**Chapter 6: An Unexpected Encounter**

Ariah "Sol" Byone sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on Tracy as she laughed and joked with Evie and Astrid. Ariah had known Evie for a while, and she had seen the way Evie could effortlessly charm people into doing her bidding. But there was something about Tracy that tugged at Ariah's heartstrings. Maybe it was the way Tracy seemed to light up when she was around Evie, or maybe it was the way Tracy's eyes seemed to cloud over when she was alone. As she watched Tracy, Ariah noticed the way she seemed to be changing. Her clothes were different, her hair was different, and her attitude was different. She seemed to be trying to fit in with Evie's crowd, but Ariah could see the pain and uncertainty behind her eyes. Ariah took a deep drag on her joint, feeling the familiar buzz of marijuana as it hit her lungs. She had always been a bit of a stoner, and it was something that helped her cope with the stress and anxiety of her life. But as she watched Tracy, she couldn't help but feel a little worried. Tracy was so young, so vulnerable, and she was getting in over her head. Evie noticed Ariah's gaze and followed it to Tracy. "Hey, Sol, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice low and conspiratorial. Ariah shook her head, trying to clear the haze. "Nothing, Evie. I just...I don't know, I feel bad for Tracy, that's all." Evie raised an eyebrow. "Feel bad for her? Why? She's having the time of her life." Ariah sighed, trying to find the right words. "I don't know, Evie. She just seems so...lost. And you're not helping, with all this stuff you're introducing her to." Evie laughed, a cold, hard sound. "Oh, come on, Sol. You're not going to start lecturing me about being a good influence, are you?" Ariah shook her head, feeling a little frustrated. "No, Evie, I'm just saying...I don't know, maybe we should be looking out for her, instead of dragging her down." Evie rolled her eyes, but Ariah could see the faintest glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. Maybe, just maybe, Evie was starting to realize that she had gone too far. Later that day, Ariah, Evie, and Astrid decided to head over to Tracy's house. As they walked in, Ariah noticed the messy living room and the worn-out couch. She could see the desperation in Melanie's eyes as she tried to keep up with her daughters. As they made their way to the bathroom, Ariah got lost in the hallways. She accidentally walked into a room that she thought was the bathroom, but it turned out to be Mason's room. Mason was sitting on his bed, his eyes fixed on his laptop as he scrolled through his social media feed. He looked up, startled, as Ariah walked in. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Ariah felt a rush of embarrassment as she realized her mistake. Mason, on the other hand, looked surprised but also a little intrigued. "Hey, I'm so sorry," Ariah said, trying to composed herself. "I thought this was the bathroom." Mason smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's okay, I guess I should put a sign on the door or something." As they stood there, Ariah couldn't help but notice the way Mason looked. He was tall and lean, with a messy mop of hair and a charming smile. She felt a flutter in her chest, and she knew that she was in trouble. Mason, on the other hand, seemed to be studying Ariah. He could see the curiosity in her eyes, and he felt a little drawn to her. As they stood there, the tension between them grew thicker. Ariah knew that she should leave, but she couldn't bring herself to move. Mason, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the moment. Finally, Ariah broke the silence. "I should probably go," she said, trying to sound casual. Mason nodded, but he didn't move. "Yeah, okay." As Ariah walked out of the room, she couldn't help but feel a little excited. She had never felt that way about anyone before, and she wasn't sure what to do with these new feelings. As she made her way back to the living room, she caught Mason's eye. He was still watching her, a small smile playing on his lips. Ariah felt a rush of excitement, and she knew that her life was about to change in ways she never could have imagined.