"Remember, don't let anything I told you leak." Her mother told her daughter as she helped Ariana to adjust her bag strap over her shoulders. The little girl nodded listening close attention to her mother while enjoying the small bacon that was in her mouth. After she was done, eating/digesting the food in her mouth, she greeted her mom goodbye and started off to school.

She jogged on the street's pavement happily humming a song to herself trying to take all that she heard yesterday to herself. She was sad that she didn't have a father anymore but she believed and wasn't traumatized about it. God gives and God takes and she couldn't agree less. She just had to stay quiet and let everything roll. Everything was going to be alright, her mother had told her.

Just right in thoughts, she squealed when she felt close contact all over her body. She was being hugged by her long-lost friend, Jada.

"Are you okay?" Jada asked brushing away the hair that was covered all over her face. The small girl nodded still confused by the hug. If it's anything Ariana knew about Jada, is that she never hugs without a reason. She wasn't even a hugger herself. The girl took notice of the small grin that was plastered on the girl's face.

"I'm sorry about your loss, Ari. I know how it feels to lose someone dear to you." Jada told crossing her big hands over her chest. The small girl looked around, dumbly trying to process what she was hearing.

Loss? What loss?

"Oh, please. You can't fool me with that face. Everyone knows about your father's death so cut the act off." Her selfish side was now coming to the surface. Ariana gasped aloud, her hands on her mouth as she stared at Jada, shocked. She was beyond shocked about what she just heard.

Everyone knew about papa's death? But how? Was it Tom or Jules that told her? But I thought bribing them with a hot cup of chocolate was going to help.

Ariana's mind wandered in thought, almost forgetting she had somewhere else to be in. Jada looked at the girl from head to toes, disgustingly before hopping away as nothing happened.

Ariana managed to swallow the hurt that was formed in her throat and brought herself back together. She wasn't going to be fooled. Jules may know but not everyone. She adjusted, once again, her bag over her shoulder hopping along the pavement until she got to school.

3>

"Poor girl."

"Why is she smiling? Isn't she sad about her father's death?

"O my! She's so pretty. Too bad she doesn't have her 'papa' any longer."

"Cute ass."

The long, hateful and pitiful remark continued as Ariana walked in the hallway. She was very surprised by the comments she got which proves that Jada wasn't lying at all. How? She didn't tell anybody except Jules and Tom. Oh, wait, they peeped when her mother was telling her. She squirmed on her spot, angry and hurt. All she wanted was to turn back and go back home. She couldn't take the remarks anymore. It was all too much to handle.

Her eyes were wide opened at, once again, another contact. But this time, it was on her wrist. The small comfortable spark she once felt came rushing back. Her adrenaline was pumping fast. She was dragged outside the school's building by Adrian.

"Hey, Princess." Lin greeted her with a small hug. His voice was low and warm. Under his eyes had a dark circle. This wasn't the Lin she knew.

She reached forward to examine Lin's face but Adrian had his hands still on her wrist not letting go. She looked down at the floor, uncomfortable being alone with Adrian and Lin. Well, with Adrian holding her wrist tightly.

"How are you doing?" Lin asked her softly, like in a hushed tone. He was being gentle today while talking to her.

"Bit fine. What happened to your eyes?" She asked, concerned. Lin chuckled gesturing to her to leave his poor eyes alone.

"You fine? Sure? Isn't your father's dead?" Lin asked trying carefully to choose his words. She bit her lips and looked down at her shoe to distract herself.

"He is. And I'm fine about it. He did the wrong things to me and momma." She told ignoring the breaking of her voice.

"What did that mother fucker do!?" Adrian snapped right at her. It was the first time he was talking and his voice sounded less warm than normal. It was ice cold. His jaw ticked just listening to the sad tone of Ariana. Lin looked at him shocked. The poor girl just shivered at his voice still squirming on her spot, uncomfortable. The hold on her wrist was getting tight for her to handle.

"What he meant was," Lin shot Adrian a glare but only received an eye roll. "What did your father do that was wrong to you and your mother? Did he hurt you?" He asked carefully her.

Ariana closed her eyes for a bit remembering what her mother told her about leaking the information to anyone but what she saw today, in school, was totally the opposite of what she learned. It all over the news too!!

"I can't tell. Momma told me not to tell anyone. Please don't force me to say it." She started begging, her voice breaking in the process. Lin sighed and locked eyes with Adrian before looking at her again.

"Princess," Lin began. Adrian glared dangerously at him for calling her that but also, he received a smirk in response. "What I'm about to tell you, I-." The boy shuttered, strangely scared. He didn't want to tell her. He didn't want to tell anyone anything. But he had no choice it's now or never.

"You have to promise me not to tell a single soul." He told with a shaky breath. She looked at him, also curious about what he had to say. A lot of promises to be made, she didn't think she could keep it but she had to try.

"Ariana, we were the ones who burnt down the building that day."

A/n

Boom bam boom!!

SOMEONE, PLEASE CALL 911!! I REPEAT 911!

Lin finally dropped the bombshell. Glad that was over. I POSTED on my MB that I had to rewrite this chapter again because I mistakenly deleted it and girl, this chapter is better than the misplaced one. I'm glad that was deleted. (I can't believe I just said that, though)

Anyways,

Is your heart beating?

Your adrenaline?

Curious?

Well, baby, that is called suspense.

I love putting y'all in that phrase. Ah!! I love you all so much!

Please vote and comment on your thoughts.

Question of the day

.What do you think will be Ariana's reaction to the bitter truth? Comment here--

Fun facts;- I literally can't stop saying (The small girl) if I'm narrating. Idek if that is a fun fact but comment if it is. Hehehe

XX

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH ME ALL FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS BOOK! I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A LOVELY DATE WITH 'DANGEROUS RUN'

I'LL See you in the next chapter until then, Adios!!

Bye

Word count-1221 words