- 7 -
Dating Aria: Loves Unexpected Rival
Sophia and Aria's age gap romance and drama continue as she spends a fun evening with her tight-knit group of friends, culminating in an adventure to see the mysterious Luna Starling perform, with unexpected surprises and thrills throughout the night.
There was a time when I reigned as the life of the party. As the queen of socialites, I went everywhere, experienced everything, and mingled with everyone who mattered. However, following my divorce a decade ago, I transitioned into a more introspective homebody, embracing a quieter lifestyle. I was all about my tight-knit circle of gal pals. We were more like family than friends, and we had each other's backs through the divorce storm. So when I finally found someone new, the ladies were ecstatic! With some good news to finally celebrate, I invited everyone over to my place to catch up. I had found sunshine after a long, dark winter - and damn, did it feel great.
I decided to skip work for the day and focus on what really matters: my girls. They deserved my undivided attention, and I was determined to make our get-together one for the books. So, I made sure every single detail in my home was picture-perfect for their arrival. The plush carpeting fit for a queen welcomed them in with a softness, and the soothing aroma of lavender permeated the air, reminding us that we don't need a spa day when we can bring the spa to us. I hung some funky, pastel-colored abstracts on the wall to give the room a fresh and fun vibe. I was set to host a ladies' get-together that no one would forget! I could practically feel the buzz of excitement in the air as the first of my girls arrived, eager to catch up and have some fun.
Cyndi burst through the door, her bouncy curls twirling like a whirlwind of energy. Her outfit, a colorful ensemble of swishy pants and a vibrant top, caught the eye, but it was her infectious laugh that filled the room with joy. With a saucy wit and a no-nonsense attitude, she had us all eating out of the palm of her hand. Cyndi may have been headstrong, but she owned it with a confidence that left us all in awe.
As Marysol entered, her Cuban accent brought a delightful musical lilt to the room. She sashayed in, clad in clashing florals and a garish pink slip dress, and we couldn't help but admire her daring, albeit tacky, fashion choices. But it was her culinary skills that really could steal the show. One night, she whipped up a Cuban-style feast of empanadas and rice and beans that had us all raving for days. Marysol was truly a force to be reckoned with, both in the kitchen and in life.
And then there was Katie, strutting in with her signature confidence and style. Her dynamite curves were accentuated by a dazzling, prom-worthy, contrast sequin crimson dress, while her perfectly waved blonde hair left everyone envious. As a journalist, Katie was a fierce advocate for the truth and a stalwart champion for justice. Her daredevil spirit had her jumping out of planes, but it was her tenacious spirit and sassy wit that always left us all in awe of her strength.
The blazing Florida sun beamed through the windows, intensifying the day's already hot and sticky vibe. My girls were practically drooling in anticipation for my juicy gossip, but they had no idea that I had a surprise up my sleeve. Aria, my new flame, planned to make her grand entrance after school. I had a hunch that her infectious personality and bubbly nature would leave my friends smitten. Get ready to gawk, ladies, I thought to myself.
As Aria glided into the room with the grace of a fairy-tale princess, my heart skipped a beat. Her raven hair cascaded down her radiant face, and her floral perfume filled the air. My friends' eyes widened in amazement when they noticed her surprise appearance, and I briefly wondered if they'd judge me for dating someone so much younger. Brushing those thoughts aside, I basked in the glow of Aria's presence. She was my forbidden fruit, my enigmatic girl, and I eagerly anticipated her enchanting my friends.
Marysol's jaw nearly hit the floor when she first assumed Aria was my daughter. Smirking, I corrected her mistake, unveiling Aria as my new flame. Her flirty smile and batting lashes showed she wasn't afraid of stirring controversy. Her voice, like honey, filled the room, and her youthful energy was contagious. As Aria held court before my friends, I felt a surge of pride and excitement. She was the star of the show, and everyone was undoubtedly under her spell.
The ladies' initial excitement faded quickly, yet Aria continued to command attention. Perched on the edge of the velvet sofa, her school skirt pleats twisted between her fingers, she radiated a nervous energy that only heightened her allure. Surrounded by sophisticated women with worldly experience, Aria's youthful glow shone like a beacon, reminding us all of the thrill of first love and new beginnings.
"So glad you made it," I said, greeting Aria with a smile.
"Please, like I'd miss this!" she shot back, completely unfazed.
"Follow me," I said, gesturing towards the bar. "It's time to trade that orange juice for some bubbly. We have to make sure our youngest guest isn't left out."
"Hey! Don't get it twisted. I've been in this world for 18 years, and I'm an adult," Aria retorted with a smirk.
