A Summer Fling (Aris x Reader AU)

27) Killing Time

Like every morning, I woke up to an empty bed, an absence of warm arms tangled around me. The sun was peeking through the window, filling the room with a dim light. The yellow walls seemed to change for a moment, blending into the darker shade.

With a sigh, I leaned my head back and shut my eyes. I was stuck between getting up to start the day or laying back down and feigned unconsciousness until she dragged me out of bed. It's not like either of them exactly have a negative. It's just two types of positives.

As I was going back and forth, apparently indecisive first thing in the morning, my phone rang from the nightstand beside me, demanding attention. Groaning, I rubbed my face as I picked it up. Despite knowing the dreaded answer, I checked the contact.

They don't like me. They’ve never been interested in anything about me. Why do they insist on playing caring parents from miles away? I’m supposed to have a safe haven here. It should just be me, a farm, and the people I love but haven't had the courage to talk to in years. Not them reminding me how miserable I’ll be when I have to go back.

Maybe this'll be it. Maybe I’ll only have to suffer through one more.

I definitely hope so.

Before I could back out, I clicked accept. Instantly, an overly excited voice came through, questioning my well-being like there were enemies surrounding me.

“I’m good,”I said simply, trying not to let it travel over that I was cringing at, well, whatever this is. It's not exactly acting, because she does want me to be okay. It's more of how she seems to be playing ‘I miss my kid' because it's expected instead of actually missing me. It's exactly like parent-teacher conferences, where they'd nod along to my good grades and how quiet I am without ever thinking of asking me about it.

“That's great!”

This conversation is basically autopilot. There's never a new question. Never any news to share. Just what's expected. Always what's expected.

Right when my dad grunted out a good evening, there were familiar footsteps outside the door. With relief flooding over me, I got out from under the covers, sitting up as she came into view. I couldn't help but wonder why she wouldn't want darker tennis shoes, seeing as her white ones are covered in colors that didn't come in the package. Her shirt and jeans were the exact opposite though, not a speck of white despite the white with baby blue sleeves and lighter jeans.

“And your friends, how about them?”

Her eyes got a flash or recognition when she walked into the room, face twisting into something unreadable but oddly comforting.

“We have to get up, Aris!”she exclaimed, barely looking at me as she picked up her red hat that was on the windowsill. She adjusted it over her braid, using the window as a mirror. 

“Oh. I guess I have to let you go,”she said quietly, a frown in her voice.

“Yep. Bye,”I nodded, biting back my smile as I hung up. There was the familiar click of no longer having to hear them want me to be a totally different person than who I actually am. Falling on my back in relief, I ran my hands over my face as I sighed.

“You okay?”she asked, sitting beside me.

“Yeah. I just-ugh,”I groaned.

“That’s one way to put it,”she nodded, fingers trailing up and down my arm, leaving a path of invisible comfort.

“It's the only way to put it.”

“I’m sorry,”she said softly. It wasn't the mandatory type reserved for when something awkward happens so you want to push it down. It was a genuine apology that I’ll never get from the people that should, a small promise that I don't deserve it.