dilton met me at the mall and we began walking around.
"It's nice to get out and walk once in a while, isn't it?" I asked him as we walked past people and shops.
"It is nice." He says kindly to me. I didn't look at him much, still feeling ashamed about the robot thing a few days ago and upset since I still felt Dilton thought of me as an object, and just looked at the shops we walked by. Dilton noticed this, he had from the beginning but never said anything, before taking my hand and guided me into a random store. He brought me to the jewelery section and started talking.
"Look, Aria, I said I was sorry. Please, let us talk this out, and let me get to you a gift as an apology." He said, growing awkward, as he gestured to the jewelery. I felt upset and crossed my arms.
"Dilton. Buying my love isn't going to solve anything!" I said as I tapped my foot impatiently.
"I thought gifts were a good thing. Archie gives them to Betty and Veronica when he does something wrong, as well as other guys doing this for girls, so why couldn't I? Also, I just want to talk as well. Is that so wrong?" He asked me as he made a good point. I then looked away.
"I don't want anything, just to talk, nothing else." I say as I wanted to leave. Dilton sighed.
"Fine. Where do you ant to talk?" He asked me. I guided him to the food court and grabbed us each a soda before sitting across from him. It was silent, an awkward one too, as it didn't feel like a date at all. I swished my cup around as I waited for him to talk to me first.
"Do you… Want to break up with me?" He asked me suddenly. I shot my head up and looked at him.
"What makes you think that?" I asked him quite suddenly.
"You seem quiet and distant is all. Almost like you don't want to be around me." He said as he showed sadness.
"That's not it. It's just… Awkward after, ya know, this whole thing. What bothers me more is, the simple fact that, you treat me like an object. I should be flattered that you get jealous, because it shows you care, but I feel like an award you won or a new invention you've yet to test out." I say honestly before I take a sip of my soda.
"I know, it's just… It's just..." Dilton started saying but trailed off because he was trying to think of the correct words to use.
"Besides Archie, no one sees you for you. You never really saw girls interested in you before, except to use you to get better grades, and you feel both alone and an outcast when I'm not around. You want me close because I give you attention and make you feel as special as you are and should be treated, but you are latching on too tight because you're afraid I'll leave and never come back or that someone will break me." I explained to him.
"That's..." He started but looked down sadly.
"That's correct." He muttered sadly. "Dilton, I understand, really I do, but you don't realize yet that if you hold on too tight, you'll hurt one or both of us in the end." I say quietly to him. Dilton didn't look up, feeling upset, which made me sigh.
"Dilton, listen to me. No matter what happens, no matter if I chose you, Jughead or neither of you, in the end you'll be the best friend I'll turn to, the best friend I'll always want to help, to work with, to visit, and most importantly, one of the most special people in my life that helped me break free from the chains of doubt and fly." I say before reaching across the table and gently touch his hand. He looked up right at me as soon as I touched his hand.
"No one, no matter whom it may be, could ever change my mind on how I see you. As one of the best people in my life." I say softly with a smile. He didn't know how to react at first, but he then thought about it while looking right at me, before smiling very softly at me.
"I might a man of science, but I suppose Biology isn't my forte." He joked with me. I lightly blushed and chuckled at his cute little joke.
"I suppose you need to study more." I teased, causing him to blush, as I giggled.
"M-mind being my tutor?" He asked me as he felt flustered.
"Nope." I said cheerfully. He nearly fell over as that snapped him back to normal.
"You can read about it in the library." I added, purposefully ruining the moment, as Dilton finally laughed.
"Ok ok. You got me there." He said as I joined in on the laughter.
"I'm glad we can laugh about these things and spend time together." I say with a smile.
"Yes, I'm glad as well. It's not often I find someone to converse with, especially on an intellectual level, without simplifying anything." He says with a happy smile.
"So what inventions do you have planned this time?" I asked him kindly before drinking some more soda.
"Hm.~ Not sure yet. Perhaps I could create a type of time machine." He says as he thinks about it.
"A time machine would be cool!" I say as I get excited.
"Except, I notice with pods of any kind, it's almost impossible." He says softly, referring to movies based on time travel, like the fly, and other papers on it.
