A Beautiful Distraction(Aris Jones x Reader)

4) Five Days

Breakfast was tense to say the least. I wanted to trust what he said, but there was still the uncertainty hiding inside me. He showed me so much kindness last night. The uncertainty had nothing to do with him. It has everything to do with me. I showed him a side no one had seen before. Now what? Am I supposed to pretend nothing happened or acknowledge it?

"Morning,"He murmered, with a yawn. He was in the worst state I've seen so far. While I'm sure I'm not much better he already came in looking tired.

"Morning,"I mumbled back. Right now I couldn't stomach anything including my usual coffee. I went back to that same beat always playing in my head and matching it with my leg. I'd always wondered where it came from. I've never heard it before yet I knew it by heart. It was the only beat that ever came to me. It was soft like a lullaby.

I jumped when Aris sat next to me instead of his usual space across from me. I decided not to question it. As much as I wanted to thank him I didn't know how or what I was supposed to say. I'm not good with feelings. Even before Alex I would freeze up when someone did something nice for me. At least I would be able to thank them, but I was still skeptical in the back of my mind. He was the only one I trusted. He was the first and only love I could remember, and I swore he would be my last.

I took a minute to look at Aris. He still had distance between us but much less than usual. I tried to keep the beat through shaky hands. My palms were sweating as I wiped them on my jeans. I can't have that happen.

Aris didn't say anything. Instead, he handed me a cup of coffee without a word. A small gesture that made my heart race. Was it from nerves or was it from fear? It was probably both.

"You need to at least drink something,"He told me. I stared at him. He was beautiful in an unnatural way. It wasn't something you'd really expect, and it scared me. All of it did. It was hard enough to be friends, but falling was a different story. It was a story without a happy ending. Even if there was a possibility he felt the same it would go away. I was to difficult to love. I wouldn't know how to show it properly. Even in a normal world it wouldn't matter. Yet it was looming over my head like a cloud. The cloud managed to be dark yet light at the same time.

"You're going to be okay Y/N. Not now, maybe not soon, but one day you'll be okay."
I nodded as if I believed him. Almost as if he read my mind he assured me again. He seemed to be able to see right through me.

I needed some kind of distraction so I sipped the coffee choosing to thank him for that. That's a small thing to thank someone for. Yet there was more behind it, and he seemed to know that.

"Alright everybody. It's the time you're all waiting for. It's time to say who's going to the Safe Zone,"Janson announced, smiling. My heart started racing. I've been here long so I know what that means. Today is probably the day.

Aris grabbed my hand from under the table. "It might not happen,"He said softly.
"Aris, remember the promise. Please?"I pleaded.
"Y/N-"
"Please Aris please."

"From Maze C,"Janson started. I felt my face pale. I was the last person. Aris squeezed my hand tighter as if it would change anything.

"Stay strong Aris,"I told him softly, letting go. He looked more panicked than anyone I've ever seen.

I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "Stay strong,"I repeated, before walking away without looking back. If I looked at him I would cry, and that would ruin his chances.

I zoned out as the others were called looking at my shoes, looking anywhere but at him. He needs to listen and get out. Now that he knows what happens I need him to leave. If he dies saving me it's going to break me. I wish I didn't know this feeling so well. The feeling of needing somebody so much it hurts. I can physically feel it. It feels like you're never going to be able to get up again.