Housemates

Purple and Orange

Aaron

I wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand, feeling the familiar as it mixed with the residue of exertion. The sound of the sneakers screeching against the court echoed across the gymnasium as the coach blew the final whistle. Practice was finally over and I am so ready to go home.

Coach has been making us come to practice twice as much as we normally do, preparing us for the big game in a month.

"Good work guys, hit the shower and get some rest. We'll continue in the morning" coach barked, his voice filled with sternness. We gathered our belongings, exchanging nods and pat on the backs.

I peeled off my soaked jersey, feeling the cool air on my damp skin. The gym was a chaotic mess of laughter, sneakers shuffling, and basketballs bouncing off the walls. We were all exhausted but there was a sense of accomplishment in the air.

We knew we had what it takes to win the championships.

I hoisted my duffel bag over my shoulder, the weight reminding me of the sweat and toil I had put in todays practice. The scent of the gym clung on to my clothes, a mix of sweat and freshly polished floors. It was a smell that had become oddly comfortable over the years.

Stepping out of the gym, the early evening hit me with a slight chill. It was a stark contrast to the heated intensity in the court.

I walked to my car which by the way Aria has been stealing a lot more often the past few weeks and I've noticed she took that as an opportunity to 'decorate' it. I look at the hello kitty hanging from my rear view mirror. She's gonna pay for this.

I turn on my playlist in the car and begin driving home, feeling exhausted.

Gym class- lil peep plays.

I love him.   

By the time I get home the sun had already set. I notice none of my parents cars are parked which makes me assume none of them are home.

I shrug at the thought because either way it doesn't really matter. I'm going to take a shower and sleep like a baby.

I struggle to find the right key for the front door.

The crooked looking one. I tell myself.

Finally I unlock the door and walk in immediately getting hit with the smell of brownies. There's only one person in this household that would bake on a random Tuesday evening.

Aria.

"Hi" I greet her walking in the kitchen.

Her face lights up smiling returning the greeting. I'd hug her but I feel quite disgusting right now. I head up to my bedroom to take out my pjs and go shower.

Aria, a while back bought me green ninja turtles pj pants after I told her they were my favorite cartoon growing up.

Once I'm done I head back downstairs where Aria is and her smile grows even bigger when she sees what I'm wearing.

"Wait I have matching ones! One sec" She tells me excitedly running out of the kitchen.

I wait for a couple of minutes before she walks back in wearing the same pair of pants and a white shirt.

Yup she's forgiven.

As if I could ever be mad at her.

I walk up to her and just pick her up from the ground spinning her as she giggles. I put her back down so she could go check on the brownies.

When she realizes they're done she takes them out and pokes holes in them with a toothpick. I don't know why.

I laugh to myself thinking about that time she kicked me out of the kitchen because I was being useless trying to help her bake.