Aria sat alone in her father's study. She looked lost in her thoughts as she sipped the expensive whiskey her father housed. The pensive and lost look on her face conveyed that she wanted to forget every thought that troubled her mind. She was so deep in her mind that the sound of my voice startled her.

"What do you want?" She asked once she noticed my presence. I wasn't surprised by her rudeness or the curt response. She is always like that. Why? I would say that all the money got to her head.

"Where's your brother?" I asked.

"With his bitch of a girlfriend," She said nonchalantly and looked away. This signified the end of the conversation.

"Aren't you full of love tonight?" I asked rhetorically and turned to leave.

She glared at me. My presence wasn't welcomed. "Go away." Her tone was flat.

I looked down at my watch and noticed it was already past 10 o'clock. Mark was supposed to be here by now.

"Do you have any idea when he'll be back?" I asked Aria. Asking her is probably a dead end, but I didn't have any other option. Mark wasn't answering his phone.

She shot me an irritated look. A look that said, 'why the hell are you still here?' When I didn't budge from my spot, she spoke. "Yeah, I do. I just don't want to tell you." She rolled her eyes. "Now, go wait for him somewhere else."

"Okay," I muttered and pursed my lips. "I caught your sarcasm."

Defeated, I turned around to leave and just then the craziest idea struck my mind.

I wanted to have a conversation with Aria Winthrop.

Have I ever done that before? Well, if you count her throwing insults and me walking away after a while as a conversation? Then, yeah I have. In the few years that I have known her, we never had a civil discussion. Not once. Even the first time I met her was, well I am not very fond of the memory or the particular incidents that followed. Its best to be left unsaid.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I asked. This was the only question I could think of to begin this little odd chat.

"Go away Adam. I'm busy." She said, annoyed. 

"You are drinking. You got time."

She sighed. "What the hell do you want?"

"A conversation,"

She shot me a dubious look. "You're kidding me right?"

"No. I'm serious. Let's talk."

She snorted. "Did you fall on your head or are you on drugs?"

I agree that this situation is a little unconventional, but there has to be first time for everything, right?

"Let's talk until Mark shows up. I'll be gone after that anyway." I insisted.

She stared at me in disbelief. Her expressions also screamed confusion. "Why are you doing this?"

"I don't know. Maybe the fact that we never talk and I thought it was about time we conversed." I said. "Civilly, I hope."

She shook her head. "This is stupid."

"C'mon. What have you got to lose?" I countered.

She thought over my offer for a moment. "Fine," She muttered.  I smiled, victoriously but it vanished the moment I noticed the evil flicker in Aria's eyes. "But, you'll have to drink with me." She said.

My eyes went wide. Drink? Out of her father's collection? No. Never!

"Uh... I'll pass."

"Then you can go." She said and pointed towards the door.

I narrowed my eyes at her. That little devil!

"Look, I am not going to suffer through an unwanted conversation for no reason. There should something in it for me too." She explained. "And truthfully, I like watching your suffer."

She smiled. It was a smile that dictated she wasn't going to back down and won't stop until she has accomplished what she wants. Yeah, that smile scares me.

If her father ever finds out, I am going to be in so much trouble. I like the fact that her parents have a good impression of me. I don't want to ruin that.

"This is absurd." I commented.

"So is your offer."

I contemplated the situation. I was curious. I wanted to know how this particular sadist's mind works. And this is golden chance and I probably won't have the guts to make a bold move like this again. A few risks from time to time are good. I think. 

I took in a deep breath to calm my conscience. I'm so going to regret this later. I walked towards the sofa and sat at the other end.

She shot a sly smile and poured me drink. 

"Drink up Adam." She said and slid the glass towards me. I reluctantly picked it up and clanked it against her glass and took a sip.

The strong sensational taste of whiskey travelled down my throat and momentarily warmed me up. After the taste settled, I said. "So, you hate me."

"I don't hate you."

I shot her a questioning look that said, 'Really? You want me to believe that?'

She stared at me for a few seconds, thinking what to say. "I've my reasons."

I waited for her to continue but no such thing happened. "That's it?" I questioned. Did she really think I would settle for such a curt response?

"You have to do better than that." I said.

"Okay. Fine! I don't hate you but I'm not particularly thrilled about your existence." She said, casually. A small smile played by her lips. It was almost like she was enjoying my misery. Well, she always does that insolent sadist!

I sighed. This line of questioning isn't going anywhere. If I continue she is going to eat me up and leave me humiliated.

"So, where's your flavour of the month?" I asked, in an effort to keep the conversation alive.

"Chris?"

I nodded.

"I dumped him this morning." She said. Her tone was completely casual, like it was a normal thing to do, like brushing your teeth or having breakfast.

"Oh. I am sorry to hear that." I stated. "Well, not to sound insensitive or anything, but don't you try to stick for at least a month before you break up? It's just an observation."

Aria's expression changed. Her eyebrows were knitted, her eyes were narrowed and her charcoal black eyes had a spark of fire within them. She was offended and angry. Not a good combination.

