Reach
“You meet him like a month ago, right?” You say suspiciously.
“Yeah, but that is a bit of time.” Ari admits.
“All I’m saying is you haven’t known each other for a while, and do you like him?”
Ari is silent for a moment, “I don’t know, but I think you’re right. He was dating someone a month ago, but they broke up when we met.”
You let out a deep sigh, “I don’t want to see you get hurt, but if you—“
“No, no you’re right.”
Days later, you haven’t gotten an update on what happened, and Ari hadn’t brought the topic up again so you leave it be. You’re once again waiting for Ari at the cafeteria, writing notes and munching on stale garlic bread.
Your focus is suddenly broken when a harsh tone hisses at you, “I actually can’t believe you did that.”
You look up and see Rivers heated face, but you also see a hint of… distress?
“What are you talk—“
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He spits, “You never liked me from the beginning, and you knew a couple convincing words would completely get rid of me.”
All the pieces slowly come together as more words leave River’s mouth, “Guessing her answer was no.”
He scoffs, “Do you think playing coy will make you feel less guilty?”
“Why would I not like you?”
“From the way you look at Ari, you can tell from a mile away why you rather not want me to be with her an—“
“That’s enough.”
Both of you jump at the sound of Ari’s voice, shock clouding your senses.
“Ari I—“ River starts.
“You can leave. Don’t even try, so just leave.”
Rivers eyes flicker between you and Ari, ultimently he sighs and saunters our the exit, leaving you and Ari to stare and each other. They take a seat next to you and wraps their arms around you.
“Good thing we avoided that mess…” You say trying to lighten the mood.
Ari chuckles, and soon both of you start to laugh. You both resume like any other day, and respect Ari’s silent decision and avoiding the scene that just played out. You keep your mind off it for a while, but can’t help think about the last thing River had said.
‘The way you look at Ari.’
“Yeah, but that is a bit of time.” Ari admits.
“All I’m saying is you haven’t known each other for a while, and do you like him?”
Ari is silent for a moment, “I don’t know, but I think you’re right. He was dating someone a month ago, but they broke up when we met.”
You let out a deep sigh, “I don’t want to see you get hurt, but if you—“
“No, no you’re right.”
Days later, you haven’t gotten an update on what happened, and Ari hadn’t brought the topic up again so you leave it be. You’re once again waiting for Ari at the cafeteria, writing notes and munching on stale garlic bread.
Your focus is suddenly broken when a harsh tone hisses at you, “I actually can’t believe you did that.”
You look up and see Rivers heated face, but you also see a hint of… distress?
“What are you talk—“
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He spits, “You never liked me from the beginning, and you knew a couple convincing words would completely get rid of me.”
All the pieces slowly come together as more words leave River’s mouth, “Guessing her answer was no.”
He scoffs, “Do you think playing coy will make you feel less guilty?”
“Why would I not like you?”
“From the way you look at Ari, you can tell from a mile away why you rather not want me to be with her an—“
“That’s enough.”
Both of you jump at the sound of Ari’s voice, shock clouding your senses.
“Ari I—“ River starts.
“You can leave. Don’t even try, so just leave.”
Rivers eyes flicker between you and Ari, ultimently he sighs and saunters our the exit, leaving you and Ari to stare and each other. They take a seat next to you and wraps their arms around you.
“Good thing we avoided that mess…” You say trying to lighten the mood.
Ari chuckles, and soon both of you start to laugh. You both resume like any other day, and respect Ari’s silent decision and avoiding the scene that just played out. You keep your mind off it for a while, but can’t help think about the last thing River had said.
‘The way you look at Ari.’