As she stood there, her eyes closed, letting go of the tension, her shoulders relaxed, and her chest expanded with a deep breath. Her walking stick slowly slipped from her grasp, leaning against the door with a soft thud.
She carefully wrapped her arms around herself, the softness of her undershirt a gentle caress. Her mind replaying the scene. Samuel's grin and Ryan's intense look.
Her lips curled into a smile. "I handled that well," she thought with satisfaction settling within her.
With a contented sigh, she picked up her walking stick again and pushed herself away from the door, her eyes opening to focus on the bedroom space. The soft glow of the bedroom light illuminated the room's soothing colors.
Aria's gaze landed on the clothes she had laid out on the bed, the neat piles of folded garments and the outfit she had chosen for the evening still waiting. She moved towards the bed, her steps quiet on the plush carpet.
As she reached the bed, she ran her injured hand over the soft fabrics, feeling the gentle texture of the loose tee shirt and the smooth denim jeans.
She smiled, anticipating the comfort of changing into fresh clothes and she began to undress, slipping off her undershirt, revealing a lace bra beneath. Next she shed her shorts carefully, replacing them with the soft loosed jeans, that molded to her curves like a second skin. The denim hugged her hips and thighs, accentuating her slender legs and curvaceous figure.
Aria sat on the bed, wearing the tee shirt with her legs stretched out before her. The soft cotton cling to her torso, highlighting her toned shoulders and arms. She looked down at her bandaged injuries, contemplating if she needed to change them. The white and little blood that had stained the bandage stood out against her tanned skin.
She slowly unwrapped the bandage on her injured wrist first, her fingers carefully prying apart the edges of the gauze and pulling it away from her skin, she winced slightly, the gentle tug moving through her nerves.
The exposed wound beneath was healing but it was still tender with a pink flesh.
Aria's gaze focused on the wound, her eyes tracing the curved line of the scar that was from that damned mutated rabbit. The skin was sensitive, but the pain was manageable. She noted the progress, satisfied with the rate of healing.
Next, she picked up her backpack from the floor beside the bed, its worn straps and the scuffed bottom corners telling stories of rugged journey. Aria dropped it on the bed beside her and she unzipped the bag, revealing a neatly organized bag, each item had carefully been arranged and secured in its designated place.
She reached in and pulled out the first aid kit, Aria opened it and saw her little supply of antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, pain relievers and her bandage.
Aria turned her attention back to her injuries. She began to clean the wounds on her wrist and forearm, wincing slightly as the antiseptic wipes stung the tender skin.
She cleaned the wounds with the antiseptic wipes, then she patted the area dry with a soft cloth and applied a thin layer of antibiotic ointment.
She rewrapped the bandages with her thoughts turning to Ryan and Samuel. Their banter still lingered in her mind, the tension and teasing. She smiled, recalling all that had happened.
With her hand injuries tended, Aria carefully raised her wounded leg to the bed beside her, the movement causing a faint twinge of pain to radiate from her knee to her thigh. She winced slightly, her brow furrowing in concentration, as she settled her leg onto the soft blankets.
She carefully raised the hem of her trousers and revealed the bandage wrapped around her lower leg, just above her ankle.
Aria began to unwrap the bandage slowly and as the final layer came off, she gently pulled it away, wincing at the slight tug on her skin. The wound beneath was also healing, but it was still tender.
Aria examined it closely, noting the reduced swelling, and the stitches. She traced the edges of the wound with her fingertips, feeling the raised skin and the subtle ridges.
She cleaned the wound with antiseptic wipes and also rewrapped the bandage, securing it with medical tape.
As she finished, Aria took a deep breath, feeling the sense of relief wash over her, like a warm wave. Her injuries were tended and she was one step closer to recovery.
With her leg rebandaged, Aria smoothed her trouser's fabric and she leaned back against the pillows, her head sinking into the plush softness.
Knock, knock. The sudden sound broke Aria from her relaxed laying position, her eyes snapping towards the door. "Aria," Ryan's voice called out gentle but his tone was inquiring, with a hint of concern. "Are you dressed yet?"
Aria slowly raised her body from her laying to sitting, cautious and mindful of her injuries. She winced slightly from a dull ache as she shifted her weight.
"Yes," she replied, clear and confident, as she began gathering the used bandages from the bed, rolling them into a neat bundle. The crumpled wrappers and discarded packaging were swept into a small pile.
She arranged the first aid kit items that were littered on the bed, repacking each supply into its designated place. The little supply were all carefully put away, into her backpack.
Aria smoothed the bedspread, erasing any signs of disarray and the room was tidy once more.
"Come in," Aria called out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
The door creaked open, and Ryan stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room before settling on Aria. His gaze moved over her body, ensuring she was indeed dressed and his expression turned relieved.
"Need help with anything?" Ryan asked, noting the discarded bandages at Aria's hand.
Aria shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm good, thanks,"