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“I don’t know. It’s really hard to think about what I really want. I mean, I know I want to be around you guys, and college of course is there. I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Who does?”
“I’d say you were pretty grown up already.”
She laughed. “Thanks. I think.”
“I’m just saying. If anyone can figure out what you want to be, then I know you can.”
“What about you? Do you have any plans?” she asked.
“I’m taking over my dad’s company.”
“You’re finally going to do that?”
“I was always going to do that, I just wanted him to think I wouldn’t. The guy did send me away to military school.”
“I like your dad. Whenever I saw him while you were away, I did say hello to him. He’d smile, and say hi back. You know, normal stuff.”
“Have you noticed our parents always try to keep up appearances? It’s like they’re afraid if someone knows the truth about us, we’ll crack.”
They were rich families, and with wealth came a certain level of behavior.
She shrugged. “I’m hoping when I have kids, I’m with a much better guy than who my mother married.”
“Your dad.”
“I know. He’s just obsessed with image, with getting everything right. It’s like he’s a complete law unto himself.”
“We probably own the law, Aria. He’s not afraid of what he does because we can all afford to buy them.”
She sighed. “There are days I wish he’d just give me a hug, or even a smile. I find going home exhausting.”
“Come home with me.”
Aria turned. “Yeah, go home with a boy. I’m sure my folks would be happy about that.”
“Tell them you’re having a sleepover with Rachel and Mary. They’ll believe you.” He stroked her cheek. “My dad will understand.”
“He will?”
“You know my folks aren’t like everyone else. I’ve told them what you’re going through. The whole marriage thing. They’ll help you to have some space.”
“I don’t know what to think about this guy you are, Eli. He’s different.”
“More grown up?”
“And mature. You used to be a real goofball. This is weird.” She moved out of his arms, folding hers beneath her tits, pushing them up. “I’m used to you being different. I don’t know what I expected,” she said with a smile.
“I thought I’d find you two here,” Chris said, coming down the clearing with the rest of their friends following.
Aria pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and Eli turned to watch their friends join them.
“How did you know we’d be here?” Aria asked.
“This is our spot. Of course we’d know,” Rachel said. “You ditched us without a word.”
“I told her,” Eli said.
“You did?” Chris asked.
