ARIANA
After Alistair dragged me from the dinning room with him, we escaped into his room - a masculine space adorned with soothing gray and blue decor. The soft scent of his cologne lingered, calming my frazzled nerves.
"So, Greta's nice," I said, attempting to break the silence that had settled between us like a thick fog. We'd been sitting in his room for a while, the only sound the ticking clock on his nightstand. Didn't he mention something about exercise? I wondered.
"Yeah," Alistair replied, his voice low and distracted
"Acio's... interesting." I ventured, trying to lighten the mood.
He snorted, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You mean infuriating."
I giggled, feeling tension ease. Glancing at him, I noticed his troubled gaze. He didn't think I'd noticed but after Reed had left, his mood had changed.
Now that I'd seen Reed, I didn't know what to think. He was... different. His presence was suffocating and his gaze seemed to peer into your soul, as if he knew all your secrets, your thoughts and it was scary. But I wasn't afraid, because somehow his gaze reminded me of Ava - intense yet lost.
"So that's Reed." I said.
Alistair's smile looked strained, like a poorly stitched seam. "Yeah."
I sighed, my shoulders sagging. "Is everything alright? You seemed livelier at dinner."
His eyebrows shot up, surprise etched on his face. "I'm fine. Why'd you think that?"
I shrugged, my fingers tracing the intricate patterns on his comforter. "Maybe I'm reading too much into Reed's absence affecting you. Maybe your monosyllabic responses mean nothing."
He sighed, running his fingers through his hair, the sound of his sigh echoing through the room like a gentle breeze.
"I'm just worried about Reed," he admitted, his voice laced with concern.
I took his hand in mine, my touch sparking a sense of comfort. "I know. He's hurting, but as time passes, he'll be okay."
Alistair's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes pleading for understanding. "No, that's not what has me worried."
I frowned in confusion. "Then what? Is it because of Janzui?"
He chuckled, a low, husky sound. "No, it's not because of Janzui."
I looked at him, waiting for him to explain because I knew he would. He groaned, his hand going through his hair again. I knew that whatever he was about to say wasn't going to be good.
He groaned, his hand raking through his hair again. "He'll die."
The words hung in the air like a guillotine's blade, poised to drop.
"What do you mean he'll die?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Alistair stood up from the bed and began pacing, his footsteps echoing through the room like a restless spirit.
"He'll die if he continues this way!" The desperation in his voice was palpable.
I watched him, my heart aching for Reed and Alistair. I was confused but didn't interrupt. He needed this, to get everything off his chest.
