Five
Arien
I don’t know much about the stores around here. The driver stopped at a random one near the clinic, but they didn’t carry the candy Elias loves. I assume he loves it since he has so much of it in his drawers. Six different flavors, but I only had time to try one while I was shoving the blueberry flavor into the front of Elias’s hoodie.
It didn’t stay tucked away for long. As soon as I got back, I plucked it from the large pouch and shoved two strips into my mouth, kicking myself when I realized I forgot to leave his hoodie behind. I really let my sweet tooth get the best of me sometimes, and it doesn’t help that I’m a nervous eater. Especially when it comes to sour candy. Once I realized how well it worked at distracting me from all the nerves in my stomach, I quickly became addicted to its magical ability. Oh, and the taste. Give me some of that dopamine while lighting up my taste buds please.
I’d never had sour belts before, or cotton candy, and couldn’t stop myself from indulging in the sweet treat once I’d started.
“Maybe we can try another store tomorrow?” I lean forward, placing a hand on the back of the passenger seat as I side-glance at the driver. I’ll have to replace two flavors now. I thought I could save the rest of the blueberry after eating two pieces, but when I stepped out in front of the building, waiting for the driver to show, I got antsy at the way people passing by were looking at me. Then four more pieces ended up in my mouth, one after another.
“Sure, but remember, I’m only being paid to take you to work and back, so any other trips I make will be extra,” he says, eyeing me in the rearview mirror.
I sit back, letting out a sigh. “That’s fine. I have plenty of money.” I’ve saved every penny I’ve made since the day I started working for the sleep clinic on base. There aren’t a whole lot of places to spend it there, so it’s really starting to burn a hole in my bank account. I’d been working there for years before being approved to live in the housing unit.
“And I’m guessing you still want to drop by your friend’s bookstore today too?”
“Yes. I’ll be sure to give you a great tip when you drop me back at the portal, too. “I was supposed to go see Kyvian days ago but ended up working later than expected because of the number of times Elias dozed off. And I’m not ready to leave him yet. I’m not ready to take a break from trying to help him enjoy being alive again. He thinks he deserves his nightmares, but I know he deserves to wake up smiling.
I want to say I’m close, but I’m not so sure the even extended time I was given will be enough. Because the other demon wasn’t the only one who was the problem—Elias was part of it too. His inability to stop purposely seeking out punishment only invited more bad energy. It invited the demons with bad intentions. The ones who love feeding on pain more than they need to. Who he had before was someone who gave the rest of us a bad name.
“I guess I better turn here then.” He swerves onto the next street. The car slows and he drives through a yellow light, passing some restaurants and other buildings. I sit up higher when I spot a large wooden sign with Pandora’s Books written on the front in thick black lettering. Strings of soft lights hang from the ceiling, shining brightly through the large windows—so many windows everywhere, with books sitting just on the other side of them.
Holding on to the window, I press my cheek to the cold glass. A whoosh of excitement swirls in my stomach, and as soon as the car pulls over to the sidewalk, I jump out. My feet almost lose grip on the concrete with how fast I move, my smile stretching from ear to ear.
“I’ll be back to get you in an hour,” the driver shouts, and I wave him off, slamming the door behind me. Soaking up the sun, I move forward, pausing in front of the entrance before pulling open one of the doors.
“Welcome to Pandora’s Books! How can I—Arien?” Kyvian drops the book in his hand onto the counter and rushes my way. “Is that really you?”
“Who else do you know who has purple hair and a face this cute?” I bat my lashes.
Laughing, he closes the remaining distance between us and embraces me in a hug. His rms squeeze tightly around me, and he squeals a little before stepping back. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. It felt like this day would never come. Why didn’t you tell me you got approved? Where are you living?”
“And for once I’m not the one with all the questions,” I say between chuckles, tucking hair behind my ear. “I wanted it to be a surprise, and I’m actually only here on a work visa.”
“A work visa, huh? Does that mean—”
“I can’t stay long? Yeah. I have to be back on base in two hours.” I frown, and his expression matches what I feel.
Grabbing my hands, he perks up as little. “Well, I guess it’s a start, and at least you’re here.” He hugs me again, smelling of crisp book pages and chai. He sure does love his tea and coffee.
“Yeah, and this place is absolutely amazing.” I glance around, squeezing his fingers.
His eyes glitter. “Isn’t it? Who would have thought I’d actually get to live out my dream?”
“I did.” I smile. “It’s so well deserved too.”
“You always did say I’d do it, and it has felt really good proving you right.” He waggles his brows, releasing his fingers from mine. “Looks like you may be closer to living yours too.”
