Experiment 101 (Aris x Reader)

20) Someone to Like

Maverick was alone this time, sitting by himself. From what everyone heard, he had told his crew to screw off with their useless lives. They served no purpose to him anymore, therefore they had to go.

Aris didn't pay it any mind. Why would he? His life was nothing like it should be, nothing like he wanted. If someone dumped their friends, so be it. They didn't understand how to appreciate having someone in your corner.

He felt insane sometimes. He hadn't known you for long, yet he was doing everything to restore your memory from that night when you were around. Maybe it was because one of the most traumatic events of his life just happened. Maybe it was because you were the first person his age that spoke to him. Maybe because it was one of the only times in his life he felt truly human.

He wasn't sure. What he did know though, was that he didn't care about drama. There was already plenty going on despite being in the most boring place ever.

Aris's P.O.V

There's nowhere to be alone out here. There's no privacy, no space, no anything. It's just openness. As someone who needs silence for energy, this is really not a good combination.

I found a rock to lean against. If I keep my back to everyone, I can pretend they're not here. Maybe I can even actually tune out their voices.

If the Safe Haven isn't real, that gun is going straight in my hands. I have no sunblock, there are Cranks out here, and I might not be immune.

At least I have my jacket Y/N sewed up for me. I wish she wouldn't have shoved me in closets, but that's what kept us hidden. Sometimes you just have to be manhandled by someone who doesn't realize she's kind of intimidating.

As I closed my eyes, my hands in my pockets as I tried to disappear, I heard footsteps that made me internally groan. Am I not allowed to wallow in my sorrow? I think I can confidently say I’ve earned it.

As I sighed, looking at the person below me, I found the person who had earned her spot in my life.

Well, she can stay I guess.

Your P.O.V

I was organizing the bag again, moving things around. We’ll want to keep our water as cool as possible, so it should be at the bottom. The food will need easy access, so that should go in the front. The scarves can be on top in case a sudden sand storm means we have to grab them, along with the first aid kit.

This makes sense.

“Screwin’ ‘round with real people ain't enough? Now ya’ got to screw up our bag?”

“This trip would be a lot easier mentally if you had died in WCKD. Everyone else seems to think so too. They just have too much empathy to say it,”I explained, zipping up the bag. “Fortunately, I don't have any at all. That means I can always call it as I see it,”I promised, standing up and walking off.

He was alone again. He tends to do that. Even in groups, he finds the most isolated place.

As I walked over, the bag still on my back, he sighed as he looked down at me. Without a word, he moved over, patting the spot beside him while telling me I could sit.

The boulder dug into my hands, no doubt leaving small scrapes. I continued on of course. What do things that won't affect me matter? Then again, there's always the risk of infection.

We had to squeeze together in the limited space, our shoulders brushing together. The sun was beating down on us, no doubt a danger.

“You should eat something,”he suggested.

“No. If I eat less, it won't hurt me. I just need something every seven days,”I shrugged.

“I mean yeah, but it's still not a great idea. Making you have the bare minimum is a pretty bad move.”

“I’ll be okay. I always am.”

He stared at me for a long moment, his brows furrowed together in what I’m guessing is concern. His lips were pressed together as his eyes traveled down to my stomach.

“It doesn't hurt. It can't,”I assured him, facing the emptiness.

“Maybe not. But that doesn't make it alright.”

I bit my tongue, resting the urge to point out that his words didn't make sense. Gunshots hurting and killing you are what make them bad. If neither happened, I had the best scenario there was.

“You didn't look at me the way everyone else did when I first talked to you,”I noted.

“There were way bigger things on my mind. I thought you were . . . interesting, but other than that, nothing too concerning,”he shrugged.

“I think you're interesting too. While most here have treated me decently, you’ve treated me most like a human.”

“What does that mean exactly? To treat you human?”

I let myself think about it for a second, trying to register it myself. The words didn't seem to really have meaning. They were just there, a truth nobody else realized slipping out.

“Some of them look at me like they're waiting for me to mess up. It's as if they can't figure out whether or not I’m telling the truth,”I slowly explained, glancing over at him. When he was still looking at me, his hands crossed in his lap, I let myself talk. “Some of them have that particular face when you're waiting for an animal to do a trick. It’s as though I’m merely subhuman, inferior to them without them realizing. Then, there's Maverick. He appears to think my lack of emotions makes me evil, and I can't help but think it may be an obstacle later.”

“All of Maverick is an obstacle.”

“I just told him that,”I agreed.

“Yeah?”he asked, his mouth twitching upward.

“Yes. I explained this trip would go smoother if he was dead.”

“You know, you really are good to have around,”he remarked, playing with his sleeves as he faced the ground.

“Because I don't mind telling Maverick off?”

“That too. But you're good company. If I have to have someone I’m stuck out with, it may as well be someone I like, you know?”

I can't say I don't, because being out here has really shown how important it is to have the right people around. Aris very well could have left me to be trapped there. I could have given up from the get go.

“I know. I’ll never be able to form a proper relationship with you, but that makes sense.”