Aria's P.O.V
I was tossing and turning in bed because I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was the scene from earlier at the university.
"I DID IT FOR YOU! BECAUSE I'M ANNOYED SEEING YOU CRY OVER THAT BULLSH*T ART CLUB! WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO DO, ARIA! I'M DOING EVERYTHING FOR YOU, WHY CAN'T YOU SEE THAT, ARIA!!!"
It felt like those words from Cairo were repeating in my head.
It was disturbing me because I couldn't understand what he meant. Why did he have to do that for me? I just couldn't figure him out. I closed my eyes again, but all I could see were the scenes from earlier, so I opened them again and just stared at the ceiling.
"Ugh, please Cairo, get out of my head. It's so frustrating!" I said, still staring at the ceiling.
I had no idea what time I fell asleep, but when I woke up, the sun was already high. Fortunately, it was Saturday and there was no school. I also didn't know how I was going to face Cairo.
I just decided to finish the drawing of the five philosophers he asked for because I was sure he'd go crazy again on Monday if I didn't finish and submit it. I didn't want to argue with him anymore, so I'd do it to avoid any more trouble, and so I wouldn't have to deal with him again.
"Ate!" I heard Kai calling from outside my room, knocking loudly on the door.
"What?!" I shouted back, still working on the drawing. I hadn't finished yet; I still had two more drawings to complete.
"Bro Prim is here! He's here now!" Kai shouted from outside. In my surprise, I immediately stood up and opened my room door.
"Prim? He's here? Where? Where's Prim?" I asked, looking around.
"I mean he's here in our area, he messaged me. He wants to meet us today." Kai explained.
I thought he was at the house now. Prim is my childhood best friend and used to be our neighbor, but they moved away after we graduated high school. I really missed him a lot, so I was thrilled that he was here and wanted to see Kai and me.
"He said we should meet at the mall; he'll be waiting for us there." Kai added.
"Right now?" I asked.
"Yes, so get ready and let's go." Kai replied.
I packed up the drawing and decided to finish it later when I got home. I started getting ready.
"I'm ready." I said.
"I've been ready for a while. You're so slow, come on." he said, already heading out.
We took a ride to the mall where Prim was supposed to be waiting. When we arrived at the mall, we went to the 3rd floor where he was waiting. We didn't have any trouble finding him.
"Bro Prim, long time no see." Kai said, and they did a fist bump.
"You've grown so much, Kai. How are you? Are you studying well?" Prim asked.
"Of course, me?" Kai replied. Then Prim turned to me.
"I've missed both of you, especially you, Aria." Prim said.
"We missed you too. It's great that you decided to visit us." I said.
"Of course, I haven't forgotten you, even though we moved." Prim said.
"I'm treating you today. Let's have fun together." Prim suggested.
We went to the arcade and played games. After that, Prim decided to watch a movie.
"What do you guys want to watch?" Prim asked.
"Anything, as long as it's a horror film." I said.
"I don't want horror. You guys go ahead and watch it." Kai complained.
So we ended up watching what Kai picked: a Tom and Jerry movie.
We were sitting in the theater with Kai in the middle and Prim and me on either side of him. Kai was laughing at the funny scenes, clearly enjoying himself. I was yawning and almost falling asleep.
It's not that I didn't like Tom and Jerry; I actually liked it when I was younger. It's just that my tastes have changed, and I'm more into horror movies now. Prim seemed to be enjoying the movie as well.
"Wait, I need to use the restroom." I said to them and stood up to leave.
As I was walking, a child was blocking the way, sitting on the floor, so I couldn't pass and just stood there.
"Hey, move! You're blocking the way!" I heard a familiar voice shouting from the back of the theater. I was sure it was Cairo's voice. I quickly looked toward the source of the shout, but it was too dark to see who it was. I just bent down a bit but stayed standing.
"Don't block the floor, move to the seat." said the child's mother, picking up the child and placing them in a seat.
"Sorry about that." the woman apologized to me.
"Oh, it's okay." I replied and continued walking. I glanced back at where the shout came from; I was sure it was Cairo's voice, but it was too dark to see anything.
I made it to the restroom and took care of my business. As I fixed my hair in the mirror, I wondered if it really was Cairo I heard in the theater. Was I going crazy, hearing his voice everywhere? I felt like I was traumatized by that guy.
I decided not to go back to the theater since I'd probably just fall asleep there. Instead, I wandered around the mall. The movie would be ending soon, and I planned to return and meet them outside once it was over. After the movie, I met up with Prim and Kai outside the theater.
"Why didn't you come back, Aria?" Prim asked as we walked.
"I was feeling sleepy inside." I replied.
"You're no fun to hang out with, sis." Kai chimed in.
"Tsk, you're the one who insisted on watching a Tom and Jerry movie when I said I wanted a horror film." I said.
"But I don't like horror movies!" Kai retorted.
"Hey, stop it. Let's go. We still have a lot of time and places to visit, and we should enjoy ourselves. But first, let's eat." Prim said, and both Kai and I quieted down.
We ate at a restaurant in the mall, and Prim covered the bill. I don't know how Prim has so much money now, but we didn't refuse, especially since it's a rare treat.
"Choose what you want." Prim said as she looked at the menu. We were currently seated at the table. Kai was also busy picking his food from the menu, so I started looking at mine.
I almost swore at the prices; they were so high that I was confused about what to order. I set the menu down on the table while the other two continued to browse.
I looked outside, deciding that I would just order whatever they got. As I was looking out, I thought I saw Cairo walking by, wearing shades and a Tom and Jerry t-shirt. Wait, was that really Cairo? I rubbed my eyes, thinking I might be imagining things. When I looked again, he was gone.
With so many people walking around the mall, I couldn't spot him again. Maybe I was just seeing things. But why is this happening? I thought I heard his voice earlier, and now I think I saw him. What's going on with me? I feel like I'm losing it.
"I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!" I shouted without realizing it. Everyone turned to look at me.
"Aria, what's going on?" Prim asked, confused.
"Sis, are you losing it?" Kai asked, looking surprised. Yes, Kai, I think I'm really losing it. This is what I want to say, but instead of answering their questions, I grabbed the menu and held it up to my face out of embarrassment.
"N-nothing, I just remembered something. Don't mind me." I said while hiding behind the menu.
Prim and Kai just laughed. I ended up ordering the same thing they did. After eating, we went to the amusement park. We rode the Ferris wheel, took pictures, ate ice cream, and wandered around. By the time it got dark, we had lost track of time because we were having so much fun.