c h r i s

     "Hey, you ready?" Aria's soft voice brought me out of my trance. I turned to her and took a deep breathe, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel. I nodded a little, "Uhm Yeah..."

Aria smiled and brought her palm up to my cheek, brushing it with her thumb. Her eyes met mine. Aria smiled a little wider, "If you're not, we can wait. I'll wait in this car for hours. This is your decision babe."

"I didn't know it was possible to be this in love with someone." I commented, Aria chuckled lightly. She leaned towards me and pressed her lips lightly against mine. We pulled away, our foreheads resting on one another. I smiled softly, "She's gonna love you."

Aria raised a brow, "How can you be so sure?" She questioned me. I laughed, "How could somebody not love you?" I explained to her, smiling widely.

"I really do fall in love with you more everyday, it's crazy."

—

"Hey!" My Mother greeted us happily, a wide smile on her face. My hand reached down and grabbed Aria's, our fingers lacing together. I tightened my grip on Arias hand, unintentionally. Aria's thumb brushed against my hand to calm me down.

I took a deep breathe and the two of us walked towards the table and sat down. My mother smiled, "Hey, kiddos."

Aria smiled sweetly, "Hi, uhm- it's very nice to meet you. I'm Aria." Aria held out her free hand to my mom, shaking her hand.

"You can call me Ann, sweetie." She smiled to Aria, shaking her hand. Aria lightly chuckled, "Well, Ann, I'm glad we're able to meet." My
Mother nodded along, she turned to me and softly smiled. I did the same.

Aria's thumb rubbed small circles on my hand. I took a deep breathe, "Uhm— How've you been Ma?"

My mother's eyes lit up, "I've been doing okay sweetie. I've been sober for almost 2 years. And I'm doing even better seeing how well my boy is doing." I smiled, "I am doing well. Really really well."

Aria turned to me and smiled widely. I nervously chuckled and turned to my mom, "Ma.. Uhm— Aria and I are engaged. We've been dating for a year." I informed her.

My mother chuckled, her smile growing, "Thats- that's amazing honey. I'm so happy for the two of you."

I raised a brow, "You're okay with me getting married at 20?" My mother laughed, "Youre an adult and if this is what you want."

"It is." I immediately replied, "I want to marry Aria. More than I've ever wanted to do anything else. Truly."

Aria blushed lightly, I laughed. My eyes scanned Aria, "I love her."

—

     "I think that went surprisingly well." I spoke with a chuckle as Aria and I hopped into the car and settled into our seats. Aria laughed, "Yeah, it really did."

I smiled, "She loved you." Aria smiled a little as well, "You think?" I nodded, "I know."

Aria's facial expression softened, her smile fading away as her eyes locked on something other than me. I looked down at her, my brows knitted together, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Aria looked up, "Nothing. It's just.. I'm a little jealous. And I realize how selfish that is-"

I cut her off, "Why're you jealous, babe?" She shrugged, "I mean, I'm so happy for you, baby. I really am. I loved that. I loved seeing you so happy, it makes my heart melt. But, I couldn't help but think, that I wish I got that too. You know, I didn't even get a message or call back."

"That is not selfish. You have every right to feel that way. Hell, I know I would've been jealous if your parents would've called and my mom didn't." I explained to her, my voice soothing. She deserved so much more than her shitty parents. Even though they treated her like trash, they least they could've done was call. Aria smiled weakly, "I don't know why I care so much."

I chuckled a little, "Thats just how you are, Aria. You care so much. About everything and everyone around you. It's one of the things I love about you." Aria laughed, her eyes still fixated on something else.

I brought my hand to her cheek, brushing my thumb against it, "Our wedding is going to be wonderful." Aria looked up at me, "Yeah, it is. Isn't it?"

"We don't need anyone else there. It could be just you and me and it'd still be amazing!" I spoke optimistically. Aria raised a brow, "Our friends would not like that."

"No they wouldn't." I agreed, the two of us lightly laughed. I leaned down towards Aria's lips and pressed mine against hers for a quick peck. I rested my forehead on hers as we pulled away, "What do you wanna do now?"

Aria shrugged, "I don't care. Up to you." I shrugged along as well, "I don't know, wanna go home? We can watch The Office!"

"You are literally my other half, it's sort of crazy."