Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

tensed. His jaw clenched and Ariana felt the briefest flutter of uncertainty.

"What do you mean, you took care of her?" he asked, taking a small step backward. "What did you do,

Ariana?"

Ariana stared at his muddy sneakers. Why had he stepped away? That one movement had thrown her

completely. Taken her confidence.

"It doesn't matter," she said quickly, waving a hand. She stepped toward him, closing the space between them

once more. "All that matters is that we can be together now. She can't hurt us anymore."

Ariana reached for him, but he flinched away. Her heart fell into her stomach like a stone, and tears instantly

welled in her eyes. He

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was supposed to be relieved, not angry. He was supposed to be thankful. Ecstatic. Didn't he realize what she

had done for him? For them?

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Thomas shouted, his voice cracking.

Ariana's heart stopped. For the first time, she felt scared of Thomas.

"I... I did what I had to do. She was going to ruin everything for us, Thomas. But now-"

"Did what you had to do? How stupid are you, Ariana?" Thomas blurted, shoving his hands into his hair. His

face was contorted with fear and rage. "Who do you think they're going to come after? They're going to come

after me!"

Ariana struggled for breath. She had never seen him so angry. So out of control. "No, they won't. I thought of

that. I made sure you had an alibi. You were in class. Fifteen other people will be able to back you up."

Thomas glanced at her, his nostrils flared. "You're sure."

"I'm sure," she said, her pulse calming as he started to relax.

Thomas took a deep breath and blew it out, looking at the floor. "What about you? What's your alibi?"

"They won't ask me," Ariana said with a scoff. "I have no connection to the girl. She was just some townie."

"But what if they do, Ariana?" Thomas asked. "What if someone remembers seeing you two together that day

she confronted you? What are you going to do?"

Ariana smiled. He was so concerned for her. He was just upset now

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because he was scared. Scared for her. For them. She knew he loved her.

"I was in the library with Noelle. I went to get a book and to check something online and came back an hour