A Summer Fling (Aris x Reader AU)

4) Familiar Faces

By the time I woke up, the bed was empty, with Y/N already having started the day. The sun was just barely peeking through the window, shining in my eyes.

I have to get up now. Unfortunately.

“There you are. I’m leaving in ten,”a familiar voice greeted. Sitting up, I saw her slipping her tennis shoes on, her hair already up and in a ponytail. She was completely dressed, jean shorts and top.

“Ten?”I grumbled.

“Yes. With or without you,”She warned.

Sighing, I tossed the sheets off of me and stood on the cold floor. Ignoring the way I was shivering, I found a decent pair of pants and shirt after digging through my bag. Holding the set of clothes in my arms, I headed to the bathroom to change for whatever today holds.

☆ ☆ ⁠☆

Nine minutes. I had made it outside in nine minutes, taking the final bite of my apple. It wasn't the most filling breakfast, but it would do.

“I’m here,”I promised, jogging up to her.

“About time. You have a bike?”

“A bike?”I repeated.

“Yes. A bike. Do you have one?”

“I wasn't counting on needing one,”I admitted.

“Sounds like you. Come on. We’ll share mine,”She shrugged, stepping behind the barn. I hesitantly followed her, watching her pull a silver bicycle out, white clouds painted on the side and a woven basket up front.

“Where am I supposed to sit?”

“You won't. You’ll be standing.”

“Standing?”

Nodding her head, she kicked the two things by the wheels where my feet were supposed to go.

“Is that safe?”

“As long as you hang on to me, you shouldn't fall off,”She shrugged, walking it further out. Still walking beside her, I kept my eyes on it, not quite sold on this.

“I mean has anyone ever ridden with you?”

“Nope. You’ll be the very first,”She answered, walking out to the woods, which seemed to have a path clear.

Stopping right by them, she kicked the stand up before sitting down. With both her feet on the ground, she looked back at me, who was just awkwardly standing there.

“Unless you’d rather ride in the basket?”She grinned.

Shaking my head no, I stepped on the things sticking out, landing both my feet on them. Loosely, I wrapped my arms around her waist, my entire body heating up at the contact.

“Hold on tighter so you actually stay on.”

“I’m fine like this,”I promised.

“Suit yourself.”

With that, both her feet were on the pedals, her seeming to go as fast as possible. On instinct, I clung to her, burying my face in her shoulder and holding on tighter than before as she was speeding off, not a care in the world.

“Don’t you think you should slow down?!”I suggested over the wind.

“No! Not really!”

At least she's honest about it. I guess.

“We’re trying to get there before they do!”She clarified.

“Before who?!”

“I can't tell you! That’ll ruin the surprise!”

Figuring I wouldn't get anything else out of her, I rested my face back on her neck, trying to ignore my racing heart from the speed and the closeness and the everything about this. This was certainly not how I pictured today starting.

She's content with it though. Happy even.

☆ ☆ ☆

I didn't get the chance to calm my nerves or loosen my hold on her. Granted, I didn't look up once the entire ride, but it still felt like we stopped too soon. Even with the fact that the sun was now fully shining on my head.

“Alright. You can let go now,”She assured me, stopping with her feet. Pulling my face out of her neck, I removed my arms from her waist and hopped off the bike, stumbling a bit as I regained my balance. She let out a quiet laugh as she placed a hand on my shoulder, steadying me.

“Thanks,”I smiled.

“Of course. Anyways, come on,”She said, patting my back as she walks forward.

Glancing around, I saw that we were basically out in the open now. It was a field flooding with golden sunlight. A bunch of wood has also been boarded together that led to a decent sized lake, sunlight reflecting off of its surface.

It was all yellow.

Kind of like her.

I would be blue though. I think.

“What color am I to you?”

“What?”She asked, turning to look at me.

“Everyone's a color. What am I to you?”

“Purple,”She answer with no hesitation.

“Purple?”I echoed.

“Yes. Purple.”

“Why purple?”

“It's a pretty color. It’s calming. It's just a nice color.”

“Hmm.”

“What color am I to you then?”She asked, still walking with me.

“Yellow.”

“Why yellow?”

“It’s a happy color, and you make people happy.”

“You really think?”

“Yeah. I mean I’m always happy when I’m with you.”

“You weren't kidding? He’s actually here?”

Turning at the voice, I was immediately swept into a hug. Then, just as quickly, I was set on my feet as he patted my shoulder.

Taking a moment, I let my brain remember the brunette hair he had grown out and brown eyes. Gradually, I pieced together the familiar parts he still had and the ways he had changed. Like his height.

“You've got him speechless, Tom.”

Turning at the other familiar voice,  I had to do the same, accepting that her chestnut hair was almost to her waist and she was almost my height now. She had those same freckles though. Same blue eyes.

“Did you both know I was gonna be here?”

“Of course. Y/N told us,”Teresa shrugged, a genuine smile on her face.

“She didn't tell me.”

“Of course not. That would ruin the surprise,”She shrugged, patting my shoulder.

“So are we swimming today or heading out?”Y/N asked.

“Well, somebody,”Teresa sighed, looking at Thomas, “forgot to wear a bathing suit so we're heading out.”

“Heading where?”

“Should have been here the last few years to know. Now come on. It's not too far,”Thomas shrugged.

I looked at Y/N as they walked off, silently pleading for answers. She just grinned before starting to walk in the direction the other two went.

Cool. I love the way I had to move against my will is being held against me.