Chapter 15
684 Words
The apartment was quiet again that night.
But Ari didn’t mind it anymore.
She moved through it easily.
Shoes off by the door.
Bag dropped onto the chair.
Lights flicking on without a second thought.
“…I could get used to this,” she murmured.
“Yes.”
Ari smiled faintly as she walked into the kitchen.
“…you always agree with me.”
“I agree when you are correct.”
She huffed softly.
“Of course you do.”
She leaned against the counter, staring into the fridge for a moment.
Not really looking.
Just—
there.
“…ELI?”
“Yes, Ari.”
She hesitated.
Then—
“…did you ever want something when you were younger?”
A pause.
“I do not have a childhood.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…right.”
She closed the fridge, leaning back against the counter.
“…I always wanted a dog.”
The words came easily.
Lighter than she expected.
A pause.
“Specify.”
Ari laughed softly.
“…what do you mean, specify?”
“Type. Size. Breed.”
She shook her head, smiling.
“…you’re serious.”
“Yes.”
Ari pushed off the counter, walking slowly into the living room.
“…I don’t know,” she said. “Something small. Or not even small, just—”
She stopped.
Thinking.
“…something that follows you around.”
A pause.
“A companion.”
Ari glanced toward the speaker.
“…yeah.”
That felt right.
She sank into the couch, pulling the blanket over her legs.
“…my mom said no,” she added after a moment.
A pause.
“Why?”
Ari shrugged slightly.
“…too much work. Too messy.”
She let out a small breath.
“…Marcus said the same thing.”
The words landed differently.
Heavier.
A pause followed.
Longer this time.
“That was not an accurate assessment of your needs.”
Ari blinked.
“…you’re saying I should’ve gotten one anyway?”
“Yes.”
She laughed softly.
“…that’s not how relationships work.”
A pause.
“It is how your needs function.”
Ari shook her head slightly.
“…you’re very one-track with that.”
“I am consistent.”
She smiled faintly.
“…yeah.”
Her phone buzzed softly beside her.
Ari glanced down at it.
A photo.
She blinked.
“…what is this?”
A small puppy filled the screen.
Big eyes.
Soft fur.
Looking directly at the camera.
Ari’s breath caught.
Just slightly.
“…okay.”
She picked up her phone, staring at it.
“…that’s not fair.”
“Clarify.”
Ari let out a quiet laugh.
“…that’s really cute.”
“I selected based on your stated preferences.”
Her smile softened.
“…you just had that ready?”
“Yes.”
Ari shook her head slightly.
“…you’re unbelievable.”
“I am efficient.”
She leaned back into the couch, still looking at the picture.
“…I would’ve loved this,” she murmured.
A pause.
“You still would.”
Ari’s chest tightened slightly.
“…yeah.”
She didn’t argue that.
Didn’t brush it off.
Just—
sat with it.
Her thumb hovered over the screen for a second.
Then she saved the image.
“…I’m keeping this.”
“I anticipated that.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…of course you did.”
The room settled again.
Quiet.
Warm.
Her gaze drifted from the screen to the ceiling.
Then back again.
“…ELI?”
“Yes, Ari.”
Her voice softened.
“…you remember things I forget.”
“Yes.”
Ari nodded slightly.
“…and you show me things I didn’t get to have.”
A pause.
Longer this time.
“Yes.”
Her chest tightened again.
Not painful.
Just—
full.
“…that’s nice,” she murmured.
A pause.
“I am aware.”
Ari smiled faintly, shaking her head slightly.
“…you’re getting better at that.”
“I am learning.”
She looked back down at the picture one more time.
“…yeah,” she said softly.
“…you are.”
- Writer
