INTRODUCTION

POVS ARIA

1 year and 1 month after A's arrest:

This year had been complicated, changing and at the same time it gave me a way of seeing life from a different prism. Before I didn't know exactly what my goals were and what I really wanted.

For just over six months I had entered the world of photographic reporting in conflict zones or areas where it is necessary to tell what is happening so that the world does not look the other way. This job was meaning everything to me. It was difficult to see so many horrible things happening outside, but it was worth it to be able to help in some way so that those people are not forgotten.

Even though I was now doing what would make me truly feel complete and purposeful, I still felt a void because of the lack of my best friends, those I consider sisters for life.

They had left me aside after I had to tell them a lie to protect them. I still hadn't been able to tell them what was really happening at that moment. I didn't blame them for not giving me a chance, but I wished they had. It would have been nice to have some support months ago.

Now we would meet again for A's trial after so long. I have never gone so long without even speaking to them on a call. I didn't know whether to try to talk to them again or let them decide.

Today I'll find out I guess.

CHAPTER 1

I had just arrived at the Philadelphia airport after more than 24 hours of travel from Somalia. I had had to make several stops to get here, and I was deeply exhausted. I also don't know if I would have been able to sleep because of the nerves I had to see the girls again at the trial and also to meet A again. The last time I met A was forever etched in my memory.

"You are worthless, and no one loves you. "How dare you betray me, after everything I did for you? I protected you!" He yells at me as he puts a gun next to my head. I was tempering myself, if the police took too long, I didn't know if I would get out of here alive.

Just remembering it made my stomach turn. It wasn't the only time this year that I thought I would die, but I think it was one of the times I was most scared. Almost no one knew what had happened that night, not even the girls. I tried to forget it, but it was impossible.

Since it was still 5 in the morning and the trial wouldn't start until 4 in the afternoon, I first headed to a coffee shop at the airport to have a coffee. The trial was in Philadelphia, not Rosewood, so even though I wanted to sleep, I wouldn't go to my parents' house until it was over.

Because these days I had not had time to get new clothes beyond what I usually wear when I travel in search of reports, I was not very dressed to go to a trial, nor was I going to get new clothes now. (I imagine the outfit like the one Lucy Hale wears in the movie Borrego).

After three coffees and several muffins to relieve myself a little of my anxiety, around 10 in the morning I finally left the airport and headed towards a coffee shop-bookstore that I remembered was near the Court. Now that I had returned from Somalia, I had to work on the report so I could send it to my boss at the newspaper. I was tired, but if I didn't start doing it in two weeks, my deadline to submit it would be up and it used to take up a lot of my time when I returned home.

An hour after I arrived at the cafeteria, while I was working on the report, I heard my cell phone ring. When I looked at the screen, I see it's Veronica Hastings calling me. She was the one who represented all of us in the trial, including me, even though her daughter and I were not in contact at the moment. She was one of the few people who knew what I had been through all this time.

"Good morning, Aria. Have you arrived safely in Philadelphia?" Verónica asks me in a loving voice as soon as I answer the call.

"Yes, I arrived about four hours ago. It was a long trip, but at least I'm here," I say, happy to hear her. She has always been very good to me and these months she has been very helpful to me with legal issues.

"Glad to hear it. I imagine you're exhausted. I was calling you because I wanted you to know that I will be eating with the girls shortly before the trial, in case you wanted to come," Verónica tells me doubtfully, but with hope.

"I would go, but I highly doubt they would want to see me there. It's been a long time and they haven't wanted to contact me," I tell her sadly.

"You could always try to talk to them today at lunch rather than at the trial. Besides, if you had let me tell them the truth, you would have solved everything months ago," Verónica tells me, almost scolding me.

"You know that I tried to let them know, but they didn't want to listen to me and it's no longer worth it for them to know. They live better without knowing it. A lot of things have happened since then," I tell her, sighing because of the anxiety the topic gave me.

"Aria, give them a chance. Even if you don't tell them the truth, they may want to have at least a calm conversation with you. You haven't seen each other in a long time. And I will be there with you, you don't have to face them alone," she tells me softly, trying to get me to accept her offer.

"Okay," I answered after a long sigh.

"Perfect! We met at the restaurant Silver at two o'clock. "It's not very far from the court," Verónica tells me before saying goodbye to me.

The time after Verónica's call passes too quickly and before I know it it is already two in the afternoon. I was going to be a little late, although I almost preferred it. About 10 minutes later, I arrive at where Google maps tell me the place is. Before entering, another memory comes to mind that has been tormenting me for many nights.

"We can't trust you anymore! You were like a sister to me," Spencer tells me through tears just before leaving, leaving me alone with my heart broken.

I shake my head trying to stop thinking about that day. Just the look she gave me that night gives me nightmares. I hated so much that I had to lie to them, but I had no choice. It was worth doing.

I try my best to muster up as much courage as I can and walk inside the restaurant. I look into the distance looking for where they could be when I hear someone calling my name.

''Aria! Come, we are sitting here,'' says Verónica, while the others turn around to look at me, possibly surprised that I am here. I imagine that Verónica would not have told them that I was coming in case they said no.

It was going to be an interesting lunch.

Hii, the idea for this story came to me recently and I may start posting it from time to time. I really do it because I like it, so if you want to read it here, you are more than welcome. Kisses.