Mac P.O.V.
She gets out of the car and I follow her to the house. Still wearing the hospital gown, its thin material envelopes her small figure. With a flimsy tie at the back, the opening of the dress shows nearly half of her bare back, revealing her bony shoulder blades. I sigh and put my arm on her shoulder as we walk through the entrance way. Ari tiptoes towards the living room and sulks into the couch. A breeze of wind zips past and she shivers. I shuffle towards the sofa and look down at her.
"Babe, you wanna' go get changed into something warmer?" I suggest softly, rubbing her arms covered in goosebumps.
"Mmfph" She mumbles something incoherent into the pillows. I grin and slip my arms under her legs and stomach and lift her over my back with ease.
"Wha-mac, stop" Ari kicks her legs and tries to wiggle out of my grip but slowly gives in. She's definitely tired, usually she'd tackle me to the ground but she barely has enough energy to stand up today. I pad up the white stairway with Ari in my arms, Lafayette's paws clicking behind me. I reach the bedroom and lay her on the bed. She's nearly passing out. Her closet is a mix of booty shorts, over-sized jackets, a pile of my missing t-shirts and a range of hoodies and sweatshirts. I pick out a big Steelers hoodie and grey sweatpants for her to wear. When I turn around she's curled up in a small ball with Toulouse near her chest. I can't help but smile, cuties. My cuties.
I untie the hospital dress, slip it off and place Ari on her back. Holy. I kiss her belly and pull on the hoodie and sweatshirt. Just perfect. Ari crawls further onto the bed and lies down, I scoot right up next to her.
"I love you Ari" I whisper in her ear.
"I love you Malcolm"
Ari P.O.V.
His hand slips up my hoodie and his fingers trace the length of my spine. His hands move higher and feel my ribs.
'Fuckin' hell Ari" He chuckles under his breath and rolls onto his back
"What". He doesn't answer.
"What?" I demand, getting frustrated. He shakes his head and looks to the wall, "You've gotten really...I don't know, skinny". I sigh.
"Mac, you gotta' be kidding me right?" I sit up disbelievingly.
"Well, no. Ari, babe, listen. I know you've had troubles with your weight, but this?" He gestures towards me.
"What 'this'?" I mock, "Everyone around me seems to think I look fine, why do you have trouble seeing that as well?"
"Ari I don't think you're getting the point here, you barely weight 100 pounds. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"Stop Mac"
"No Ari, this is getting out of control and I can't say it enough, you need to eat"
"You know what? You sound like those people online who constantly try to tear me down, the ones who make me want to change my body. The ones who make me hate myself"
Mac's eyes widen and he puts his hand on my arm.
"Ari...you know I didn't mean it like that. It's just-"
"No, it's not 'just' okay? I'm at a weight that I'm happy with and if you have a problem with it, then leave"
"You're overreacting babe, come on". I shove him off me and stand up.
"Who are you to judge Mac? Go on. Every time I look away you're smoking, you're drinking, you're vaping. Who the hell knows what else? And I can't just stand here doing nothing, while you overdose". He holds his hand over his mouth and gazes out the window. Mac turns back to me, his head tilted, an blank face and his hands shoved in the pockets of his shorts.
Mac P.O.V.
I leave the bedroom. She stands there cloaked in over-sized hoodie, a tired expression on her face. Guilty, but I can't help it. My addiction has stayed present throughout nearly all my life and I constantly give in to the urge of drinking, smoking, taking drugs till I pass out. Ari, my soulmate, my whole life, I can't even stop for her. I don't deserve her.
I trudge out of the house and staring back at the windows I see a small figure crouched on the floor. Breathing heavily I walk out the gates and to my car. I drive through Los Angeles, the sun falls from the sky leaving a cloudy dark night to remain. I spot a club buzzing a few blocks away so I park my car and travel down the sidewalk. Drunken men tumble out from the double doors every few minutes, sharpening the hum of music and stench of alcohol. I sit down on the pavement, thankful to finally relax. Pulling out a cigarette, I start to smoke.
I'll go back tomorrow. Maybe it's best for Ari too, to have a break from each other. The wind speeds up, flying past stores full of people, whipping my shirt and tugging trees.
"Hey, you're that rapper-Mac Miller right?"
I look up to see girl about my age smirking and peering down at me. Red locks of hair cascade down to her hips, a red satin dress that fits her body and black boots lined with spikes.
"Uh-yeah that's me" I say, leaning back. She raises her eyebrows.
"Well, hit me up when you feelin' blue baby" She giggles, referencing my song.
"And, I'll tell you how I'm feelin' too" I laugh as she smiles back. The girl hands me a piece of paper, blows a kiss and stalks off. I follow her longs legs until she reaches a black Mercedes and takes off into the fleeting night. I open the crumpled note that read:
0263994783 xx see you round MM
