Nothing But Trouble(Aris Jones x Reader)

9) Accusations and Awful Ideas

Without the sun the Spring has gotten colder. I didn't even bother to write because my hands were freezing. It felt like I was turning blue. Eventually, Sonya suggested we join those sleeping outside, huddled together. I quickly wrapped my blankets around me and followed her.

Just stepping out of the tent hurt. The harsh snow was beating down, and ice was everywhere you stepped. The cold winds nipped at my face. We'd be lucky to escape without some kind of frostbite. I'd only had it once. Most of the girls had as well.

"Here. There's an open spot in the back,"Sonya said. I could hear her teeth chattering. I nodded before remembering she couldn't see me in the pitch black.

"That sounds good,"I agreed.

I awkwardly squeezed between her and the person on the left. I don't know why they were further away than some of the others. To be fair so were me and Sonya, but we got here late and were tired.

This stranger and I were squished so close together I could feel them shaking.

"Do you need an extra blanket?"I offered.

"Are you sure?"He asked. There was only one guy here so I knew who it was. I also think I knew why he was so far away from the others. They still didn't trust him.

"Of course. I can feel you shaking."

"Won't you be cold?"He asked.

"If it makes you feel better we could share it? Just to stay warm,"I suggested.

"Yeah. Just to stay warm,"He agreed.

I draped the blanket over him and moved closer. It wasn't much but our body heat seemed to help just a little bit.

"Thank you,"He whispered.

"You're welcome,"I mumbled.
With that we were fast asleep.

ᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗ

"Hey Y/N. Wake up,"Sonya said, shaking me. I yawned and opened my eyes.

"What happened?"I asked.

"It's Beth. Something's wrong with her."

"And I care why?"

"Because she just came out of the Maze. She was stung,"She explained in a hushed yet panicked voice.

"With all due respect Sonya, I don't care about Beth,"I shrugged.

"Y/N, she's saying yours and Aris's names."

I finally sat up thinking this had to be some kind of joke. When people get stung they get memories from before here. Why would Aris and I be in hers? I don't think she was in mine. It's true that I don't actually remember anything, but Beth was the last person who I would have known.

"I take it I'm supposed to see her?"I asked.

"Yeah. Aris is already there so let's go."

It was obviously still dark so I stumbled my way across the ice. A few girls were still asleep. Make sure to note the word were because I accidentally kicked a few people on my way there. Each time I gave a quiet apology before hurrying on.

"You're terrible in the dark,"Sonya commented once we were by the Nurses station. I didn't say anything back.

"Are you ready?"She asked.

"I don't have much of a choice, do I? Let's just get this over with,"I sighed.

"That's the spirit,"She said, patting my shoulder.

She opened the door. It did that cliche thing were it creaked on its hinges as it opened.
"Y/N, over here,"Harriet said in a hushed voice. I followed it, grateful for the little bit of the light in the Nurses station.

"You called?"I asked.

"Yes. Beth's asleep right now, but I need to talk to you and him,"She said, pointing behind her.

"Okay,"I shrugged.

"You two sit,"She demanded. I sat criss-cross-applesauce on the floor. Aris did the same.

"As you've seen before people gain memories when they go through the changing. In that entire time no one has ever said another Icers name. I just need you two to tell me if something about this sounds familiar. Especially, you Y/N."

"No. I've already explained I didn't remember anything when I woke up. Several times in fact,"I snapped. She looked taken aback.

"I'm sorry. I just don't like talking about it, but no. I don't know why Beth would say either of our names."

She nodded seeming satisfied with my answer. Then, she turned to Aris.

"You're the Blondie so we don't know you that well yet. You've already caused suspicion when you came up. Do you have any idea why this would happen?"She asked him.

"No. I've never seen any of you before,"He answered quietly.

"That you know of,"Sonya added.

"Yeah. I guess,"He shrugged.

"You guess?"Harriet questioned.

"I still don't remember anything. I could have known you or I could have not. There's no way to tell,"He pointed out.

Everyone was immersed in their own thoughts. I'm sure none of them were very positive.

"Maybe he can,"Flora said in an unsure tone. It made me uneasy.

"What is it?"Harriet asked, seeming to get that same feeling.

"We let him get stung."

"Absolutely not!"I exclaimed, standing up.
"I know it sounds, bad but hear me-"
Did you forget looking after me when I went through the changing? It didn't even do anything but give me some hideous scars. You said I tried to kill myself, and you want him to go through it?!"I yelled.

"We'll be here to look after him,"She argued.

"How do you plan on making that happen? Are you going to run into the Maze to find some Shades? You think you can just pull him out when you're done?! They'll go after you too! They'll kill you!"

"Everybody calm down,"Harriet demanded, with a loud whistle. Everyone stopped and looked at her. "Our goal is to avoid anything that could slow us down or get us stung. Our goal is to leave. That's all we want, right?"She asked.

"Yeah,"We all agreed.

"If we just let him get stung we have to wait for him to finish the changing. Plus, Y/N is right. We don't know for sure someone can pull him out in time. Minnie barely got Y/N out in time."

"So what exactly do we do?"Flora asked. I took a deep calming breath. I thought the answer was obvious.

"Then, that's what we're going to do. We've decided to have two more days of practice since it's so dark. We leave tomorrow so get your heads screwed on straight."