Chapter 158
The early morning sun bathed the city in a soft, golden glow as we all piled into Lucas’s car, bound
for a spa resort located just an hour away. The tension between Aria and me was still present, like
an invisible wall that separated us. Lucas, ever the mediator, sat in the driver’s seat, casting worried
nces in our direction.
Lucas had arranged this day trip to the spa in the hopes of mending a hard couple of months, but I
couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my stomach. Aria had been avoiding me around the
apartment for days, and the wounds from our argument still felt fresh.
As we drove down the winding road toward our destination, the awkward silence was broken only
by the hum of the car’s engine. Lucas finally spoke up, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration
and concern.
“Listen, you two,” he began, his eyes darting between us in the rearview mirror, “we’re here to rx
and unwind. This trip is supposed to be fun, so can we please
go of any grudges and just enjoy it?”
let
Aria and I exchanged tense nces before nodding in reluctant agreement. The promise to keep
things civil hung in the air, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was too little, toote.
Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
When we arrived at the spa resort, the lush surroundings and serene atmosphere momentarily lifted
our spirits. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who handed us a schedule of activities for
the day.
Our first activity was an aquatic cycling ss, and we eagerly made our way to the pool area. Aria
and I parted ways with Lucas as we headed to thedies locker room to change. I kept my back
toward her as I switched into my ck one–piece and tied up my hair.
Aria didn’t even check to see if I’d finished before walking out of the room, letting the door m
behind her. I followed behind her, trying not to let the obvious. abrasiveness get under my skin. I
drew my attention to thendscape before us.
The clear pool water sparkled in the sunlight, inviting us to dive in. I sat on the other side of Lucas,
keeping my distance from Aria. Lucas quickly took notice as we adjusted our bikes in the waist–
deep water.
The instructor, Jessica, waded over and greeted us all with a bright smile. “Are we
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ready to rock this work–out?”
We cheered in anticipation, mounting our bikes along with her as checked her smart watch for the
time. After a few taps, she cast us a daring look. “We’re going to start with something simple, like a
casual ride in the park.”
As we pedaled through the lesson, the water resistance providing a challenging workout, Aria and I
couldn’t help but exchange strained nces. It was as if the peaceful surroundings had done little to
quell the turmoil within us.
Aria was the first to break the uneasy silence. “What are you staring at?”
I sighed, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “Aria, you stared at me first?”
But Aria was relentless, her voice edged with anger. “Maybe because you’ve been lying to me
about your problems for weeks, so I’m having a hard time rxing.”
I could feel my own anger welling up, my voice growing sharper. “Well, maybe if you didn’t treat me
like I’m incapable of handling my own life, I wouldn’t feel the need to lie.”
Lucas, who was pedaling between us, sighed heavily. “Hey, you two, let’s not do this now. We’re in
the middle of a ss.”
But the argument had gained momentum, and neither Aria nor I seemed willing to back down. We
continued to exchange heated words, our voices rising with each. passing moment.
Lucas finally intervened, his tone firm. “Guys, enough! This is supposed to be chill.”
The instructor herself chimed in, her voice stern. “I’ll have to ask you two to leave if you can’t
maintain a peaceful atmosphere.”
Exchanging res, Aria and I both had the idea of just leaving entirely. We dismounted our aquatic
bikes and made our way to the edge of the pool, chastened by the reprimand.
We decided to put the heated exchange behind us and focus on somewhat enjoying the rest of our
day. After all, we were at a spa resort, and there were plenty of activities to indulge in that didn’t
require talking.
Next on the agenda was a session of back massages. Aria and I were led to a serene, dimly lit
room where two massage tables awaited us. As wey there, our bodies
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slowly rxing under the expert hands of our respective massage therapists, it gave us the time to
reflect.
Once again, Aria was the first to speak, her voice filled with regret. “I didn’t like that you felt you
couldn’te to me.”
I turned my head to look at her, my anger giving way to a sense of relief. “I’m sorry for lying to you,
Aria. I do trust you, but I feel like a burden a lot of the time.”
Aria’s eyes met mine, her expression sincere. “Girl, please. We’re allowed to burden each other
sometimes.
I sighed, shutting my eyes. “Even if I’m a dangerous burden?”
“Even if,” she confirmed quickly. “We’re not just ‘friends. We’re sisters.”
The word “sisters” hung in the air, a reminder of the bond we had shared for so long, a bond that
had been strained by recent events. But in that moment, it felt like a lifeline, something to hold onto
as we navigated the challenges of our rtionship.
I offered Aria a small smile, our unspoken grievances finally beginning to fade. “I never had a sister
before.”
As we regressed into a thoughtful silence, our massage therapists began their work. The soothing
music and the skilled hands of the masseuses worked wonders, melting away the knots of tension
that had umted in our muscles.
With my eyes closed, I couldn’t help but reflect on the recent turmoil in our lives. Aria and I had
always been there for each other, through thick and thin. But the past weeks had tested our
friendship in ways I could never have anticipated.
Maybe it was the release of tension in my body, but I felt tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m telling
Timothy. About everything.”
With her face lying t against the table, I thought she’d fallen asleep. However, she adjusted
herself so that she was facing me with a look of concern. “You’re sure?”
“I am,” I said, and strangely, I began to smile. “It’s the right thing to do.”
She smiled back, looking more content than ever. Even then, I could tell she was still his biggest
fan, and I hated that I’d cut her off from that.
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When the massages were finally over, Aria and I emerged from the dimly lit room. feeling lighter,
both physically and emotionally. Lucas was waiting for us in the hallway, a knowing smile on his
face.
“Are you two okay now?” he asked.
Aria and I exchanged smiles. “Yeah, we’re good,” Aria replied, taking my hand and giving it a
squeeze.
With that, we continued our spa day, determined to make the most of the time we had left. We
decided to hang out in the sauna, allowing the soothing heat to envelop us and wash away the
toxins.
As we sat there, the steam swirling around us, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this unexpected
moment of reconciliation. The spa had brought us back together, fitting for a ce known for
healing.
When we left the spa resort that evening, the atmosphere in the car was markedly different from the
morning. The tension had given way to a sense of camaraderie, ourughter filling the car.
Lucas nced at us in the rearview mirror, a smile ying on his lips. “See, wasn’t that a great way
to rx? Now, thank your Uncle Lucas!”
Aria and I groaned sarcastically, “Thanks, Uncle Lucas,” before falling into a fit ofughter.
We couldn’t deny that the spa day had worked wonders. For once, my mind had been cleared off all
my worries. Unfortunately, a day could only be so long, and what awaited me back home would
effectively reverse it all.
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