With You [Sequel to Alone]

2.3

Before I could muster the courage to say "hi" to the person I was dreading, I was pulled into a hug by my father who smelled only of cologne.

Dad: "Ari!!! I can't believe you're home! This must be a dream, right???"- My mother only laughed and hugged my back, enveloping me in the warmth I had always dreamed about when coming home. I felt happy for once in my life. All the scars on my wrists, my thighs, my stomach, and my heart seemed to disappear all at once with the simple loving platonic touch of my parents. A deep voice pulled me out of my trance before I took a deep breath in, recognizing the scent immediately. Eucalyptus mint. The image of my parents hugging me faded away, and I was left only with the sight of darkness and the sounds of an argument.

??1: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FOUND HER ON THE STREET???"

??2: "I MEAN WHAT I SAID, DUMMY!!! I FOUND HER COLLAPSED ON THE GROUND, DEHYDRATED WITH A FEVER AND VERY PALE SKIN!!!"

??1: "HER COMPLEXION IS ALWAYS PALE!!!"

??2: "IT WAS TOO PALE!"

??1: "HOW WOULD YOU EVEN NOTICE???"

??2: "BECAUSE UNLIKE YOU, I STILL LIKE ARIANNA. I LIKE HER A LOT. SHE'S ALL I THINK ABOUT! ALL I CARE ABOUT! WHEREAS YOU ARE NOW BASICALLY THE TOWN SLUT: DUDE EDITION. I KNOW YOU STILL LOVE HER, AND THAT'S THE ONLY REASON SHE IS NOT WITH ME!!!"- My eyes fluttered open and settled on the two people having the argument. It was V and Park. I was in Park's room, and I felt strangely warm. I turned my head to look over to what was keeping me from freezing. I saw Luke, hugging me with his eyes fixed on mine.

Luke: "Guys."

Park: "Shut up, Luke, we're busy."- They continued arguing and shouting at each other, but I just tuned it out. I gave Luke an "I'll take care of this" look before sitting up perfectly straight and staring at the guys.

Arianna: "Listen up nerds."

Park: "Not now, Ari."- He was about to start arguing with V again until he processed what just happened. V did at the same time and I felt a giant kid tumble onto me, attacking me into a hug.

V: "ARIIIII YOU'RE OKAYYYYY!!!!"- I giggled at his childish attitude and saw Park glaring daggers at us.

Luke: "Arianna, are you okay?"- I nodded as a response and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. (I've been doing that kind of stuff for like 10 years lmao this isn't a new thing) I felt Park glaring at us once again. I got up from the bed, only to wobble my way over to Park, pulling him in for a hug.

Arianna: "I hope you realize I haven't forgiven you."- He pulled away and looked into my eyes.

Park: "You said that before. The first day of school last year you said that to me after I hadn't been with you all summer. Then you forgave me. Are you going to do the same this time?"- I hugged him and got up on my toes to whisper in his ear.

Arianna: "It depends. Also, I don't think you're the town slut. The town slut is the girl you were making out with last night after I found your brother crying in the woods. You're welcome by the way."- His heartbeat increased as I continued whispering in his ear. When I was done, I kissed his cheek and ruffled his hair. If he can taunt me, I can taunt him. "See you later, ChimChim. C'mon V, let's go make breakfast."

Luke: "What about me?"

Arianna: "Dude, everyone knows you can't cook..."- V and I laughed while Luke fell back on the bed and Park looked dejected and stunned. Kind of like he just had someone tell him her was the ugliest human being on Earth for the first time. It made me want to laugh even harder as I grabbed V's hand and headed downstairs. I would be lying if I said I wasn't doing most of this to make Park jealous. I felt really bad, but at the same time, it was really liberating. Finally, he was feeling what I felt all that time.