"Well at least I know when it's not working out and when it's smart to break up. And you certainly can't do that. Because let's be honest, we both know you can do better than the girl you call your girlfriend."Her calm demeanour had vanished.

I held up my free hand in defence. "Let's just keep this between us. Let's not involve my girlfriend." I said. Of course, she hates my girlfriend too. Why am I not surprised? Would it kill her to be nice? All we ever do is get her out of trouble and I don't ever remember hearing a thank you.

"Have you ever heard of commitment? You really should try it sometime."I countered.

"You think I can't commit?" She dared me give an honest reply.

"Yes. I do."

"What if I simply never found anyone to keep me interested?"

"You really expect me to buy that reason?" I challenged.

"Whatever." She muttered and looked away.

I had officially hit a nerve. I had found a topic that made her uncomfortable. I momentarily felt a wave of joy rush through me. She had always managed to ruin my good mood and for once I knew how to do it too. However, the happy feeling subsided the moment I noticed Aria's gloomy face. Unfortunately, I am no sadist. 

"I am sorry." I said after a minute of heavy silence.

"You know what, just stop judging me over the little things see and you think you know about me. Because believe me when I say that you know nothing! Absolutely nothing about me! So just stop. Okay?"

"Hey, I am not judging you." I said, defensively.

"Yeah right!" She shrugged.

"I really am not."

"So, are you trying to say that you don't think that I'm some spoiled brat who takes everything for granted, disrespects her parents, sleeps around a lot and doesn't give a shit about anyone else?"

My mouth hung agape. Her description was spot on. That is everything I think she is. I stared at her dumbfounded, unable to speak up. I had no response to that. That was the opinion I have of her.

"I thought so." She mumbled, disappointed.

An uncomfortable silence filled up in the empty spaces between us. It was difficult to breathe. I felt guilty for the image I had of her. No one deserves such a ruthless portrayal of self.

I glanced over at her. Her brunette wavy hair was tied up in a messy bun, with a few strings of hair loosely hanging down. Her face looked colorless, like she had nothing to look up to. No reason to get going. She was sad and I wanted to make her feel better but I didn't have any comforting or supporting words to share with her.

I watched her as she gulped down the entire glass. "You know, I am just a lonely girl. Nothing more."

Her words took me by surprise.

"Lonely?" I questioned.

She nodded. "Lonely and unloved."

I couldn't understand her. "But you have a family who loves you." I mentioned.

"You mean the people I live with, then you are wrong. They don't love me. They barely even notice my existence." She said, distastefully.

I stared at her, shocked by her confession. I didn't want to believe her words but the way she spoke made it seem so real. She can't possibly fake such deep emotions and allegedly accuse her parent's of ignoring her. That's insane.

"This is crazy talk okay? Your parents love you." I reasoned. "And it's hard to ignore your presence when you are always the centre of trouble."

"I am only a troublemaker so that they pay at least some attention to me." She stated.

My glance was fixated over her. I waited, hoping that any moment now she is going to retract her words.

"That's absurd! You are crazy Aria!" I exclaimed, a few seconds later. I was having a hard time believing in the insanity of her words.

"It's true Adam." She said and took another sip of whiskey. She was acting so cool. "Whether you believe it or not,"

"You are making things up. This can't be true. I mean your parents treat me like their own son." I tried to justify.

She just rolled her eyes and drank the whiskey.

"What?" I asked when she didn't respond or react. "Wait. Are you trolling me?"

She laughed. It wasn't a vicious little devious smile or a chuckle. She laughed. She was trolling me. I can't believe I fell for that.

I glared at her. "You're joking." I stated and pursed my lips. I was left looking like an idiot by Aria Winthrop. Again.

"Okay okay. Chill. Well how about you solve this mystery yourself. Since you really don't believe me." She said as she tried to contain her laughter. "Just answer the questions with complete honesty."

I signalled her to continue. I tried to keep a blank face. I didn't wish to fall into another one of her traps.

"Well, since you are almost always at our place. What's the most common, usual topic to discuss during breakfast?" She asked.

"Umm, current news and school happenings," I answered, feeling dubious.

"So, my parents always ask how your studies are going, about your grades, your football practice and your girlfriends, right?"

"Uh, yeah. That's correct." I frowned. I failed to understand what point she was trying to make.

"Am I always there for breakfast?"

I nodded and shot her a weird look.

"So, how am I in school? Who are my friends? What are my grades like? Am I in any clubs?" She asked in the most innocent tone and waited for my answers.

I tried think about the trivial details she asked for. But no matter how hard I tried to think, I came up blank. I couldn't even register a single moment when we must have talked about her. How come we never talked about her? She is always there. She is a difficult person to ignore.

"Shit." I muttered after a while. I really didn't know anything about her.

We never talked about her. In all these years, over all those breakfasts! Not once.

I can't even begin to imagine what that must feel like. Listening to her brother's accomplishments but never hearing any of hers. I was kind of starting to understand her erratic and rude behaviour.

"I am sorry Aria. I never realised this." I said, truthfully.

"It's fine Adam. I'm used to it." She waved me off with a smile on her face. A smile behind which she hid her pain.

