Euphoria

Need-dipendant (39)

Laith.

Now your color turn your face to a red Gusher
And your girl stick it to me like a car bumper
Never depended on anyone co-dependent
Kept my thoughts to myself, I don’t need opinions
No middle mans, in the middle of my sands
Niggas thing they sweet, they can’t even pay their incidentals
I’m detrimental, on any instrumental

It was raining in the middle of October, no surprise it wasn't snowing yet. I was lying back on my bed as the rain pitter patter outside my window. I was concerned for Ari's well being although when she was around me she was normal but still a little edgy. I tried refusing to believe what Erica keeps drilling in my ear about her, but the more I see her I see the dilated eyes the nervousness, the minor paranoia the instant mood swing changes. Something was not right but Ari knew herself so if she said she's fine, who am I to object? I heard a knock on my door Hakeem shouted he'd get it. I closed my eyes allowing the sleep take over me.
"Laith!"
"What!"I replied with my eyes still shut
"Come downstairs quickly" I kissed my teeth dragging myself out of bed and groggily walking down the stairs kissing my teeth every now and again.
"What do you want I was finally getting some shut eye and you-"I paused when I saw him holding onto a soaked Ari. That was the wakeup call I need I ran down the stairs
"Ari" She looked up still shivering.
"Th-Th-They...Sh-sh-sh-she" She quivered I shushed her
"It's alright" I replied
"Go get a robe and a towel from the towel rack" I nodded at Hakeem's orders and ran up the stairs finding the things before running back downstairs. He put it round her and put the towel around her hair. She was still trembling. Hakeem got an electronic heater and plugged it in before pushing it towards her.
"Ari do you want hot chocolate?"I asked she slowly, she turned her head to me
"I-I have been such a bother since I’ve arrived, I'm sorry I should go" She stood up dropping the towel besides Hakeem but he pulled her back down.
"Wow, wow, wow you are in no right state to leave anytime, and you are not a bother if you were would I have let you in?"He asked she shook her head no.
"Thank you" He nodded I left the room to go make her hot chocolate with milk of course no sugar. A few seconds later Hakeem walked in.
"After her drink she needs a nice warm bath and dry clothes."I nodded.

"Laith, what's up?"He asked before sitting on one of the seats.
"Nothing I'm just baffled" I shrugged.
"About?"
"How this happened" I motioned my head to the door.
"Let her calm down first, she's a bit lost at the moment" I nodded he went back into the room and I followed behind. She had her head laid back on the sofa looking up towards the ceiling. I sat her hot chocolate next to her she looked at me before looking at the drink. She pointed her finger to herself and I nodded she slowly picked the drink up taking a sip. I put the television on to empower the silence. When she was done she stood up.
"Where are you going?"I asked.
"To go wash the mug"
"Nah you can leave it I’ll do it later" She shook her head.
"I can manage" She walked into the kitchen washing the mug she used and the rest of the stuff in the sink. I couldn't help but admire her facial expression she inverted her mouth as she put extra elbow grease into trying to scrub hard away at the hardened food in the pan. Just like how my mum and nana did. I shook my head trying to erase my mum out my head. She didn't need to have me have her distant memories.
"Thanks for that" I replied making her jump a bit, she turned around.
"Your welcome"
"Come you're going to take a warm bath and wear some dry clothes"
"Thanks a lot for what you guys have done, I don't think that’s necessary."She shook her head at the same time.
"It is necessary or else you'll be sick"
"That's a situation I’m willing to take"
"No it's not, it wasn't even an option" I dragged her up the stairs and pushed her into the bathroom.
"I put the cream and another spare towel on that shelf with some spare clothes" She nodded.
"Thank you" I left the toilet going into my bedroom and running my hand down my face. It is Mid October and days are becoming shorter it was only 4.30 and already it was dark. I laid my head on top of my arms closing my eyes for a little shut eye till she was finished, it wasn't long though because she was out of the shower and sat next to me with her head in her knees staring nothing in particular. We sat there in silence for while, till she spoke out.
"Thank you Laith" I nodded
"Nothing big kiddo" She didn't reply after that normally she'd be cussing me off for saying anything but her name. I turned to look at her, her baby hairs at the front of her braids were soft curls framing her face. She wrinkled her now red nose her face contorted and she sneezed. I said bless you and she thanked me. She turned around to look at me
"I know you were watching me."I didn't reply for a few minutes.
"What happened?"She turned around from me tensing.
"Ari" She didn't respond.
"Ari!" I turned her face towards me.
"Don't you trust me?"I asked
"I do" She whispered.
"So tell me, or should I ask your mum?"She shook her head.
"No no, she has her own worries right now, I don't want to be a burden"
"You keep saying burden who told you you were?"She looked away closing her eyes her face was still in my hand.
"Ari, tell me."
"Okay , okay" I dropped my hand from her face and turned to face the television as so was she.