Apricity [a-PRIS-i-tee]: The warmth of the sun in winter
Briar Elizabeth Maddox
Became a social outcast over the summer and now her used-to-be friends treat her no better than the dirt under their shoes. But no matter what she's been through, she'...
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If I thought kissing Briar would result in me easing up on thinking about her, I had never been more wrong in my life.
I don't think anyone had ever openly talked about me like that. She thought I was the nicest guy she had ever met. Thinking back to how I first behaved around her, that thought was slightly mortifying.
But I was grateful she was a stubborn ray of sunshine. I'm grateful she thought I was more than my defensive exterior. There weren't many people in my life who had stuck around long enough to come to that conclusion themselves.
"Did you even hear a word I said?" Myles asked me, snapping me out of my thoughts and chucking the basketball at me.
I barely catch the ball before it slams into my chest. "Nope," I throw it right back.
Myles lets out a grunt as the ball hits him and rubs at his chest. "You know, I know you usually ignore my every word but today it seems less deliberate. It's like you're actually forgetting to listen to me instead of flat out ignoring me."
"I never ignore you, Myles." He gives me a flat look at my words. My tone is as serious as it usually is, yet he still knew the sarcasm was there. That makes my lips hitch in a smirk.
"Okay, I'm scared." He gives my smile a skeptical look.
I flatten my face again. "Pass the ball, dumbass."
We spend half the afternoon at the court. I think Myles catches on between the small breaks I take to check my phone. He doesn't ask questions though, he just smiles to himself and practices his own shots.
Between sending texts to Briar, Julius texts me saying not to wait up tonight because he has plans with a friend. I didn't need to help him today at the shop even though it was the weekend. He told me it was a slow day and I was free to enjoy my Saturday. I reply and tell Myles I'm done with hoops for the day. I don't object when he suggest we get food.
Briar was working all day today. I would have spent the day by myself if Myles wasn't another person in my life now who was stubborn and persistent. I didn't really mind the company as much as I thought I would.
That was until he kidnapped me and the next thing I knew we were pulling into his driveway. "This isn't food, this is a house."
"My house, silly goose," He parks the car and waits for me to follow him. For a minute I think about getting behind his wheel to run him over for calling me what he just did. But since I'm trying to be a better person these days, I reluctantly follow him inside his house instead.
He announces himself at the door, seemingly more a habit than anything else. I follow him to the kitchen where he pulls out some Tupperware from the fridge.
"I know what you're thinking. He's feeding me leftovers? But you haven't tried my mothers chicken stir fry, good hot or cold." He throws a wink over his shoulder before grabbing us some silverware.
He wasn't lying, it was pretty good, leftover or otherwise. The house was quiet, just the two of us in the kitchen until an older blonde girl with the same face as Myles walked through the entrance.
"Dipshit. Have you seen my beauty mirror? The one that lights up? I swear if I find out you used it as a night light again I'm going to-"
"Heather, don't embarrass me in front of my guest. I don't use a night light." Then, he leans in closer and whispers. "Dad calls it my big boy light." I actually couldn't help the snort that comes from me.
"Whatever," she rolls her eyes. "Don't touch my stuff."
"Are you not even going to say hello to my guest. God lord who raised you?"
"I don't have time to associate with you and your kind!" she threw over her shoulder as she went back the way she came. "Justin might as me out tonight. He's into me, it's clear as day!"
"Like a cold cloudy day?" he shouted back. "Or..."
She didn't respond and all we heard was her feet pounding up the stairs. Myles speaks again when hear a door slam shut. "That would be sister. I apologize for her manners. Deplorable, really."
"Wow, man. I didn't know you knew big words." I give him a pat on the back and reach for my phone. It's the second time going off since I've been here.
Myles lets out a sarcastic laugh as I see caller ID. Valentina was the last person I expected to be calling me.
"Yeah?" I asked when the call connected.
"Roman, where have you been?" Her tone is distraught, borderline hysterical. I feel myself tense.
"What is it? What's wrong?" My thoughts immediately jump to Briar. What else could it be?
"There was an accident. They're both in the hospital, Roman. Julius and your mother."
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A/N: SMALL CHAPTER I KNOW.
You guys... the thing about writing is I'll get stuck on something so small and lose some motivation. This chapter it was the leftover. I couldn't decide what dish Myles had for leftovers and it put me off writing for a few weeks. Lmao. SO DUMBBBB I know.
