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She shrugged and sighed, getting up to stretch her legs. "Hard to say. I guess I better be getting on home." She paused before saying thank you again, just to make herself happy.

"Seriously Aria. You're playing with fire." Kara replied.
"I said nevermind Kay."
"You still have feelings for him or something?"
"Would it be so wrong if I did!?" Aria finally snapped.
"Well yeah considering he kind of had a hand in killing one of your best friends!"

Aria fell silent and sat on the ground, leaning her head against the counter.

"What's up with you kid? I mean you were able to get away from that life, away from him. Hell you and Dante are sitting pretty right now. Why go back?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's because things were easier with him. I never felt like I had to be anybody but me you know?"
"But you're still you. I don't get it."
"I feel like I have to prove myself now. Especially to my parents. Anytime I'm out past 12, they think I'm out getting drunk or something. I guess I just miss feeling like everything was going to be okay, now matter how crummy things got."

Kara hugged Aria, who was crying now.
"Things will get better, they always do." Kara said, wondering if her own words were true.

Dante was a little surprised at her answer. He just wanted to make sure she made it home safe and that was it. "Well if you say so. I just wanted to make sure you made it there safely." he said as he pulled out the bus schedule. "Listen. If you run into any trouble call that number I gave you. OK?" After all it was getting late and the sun was beginning to set. He knew how the city could get at night and it worried him.

Dante watched as Victoria walked out of site. He took out his cell and texted Aria:
Hey do you care if I stop by now? Victoria just left to go home and I have nothing else to do.

He put his phone back in his pocket and started to head towards his house. If Aria said it was alright he wouldn't be that far away. He walked through the neighborhood that everyone was afraid to go through when it was dark out. The same neighborhood that the gang members who killed Alex liked to hang out in. He was not intimidated and was actually hoping that he would see one of the little rats. Dante scanned the streets and looked at everyone's faces to show he wasn't afraid. He saw a local corner store that was open. It was known for selling minors alcohol, so Dante was going to try. He wasn't up for a party tonight after all, but that wasn't going to stop him from getting a small bottle. He grabbed a fifth of whiskey and set it on the counter. The guy looked Dante over, "It'll be ten ninety-five" he said as he put the bottle in the bag. Dante pulled out a twenty and gave it to the guy. He then grabbed the bag and walked out. This was his way of thanking him. Dante continued to walk as he took swigs out of the bottle every now and then, as he made his way out of the neighborhood.

By now, Dante covered a lot of distance, and was almost to the park by his and Aria's house. He took the usual trail but decided to sit close to the gate in case he had to leave. He sat down at the bottom of a tree as his back slide down the bark. He took out his bottle and began to drink. I hope this does something. he thought with each swig.

As Dante took a swig of Jack, his phone vibrated, and he took it out of his pocket. It was a message saying that he could go over Aria's house. He stood up and dusted himself off. He looked at the bottle and not much was missing. He put it in his back pocket and began to walk towards Aria's house. He wasn't looking forward to seeing Kara, but he wasn't there to visit her anyhow. He passed down a few side streets and made it to her house. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door. He made sure to eat a mint since he had the smell of alcohol on his breath.

Dante walked in and gave an evil glare at Kara. He knew what Kara was and who she knew and this did not go well with Dante. She was the middle man between him and the rats that killed Alex. Dante walked in the kitchen and leaned against the counter opposite of Aria. "Nothing much. I went to the zoo today with Victoria. It was nice and there's just something about her." he said as he glanced over at Kara. He looked back at Aria, "So when do you ever wash dishes? Usually you're in your room and relaxing. Am I right?" he said as he took the bottle out of his back pocket. He paused before taking the cap off. "Hey you don't mind do you?" he said as he held the bottle.

"Well since you just agreed that I'm right, what's with the sudden change?" he said as he took a swig of the bottle. He replaced the bottle back into his pocket. "Thanks. Yeah I feel something there. If this tells you anything, I bought her a gift and lunch. I'm not much of a relationship type person but I'll give it a shot." Dante looked at Kara as she walked in the kitchen. He then turned his attention back to Aria. "Not bad you say? You're all that she's got, huh?" Dante paused and took in a couple of deep relaxing breaths. He could feel the anger rising in him as he said those words. He continued in a nice manner. "I don't know. She does have those little rats that she calls friends. Oh and then there's Veto. But I'll go with what you say. After all you're my friend not her." Dante said this loud enough for Kara to hear. He wanted to make sure she got the point. He then told Aria, "I'm sorry for bringing up Veto. I really am. Don't hate me for it."

"Yeah change is for the best. I'm not trying to tell you what you need, but I can tell you that you don't need that bullshit again." Dante took another swig out of the bottle. He became angered just as fast as Kara mocked them. "He stepped out of the kitchen and took a step towards Kara. He did not care what Aria had to say about what he was about to do. "Do you have something to say b***h? If it wasn't for your lowlife friends Alex would be here. All because your friends are punks. All because they like to ruin anything they come in contact with." Dante was now in a fit of rage that was becoming uncontrollable. He continued before she could say anything. "So let me guess. You're going to call up your little vermin of friends and have them kill me too? I'm taking it as you forgot what day it is today. Well to remind you it's the day that Alex was killed!"

Dante picked up the phone and threw it at Kara. "Here! Go ahead and call up your friends because I'm so ready for them! Just make sure they're prepared!" he yelled as he took a seat on a bar stool. He was now angry and was not thinking about what he just did. Aria would most likely make him leave after this but he expected it.