I would feel devastated if I ever had to go through something like this. But her, she still tried to smile and go on. I found that brave and courageous.

"Do you know I'm a class topper?" She asked, amused. It was clear from her half smile, she was just trying to lighten the mood.

"You're kidding me!" I exclaimed, totally surprised.

"Check my report card if you want to."

"Damn. You are some nerd." I said with a smile. She chuckled in response.

"Oh, only if my parents would get this happy," She said. There was a little twinkle in her eyes she conveyed that she was imaging her parent's being proud of her achievements.

I shot her a sympathetic look. She gave a short nod.

I still had trouble digesting all this. Mr and Mrs. Winthrop always seemed like the most supportive and loving parents. But I guess, all this time I was observing them from Mark's view. I never bothered to change my scenery.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in the situation to its entirety. At least I was. Aria had accepted this long back.

"I still don't understand why your parents show no regard for you. You are great at school, what more does a parent want?" I questioned.

She shrugged.

"Maybe they loved and cared for me once. But then they started being away from home a lot. There would be times I wouldn't see them for months. I would miss them terribly and they always said they would be home soon. To Mark and me. But their business always got in the way. Soon enough I started acting out, pulling pranks, misbehaving, failing my classes and all. I did all that to get their attention but that didn't work. On the other hand Mark did get some attention. He was the perfect son and student." She said. "And over the years I guess I have just become a misfit they are embarrassed about and now even when they are home, they don't give a damn about me. I am the broken accessory no one wants. Well, that's my theory."

"This must bother you." I said, sympathetically.

"It does, all the time." She sounded heartbroken. "Well they are out on business trips a lot, so at least this way I don't have to see them a lot. Which really helps and I have accepted my reality." She finished in a low tone. The last part of statement did not smooth over with me. She may have understood her reality but she hasn't come to terms with it.

"It's alright to have hope Aria." I assured her.

"Wow, this whiskey is really getting to me." She said, changing the subject. "I am talking a lot."

"You never talked to anyone about this before?" I asked, curious.

"Uh, no. Who would I talk to? I don't have any friends."

"What about all your boyfriends?"

"Um, they are just there, keeping me company. I have never had an emotional connect with anyone."

"Having a friend is a good thing you know." I advised.

"Have you met me Adam?" She asked.

"Oh right, you scare people away."

"And yet I see you sitting here." She smiled and rolled her eyes.

I shook my head and smiled back. She's never going to change.

She took in a deep breath and said a few seconds later. "Also, I am scared."

"Scared of making friends?" I asked, confused.

"Yeah. I mean, my own family has never loved me or cared for me. It's difficult for me to imagine or believe that a stranger would do that for me." She explained.

She was so vulnerable right now and yet she kept talking. I wondered what made her trust me with such delicate matters. She just told me about everything that keeps her up at night.

"So, this is why you can't commit." I stated.

She nodded.

"What about Mark? Why don't you talk to him? I know he loves and cares for you." I suggested.

"Separating my ass from trouble doesn't mean he cares. It's his responsibility. I know he despises it. You do too. I ruin your good mood." It's crazy how coolly and casually she talked about all this. I can't imagine being so blunt.

"Thanks. You surely have a way of making people feel comfortable." I stated and shot an uneven smile. It was true though. I personally hate it when Mark gets a call regarding the new trouble Aria has gracefully walked herself into. 

"Plus, I couldn't stand talking to him. He has everything I can only dream of having." She ended with a sad tone.

"Is that why you hate me too then?" I asked. I felt sad. She doesn't deserve such an unfair treatment.

"I don't hate you Adam. I'm envious and jealous of what you have. You even have my brother's love and attention." She said with a small smile.

I nodded. Acknowledging her words. But I had no response. I felt like I was stealing everything from her, like I was replacing her place in her family.

"Thanks for sharing all this." I said, appreciatively. She smiled.

"Adam! You home?" Mark's voice hollered through the house.

"And that's your cue to leave." Aria said.

"Uh yeah. Right." I muttered and hesitantly got up from my seat. I was too pre-occupied in my thoughts. I look at Aria and see a delicate, fragile girl with thick cover of wall around her. Walls that defend her broken heart from shattering.

"Adam!" Mark shouted again.

"Coming!" I called back.

"Go on then. Don't stand there staring at me." She said, normally, like she was unfazed by our entire conversation.

"You want to join us? Mark's got pizza and we are planning a movie night." I offered.

She rolled her eyes.

"Go away Adam. Just because I shared some insights with you doesn't make you my buddy. I am going back to ignoring your presence. Because let's be honest, I am not very thrilled about your existence." She said with a smile.

"You can't just pretend this didn't happen. You know I can show you things can be different. Let me be there for you." I insisted. In that moment all I knew was she deserved to be loved, despite every horrible thing she had done by me. 

"I have been on my own for a while now and I am doing alright. Don't feel sad for me Adam. I'm fine."

"C'mon Aria, don't be stupid. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on."

"And for that, I have my string of boyfriends."

"But..."

"You are a good guy Adam and I hope we never have a conversation again. Goodbye." She said and walked out of her father's study. "Plus, I am not the kind of girl who needs rescuing."