"Then make it something else. Like the car from Back to the Future, but make it, well, not a car. Something to wear so it's portable with no accidents." I suggested. Dilton then brightened up.
"That's a great idea! I could make it wearable!" He says, a bit too loudly, before pulling out a pen and notepad to start creating formulas and bits of the blue prints.
"Dilton. Lab work later, quality time now." I say as I gently put his notepad down. He blushed and chuckled nervously.
"Sorry." He said in a sheepish tone. I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"It's ok. I still think you're cute when you get super nerdy on me." I say with a bright smile, causing him to blush but smile as well, as we enjoyed the peace. After a while we decided to walk around again. It felt nice being with Dilton, to talk and help him around the lab along with getting out of it, but it was a different nice. He was one of the most important people in my life, who helped me be me, so I treasure time with him and everyone I keep close. As we walked on, I froze mid step, causing Dilton to keep walking a bit as I looked at a shop window. It was a music shop. I didn't hear Dilton call me as I looked at the window. There was a gorgeous violin on display at the window. It was gorgeous, shiny, a perfect piece of wood with strings. The wood made it look like it was coated in gold.
"Aria? You alright?" I suddenly heard. I shook my head and looked right at him.
"Hm? Oh! Sorry Dilton, I didn't mean to ignore you." I say softly as I felt bad.
"Do you want to look?" He asked me.
"Well..." I trailed off and looked at the violin. I had a lot of money saved up, thankful I did and didn't have to use it on a car, but chose not to spend it unless it was necessary. Dilton decided to drag me in and we looked around. I went to the front again and admired the violin once more.
"Does the violin interest you?" Dilton asked me. I nodded yes.
"I used to play when I was younger, but my mom sold my violin on me, so I was forced to give up." I say softly.
"Were you good?" Dilton asked me.
"Well, yes and no. I was still learning, but I could play a couple songs." I admitted as I never stopped looking at the violin. The owner went to it and took it off the display before showing me, allowing me a better view.
"Do you wish to try? They say the violin picks the owner." The owner, with a mild Russian accent, asked me before telling me the last part. I nodded and gently took it.
"You'll have to excuse me, I am very rusty." I say as positioned it. I played two smooth otes before a sour one. I flinched and tried again, getting it right, before something in me sparked. I played a simple song, twinkle twinkle little star, as I felt my heart warm up. I finished, playing almost perfectly, before handing it back.
"You are very good, da?" The shop owner asked me kindly.
"I messed up a few notes." I say honestly.
"Da, but you still have talent." He says with a smile.
"Would you like to buy it?" The owner asked politely.
"No. No, I couldn't. I don't think I'd have the time to play it." I admitted honestly, though I felt ashamed, while the owner sighed.
"Very well, but it will, hopefully, be here if you change your mind." The owner tells me as Dilton and I leave.
"Why not buy it? Just to replace your old one?" Dilton asked me suddenly.
"I don't think I should. I might not play it so it would collect dust and get ruined." I say as I felt bad. I wanted it, but I didn't need it, so that's why I didn't get it. Dilton didn't push on it further and we enjoyed our day together. We were now at Pop Tate's, enjoying some burgers and shakes, while laughing. We hadn't noticed we were being stalked by someone as we enjoyed our time together. As we ate, we were approached by someone. I then felt my ponytail get pulled hard enough for me to fall on the floor, causing me to yelp, as I hit the ground hard.
"Move it!" I heard Vinnie Wells scold me bafore sitting in my spot. He then started eating mine and Dilton's food.
"Hey!" Dilton scolded as he got up. As Dilton approached me, Vinnie tripped him, causing him to fall hard next to me. I saw red. I stood up and grabbed Vinnie, by his hair while he was mid bite into our food, and yanked him out of the booth and into an empty table.
"How dare you! I don't care if you hurt me, but don't you hurt Dilton! Ever!" I yelled loudly.
"Also, you're paying for our food since you ate it!" I added harshly as I went over to help Dilton up. I made the mistake of turning my back on Vinnie, because he quickly recovered, and I felt hands on me before being tossed onto the ground.
