Chapter 16 Childhood Stories with Nana.
Aria.
“It's time to go.” He stood at the doorway, looking at me intently.
I got up, looking around to pack my things, and then realizing I brought nothing here. I walked towards him, realizing that all I had on was a large shirt and pants I didn't know where they came from.
I followed him regardless, walking through the house to the car, in the parking space.
The house was beautiful and modern, a very sleek place, with all the nuances of a highbrow apartment. Whoever his decor person was, they needed a very good raise. I walked through the house right behind him, going for the car as I saw it.
“Where do you think you're going?” He asked simply, as I sauntered towards the black, beautiful number in front of the house.
“I'm getting into the car.” I said, shooting him a confused look.
“No, that's not our means of transportation.” He smiled at me.
My hair rippled in the wind underneath the helmet as the morning whipped past me. He bent and sped, and I felt everything come back to me.
I felt alive.
I breathed in the rushing air, holding on to him for dear life. We were very close now, my hands wrapped around his midsection, his helmet also on.
“Hold on and breathe, that's all I need you to do.” He rode on, weaving past the traffic and through the buses and vehicles. Soon enough he was in my area, moving through houses at a slower pace.
He finally settled into a parking space in front of my apartment building. He parked, letting me get down before he got down himself and took off his helmet. He shook his head, his hair finally ruffling itself back into place.
“Are you okay?”
“I'm great.” I smiled, still a little disheveled from the unforeseen bike ride.
He smiled at me.
It was a beautiful smile. One that I hadn't imagined would be as pretty as it was. For somebody who didn't smile much, he should. His smile was the prettiest thing I'd seen in a while.
I smiled right back, wanting to return the energy.
“How was the ride?” he asked, wanting to start a conversation.
“Wanna come in?” I didn't have time for conversations.
He stopped. The shock was obvious on his very expressionless face. He didn't expect me to invite him in, but I wanted him to. I wanted him to have a glimpse of my life and what it was like to be Aria.
He deserved that much, at least, for a girl he'd saved more than once.
“You deserve it. Come in. I'll make you a meal.” He nodded, following behind me as we entered the apartment building.
We took the stairs. He took my hand and helped me gently up it, as I still felt tired and woozy, and a lot of my scars were just starting to heal. He walked in front of me, leading me through the halls.
Eventually, I stopped him in front of the door that was mine. The eviction notice was still plastered across it. I hadn't gotten around to removing it after I'd paid the rent.
He stared at the eviction notice for a while, scanning it for a better understanding of what was going on. He looked back at me.
“Rent's due?” I nodded.
“I've paid it now, though. There's nothing to worry about. I just forgot to take the notice off.” He nodded, finally turning the knob and walking inside. Nana turned to us smiling widely, immediately she saw a person that wasn't me.
So much for being her favorite granddaughter.
I turned away, not wanting to answer any questions about my scarring.
“Hello, young man. It's been quite a while since we had a visitor.” He smiled at her. Oh, gosh, that smile was beautiful. He walked to her, sitting right beside her on the sofa.
“Good day, madam. You look quite dashing today. What's going on? What's the occasion?” She laughed quietly, letting him charm his way into her heart.
“Well, there's no occasion. I just thought about applying a little more powder today. I didn't know I'd be having a visitor, so I guess I made the right call then, didn't I?” He smiled.
“Of course you did.” Soon they were laughing easily, like I wasn't even in the room.
Again, so much for being the favorite granddaughter. The only one at that. I walked towards them.
“Nana, did you take your meds?” She nodded. I heaved a sigh of relief.
“I took them this morning when I still hadn't seen you since yesterday. Where did you go? I couldn't find you anywhere. I waited for you till late at night.”
“I'm sorry, Nana. I had a lot of stuff to attend to.” I said, looking towards Grayson immediately, eyes low. She looked at him too and smiled cunningly.
“Oh, I see what's happening here. You've got yourself a new boyfriend, haven't you?” I laughed, shaking my head immediately, denying it.
“Of course not, Nana. Nana! He's right here.” Grayson just smiled, laughing.
“Well, it wouldn't be too bad if I was your boyfriend, would it now?” He looked at me, questioningly. My stomach fluttered. I just smiled at him.
“I'm going to take a bath now. I'll be out in a bit, and then we can eat.” He nodded, Nana already leaning into him, and starting one of her many stories about when I was a child.
I entered the room, picking out a simple sweater and pants, and entering the bathroom immediately. I stood under the shower, the water fizzing over me, as all the events from last night played and replayed in my head.
I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I was still reeling from the shock.
I continued to calm myself, suddenly feeling dirtier than ever. I scrubbed and washed and cleaned. I repeated the process.
Scrub, wash, repeat.
Scrub, wash, repeat.
I did it till my body was sore from all the scrubbing. I still felt dirty, still felt violated. I threw on my clothes and folded my hands underneath the sweater, walking back into the living space.
Nana's head was on his shoulder, smiling easily as she told one of the many stories from my childhood.
“She was such a bright girl. She is still such a bright girl, my baby.”
“I'm sure she is, madam. I'm very sure she is.” He looked back above her head, smiling at me. I offered him a small smile back, not wanting to show any sign of the ordeal I'd just gone through in the bathroom.
I went into the kitchen, whipping something easy up so that we could eat. I made a small meal and served it into three places, serving Nana, then Grayson, and then myself, and sitting beside them on the sofa.
We all ate quietly, and the morning was filled with warmth and more laughter once we were done. Grayson asked me questions about my childhood, and soon enough, he knew much more than any other person could.
We looked at each other, eyes locking beyond my Nana's r
ambling.
This was perfect. I did not want it to end.