The Stairs

Chapter 12 | Together

"Why don't you come around to my place?" Charvi asked innocently, barely audible. "You know to have supper or something." 

"Uh, sure sounds great." Erris said whilst sitting on the white bench, throwing a rock at a wall.

"Ok cool, uh my house is just across from here." She smiled.

"I know." He spoke deeply, putting his hands in his pockets.

It had been a few days since the tree got it's 'sexy' tattoo and it was getting late. Not to mention the fact that the dancing spirits would come out soon, annoying and interrupting the two if they were to stay out any longer. Whispering weird things into your ears. Charvi never liked them. In fact she was quite scared of them. They would talk to her. Talk like all the other people.

"We can stay a bit longer." Erris looked down at her noticing her face, dimly lit from the moon's weak projection of light. He looked at her as she had her gaze focused on the floor. He has never seen her like that. He took more notice of her features and found himself smiling a small bit. He realised what he was doing and quickly shook himself from his imagination. Straightening his face and fixing his gaze straight forward. He couldn't help but think that she looked somewhat beautiful tonight. Not just physically though. He thought for a minute
"What am I doing?" He thought to himself

"uh, yeah I guess we can." Charvi softly spoke, startling Erris as he wasnt fully concentrated. He noticed her voice, it sounded.. nervous.
"Are you okay?" He asked, genuinely curious.

"Um yeah I'm fine, why?" She replied bluntly. 
"You sound nervous, something wrong?" He asked her.
"No, a little bit tired is all." She said. She didn't want to say that she was actually afraid of something. He seemed like the kind of guy not to be afraid of anything. He grabbed her wrist to gain her attention
"What is it?" He spoke sternly. He want's an answer and he doesn't want to play games to win it.
"I don't like the dancing spirits okay. They scare me. They call me things and say things that aren't true. They are like everyone else in this annoying town." She exclaimed.
"I'm sorry" he quickly spoke.
"It's not a big deal, just annoying." Charvi reassured him. 
"I get it." Erris added.
"No you don't," Charvi said with a slight smirk. "You're not afraid of anything I bet."
"That's true." Erris laughed.
"Hm well."

"How about that supper? What's cookin' huh?" Erris asked in a funny accent, pretending to mix an invisible bowl as he gets up.
"Well I guess you'll have to wait and see." Charvi smiled causing Erris to smile too. They walked down the stairs as they exited the park, starting their journey to Charvi's house
"At least give me a hiiiiiiint!" Erris whined.
"Noooooooo." Charvi mimicked him as they both laughed crossing the street.

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"You're house," Erris started. "It's beautiful." He admired the lovely walls and furniture 

Charvi hadn't actually had anything prepared so her and Erris made a lovely soup that Erris' mother used to make for him in the winter months. Each other's company was all that was needed as they made a healthy soup filled with chicken, mixed vegetables, ginger, noodles and other stocks and foods. They sat on the warm couch in front of the fire and ate away, getting to know each other even more and going deeply into each others personal experiences. She doesnt know what it is but Charvi finds comfort in deep conversation. Erris wanted to know more about her 'bullying experience' in Ordinaire as she briefly brought it up, reminding him of his queries.
"How long," he paused. "You know, has it been going on for?"
"My whole life," She replied. " As long as I can remember. It's never stopped. I don't know what I've done either. They just attack me, constantly."
"Chris.. him especially."
"Yeah." She whispers looking to the floor. Erris' gaze is fixed on her as he is comfortably slouched on the couch, hot air burning his ears as he sipped on the familiar taste of his home cooked soup.
"You live alone?" Erris asked in a deep tone, his words echoed through the large, poorly lit room. 
"Uh yeah, yeah I do." Charvi spoke.
"How long?" He questioned. "It's okay if you don-"
"It's fine." She cut him off. "I don't know. I don't know where my parents are. I can't remember. For as early as I can remember I have been alone. Not just in the house, but outside, in this world too." She chuckled lightly at the last part.
"You don't have to be." Charvi looked up at Erris. "I can be the one to stand there with you.. out in that world. We could rule it. Together."