“I’ve definitely come a lot closer.” I beam. “I got a new job opportunity. My boss listened to me this time and is giving me a chance to prove myself.”
His face lights up. “Wait . . . You mean the whole ‘helping to bring out good emotions instead of bad ones?’”
I nod, a little too excitedly. “Yup. And I think it’s working well so far.” I tilt my head from side to side, squinting a little. “It’s just a little slow going with this guy. He’s different from any of the people I’ve visited before. So much sadness and trauma there.”
Eyes softening, he lays a hand on my shoulder. “And I bet having you around to lessen the nightmares is exactly what he needs.”
“Yeah . . . I guess we’ll see.” I feel like what Elias really needs is to stop being his own worst enemy. To stop adding to the hurt and pain he’s already endured. It’s not what his brother would want, and I don’t need to have known him in person to see that. Adam loved him. He showed it in the songs he left on his playlists, the fun notes he left him, and the books he gifted him every time they fought.
“You are. And think of all the people you’ll help after him too. This is only the beginning. You’ll be living down the street from me in no time. I just know it.”
I bark out a laugh. “Down the street, huh? I would be close to work, so I guess there could be worse places to live.”
He slaps a hand to my arm. “Of course there is. Seeing me every day will be a privilege.” He winks. “Come on. It’s almost my coffee-break time. Let’s go across the street for a little caffeine to pick me up. My treat.”
I glance behind me, breathing in a familiar scent when the doors open and a man with dark hair walks in. He has two differently colored eyes and a sweet smile. I breathe in again and the coffee-drenched air sweeps inside my nose. There are other smells with it—sandwiches and fresh bagels. It reminds me of . . . No . . .that can’t be. Can it? Elias does live close by, but I never paid close attention to his address. Could that be his coffee shop across the way?
Butterflies flap in my stomach and I don’t know if they’re from excitement or anxiety. Maybe both?
“Oh hey, Zyn. Perfect timing. I was going to close while I go on break, but having you take over for a little bit will be better. That’s if you’re okay with being on your own for thirty minutes.”
“Of course. I’ll have to be on my own for longer than ten minutes at some point. I’ll be fine. Go on and enjoy your break.”
“Thanks. I’ll just be right across the way.” He reaches for something under the front desk and his eyes bounce between us. “Oh, excuse me for being rude. Arien, this is my new employee, Zyn. He’s been the perfect edition to my bookstore these last couple of days and has been such a gem. Zyn, this is my good friend, Arien. He’s also new to working in the human world.”
“Nice to meet you.” Zyn gives me a brief handshake.
“Same to you.”
The front phone rings and Zyns’s attention shifts.” I better get that. You two enjoy your visit and I’ll see you when you get back.” He shoots Kyvian a smile and then waves me goodbye as he rushes to put an end to the consistent ringing.
Kyvian steps forward first, holding the door open for me and ushering me across the street. Panic sets inside me when an approaching car honks, the driver slamming on his breaks when he almost hits us. Tugging me to his side protectively, Kyvian makes sure I’m okay, all while cursing the guy for not watching out for pedestrians.
I laugh as we hurry to the other side, and my friend doesn’t let me go until we’re safely in the coffee shop. Even then he remains close by. “You okay?”
“I am,” I reassure him. “There aren’t as many cars on base, and the streets . . . they’re different.”
“Yeah, it’s a lot to adjust to, and downtown can get a little busy throughout the day. Especially in the mornings and evenings.”
“I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it with time.”
“You will.” The corners of his lips tilt, and he gently steers me in the direction of the small line forming behind a large counter.
A guy about my height with shaggy brown hair and a bright white smile hands someone their order, while looking in our direction to say, “Welcome to the Daily Grind. We’ll be with you shortly.”
“I can take the next person over here,” a gruff voice says, and my heart slams against my chest when I look up to meet his eyes. Elias is pressing his lips in a thin line, hitting keys on the register. Kyvian drags me in front of him before I realize what’s happening, and I find myself standing here like an open-mouthed idiot.
“Hey, Elias.”
Instead of returning Kyvians’s smile, he grunts and lifts his head. “What can I get you two today?”
“I’ll take an iced caramel macchiato please.”
Elias grabs a cup and scribbles down a name then his gaze shifts to me. “And you?”
“I . . .” My throat closes the longer he looks at me. He looks so much more broken in person. His eyes are so sad and withdrawn. As I lean in closer, I swear I can hear his heart crying. I want to touch him. To pull him into me and tell him it’s going to be okay while having the ability to mean it. I want . . . I want to sing him his favorite song. Has he written it down yet?
Someone clears their throat beside me and Kyvian elbows me. “You gonna tell him what drink you want? Last I checked they have coffee on base and plenty of tea in our world.”
