The Fallen Angel

25.Sleepover

As the humidifier filled the air with moisture, the soothing aroma of lavender began to spread throughout the room. The gentle glow of the night bulb illuminated the space, casting a shimmering cascade of silver stars across the walls. With each breath, the room became a haven of tranquility, enveloped in the calming scent of lavender. I reached into my cupboard and pulled out my soft pajamas.

In the midst of the lavender-scented room, I presented Aria with two options of pajamas: the pink set adorned with strawberries and the green set featuring watermelon designs. While Aria remained immersed in her book, her legs gently swaying behind her, I inquired about her preference. With a subtle gesture, she pointed towards the strawberry pajamas, her choice clear amidst the tranquil ambiance. The soft glow of the night bulb reflected off the patterns, casting a gentle glow on the fabric, as if highlighting her selection with a touch of serenity.

A smile spread across my face as Aria rolled over the bed, expressing her delight. "OMG, I love your room," she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. The soothing aroma of lavender filled the air, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. As she continued to roll, her words echoed the sentiment of comfort.

As I gently ushered Aria off my bed, I couldn't help but notice the dirt on her clothes. With a chuckle, I encouraged her to hop off, but as she did, she lost her balance and ended up on the floor. "Looks like it's shower time," I quipped, nudging her playfully towards the bathroom.

With a pout, Aria halted in her tracks, questioning the need for a shower. "Why? It's only 10," she protested, her disappointment evident. I crossed my arms, considering her response. "Fine," I relented, seeing her point, "I'll get the snacks ready." As I turned towards the kitchen.

A mischievous glint danced in Aria's eyes as she suggested, "Why don't we take a shower together?" Her playful wink elicited a smile from me. "Fine, go now," I replied with a chuckle, entertained by her suggestion.

Descending the stairs, Dizzie, our mischievous cat, weaved between my legs, prompting a chuckle. With a gentle tap on her nose, I affectionately scolded her, "Not now, naughty." Settling onto the couch, I directed my attention to the fridge, where I retrieved bags of Lay's and Doritos chips, along with a chilled Coke. Placing them on the coffee table, my eyes then caught sight of the cake my mom had lovingly prepared. Excitement washed over me as I swiftly sliced it into pieces and arranged them on a tray, adding a delightful touch to our snack spread.

As I entered the bathroom, the soft glow of the lights and the sweet scent of roses enveloped me, momentarily dazzling my senses. Aria stood there, already in her bikini, a playful grin on her face. "Too late, Miss," she teased, and I couldn't help but smile in response. With deliberate slowness, I unbuttoned my shirt, allowing it to slip from my shoulders and into the waiting bucket. Left half-naked, I tied my hair back before joining Aria at the bath tab. We eased ourselves into the warm water, sitting across from each other.

As I submerged myself in the water to wet my bikini, I couldn't help but notice its transparency. Aria, with her glass of wine in hand, expressed her approval with a contented sip. "I love it," she remarked, her words accompanied by a smile. My hair cascaded over my shoulders as I reached for my shower gel, its floral scent filling the air. With gentle motions, I applied it to my skin, luxuriating in the soothing fragrance and the warm embrace of the bath water.

"Let me help you with that," Aria offered, taking the shower gel and gently rubbing it onto my back. As she did, she extended the offer of wine, but I declined with a shake of my head. "I hate wine, Aria," I affirmed. She turned to face me, her hands still gliding over my body, as I mentioned, "Ero is back," while lathering my hair with shampoo. Aria's response was not immediate, so I repeated more urgently, "Do you hear me? He's back."

Aria poured water over us and responded casually, "So what?" I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief to finally voice my concerns. "I was worried about his absence," I admitted, reaching out to hold her hands. With a reassuring smile, I reminded both of us, "Remember, he's a monster." Despite the weight of the topic, we continued to enjoy our time in the bathtub, letting the warm water soothe away our worries. Eventually, we emerged from the tub and wrapped ourselves in towels.

"Pat, pat, pat, Aria," I instructed, focused on my skincare routine. Aria, busy brushing her hair, couldn't help but comment, "Isn't it annoying?" I turned to her with a playful smile and gently patted her face before applying the cream all over her skin.

With a spritz of perfume, I enveloped us in its scent, declaring, "Let's go, captain!" as I bounded onto the bed, clad in pajamas. Playing a melodic tune, I turned to Aria, my thoughts drifting to Aiden. "Is everything okay between you two?" I inquired, simultaneously scrolling through a playlist.

Observing Aria dust herself off, she admitted, "Yeah, we just had an argument." Sensing the weight of her words, I met her gaze with understanding. "I understand he's been devoting more time to his classmates, but try not to let it escalate into a fight," I gently advised.

"Hazel's parents are throwing a party," Aria mentioned, crossing her legs nonchalantly. I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Her parents?" I inquired, seeking clarification. Aria nodded, scrolling through her phone for more details. "It's all over social media. Her dad's new company is making headlines, so they're celebrating with friends and family," she elaborated. Crossing my arms, I shook my head firmly. "Don't even think about inviting me to her party. I have no intention of ever setting foot in her house again," I stated decisively, my resolve unwavering.

We spent the night laughing, chatting, and gossiping, sharing past embarrassments and stories until the early hours of the morning. The room was filled with warmth and camaraderie as we relished each other's company. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with us, and we drifted off to sleep around 3 a.m.

As I settled into bed, pulling the blankets over us, a notification on my phone interrupted the tranquility of the moment. Curious, I glanced at the screen to find a message from an unknown number: "we need to talk." Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, I wondered who could be messaging me at this hour.

Before I could dwell on it further, another message appeared: "It's me, Ero. Meet me at school tomorrow."

---------------------------------------------