I Love You More Than I'm Afraid (Our Forevers #2) by Rebel Hart (the first e reader .txt) 📕

“I don’t think it’s such a problem that your sisters be honest with you about how they feel,” my mother explained. “I just told them that if they wanted what was best for you, they would let you know how your behavior affects them.”

“Oh is this an intervention now?” I asked. “You’re breaking my addiction to… what exactly? Being as far away from my parents as humanly possible, because it’s probably fair that I warn you, you’re not breaking that habit out of me.”

“Arden honestly,” my father barked. “You are as insufferable as Athaliah.”

I rolled my eyes recognizing his comparison of me to a woman from the Bible who destroyed her whole family. “Sure, dad.” I turned on my heel and headed back for the front door. “I’m leaving.”

“You are not!” my father thundered. “I’ve had just about enough of your insubordination. You live in this house. You follow these rules.”

“What rule did I break?!” I screeched at him.

“You stayed out all night and didn’t come home!” my mom yelled back at me. “I dare you to go and find a child whose parents allow that. We’re not monsters for asking you to come back at the end of the day.”

“I dare you to go and find a set of parents who wouldn’t have called or texted their kid once when they didn’t come home,” I spat back. “If you were so worried, why didn’t you call me? Why didn’t you call Aria? Why didn’t you call the police? You had a million options if you were so scared something was going to happen to me. Which one did you choose?” I could see both my parents searching their brains for a retort, but neither of them could find one.

Instead, my dad just shouted, “That’s enough. I don’t have to argue with you.”

“Exactly,” I said. “Bye.”

“Arden!” my mom screamed. “Get back in here.”

I didn’t listen. I headed straight for the door and already had my phone out of my pocket. Suli typically only worked the four days across the weekend, Friday through Monday, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t still get me into The Undersound. Aria was out with Tristan, and though I promised her I wouldn’t go back, I didn’t want to ruin her plans with him. I’d just make sure not to drink or take any drugs and Aria would never have to know.

At least so long as whatever tipped her off the first time didn’t do it again. I had a feeling it was Hannah, but I couldn’t be sure.

I pressed the button to call Suli as I opened the front door, but when it swung open, I noticed Aria’s car pulling up in front of my house. I tilted my head to the side, confused, and watched as she parked and climbed out.

“Arden?” Suli said. “Helloooo?”

I lifted my phone to my ear. “Oh, hey. Sorry.”

“What’s going on? Are you calling to apologize for that shit show from yesterday? I forgive you, but only if you come hang out with me tonight.” Aria waved her hand through the air, a bright smile on her face, and she was already racing up the sidewalk. “Arden!”

“Huh?” I replied.

“Why did you call me just to ignore me?” Suli said. “Are you coming out tonight or not?”

Seeing Aria put everything back in perspective. I promised my best friend that I wouldn’t do that again, and that was exactly what I intended to do. “Uh, I’ll call you back.”

“What?” she yelped. “Arden—” I hung up the phone before she could finish.

“Hey,” I said. “Is everything okay? I thought you were going out with Tristan.”

“I was, but then something exciting happened!” she said. She pulled a brochure out of her pocket and handed it over to me. “My boss just called me about this. I couldn’t wait to give it to you.”

I slipped the brochure out of her hands and looked down at it. “Y.I.I.P.? What is this?”

“It stands for Young Innovators Internship Program. It’s a college alternative internship that takes place in New York City!” She flipped the brochure open and scrolled her finger down the inside left panel until she got to a list of bullet points. “Look at this. Young female innovators usually get full-ride scholarships because they’re so in demand. With your inventions, there’s no way you wouldn’t qualify for this.” She dragged my attention over to the right panel. “I mean look at this stuff. Room and board in New York City, something that would cost you thousands of dollars otherwise, and the internship is paid. They train you over four years and you get a certification at the end that’s likened to a degree in your field. They even hire the people they like most and back their projects.” She looked up at me, glowing. “This is it! This is your big shot!”

“Oh my god!” I said. “Aria!” I threw my arms around her. “This is incredible.” New York City, apart from being a much more progressive part of the country, had the added benefit of being incredibly far from my hometown. It was the fresh start I’d been searching for. I never really felt like college was for me, but this was unique and suited specifically to what I did. It was perfect for me. I stepped back out of the hug, but continued to beam at her. “How did your boss know to call you about this?”

“Well,” she snorted, “I talk about you all the time. Like alllll the time. She always gets opportunities like this emailed to her because of the nature of our work, and she saw that one and thought of you. She sent me a picture of it and asked if it was something I thought you’d be interested in, and I had Tristan drive me straight there to get the brochure and then straight home so I could get my car and bring it to you. He and I are going to meet up later