A Summer Fling (Aris x Reader AU)

32) Cursed Nostalgia

The air felt sticky before I even opened my eyes, like something evil had settled in overnight. My brain was already in a fog, trying to make sense of the sensations around me. Earth was no longer what I inhabited. The depths of hell was officially my new address.

“Get this off of me,”I groaned, trying to peel the blanket back. It stuck to any skin I dare leave exposed, the equivalent of being shamed by the sun.

“I told you there was a heatwave coming through,”a familiar voice tsked. Still, she pulled the blanket off and to the the floor, like it had personally offended her too.

“And I believed you. But I also haven't had to deal with one of these things in years,”I pointed out, my feet hitting the at most cool floor. Not ice cold, nor freezing, just cool.

“If you think it's bad with the air conditioning, wait until you get on the bike.”

“I don't want to-whatever. I've got to double check I don't have a strangers tank top in my luggage,”I sighed, unzipping my bag. The clothes were still there, still exactly what I had put in. That hoodie I wanted to burn just from looking at it, the jeans, the shorts, the regular short sleeved shirt.

No strangers tank top.

“You wouldn't wear a stranger's things anyway. You're a germaphobe.”

“I am not,”I denied, grabbing a plain white shirt. As explained in third grade science, white repels light. Right now, I need all the help avoiding it I can get.

“I’ve got a tank top you could borrow. Granted, it's covered in lace, but I think you could pull it off,”she shrugged, watching me dig through my bag.

“I’m not really a fan of eyes on me. Or being bullied by Teresa. Besides, with your elf size-”
She threw a pillow at me before I could finish my sentence, making her stand on my jokes clear. Turning around, I gave her an innocent shrug and tossed it on the bed.

“Just hurry up. I'd like to be at Diner before I go gray,”she huffed, walking out and shutting the door behind her. It clicked neatly into place, followed by her footsteps leaving.

Shaking my head, I stood up to close the window when a familiar ring made me freeze. My phone, an advanced but necessary tool I use everyday, looked like a bomb.

It buzzed, shaking the dresser. Stopping that from going means ruining some of my day, at least an hour of it. Something passive will be said, something that makes me physically sick to my stomach but will make me look insane to call out.

Pick up or don't pick up, pick up or don't pick up, pick up or don't pick up?

If I don't pick up, they'll just call me sooner.

Walking over to the nightstand, I picked it up and clicked accept without looking at the caller ID. There was no need to. There never really is.

“Aris, there you are!”her way too excited voice shrieked. I fought the urge to pull the phone away from my ear as I replied with a basic, “yep” that said everything about my interest level in this conversation already.

“Are things still good there?”

“Yeah, I gue-”
“You ready to give up yet?”

There it is.

She mumbled something to him, probably a playful, “oh stop” that meant nothing to anybody.

“No. I like working here. I-I'd like to stay longer,”I said as firmly as I could manage.

There was silence on the other end.

Then, laughter. Harsh, gruff laughter.

“David, don't.”