tment door shut, cutting of

She didn't stop until she burst out of the decaying brick b

lammed against her forehead. A sud

t all the way up to her chin, tucked her chin down,

bway car, she pulled out her phone with t

elo would mean a lecture, a condescending sigh, and maybe he'd toss a few hundred dollars at her like she was a c

ria Fuller. Her best f

ted, soft jazz and the clinking of crys

ra," Aria

that she had been kicked out and desperately needed a loan to

e dripped with soft, overwhelming sympathy. "Oh

tely soaked in front of the security de

ing around her worn sneakers until Ar

Aria stood in the doorway, wearing an expensive sil

efully keeping her silk dress aw

room. She sat rigidly on the very edge of a pristin

then elegantly sank into the oppos

humbled herself, asking Aria to lend her twenty

promised, her voice tight. "I'll pay you back

Aria's face. A look of condes

le table. "Amira, my allowance just went to that limit

knew for a fact Aria's father had just wired her a

voice cracked. "This i

e depths of Aria's eyes, though her fac

ld just listen to your parents. Marrying a rich guy

er. The illusion of their friendship shatter

ug into her palms. She opened her mouth to argue, but t

ered figure walked i

ooked up, saw Amira standing there dripping wet and looking li

n a look of absolute panic and rushed to