Misguided Steps

stars ✮

"I'll see you tomorrow." Finley spoke from Arya's doorframe, bending down to kiss her cheek goodbye. He'd done this so many times before in a totally platonic way, but this time felt different; especially with Luca still in the apartment, watching their parting. He coughed awkwardly and nodded goodbye, first at Arya then to Luca, who gave him a silent nod in return.

Luca lived in the same apartment building, just down the hall in fact, so he was okay to stay longer. Finley however, unfortunately for him, lived on the other side of town.

Arya spun away from the door, her pink socks sliding against the wooden slates. She glided along the floor towards the living room, meeting Luca with a wide grin.

"Let's go somewhere." She exclaimed, hands griping the side of the couch. Luca raised an eyebrow at her. Arya was always like this, in the most bizarre moods at the most bizarre of times. "It's too stuffy in here, c'mon Lu."

He couldn't resist when she used his name like that. He jumped up and wrapped a hand around hers, pulling her out the door with him, goofy grins on their faces, pink socks and all.

"I know a place." He whispered, leading them down corridors and passed countless rooms all the same, aside from the people occupying them. Next to Arya lived a sweet old lady that knitted her a jumper every Christmas and baked her cookies every birthday. She lived alone and Arya often felt sad for her. Down the hall was a newly wed couple with a baby that cried all day and night long. In fact, they were crying right now, but it helped to drown out the sounds as Luca pulled down the ladder that led up to the roof, a sign next to it reading 'please don't touch.'

They climbed the rails and reached the top, a beautiful sight awaiting them. Stars of all constellations were visible against the deep blue night. Not a cloud was in sight and Arya couldn't help but sigh in awe as she stepped out into the middle of the roof. Luca followed her, keeping his eyes locked on her smile, he noticed the way she held herself. Her hands were clutching the end of her sleeves like paws and she stood on her tiptoes, as if trying to reach higher, right up there with the stars.

He smiled, an idea suddenly occurring to him. He bent down until he was next to her legs, pushing his head through and standing back up again, her legs sitting comfortably on his shoulders. She let out a squeak as it happened but then began to giggle, letting her arms out stretch and her fingers spread, her neck falling back and her eyes closing.

She breathed in the smell of her beloved town, taking in the sounds of the busy night life while Luca stepped in small circles, twirling her around in a daze.