"Well, technically yes, but you're still the baby of the group," I teased, handing her a flute of champagne. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
Aria laughed and took a sip, clearly enjoying the attention. Sipping on Moët, the group conversation meandered before landing on the topic of aging. Cyndi and Katie started going on about the Botox and fillers they'd recently tried. "I never used to care about how I looked before," Cyndi said with a flourish, pointing at her lines. "But now that I'm getting more wrinkles, I'm seriously considering a little 'work' to fix it all up."
Aria fidgeted in her seat and twiddled her fingers, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. But gradually, she opened up, trying her best to connect with all the mature women in the room. When she finally spoke up, her teenage uncertainty showed through. "I, like, don't really care about that stuff," she said, looking down at her lap. "I mean, I'm young, right? I don't need Botox or anything. I'd rather just, like, have fun and stay active, you know?"
The other women listened attentively to Aria's comment, admiring her youthful energy. But Katie, who was starting to slur her words and clearly had a bit too much to drink, couldn't resist a playful jab. "Oh, come on, Aria," she said with a smirk, nearly spilling her champagne. "You're not afraid of a little Botox, are you? Gotta keep up with Sophia and the rest of us."
Marysol quickly intervened to diffuse the tension. "Katie, let's not pressure Aria," she said, shooting a stern look at her friend. "Aria's still young and beautiful. She doesn't need to worry about wrinkles yet."
As the conversation shifted from beauty treatments, Marysol mentioned her son's acceptance into NYU, which made Aria's eyes light up with excitement. She eagerly chimed in with her own experience, appreciating Marysol's supportive words earlier.
"No way, that's so cool!" Aria exclaimed, nearly spilling her champagne in excitement. "I applied to NYU too, but it was a total long shot. Hearing about your son's success just gives me all the feels, you know? Like, anything's possible if you work hard enough!"
The other women listened attentively to Aria's bubbly commentary, nodding in agreement. "That's awesome, Aria!" Cyndi said, raising her glass in a toast.
Katie, who had also perked up at the topic of conversation. "I remember when my oldest got accepted into NYU, it was such a proud moment," she said, taking a sip of her champagne. "You never know where life will take you, right? I'm sure you never imagined yourself with someone like Sophia," she told Aria.
"Well, here's to having something to celebrate," she said, raising her glass. "Cheers to chasing our dreams, no matter how wild they may seem!"
I clinked my glass against hers and replied with a smile, "I couldn't agree more. Cheers to chasing our passions and turning our wildest dreams into reality!"
Katie's interest in Aria peaked when she inquired, "What field of study are you considering?"
Aria hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit nervous under the scrutiny of the group. "Um, well, I've always liked, uh, art and fashion," she stumbled over her words, trying to find the right way to express her thoughts. "I mean, they're both, like, really creative and expressive, you know? And there's so much history and culture in them too."
She took a deep breath before continuing, her voice growing more confident as she spoke. "Like, with fashion, it's crazy to see how, uh, trends and styles have changed over time. From corsets and petticoats to athleisure and streetwear, it's all, like, a reflection of the culture and society at the time. And with art history, I find it fascinating to explore the context and meaning behind different works of art. Take Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night' for example - there's so much more to that painting than meets the eye. It's like a window into Van Gogh's head and all his emotions. Art is such a rad way to express yourself and spread your message. Plus, it's an incredible part of our culture."
Aria wowed the ladies and the party kept going, packed with the smell of booze and perfume, plus a chill jazz playlist. Aria's discomfort grew palpable as the conversation shifted from tasteful to tacky. The topic of Brazilian butt lifts was raised, no pun intended, causing Aria to cringe and take a long sip of champagne. And then the discussion took a darker turn, veering into explicit sexual fantasies. Aria could feel herself shrinking away from all the vulgarity and started playing with her bracelet like it was a pair of worry beads, wishing she could just disappear into the floor.
Despite my best efforts to keep an eye on everyone, particularly Aria, she managed to slip away unnoticed. I figured she was just being a typical teenager, sulking and bored with the party. I searched the house, checking the living room and the kitchen, but there was no sign of her. I called out her name, but there was no answer. I checked the guest room and the bathroom, but they were empty too. Finally, I arrived at my bedroom, and there she was - Aria, sprawled out on my bed and looking like she'd rather be anywhere else.
"What's the matter, princess?" I asked, plopping down next to Aria on my bed. "You look like you're having the time of your life."
Aria twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, her eyes darting around the room. "Ugh, this is so not my type of thing," she grumbled.
I took a generous sip of my mimosa, savoring the sweet tangy taste before flashing a smirk. "Well, I don't know. Perhaps we could spice things up?"
Aria's face lit up, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she locked onto mine. "Finally, something interesting," she drawled in a bored tone. "I swear, I was about to die of boredom if we stayed here any longer."