"You stupid bi-" He started to say at me, but Dilton stood in between us.
"Leave her alone!" Dilton defended. We didn't notice a man coming over to us. Vinnie scoffed, with a cocky smile, as he got ready to punch Dilton. I moved fast and used my hand to, barely, catch his fist with my right hand before using my left, to form a fist, and punched him three times in the face before moving behind him, putting him into a danger hold, and heard his bones start cracking. Vinnie cringed and tried to move, but made it worse, and I decided to tighten up to make it worse as well. Vinnie cringed but stayed still as Dilton took a few steps back.
"Now, you're gonna pay for the food and leave us alone." I say in a stern voice.
"A slut like you can pay for it." He tells me harshly. Yeah, I think his obsession over me has now ended.
"I would, but you decided to eat it. So, since you enjoyed the food, you can pay. If you don't, I'll happily have the cops called." I say casually. I saw no one really watched nor stopped me. This was too normal. Pop's was watching, ready to contact the cops, as Vinnie snarled.
"I'll get you arrested for assult." He tells me. I hummed and lightly twisted his arm, causing him to gasp in pain, as I tightened my grip in his opposite shoulder to prevent him from moving.
"I doubt it. I have witnesses. Do you really want to upset your grandma again?" I pointed out then asked him suddenly. Vinnie had stopped, seeming like he was thinking about it, before he grumbled.
"Whatever." Vinnie mutteres I, cautiosly, let him go. Vinnie threw money at the table before turning to hit me. I ducked then kicked him in his gut. Vinnie backed up as I glared. Vinnie then booked it, making me sigh in relief, as I went over to Dilton.
"You alright?" I asked him quietly.
"I'm fine. Are you?" Dilton asked me worriedly as the man walked over to us. I hugged Dilton close to me before kissing his cheek.
"I'm used to this. Thank you for attempting to play hero though." I say sweetly to him.
"And I'm a bit disappointed you snuck out after I banned you from seeing her all summer." We both heard. We saw it was Dilton's dad, taking his disguise off, glaring at us.
"I wanted to see her." Dilton said to him. Before any of us could say anything, he put a hand up to stop us.
"I don't want to hear it." Mr. Doiley said sternly. We got worried for a bit before Mr. Doiley speaks.
"After what I had seen today, you turning down expensive jewelry, talking and laughing, defending him and making sure he was alright, I've decided that, as uncomfortable I am with the way the relationship is, I will leave you be. Your mother is right, I need to back up a bit and let you make the choices you want, so you may learn and grow." Mr. Doiley told us, mostly Dilton, as I felt completely stunned.
"R-really?" Dilton asked in shock. Mr. Doiley nodded before turning to me.
"If you ever hurt him, I'll be after you." Mr. Doiley says sternly to me.
"Yes sir, not a problem." I say respectively to him. Mr. Doiley then turned to Dilton.
"Well, as much fun as you're having, I am taking you home. Grounded for a week starting now." Mr. Doiley told Dilton in a slightly stern tone. Dilton went to protest, but I stopped him.
"It's ok. If you fight, it'll make it worse, so just go. It's alright." I say before giving him a kiss on the cheek. Dilton agreed and he left. I apologized to Pops, who was understanding, and left. I figured I'd see if Jughead was home and started heading over to his place. I got over there and knocked on the door. Mrs. Jones answered but said Jughead wasn't back yet. I heard Jellybean crying and saw Mrs. Jones had the vaccuum.
"Would you like me to help? I could either clean or watch Jellybean?" I asked, knowing she need help, with a kind smile.
"Oh thank you Aria! Jughead was supposed to help me out." she says and lets me in. I was guided over to Jellybean, sanitizing my fingers since I was wearing my fingerless gloves, before picking her up. Jellybean stopped crying before smiling and giggling.
"She just adores you." Mrs. Jones says sweetly to me.
"Yeah, she's a perfect little angel." I say as she grabbed my hair, giving it a tug, as I closed one eye in a flinch.
"Well, almost." I say with a chuckle.
"You don't mind watching her?" She asked me.
