Love, Aristotle

chapter 22

Aristotle

I looked up at the sky. The stars shined back, inviting me in.

I wished I could be up there. With the weight of the world off of my shoulders as I floated peacefully in the depths of their beauty, in the infinity of the universe.

Instead, I looked away and made my way down the sidewalk, leaving my sanctuary behind me and fell back into my habit of stressing over everything.

Exams were starting next week, I had rehearsals coming up right after and the recital was soon. So many things needed to be prepared, I didn't think I was ready.

It was all so very fast. The new year would fall into step with the new seasons and then, I'd leave for college.

It wasn't helping that earlier, I felt like something punched me in the stomach. Today overall was just not my day. Damon left before I woke which confirmed my suspicions. He needed one thing from me and left as soon as he got it.

That wasn't even it

After I went on with my day, Andrew and I went to the library. All seemed well until he walked me home at seven. It made sense because we lived in the same block but what didn't was the fact that my dad and his mom both were out "working" I presumed.

He wouldn't understand so I kept it to myself. But if there was anyone I should talk to, it was him. Still, I went home and sat in my room, angry at myself. Angry at my dad. Angry at Damon.

I was overreacting. It was such a small thing. And yet, it was as though home didn't even feel like home anymore and my world was falling apart. The life I thought I had, completely shattered. The dad I thought I knew, someone else.

Perhaps I was changing too.

I didn't even make it five steps when I noticed a familiar pair of footsteps approaching me. Looking up, my frustration immediately vanished. A meek smile pulled at my lips. Despite being angry, I was happy to see him.

Damon held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bag of take out food in the other.

"I was about to text you," I said, in a matter of fact manner.

"Hello to you too, Ari."

I huffed out a half annoyed and half amused laugh. Walking over to him, instead of wrapping my arms like I was tempted to, I grabbed the bag of take out from his hands and looked inside. Flashing him a genuine smile as I saw it was Chick-fil-a.

He cleared his throat, arching an eyebrow down at me. I gave him a sheepish look and threw my arms around his neck, burying myself in his embrace. "I was mad at you but not anymore."

"I'm sorry."

There we were again. This happened constantly and I hated it. He'd do something that kind of hurt my feelings then apologize. And like the heartfelt person I am, I always forgave him, unable to resist even if my life depended on it.

He was genuinely sorry, I could tell and I also knew he was trying. Life was hard and he had his own things to deal with. I just wished I could help him. I wished there was a way to get out of this mess.

We were too young. And it was only a matter of time before life slipped away from our grasp. Until we'd run out of time. The world ended at some point. The sun would die. Flowers wilted. Everything came to an end. Perhaps we would too?

Then again, after the storm, came petrichor. After the rain, flowers. What would come after this?

I never lived in the moment. Always thinking of tomorrow and everything that could go wrong. I wondered about too many things, things I probably didn't want to know.