The Mechanic

Chapter Forty - "A Million Bees."

"The Mechanic"

Chapter Forty

'A Million Bees.'

Demi's POV

I was getting better.

Weeks were passing quickly, and living with Joseph became the daydream I never knew I'd have the opportunity to live out. The threat of Wilmer still existed, but as time passed, my fear began to subside. He'd slowed down his advances, and what were once multiple calls a day became one or two every couple of weeks. A part of me had hope that he was giving up, that my pleading with him to leave Joe and I alone had had some kind of effect. But in truth, I knew that was likely not the case. 

Nevertheless, I had become much more open again, no longer afraid to leave my home whenever I pleased. Joseph's heart fell at ease as well when it came to my safety; he'd often have me meet him places during his breaks, rather than him having to come home to get me. Frequently, I'd even go to see Ariana. She and I would spend some mornings together catching up, and often I was pleasantly surprised by the new developments in her life.

Since my moving in with Joseph, Ari and I's time together became much more scarce. Our friendship, which we had once thought was inseparable, had begun to slip beneath us because of both of our lifestyle changes. She and I had only become friends because we had seen each other every day. Now that she no longer worked for Wilmer and I no longer belonged to him, our need for each other dwindled. 

But it wasn't painful.

We didn't miss each other.

We just caught up when we could. 

And pretty soon, we were no longer best friends but had become, simply, friends. Joseph had filled the space Ariana's friendship had once occupied, and my love for him filled the void of my missing her. He was now my best friend, my partner. All I needed.

And Ari understood that.

Still, so much had changed for her as the weeks passed. As I became more of myself, regaining my individuality and free choice, I found excitement in learning about the lives of others. I was itching to see her, since it had been some time, so one evening I'd given her a call and arranged to visit she and her mother. They, of course, welcomed me in with open arms; their cozy home scented with lavender and decorated meticulously with trinkets.

"You look great," Joan, her mother, wrapped me in a hug, her perfectly straight smile bright and wide. Her short hair was styled in a brand new pixie cut, and it framed her heart-shaped chin beautifully. 

Ariana sat cross-legged on the plush sofa, her teeny body swallowed adorably by an oversized sweater. 

"She's right, Demi," Ari smiled. "You really do look amazing. You're, like, glowing."

"Oh stop," I waved my hand at their flattery. I was simply in a nice sweater and jeans; despite the time passing, the cold weather hadn't let up much. 

Sitting on the couch beside Ari, I decided to chat her up as Joan made her way into the kitchen.

"So, what's new?" I asked plainly. Her eyes lit up as if she'd been waiting for someone to ask her that question all day.

"Well, since you asked," she pushed her long ponytail behind her back dramatically, and I couldn't help but grin. "I'm going back to school."

Blindsided, I was incredibly happy for her.