"Not at all." I say with a smile. She thanked me and went back to cleaning. I decided to take Jellybean upstairs, to have less noise from the vaccuum, before stopping at Jughead's room. I looked in and gasped before feeling sick.
It was a disaster!
There were clothes, clean and dirty, all over the place, pizza boxes, food wrappers, bones from chicken wings and dishes everywhere! It even had a bad smell. I gagged and went into Jellybeans room.
"Your brother is getting a stern talking to when I next see him." I say to Jellybean. She giggled before yawning. I set her in the crib and played with her until she fell asleep. Guess it was nap time. I decided to go to the room and help out. I found a hamper and put all the clothes in it. I picked up a shirt and saw a rodent. I jumped and almost shrieked until I saw it was a hamster. Jughead mentioned he had one but it was missing.
"Well, now we know why you went missing." I say as I picked the hamster up. I thought there were dolls on it, until they started moving.
"Aria! Help!" I heard two tiny voices call out. I looked closer and gasped.
"Jughead?! Archie?!" I gasped out in shock. They then tell me what happened before I see them shrink a bit more.
"Oh jeez!" I cried out. Mrs. Jones came in and I turned to her.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Jones. I have a quick emergency, but I'll be back with Jughead. I promise." I say, not sure if she saw the two small teens or not, but accepted the answer as I rushed out. Since my home was close by, I ran there and got in my car. I hadn't notice the germ monster was attached to me as I drove off. I couldn't hear them so I had to check on them. They were very tiny. I parked and rushed in. They told me where it was and I ran in there with them. I set them down, not knowing the monster had let me go, before running out and getting the professor to turn it on. It went off and they both came out, back to normal, thanking me until we heard something. I looked and saw the curtain rustling about. I had the hamster with me, giving him back to Jughead, and wondered what it was until the green moldy monster came out.
"Ah! Fungus monster!" I cried out in both fear and disgust.
"How?!" Jughead panicked as we backed up.
"It must've been attached onto Aria!" Archie concluded.
"None of this would've happened if you had just cleaned your room Jughead!" I cried out as it got closer. Then it froze. We were confused.
"Not to worry. My stun ray will immobilize him." The professor said before going to the creature. He was complimenting it before asking to buy it off the boys.
"It's Jughead's monster, so it's his choice." I say as I looked at Jughead.
"Sure. I'll sell him." Jughead said as he, and the professor, walked off to make a deal.
"You boys had a fun day." I commented with a smile.
"How was yours?" Archie asked me, holding his wrist, as he seemed curious.
"Good. Wait... Where's your cast?" I asked him suddenly.
"Oh, the professor used a bone fixing machine for me. It was a test and, even though it worked, the machine broke after." Archie explained to me.
"Lucky you." I saw with a smile.
"Yeah, but it still feels funny." He tells me.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." I say as Jughead came over. I brought Archie to his car before taking Jughead home. After an hour of teamwork, Jughead and I, finished cleaning his room to the point of perfection. Jughead learned his lesson and I went home to talk to Archie over the phone. He typed while I helped over the phone.
"Well, it's nice to be normal again. At least as normal as Jughead can be. ~Archie! Jughead sure learned the importance of keeping things tidy. Good thing too because, after all, your room is really where you work, play, and sleep. And shouldn't that be a nice place? ~Aria! So now, the worlds a neater place. ~Archie! At least a tiny corner of it. ~Aria! ...In a little town called Riverdale! ~Archie and Aria!"
Archie read off the ending and I smiled.
"Perfect." I say with a smile.
"This is weird." Archie suddenly said.
"What is?" I asked curiously.
"Well... I actually miss having you live here. It was less lonely and I also miss you being over here to type with me. This is the second time we didn't do this at my place together." He commented. He was right. He was also right because, not only I missed being used to living with him but, I miss typing these up at his place.
"Tell ya what, next time, I'll come over." I say with a smile on my face.
"Really?" He asked me, sounding a bit happy, as I could tell he was starting to smile.
"Sure. How about a sleep over? Like old times?" I asked him.
"That sounds like fun!" He said happily to me. Hearing Archie happy made me happy. We were family after all. We talked for a bit longer before ending the call. I played some video games in my room before passing out close to morning.