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“And no snarky comments?” Skepticism tinges her voice. “Really? Not even when the quirky sidekick finds love, too?”
Snickering, I admit, “Fine. Maybe then. But that’s it. I promise.”
So, we end up in the TV room, Ari beside me wrapped in the softest blanket I could find, watching one of her favorites,Never Been Kissed. Which she guilted me into watching in high school, much to my dismay. I’ll watch fantasy, action, sci-fi, even horror without complaint, but a romantic comedy? No thanks.
But if it makes Ari smile like she’s doing right now, I’ll watch it a dozen times.
Because it’s tradition, I have to tease her a little. “You don’t think it’s weird that this movie is about an English teacher getting involved with his student? And youbecame an English teacher…” I trail off, waiting for her to take the bait.
Despite everything else that’s happened tonight, Ari doesn’t let me down. Tilting her head to look at me, her lips twitch before she says, “First of all, Josie isn’t reallya student. She’s a reporter. And nothing happens between them until Sam knows the truth. Andhe’s an excellent teacher. Very inspirational.”
“I bet you’re an even better teacher.” Although I’ve never seen Ari in action, I’m sure it’s the truth. She’s caring and funny and I imagine all her students loving her.
“Well.” Her brows furrow as she thinks. “I try. It was hard in some of the schools. The kids didn’t want to trust me. But when one of them finally did… it made it all worth it.”
“Do you like it in Sleepy Hollow? Instead of doing Teach for America?”
“I was worried at first. Worried that maybe I wouldn’t feel like I was making as much of a difference here. But these kids, they have struggles just like anywhere else. Even though they’re not inner-city kids, surrounded by gang violence and poverty, they have things they’re going through.”
“Like we did.”
“Yeah.” Ari’s voice softens, and she goes silent for a second. “That’s something I think about when I’m teaching. That one of those students could have just lost a parent, or a family member is sick—there are so many things—and I might never know. So I need to be gentle with all of them.”
I can’t speak.
How could anyone meet Ari and think of doing her harm?
Trying to ignore the lump in my throat, I change the subject. “What movie do you want to watch next?”
“Hmm.” She taps her lips with her finger. “How about…Bridesmaids?”
I mime that I’m choking, and the smile I get in return is everything. “Okay.”
But as the movie draws to a close, I’m pretty sure Ari isn’t going to make it to the next one. Her eyelids are drooping, and she’s leaning against me, her head on my shoulder.
“Thanks, Cash,” she whispers, her voice slurring.
“For what?”
“Everything. Finding me. Staying here with me.”
“Ah, Ari. You don’t need to thank me for that.”
I can barely hear her as she mumbles, “I do…”
And then she’s out. Her body relaxes, and she curls into me unconsciously, her hair brushing my chin, her breath soft on my neck.
My heart stutters. Seizes.
My arm comes around her, and it feels so right.
But I can’t feel this way.
Ari’s my friend. She’s scared and traumatized, and she’s just seeking comfort from me. She’s never wanted anything more before, and she’s definitelynot looking for anything now.
She needs me to be her friend, her protector, and that’s all.
I just need to remember that.