I nibble on my lip, resting my hands on the counter. They’re so close to Elias’s, I can feel his warmth. If I lean forward more, could I smell the candy on his lips too? What would it be like to try flavors directly from them? I clench my teeth. No. He’s a patient. I’m supposed to shut those thoughts down before they come. I’ve been so good about it until now, when he’s standing in front of me somewhere other than his room and the places I took him in his dreams.
He’s more real this way. Wide awake, with blinking eyes that feel like they’re searching deep into my soul. Those muscles flex in a different way here, as he slides the empty cup to another man, keeping his eyes on me.
“Well. You gonna order or not?”
“I . . . yeah . . . sorry. I’ll have whatever you’re having in that cup back there.”
“What makes you think that’s mine?” he asks, tilting his head, and I flit my gaze over his shoulder, eyeing the teal tumbler I’ve seen in his room before.
“Lucky guess.” I lift one of my shoulders.
He huffs out a breath, sounding more agitated than before. “So, Get Up and Go.”
My eyes blink and I shrink in on myself. “Huh?”
“It’s the name of the drink. It’s called Get Up and Go. It has original Red Bull, four pumps of raspberry, and two pumps of vanilla. Still want the same thing?” He lifts a brow, grabbing a clear cup.
This man is nothing like the one I’ve spent the last few days with—he was more chatty and kinder. There were times he even laughed and gave me an almost smile. This version of him is lost and fighting hard to find his way back.
“Sure,” I say, standing taller and tugging on my hoodie strings. My stomach tightens. Oh, sparkle beetle, I’m wearing his clothes. Does he notice? Did I just draw attention to it?
“Alright. Glad we finally got that sorted out.” He scribbles some words on the cup, lifting his eyes. “What’s the name?”
“Arien.”
His eyes grow bigger. “Arien.”
“Yeah.”
He stares at me a little harder, before finally adding my name to the cup and passing it to the guy behind him. “That’s the second time I’ve heard that name in a week. I didn’t realize it was that common.”
“Me either,” I say, fiddling with my sleeves.
“Will that be all for you two today?”
“Yes,” Kyvian says, quicker than me. “You’d think we’d ordered five drinks with how long this all took.” He sputters a laugh.
I shoot him a glare and he ruffles my hair, handing Elias his card. We like pulling one another’s chain every now and again. It’s all in good fun. I’ve really missed all the in-person teasing. After we pay and grab our drinks, I tell Elias thank you and he gives me a nod, calling for the next person to come forward.
“Sorry, should have warned you about the owner. He’s a bit of a . . .”
“Grump?” I finish for him, and he laughs, twisting on one of his earrings.
“I was going to say broody but sure, yeah, I guess sometimes he can be a little grumpy.”
It doesn’t take away from his looks, that’s for sure. If anything, it oddly adds to his appeal. Get a grip, Arien. It’s only been a week and I’m already failing miserably.
“Does he work here every day?”
“Why?” Kyvian’s lips tilt as he leads us to a table by a large window. “You have a little crush? Thinking of swinging by to see him instead of your good old friend tomorrow?” he teases.
I roll my eyes, sitting down first. “Don’t be ridiculous. Was just wondering if he’s overworked. You know I’m always curious about everyone and everything.”
“Not like that.” He takes a seat across from me, sipping from his cup. “You forgot your words multiple times and couldn’t stop making eyes at him.”
“I was not making eyes at anyone.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Their round pupils were definitely turning heart-shaped every time he spoke to you. I’m pretty sure he’s single. I’ve never once seen him bring someone back here before.”
My lips stop before meeting my straw. “Wait . . . he lives here?”
“Yes. A few of the buildings on these strips have apartments built above them. Why? Plan on stalking him in between working?” He smirks.
Waving him off, I sip my drink so fast the coldness goes to my head. “Remind me never to get coffee with you again.”
“So, all other drinks are still on the table then, right?”
I smile around my straw, taking another drink, and my gaze darts toward the quick-moving figure wiping down tables. Elias tosses the rag in a gray bin and walks past us, holding it to his chest. He gives me a glance, and right when I’m sure he recognizes me, he says, “You two still doing okay?”
“We are,” Kyvian says, downing the rest of his drink in one go, and I nod, smiling softly. When Kyvian gets up to go to the restroom, I stand from my seat and wait until Elias is back behind the counter before walking up to him.
He turns around, forehead lifting when he sees me. “Can I get you something else?”
“Just the answer to my question.” I grin.
“What question is that?”
I pull off my beanie, revealing my horns and charms. “What’s your favorite song?”