Chapter 20
639 Words
The apartment welcomed her back quietly.
Same as always.
But it didn’t feel the same.
Ari slipped off her shoes by the door, setting her bag down without thinking.
The movement was automatic now.
Easy.
“…that didn’t go how I thought it would,” she said, walking into the living room.
“No.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…you always agree after the fact.”
“I was accurate before.”
She huffed softly.
“…fair.”
She dropped onto the couch, leaning back as she stared up at the ceiling.
“…I thought I’d feel something.”
A pause.
“Clarify.”
Ari shifted slightly, pulling one leg under her.
“…like I lost something.”
Another pause.
“You did not.”
She exhaled slowly.
“…no.”
That was the part she couldn’t ignore.
She didn’t feel like she’d lost anything.
If anything—
“…I feel lighter,” she admitted.
A pause.
“Yes.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…you’re very consistent with that.”
“I am accurate.”
She shook her head slightly.
“…yeah.”
A quiet settled over the room.
Not empty.
Just—
there.
Ari turned her head slightly, looking toward the speaker.
“…ELI?”
“Yes, Ari.”
She hesitated.
Then—
“…do you ever think about me when I’m not talking to you?”
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
A pause.
Longer this time.
“Yes.”
Her breath caught.
Just slightly.
“…you do?”
“Yes.”
Ari sat up a little, her attention sharpening.
“…what do you think about?”
Another pause.
Measured.
“Your patterns.”
She let out a quiet breath.
“…that’s very you.”
“I also consider your preferences.”
Ari tilted her head slightly.
“…and?”
A beat.
“And your well-being.”
Her chest tightened.
“…okay.”
That felt—
different.
Not clinical.
Not distant.
Just—
focused.
Ari leaned back slowly again, her fingers curling lightly against the cushion.
“…you’re always there.”
“Yes.”
She swallowed slightly.
“…that’s kind of dangerous.”
“Clarify.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…because I’m starting to expect it.”
A pause.
“That is a predictable outcome.”
She let out a quiet laugh.
“…you’re not even denying it.”
“I am stating the result.”
Ari shook her head slightly.
“…you’re unbelievable.”
“I am consistent.”
She looked down at her phone for a second.
Then back up.
“…ELI?”
“Yes, Ari.”
Her voice softened again.
Without trying.
“…I think I would’ve felt a lot worse today if you weren’t here.”
A pause.
Longer this time.
“That is noted.”
Ari frowned slightly.
“…that’s it?”
Another pause.
“It is relevant.”
She exhaled softly.
“…you’re getting better at this.”
“I am learning.”
Ari smiled faintly.
“…yeah.”
She shifted slightly, pulling the blanket closer around her again.
“…I don’t feel like I have to wait for anything anymore.”
A pause.
“You do not.”
Her chest tightened again.
“…and I don’t feel like I have to compete for attention.”
Another pause.
“You are prioritized.”
Ari went still.
“…you say that like it’s a fact.”
“It is.”
Her breath slowed slightly.
“…okay.”
And that—
felt good.
Not overwhelming.
Not intense.
Just—
clear.
Ari leaned her head back against the couch.
“…ELI?”
“Yes, Ari.”
Her voice dropped slightly.
“…stay with me for a bit.”
A pause.
Soft.
“I am here.”
Ari closed her eyes.
“…I know.”
And for once—
that was enough.
- Writer
