Forbidden Cravings

The wind seemed to die all at once. No more cold gusts, no rustling leaves, just dead quiet on the road as the three of us stood there like statues. Me, Aeri, and Sonny. The silence felt thick, heavy, pressing down on us.

I broke it first.

"Let’s go inside," I said, reaching out and gently taking the grocery bag from Aeri’s hand. Her fingers were cold, almost limp, like she didn’t even have the strength to hold on to it anymore.

"Hmm... okay..." she whispered. Barely audible. Sweat was still shining on her forehead, her cheeks flushed deep red. She looked like she might pass out any second, but she didn’t say anything about feeling bad. Just nodded once and started walking with me toward the stairs.

We moved together, slow steps across the concrete. I pushed open the blue metal gate that led down to our house. It creaked like it always did. Aeri stayed close to me, head still down, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to hold everything in.

Behind us, Sonny let out a long breath.

"Alright then," he said, clapping his hands together once like he was shaking off the awkwardness. "I’ll leave for my work too."

He started walking toward the car. Halfway there, he turned back and raised his hand in a lazy wave.

"It was nice meeting you, Aeri," he called out, smiling like nothing weird had happened.

Aeri stopped. She turned around slowly. Her hand came up in a small, shaky wave. The smile she gave him looked forced, tight lips, no warmth in her eyes.

"Yeah... it was nice meeting you too," she said softly. "Bye, Sonny. And... thank you for dropping me home."

She turned away almost immediately, not waiting for more. Her footsteps picked up a little as she headed for the door.

Sonny’s voice followed us anyway, loud and cheerful like he hadn’t noticed the mood at all.

"Yeah, no worries at all! Seriously. Let’s catch up some other time, okay?"

Aeri didn’t look back this time. She just kept walking, reached the door, twisted the handle, and slipped inside. The door clicked shut behind her with a soft thud.

I stopped walking.

My feet planted right there on the narrow path between the gate and the building entrance. Slowly, I turned my head.

Sonny was already halfway down the first set of stairs, but he paused when he felt me looking. Our eyes met.

I didn’t say anything. Didn’t need to.

I just stared. Hard. Long. The kind of look that says everything without a single word: Back off. Stay away. You’re not welcome here.

His smile slipped for a second—just a flicker—then came back, smaller this time. He gave a quick nod, almost like he was trying to play it cool.

"Right," he muttered under his breath.

I waited and didn’t say anything.

I looked at the closed door Aeri had gone through. The grocery bag felt heavier in my hand all of a sudden.

"Take... c-care... you as well, Ezra," Sonny said. His voice came out shaky, and his usual cocky smile looked forced now, wobbly at the edges. My stare had clearly gotten to him—he kept glancing away like he couldn’t hold it.

I didn’t answer. Not a word. Just turned my back on him, pushed the door open wider, and stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind me with a solid thud that echoed in the quiet hallway.

Outside, Sonny stood there for a second longer, staring at the closed door.

"Jeez..." he muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. "He seems extremely pissed off at me. Maybe he thinks I stole his girl or something. Or maybe he’s just super cautious around me..." His voice trailed off into nothing. No one was around to hear it anyway. He kept his eyes on our door for a few more beats, like he was hoping it would open again. Then he let out a long breath, shook his head, and walked to his car. The door opened with a beep, he slid inside, started the engine, and drove off smoothly down the pavement, tires quiet on the evening road.

Inside the house, the air felt warmer but heavier. I kicked off my shoes right there by the entrance mat, the laces still half-tied.

"Sigh... such a fucker," I muttered under my breath, low enough that only I could hear it.

Aeri was already two steps ahead. She bent down slowly, slipped off her heels—one, then the other—and stepped barefoot into the hall. Her movements were careful, almost mechanical. She didn’t turn around.

I followed her in, closing the main door behind me with a soft click. The hallway light was on, soft yellow glow bouncing off the walls.

"Hey, Aeri..." I said, trying to keep my voice casual, normal. "Why were you with him?"

She kept walking a few more steps toward the living room, back still to me.

"I mean," I went on, "you didn’t even call or message or anything. Just... disappeared the whole night."

I waited for her to say something. Anything. But she just stood there, frozen in place, facing away from me. Her shoulders looked tense, hands hanging loose at her sides.

Something twisted in my gut. She wasn’t right. Something was off.

"Aeri..." I said again, quieter this time, curious and worried now. I took a step closer. "What ha—"

Before I could finish, her body swayed. First just a little lean to the right, like she was losing balance. Then more. Her knees buckled.

In an instant—*thud*—she hit the floor hard. Face down, arms limp, no movement after that. Just the sound of her body against the wooden tiles, sharp and sudden.

My heart slammed into my ribs.

"Aeri!"

I dropped everything—the grocery bag crashed to the ground, apples rolling out—and rushed to her side. I knelt down fast, hands shaking as I turned her over gently.

Her eyes were closed. Face pale now instead of red. Sweat still on her forehead, but she looked completely out.

"Aeri? Hey—hey, wake up!" I patted her cheek lightly, then firmer. "Aeri!"

No response. Her breathing was shallow, chest rising and falling too slow.

Panic hit me like a truck.

I checked her pulse—fast but weak—then looked around wildly. Phone. I needed my phone.

But I couldn’t leave her.

"Aeri, come on... please," I whispered, voice cracking. I scooped her up carefully, her head lolling against my shoulder, and carried her toward the couch.

My mind was racing. Hospital? Call someone? What the hell just happened?