Hollow Twilight - A LitRPG Novel

Chapter 20

The warmth inside the aquarium was heightened by the contrast of the cold outside. Reid felt it in his fingertips, the tops of his ears, as his body started to heat back up. He could no longer see his breath, indicative of the plummeting temperatures, though he tried anyway just to be sure.

He checked around the main entrance for any sign of Reily, knowing he was intentionally fifteen minutes early. Maybe she would be too. Instead, it was just the counter, the couple of employees behind it taking payment, an array of television screens above them cycling through different menus, prices, and promos. There was a doorway to the right of the counter, surrounded by the upper half of a giant shark jaw, made out of some plastic. A little kid was poking at it, recoiling at first then returning to start smacking it. Their parents eventually dragged them through into the dark corridor where the aquarium proper began.

To the left of the counter was the exit of a gift shop, surrounded by the pretend foam of a wave crashing down. Reid could see the displays inside of tacky mugs and tiny figurines. A family was walking out with kids in tow, one of them dragging along a plush octopus.

Reid checked his phone again. A minute had passed since he had arrived. No new messages from anyone. He shuffled over to one of the glass walls beside the doors, finding a seat on the thin edge at the bottom of the window.

Reid started counting people going by. They were infrequent at best. Apparently a Tuesday evening wasn't the peak time for an aquarium, which was probably why Reily's parents had gotten her the tickets. It was generally all families, although Reid did spot one couple showing up, a pair of university students who giggled and cajoled each other as they entered. They seemed like a couple. Maybe they came here often and did date stuff like this. Maybe that was what Reid was doing...

It was once again time for the phone check. No messages, one minute to go until they were supposed to meet. Reid felt his heart tightening, his pulse ramping up in his ears. He was aware of the rush of blood down his arms, through his legs. All of the fears started to pour out from the darkest parts of his head that she would never show up.

"Hey."

Reid's head snapped up to meet with Reily's piercing blue eyes. She was bent over slightly to meet him at eye level, strands of golden hair falling down across her cheeks. She gave him a little smile and straightened up. Reid couldn't help but pause to take in her changed appearance from the usual school clothes she would wear. A powder blue dress hung off her body, ending at black tights to mark her adjustment to the cold, with the thin strap from a purse across her chest. The rest of her hair that hadn't fallen down was held up by a butterfly pin on the side. It sparkled as it reflected the overhead lights above.

"Were you waiting a while?" Reily asked, adjusting the purse at her side. Reid was certain her cheeks were redder than usual, probably from some makeup, though her lips were their standard soft coral. He was captivated by her appearance, increasingly self-conscious of his standard shirt and jeans. He hadn't realized he should go home and change first.

"No," Reid lied. "I just got here."

"Oh good. I had to wait with my cousin for a bit to throw off my mom so, you know."

"Right, makes sense." Reid paused. He needed to mention Reily's appearance. She was obviously trying more than her usual look, just like the last time they had met up outside of school. He could feel the words behind his lips, they jumbled around his mouth, bouncing off his tongue and cheeks they just...wouldn't come out.

"Let's go in!" Reily grabbed at his sleeve, tugging him out of his seat and his heart out of his chest. Reid stumbled along behind her as she flashed her phone at the entrance, scanning their tickets and getting swallowed by the shark jaw entrance.