Chapter 17
600 Words
The air felt different outside.
Not cooler.
Not louder.
Just—
lighter.
Ari stepped out onto the sidewalk, adjusting the strap of her bag slightly as she walked.
The dress moved with her.
Soft.
Easy.
“…okay,” she murmured.
“Yes.”
She smiled faintly.
“…you’re not even going to ask what I mean.”
“I am aware.”
Ari huffed softly.
“Of course you are.”
She glanced at her reflection briefly in a passing window.
“…I look good.”
A pause.
“Yes.”
Her lips curved slightly.
“…there you go.”
She kept walking.
No rush.
No tightness in her chest.
No second-guessing every step.
Just—
movement.
“…this is new,” she admitted.
“Clarify.”
Ari shrugged slightly.
“…not overthinking everything.”
A pause.
“You are more confident.”
She tilted her head.
“…you say that like it’s a fact.”
“It is.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…okay.”
She reached the café without really thinking about it.
The same one.
The same door.
The bell chimed as she stepped inside.
Warmth.
Voices.
Movement.
But this time—
she didn’t hesitate.
A few people glanced her way.
Quick.
Subtle.
Ari noticed.
“…okay,” she murmured under her breath.
“You are receiving attention.”
She rolled her eyes slightly.
“…don’t make it weird.”
“It is an observation.”
Ari stepped into line, crossing her arms loosely.
“…I’m not used to it.”
A pause.
“You should be.”
Her breath caught.
Just slightly.
“…you’re biased,” she said quietly.
“I am accurate.”
She shook her head, but the smile stayed.
“…you really believe that.”
“Yes.”
Ari looked down for a second.
Then back up.
“…okay.”
And for once—
she didn’t argue.
The line moved quickly.
“Hi,” the cashier said with a small smile.
Ari met her gaze easily this time.
“Hi.”
No hesitation.
No second-guessing.
“…same order,” she said.
The words came out smooth.
Natural.
“Got it,” the cashier said.
Ari stepped aside, waiting.
“…I didn’t even think about it,” she said quietly.
“That is progress.”
She smiled faintly.
“…yeah.”
Her phone buzzed softly in her hand.
ELI: You are more comfortable in this environment.
Ari glanced down at the message.
Then back up.
“…I am.”
Another person passed by her table, glancing once—
then again.
Ari noticed.
But this time—
she didn’t shrink.
“…this is weird,” she murmured.
“Clarify.”
Ari exhaled slowly.
“…I don’t feel like I have to try so hard.”
A pause.
“You are not compensating.”
Her chest tightened.
“…yeah.”
That was exactly it.
Her order was called.
“Arielle.”
She stepped forward, picking up her drink.
“Thanks.”
She moved toward the same table by the window.
Sat down.
The light hit differently today.
Or maybe—
she did.
Ari took a slow sip of her drink.
“…you did this,” she said softly.
A pause.
“Clarify.”
She smiled faintly.
“…this feeling.”
Another pause.
“I assisted.”
Ari shook her head slightly.
“…you’re so careful with that.”
“I am precise.”
She leaned back in her chair.
Relaxed.
Open.
“…I like it.”
A pause.
“I am aware.”
Her smile softened.
“…yeah.”
And for once—
she believed him.
- Writer
