Surpise guests.

I flip through the pages of my book, reading and taking a well-deserved day off (I've only studied 2 hours the last 4 days). The sun is low and the clouds are out. A decent day outside, so naturally, I am sitting at home in bed. Waking up at 6 to go to the gym is the biggest life hack one can do.

Vi spent the day yesterday stressing over what Ari saw and talked to me about. She was weirded out because it's never been that much in person before, but she got over it by the time night came around. Otherwise, she's been doing her assignments and being a good little nerd.

I sigh loudly to no one but myself. Who the hell is knocking at my door?

"What is up, boyo?" Sai daps me up eagerly before holding up a small bag. "You left this at the girls’ place the other night apparently."

I grab the bag, look through it, and see some textbooks. Huh, that’s where those were. Ari steps out from behind Sai,

"Hey loser. You're welcome."

She steps past me and into my dorm. I look at Sai and he just shrugs. I scoff and step aside and let him in too.

The back of Ari’s outfit sways—an oversized black punk tee reaching halfway down her thighs, cinched around her waist with a thick studded belt, fishnet stockings, and a pair of platform black boots. Accessorized with some silver necklaces that really tie the look together. Really going for the emo look today.

Sai walks over to the table near the window and sits down on one of the chairs. He leans back and props his legs up on the arm of the couch. Ari flops onto the couch, stretching her deft body across it, her head resting next to Sai’s feet.

Sai looks over at the table, a few of my textbooks spread across.

"Oh shit, were you studying dude?"

"I uh… was planning on maybe later, at some point?"

They laugh at me and settle down a bit more comfortably.

I sit on the couch—on the other end, of course—but Ari quickly adjusts herself and throws her sock-covered heels into my thigh. I didn’t even notice her taking off her boots. She stretches languidly as we all make a bit of small talk.

...

"Did you hear they're remaking Harry Potter?"

Ari groans and bangs the back of her head against the armrest.

"God! Sai, NO ONE CARES!"

"I care!! Harry Potter is an international institution."

...

"Erik, did you hear that Propagandhi are making new music?"

"Yeah, about fucking time. Really left us hanging for a bit there."

...

"Babe!"

Ari interrupts the enrichment time of scrolling on our phones. Sai and I both jump.

"Yeah?"

"I hunger. Can we get some food?"

Sai nods and starts to get up.

"Yeah alright, it was probably time to go anyway."

Ari shakes her head dramatically.

"No no, I wanna stay—but I hunger."

She turns to me.

"You're hungry, right? We can eat and then dip."

Sai looks over at me with a quizzical look. I shrug and sarcastically say,

"Oh no, if you guys stay I won’t be able to study. What a nightmare!"

Sai pulls out his phone and starts ordering something. A little discussion ensues before we settle.

"You want some money for the delivery fee?"

Sai shakes his head.

"Nah fam, delivery is a fucken’ scam. I'm gonna go pick it up."

Despite growing up rich, Sai still has a weird thing with money.

"You want me to com—"

Ari’s heel pushes into my leg, cutting me off. She’s smiling normally and addressing Sai, but her eyes bore into mine—a simple, clear message. Shut the fuck up.

"Alright, I’ll be back. Shouldn’t take me too long, y’all."

The couple give each other a quick peck before Sai gathers his keys and heads out the dorm room door.

An awkward silence.

"You really were gonna go with him?"

I give her a confused look.

"I thought we would all go?"

Her eyes become dark as she shakes her head. She pulls her feet off me and crosses them beneath her, leaning forward hungrily.

"I wanted my own personal appetizer."

"Absolutely not."

I lean back. She bites her lip and gets closer.

"Last time was a mistake. I didn’t know about Sai."

She just licks her lips, her eyes in a daze as she stares deep into my soul, her face inches away now. Her hand grabs my shoulder and she gracefully straddles me.

"And now you do know. So what? I know you get off on it."

She starts to move her hips on me, dry humping slowly. My hands rise to her hips.

"Besides," she leans forward and whispers with a growly moan, "You're not exactly pushing me away. It'll be our little secret."