A Summer Fling (Aris x Reader AU)

18) Down at the Lake

I don't want to think about it. At all. A huge reason I came was to not be anywhere near my parents. I don't need them ruining the self-confidence I can only get here, away from them, with people who like me for me. I don't feel worried or sick when someone asks me a question here. I don't feel lesser than when I’m not the best at something. I don't feel like I should hide to do something I like. I want that to last as long as possible. I want to actually feel at home.

That was made easier by her riding her bike at the speed of light and me desperately clinging to her to not die, wiping my brain of all other worries. She's always been like that. Full of energy and ideas. Filled with the desire to be more than you expect. Faster, bolder, more colorful than anything the world could offer.

With my face buried in her neck, I didn't look up as the wind blew through my hair. I don't care to know the path at this point. I’m perfectly fine letting her take the lead. On a lot of things actually.

When there was that usual slow halt and pure sunlight on my back, I knew it was another successful ride. As she put the stopper down, I quickly kissed her cheek before there was a chance of really getting caught.

“Bad idea,”She whispered.

“Could be worse. I could be wearing lipgloss,”I teased, removing my arms from her waist as I hopped off.

“Don’t worry. You will later,”She flirted, winking at me.

“I’m sure I will.”

“Hey! You made it!”

Turning around, we were met with a smiling Teresa and Thomas.

“Wouldn't miss it. Now the only question is, can we actually do what we planned today?”Y/N asked despite him obviously wearing blue swim shorts, slowly looking over at Thomas. Already expecting this, he rolled his eyes while insisting it was ‘just one time’.

“With you, it's never just one time,”I grinned, patting his shoulder.

“I’m already so tired of you.”

“Yeah yeah. You saw that about all of us,”Teresa waved him off.

“That’s because you all have such unique ways of getting on my nerves.”

“And we're proud of that,”She shrugged, slipping her shirt over her head, showing off her yellow one piece. I couldn't help but remember that’s the exact color I see her as. As happiness, as sunshine, as everything that makes the world better.

Folding it, she neatly placed it inside her basket. Doing the same, kind of, Teresa shoved hers and Thomas’s clothes inside a bag, her jeans in there as well.

“Wow. Good job, Thomas,”She dramatically gasped, giving her boyfriend an exaggerated smile.

“Yeah yeah. Just come on,”He urged, taking her hand, tugging her forward, a small reminder that no matter how much she terrorized him (every other second), they are still very much in love. I feel like that was always bound to happen to be honest. They've always been closer to each other than anyone, including their parents who they actually have a good relationship with.

“You coming?”Y/N asked, pulling me back to reality. Nodding, I slipped my shirt over my head, feeling like I had to fold it now. It probably isn't, but something about just throwing it in there when hers are so neatly done seems like a jerk move.

Taking my hand, she held it firmly by her side as we walked down the grass, our shoulders brushing together at every step.

“You look pretty,”I couldn't help but notice.

“You always say that.”

“You always are.”

Without a response she pulled her hand out of mine. Running on the wooden platform, she let out a small yell as she jumped in. While there was still a small splash, she emerged from the lake, pushing her wet hair back.