Heart Like Yours - Scarxiaoven

Chapter Twenty-Three

Venti's POV

Thursday

Sitting in the passenger's seat, I stared out the window with my eyelids heavy. I counted every stop sign we drove by in silence. It gave me something to focus on other than Xiao. 

"How was your shift last night?" My aunt asked me from the driver's seat. 

I finally peeled my eyes from the window and turned my attention to her. "... Horrible... I had to work with a new employee, and all they did was create mess after mess... it was exhausting."

She laughed breathily. "Tough luck, huh?" 

I nodded as I forced a small smile. "I... have to try and get used to a new work partner..." 

The air became heavier, and my aunt smiled warily. "You won't have to work with them for much longer at least, right...?"

I grabbed ahold of the hem of Xiao's hoodie. "... We don't know that." 

"It's better to be positive, sweetie..." 

I turned away and crossed my arms. "... I appreciate you trying to make me feel better, but... I'm so tired of hearing people tell me to be positive. How can I be positive in a situation like this?!" I raised my voice but kept my head turned away from her. She didn't need to see me snap.

She stayed silent. She likely ran out of ideas on what to say to me. It's not her fault, really... I'm hard to deal with. 

For the rest of the ride, we didn't talk. I felt bad... I didn't want to hurt her feelings or anything like that... but I couldn't find the courage needed to apologize. I'm just not ready yet.

"... Okay, we're here." My aunt said, parking the car outside of Xingqiu's house. 

I watched as Xingqiu exited his house and made his way to the car. "Hey!" 

"Hey!" I said happily, turning my body in my seat so I could see him. "How are you?"

He smiled at me as my aunt began to drive. "I'm pretty good! How are you...?"

I laughed breathily. "Couldn't be better." 

We didn't talk much after that, just the odd comment about something that happened at school. 

Eventually, we reached the hotel that Scara and his mom were staying at, and Scara came out and got in the car beside Xingqiu. 

"Hey Scaramouche!" My aunt said happily, turning herself around to give him a smile. 

She had a conversation with him about how he's been doing and all of that. 

I watched Scara, not discreetly mind you, as he talked with my aunt. He was still happy... his shoulders aren't being held down by heavy weights anymore... it's like he's... free.

My aunt drove us to the hospital, and she talked with both Scara and Xingqiu the whole time. I only gave the casual nod or smile in response. 

The three of us entered the hospital, and my aunt went home. 

We met up with Kazuha, who was in the same spot as he was on Tuesday. He was waiting for me to show up. 

"Hey Venti!" He said, smiling happily at me. His attention then turned to Scara and Xingqiu. "Oh, and hello!" 

I smiled and stood next to Kazuha, giving him a one-armed hug. "Hey! This is Scaramouche, and this is Xingqiu." 

Kazuha shook both of their hands. "Wait... I remember you!" He said as he shook Scara's hand. "You were there at the music store! You were working the cash, right?"