Chapter 23 #2
“You will be sore tomorrow.” You don’t say. I’m already sore today. “You should go for a swim instead of training. The stiffness in your muscles might ease a little.”
I stiffen at his words, but try to mask it as I stretch my arms behind my back. “I think the water outside might be a little cold.”
“You would get hypothermia if you went swimming in the lake, so no, I do not recommend that.” I nearly sigh with relief, only for him to continue. “Luckily, there is an inside lake where the temperature is perfectly warm.”
Ah fucking great. “I don’t know where that is.”
“I’m sure Aramis will show you the way, he loves swimming.”
Of course he does. “Fine. I will do that tomorrow.”
I try to sound brave, but my heart is racing like a trapped rabbit trying to escape.
Don’t get me wrong, Aramis is kind and would never judge me, but telling him I’m not sure if I can swim is a whole other thing.
And the fact that you normally swim with a lot of skin on display doesn’t really help to calm my nerves.
But I put on my shoes and start walking back to my room, in desperate need of a cold shower.
Once all the sweat is washed away and I’m not uncomfortably warm anymore, I grab something to eat and sit down with Aramis and Siri.
I haven’t told him about the swimming yet, I’m not even sure I will. Maybe I should ask Siri where the lake is and try out on my own first. But she might ask questions I’m not ready to answer yet. Although, maybe she won’t.
She eats while reading a book and it must be a good one, she hasn’t said a word and barely looked up when I said hi. I totally get it. I used to be the one who had my nose up in a book whenever I could. I’ve never been this long without reading and it makes me realise I actually miss it.
“What are you reading?”
Aramis' lips are twisted in a soft smile, and he turns his head to watch Siri. “She won’t hear you.”
“Siri.” She really doesn’t. Aramis moves an arm as if he’s going to give her a little push. “It’s okay, really, it’s not that impo —”
He gently pushes his elbow against her arm and she jumps up, nearly letting the book fall into her soup.
“Oh, sorry, were you saying something?”
Aramis snickers and mouths ‘told you’, but I ignore him. “I was just wondering what book you are reading?”
A blush colours her cheeks. So it is that kind of book, huh.
“You know, a cute romance where the hero gets the girl.” She responds vaguely, closing the book as her eyes go big. “Do you enjoy reading too?”
“I used to read a lot, yes. I haven’t since I arrived here though.”
“Oh Aramis, you should take her to the library. Trust me Maily, you’ll never want to leave that place.”
It never occurred to me to as if there is a library here. I guess I didn’t really need that much of an escape as I did in Anima.
Aramis’ hands go through his hair, as if he wants to decline, but is too polite to do so. “You don’t have to. Please don’t feel obligated to do so,” I say.
“Hey, I’m not. I was just thinking if I got things to do this afternoon and I actually don’t. Would you like to go after lunch?”
“I’d love to!”
“It’s a date then.”
I try to subdue my coughing while nearly choking on my sandwich.
“Everything alright, Maily?”
I manage a squeaking: “Never been better.”
“Splendid! I just have a little errand to run, but I will be back before you’re finished eating, I promise. Wait for me outside the restaurant, okay?” He winks and picks up his tray, leaving me alone with a very excited Siri.
“So, what’s that all about?”
Now my cheeks are burning. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Her mouth falls open. “What do you mean? He totally asked you out, dummy!”
My palms start to sweat. “No, he didn’t.”
She leans back in her seat again. “Oh yes, he did. To the library.” She sighs dramatically. “How romantic.”
I continue eating in silence. I wouldn’t call it a date. Yes, we’ve been spending a lot of time together and it feels very natural and spontaneous. But I’m pretty sure Aramis sees me as a friend at most. And I’m fine with that. I think.
I quickly finish my lunch and wave Siri goodbye who is grinning like a fool, but picks up her book again as I leave.
As I’m waiting in the big hall, I can’t help but feel a little nervous. In the books I’ve read, there’s a lot of flirting going on, subtle touches and most of the time it leads to a kiss. The thought alone turns my stomach upside down. But not in a bad way.
Maybe I should’ve dressed differently. My outfit is basic, a dark chocolate pair of trousers and a cream wool sweater with a high neck. Do I have time to change?
“Maily!”
I jump back, bump into the wall with my elbow, the painful electric shock vibrating through my arm.
“My apologies, milady, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Aramis says as he suppresses a grin.
“That’s alright.” I respond, a hand across my beating heart.
“Walk with me?”
I nod and walk next to him.
We walk in silence for a while, the comfortable kind. He navigates me through a maze of halls and I’m lost within seconds.
“Are you though?” He asks and I look up at him, brows furrowing. “Alright?”
Other than the nerves that currently fuel my steps? “I am, but thank you for asking.”
“About the date thing… I was just joking, Mai.” I flinch. Auch. “Shit. That came out wrong. I’m sorry. What I meant to say is, I’d love to go on a date with you, but this is just a friendly walk and tour of the library.”