Breaking Down

"Aria!" I pleaded from the other side of the door. "Please just let me in. I want to help you."

I could hear her cries from where I was standing, pressed against the door in the hallway of her house. Luckily for me, none of her family was home. Somehow, I didn't think they would appreciate her English teacher banging on the bathroom door with their crying teen on the other side.

I ran my hands through my hair as my mind raced with what I could do or say to make her let me in. In all honesty, I didn't know how to help her. In most situations I had been the one who would give her advice, seeing as I am seven years her senior, but this wasn't an experience I had lived; this was new territory to me.

Suddenly the sound of her wails stopped, and it was more unsettling to me than the white noise of her choking for air in the bathroom.

I saw the brass knob slowly turn as her streaky and blotchy face appeared in front of me. Her tangled hair was matted to her tear stained face. Her red and rubbed raw eyes met mine briefly before she once again dodged the weight of my stare.

"I'm keeping it," she stated softly before abruptly turning around and walking to her bedroom.

"I love you," I whispered into her ear as her giggles became deafening.

"Ezra, please!" Aria screamed as I continued to tickle her stomach as she wriggled beneath me.

"You have to say it back," I said, as the smile that was spread across my face grew even wider.

Her hazel eyes narrowed as she stared back at me.

"You're evil," she muttered as her face inched closer to mine.

"But you love me," I countered as my lips brushed hers.

She rolled her eyes, "But I love you."

"You should go. My parents and Mike will be home soon," Aria's voice said flatly.

I nodded as I walked into her room and stared down at her limp frame that was covered in thick blankets.

"Aria," I said softly as I hesitantly moved closer to her.

"Please, Ezra, don't," she begged as she rolled over in her bed to face away from me.

I nodded solemnly as I turned on my heel and walked away from her dark room.