The Goalie's Tutor

Aria's POV My dad clears his throat, obviously trying to play peacemaker. "Pumpkin..." "Pumpkin?" I narrow my eyes at him. He used to call me that when I was a kid. "Arianna, we thought it'd be good..." I cut in again. "To murder me?" Jason's mum instantly enters the conversation. "Aria, honey, we're so, so sorry for everything Jason put you through. We didn't raise him to act like that. Truly." His dad nods, looking equally embarrassed. "Yes, we apologise on his behalf. He was out of line." I cross my arms, staring at Jason, who looks about as thrilled to be here as I am. Beside me, Lily suddenly speaks up, her sleepiness gone. She tilts her head, eyeing Jason. "Why don't you apologise for yourself, Jason?" Jason gives her a boring look. "And I thought you were the fun one." Lily narrows her eyes and crosses her arms in a perfect mirror of mine. "Oh, I'm fun. You just have no idea what I'd do for my best friend." Jason lets out a dry laugh. "Right." I'm tempted to return to my room. This is who they want me to come back to tutor? He'll do worse. He doesn't even look sorry. His mom nudges him. "Jason. Go on." Jason groans, running a hand through his hair. "Do I seriously have to..." "Yes," his dad cuts in. "You do." He glances at me. I think I just saw an emotion flash in his gorgeous eyes. I'm thinking annoyance... guilt, I can't tell. But hang on... Gorgeous? Slap me this instant. "Fine," he mutters. "Aria, I'm... sorry." "That sounded convincing," Lily mutters under her breath. "Want me to write it in cursive and put a heart at the end?" Lily gasps. "See? This is exactly why you had to come here. You're too egoistic." My mom who has been silent since I walked in here, clears her throat. "Jason, try again. Mean it this time." I fight the urge to smile. The fact that mum thinks he has to apologise as well is enough to tell me that she'll be on dad's neck when the Monroes are gone. Yay. At least if I can't yell at my dad, my mum will do it for me. Jason pinches the bridge of his nose. I bet this whole thing is physically painful for him. Finally, he looks at me and says, slower this time, "I'm sorry. Okay? I was... wrong. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did." The room goes quiet. Well, that sounded sincere enough. I don't even know what to say. Lily leans in closer and whispers to me. "You don't have to forgive him if you don't want to. And you could forgive him and decide never to see his face again." "Liliana! What are you telling my daughter?" Dad glares at Lily who smiles sheepishly. "Nothing, Principal Bennett. Just giving her first-hand best friend advice. The way you would..." She matches his glare with hers. "And the way everybody in here would. Jason hurt her," "And I apologised, stop being so insufferable." "Yeah? And your teammates?" She's almost yelling at him. "What about them?" "Both of you, shut up," Dad yells. "Gladly," they both mutter at once. It's my turn to pinch the bridge of my nose. Is this the point where I pretend to forgive Jason and actually take him back? My fingers twist against my pyjama hem. "Okay, I forgive you. But no more sessions at your home." I stated. He doesn't look fazed, it's like he expected I'd say it. "And I'll text you every time you have a session," Jason's parents' faces are relieved, and they start muttering how grateful they are, while their son just sits there without saying a word. It's time for them to leave. His parents are talking to my dad and he walks up to me. He shoves his hand into his pocket and gives me an awkward half-smile. "So... uh, how's school?" I blink at him. "Really? Small talk?" I mutter, so his parents wouldn't hear. "You didn't actually think faking an apology with your mom standing over your shoulder was gonna erase what you said yesterday, right?" His expression slips and he stutters. "I..." "No," I cut him off. "Here's the deal, Monroe. No more talking outside of your tutor sessions. I'm not the old Aria you got to mess with." Liar. You are the same Aria you were yesterday. "Aria..." Lily, thank God slides between us. "That's right. She's not the same girl you used to look down on yesterday. She's got a boyfriend now." My head whips to my best friend. What. The. Hell. I have to physically bite my tongue to keep from groaning out loud. Jason's brow shoots up, then he smirks. He gives Lily this look that says Oh, really? Then glances back at me. "A boyfriend, huh?" Lily tilts her chin smugly. "That's right. So don't get any ideas." I slap my palm to my forehead. I'm going to kill her later. "Duly noted," he says before turning and walking out with his parents. As the door closes, I round on Lily, dragging her into the kitchen. "Seriously? A boyfriend?" Lily just grins. "Boys respect girls with boyfriends. Speaking of which, Matt asked me for your contact and I sent it. So expect a text." I open my mouth to reply when I hear the arguments from the living room. Lily and I exchange worried glances. I hate it when my parents fight. And I hate that it's because of the Monroes. "She needed the money. And I couldn't refuse the Monroes. It's a very good partnership. He's donating..." "Aria is your daughter! That guy is the worst thing that I have ever seen. He isn't even remorseful. You should have more respect for your kids." "Are you really saying this to my face? Since when have you brought any income into this home? I do everything. Every damn thing!" I can't hold back being silent in here anymore. Dad has no right to talk to my mum that way. As soon as I leave the kitchen, I spot my brother marching up to my dad with a scowl. Good. "Apologise to our mum." He tells Dad sternly. Dad looks up at him, a sneer on his face. "What will you do? Beat me up? Try that and you'll go without an allowance for your next semester." "You can't do that to him," I speak up. "He won't..." "Aria, leave it be. I can survive, I'm a guy." Drew smiles softly at me. Dad is fuming. "Look at you both, dancing to her tunes. A very disrespectful woman raised you and now..." "Dad, walk out," I say, my voice cracking a little. "You heard her. Walk out before I do something I'd regret," Drew adds. He's taller than my Dad and standing in front of him, he gives him a menacing look. Dad hesitates but then he storms out. Lily is the first to walk to my mum. "Hey, Mrs. Bennett... It's gonna be fine. You'll get a job this week with or without his permission. You're gonna be that mother who can provide for her kids and the wife who doesn't need to lean on her husband. You'll go shopping and get new outfits. You'll look hot. You'll make him eat his words. You'll be a supermom. What am I even saying..." Lily smiles. "You are a supermom." We all laugh lightly as Lily hugs my mum tightly. Drew and I exchange glances. I know he's thinking the same thing. For once, Lily's extroverted nature has been put to good use. I love my best friend.