Lily Of The Valley (Aris x Reader)

23) Defensive Personality

Maddie and Josh were siblings, with Maddie being two years older than him while Josh was exactly my age. Maddie was darker but light skinned, maybe mixed. Her black hair was tightly curled, sort of poofy even with the red bandana as it bounced with every movement in a hypnotizing way. Her eyes were a mix of almost gold and green, and her lips were plump in a way I couldn't help but notice were kissable. She was shorter, around an inch away from him, but thinner, scrawnier. She had black combat boots and denim shorts that stopped mid thigh. Her top was a light pink with the sleeves stopping exactly at her shoulders. Her backpack was a little bigger and jingled when she moved. She spoke more confidently and sure of herself.

Josh was just white, not ghostly pale but definitely not having at least one of the same parents as her. He was a darker blonde with a few lighter highlights that came out when the sun hit them just right. He had the exact same eyes as her, but his eyelashes were shorter. He wasn't fat, but he looked like he had a normal amount of food, more than we got. He had green tennis shoes with dirty white laces. His jeans stopped at his ankles while his shirt stopped at his elbows, maroon with words you couldn't make out in the front. He wasn't as nice to look at as Maddie, but he was alright I guess. All I can say is he was certainly looking at me a little too long for comfort.

“You two need a shower,”She remarked.

“Yeah. We know,”I nodded.

“There's an old motel not too far from here. Still in decent condition too, and if you're lucky you’ll find some clothes in the closets. No electricity but the water works fine. Has great pressure and some soaps.”

“That sounds heavenly,”I promised.

“Yeah. Thought so. I take it you two want to come with?”

“Sure,”Aris almost deadpanned.

“There's plenty of rooms too and a nice kitchen. You have to use a lighter or matches for the stove, but it works well.”

“I’ve missed hot food,”I sighed, practically drooling at the thought.

“Then, boy, have we got the place for you,”He promised, smiling at us. I have to admit he had a nice one. Two of his top teeth were crooked and kind of pointy, almost like vampire fangs.

“Can we leave now?”I asked.

“Sure. We’ve seen all this anyway. No need to look at the same old things.”

“Alright. Let's get going then,”I smiled.

“Can do.”

× ~ × ~ × ~ ×

We were slower than them. Well, Aris was. I just stayed behind with him. I can't leave him hanging back like that. I’d be the worst friend ever if I did.

“Slow walkers, huh?”Maddie remarked. When she turned around as he took another step, one foot obviously stronger than the other, she put a hand on her brother’s shoulder. He stopped and turned only for Aris to have stopped walking, glaring at the ground.

“Have to slow our pace,”She explained, already walking back. Josh didn't question it as he followed, accepting that we were arriving there later.

“I’m fine,”He grumbled.

“Sure. We’d be jerks not to though,”She shrugged.

“I don't need your pity compromise.”

Elbowing his side, I shot him a look, telling him to be nice. We were being offered an actual place to stay. They weren't pitying anyone either. She's right that it's just human decency.