Aria grasped her walking stick, from where she had placed it on the sink, within easy reach. Now, she leaned on it, using it to steady herself as she moved out from beside the sink.
She stepped towards the bathroom door. Her bare feet made soft contact with the cool tile floor and the gentle thud of her walking stick echoed through the small space.
She was only on her undershirt and shorts, her undershirt hung loosely to her frame and her shorts rode low on her hips.
Aria's eyes swept the bathroom, ensuring she left nothing behind. Her eyes landed on the discarded uniform that was crumpled in a corner.
Later, she would return and dispose of it, but for now, Aria focused on the present.
She opened the bathroom door, the sounds of Ryan and Samuel's conversation that was previously muted, now grew louder.
Aria stood tall, her grip on the walking stick unwavering. Her chin lifted, her shoulders squared and she took her first step into the living room.
Ryan and Samuel's conversation stopped abruptly at the sound of the bathroom door opening, they looked up from their seats on the couch and their gazes locked onto Aria, standing in the doorway, her walking stick firmly grasped in her right hand. The sudden silence was so high, like they all held their breaths.
Samuel smile faltered, his expression transforming from relaxed to alert. His eyes moving around Aria's undershirt and shorts, his gaze lingering on the curves of her body.
While Ryan's eyebrows rose, his eyes narrowing as he took in Aria's appearance. His lips parting slightly at her figure.
She stood tall with her shoulders squared and her chin lifted high, the living room seemed to shrink, the space between them charged with tension.
Their silence spoke volumes, as Ryan and Samuel watched, transfixed, their faces reflecting that of surprise, concern and a hint of hmmm.
Ryan suddenly picked up his water bottle that was nearly empty with a little water still in, he needed a distraction and the bottle seemed lie a fragile distraction from the unfolding scene before him.
He lifted it to his lips, draining the last drops sloy, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed, his eyes didn't even leave Aria frame.
Samuel, on the other hand, who was in alert suddenly transformed his expression into a mischievous grin, the grin spreading across his face like a sunrise breaking over the horizon.
"Do you finally need help undressing?" Samuel asked, teasing, each word dripping with playfulness.
Aria's grip on the walking stick tightened and her cheeks flushed, spreading upward from her neck to her face.
"Samuel," Ryan warned, trying to remember him about what happened to his nose while he set his water bottle down on the coffee table. But Aria cut him off, her words slicing through the tension like a sharp blade.
"I think he needs another bleeding nose," She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and she shot Samuel a hard glare, her eyes boring into Samuel's, daring him to push further.
Samuel's mischievous grin quickly faltered, his face paling as he recoiled, memories of his poor nose clearly filling on his face. He quickly raised his hands up in surrender, his eyes darting to Ryan for backup.
"Am good," Samuel said, with a mix of humor and horror. "My poor nose can't take another powerful punch from you again." His words trailed off, and he winced, recalling the pain.
A faint smile played on Ryan's lips as he leaned back into the couch, observing the exchange.
"Aria, come on," Ryan said, joining in. "Don't encourage him." His voice was calm, but there was laughter lurking beneath it.
Aria's gaze remained fixed on Samuel, her grip on the walking stick held firmly.
"You'd do well to remember that," she said, each word a promise and a clear warning.
Samuel nodded vigorously, like a child been scolded, his eyes still locked on Aria but now understanding.
"Trust me, I remember," Samuel said, rubbing his nose subconsciously.
Ryan shook his head, a small smile still playing on his lips. "You should know better than to mess with her," Ryan said lowly with his amusement lingering.
Aria stood tall, her walking stick firmly grasped in her right hand, as she gazed at Samuel with a hard glance. Her undershirt and shorts that was once the focus of attention, were now forgotten amidst the tensioned filled air.
Aria's glare lingered on Samuel for a moment before she shifted her attention to the bedroom door. "If you would excuse me," she said crisp, and her dismissal was unmistakable.
With that, she strode past them, her walking stick thudding softly on the coved floor. The room seemed to relax with her departure.
The air softened and the atmosphere shifting from charged to calm, as if the very space itself was exhaling a deep breath.
Samuel exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging as he leaned back into the couch, the cushions enveloping him. "I'm an idiot," he muttered, shaking his head.
Ryan chuckled, his smile spreading. Their conversation faded into the background, a gentle buzz of voices.
Aria stepped into the bedroom, the door clicking shut behind her. The sound was final, a clear boundary and separation from her and them.
The room enveloped her in its quiet solitude, a peaceful sanctuary. She leaned against the door, her walking stick still clutched in her hand, her eyes closing, the silence wrapped around her like a warm blanket, soothing her frayed nerves.
"Men," Aria whispered in amusement dancing on her lips and she smiled, remembering how awkward the atmosphere was when they saw her in her undershirt and shorts, the flush that had risen to her cheeks now started to fade.
Her thoughts drifted to Samuel's playful tease, she recalled the mischief that danced on his face and how she had threatened him, her voice was firm and her gaze was steady. She chuckled softly, a low throaty sound, shaking her head.