“No, no, no,” she begged as he headed into deeper waters. Of course, laughing while telling him to stop didn’t help her case. Finally, he threw himself in the water with her in his arms.
Thoroughly exhausted and soaking wet, they returned to the shore. Ari took off the wet dress to ring it out, but then realized how exposed she was in her bikini.
Relaxing into the sand, she wrapped her arms around her knees. Unease gathered in her stomach, but she was unsure if it was due to the VR or being alone with Garrett while wearing so little. Garrett plopped down next to her, shaking out his hair. They faced forward, watching the low waves, but close enough for their shoulders to touch.
“You haven’t left yet?” He nudged her with his shoulder, a sly grin on his face. He hadn’t shaved in a couple days, and despite her generally liking boys clean-shaven, she had to admit it looked good on him.
“Nope.” She rubbed a hand over her arm. Her emotions revved up a notch, playing pinball inside her head. “It’s amazing. Too bad it’s not real.”
“It’s real in our minds. When we come out won’t we remember this conversation or our water fight?”
“I suppose ...” She straightened, his words not settling quite right.
“A VR is a set built for whatever our imagination wants.” His hand reached over to brush sand off her arm.
A shiver crawled up her skin, despite the sun. “I wish I could dry off my dress.”
“Now why would you want to do that when you look so great?”
Ari shoved his shoulder making him tip over in the sand. Her face suddenly grew hot, like the warm sand beneath her feet.
“Hey, I was only asking why you would want to. Only a warper could do that, anyway.” He dusted off the sand.
“A warper? I didn’t think those were real.” Ari had heard the old wives’ tales about people who could manipulate or create VRs with a wave of their hands, but no one really believed in them. If one believed the conspiracy theories online, warpers were responsible for everything from government hacks to alien landings.
“I knew a buddy online that claimed to be a warper. He supposedly made millions but disappeared. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Then how do you know he was telling the truth?”
“I guess I don’t. He just didn’t seem like the type to brag or lie about stuff. He was something else.” He shrugged. “I’m glad you’re sticking around.”
Ari took another breath. “I’m surprised I’m actually able to stick around in here.”
“Most phobias just take constant exposure to overcome.”
She looked at him sideways, narrowing her eyes. “When did you become an expert?”
He smiled. “The school has a fabulous computerized counselor.”
She cringed in embarrassment. She was the crazy girl. But part of it made sense. She tried a virtual at the beginning of every school year, and when she freaked out, the teacher let her opt out for the year. She learned to loathe the first day of school.
He reached for her hand. “I think I’ve been a nice distraction too.”
Taking his hand sent her heart racing. Her other hand restlessly adjusted her swimsuit. While she definitely was improving, she was far from comfortable here. The fabricated world could hold anything or nothing. After being held at bay for so long, her panic pushed to the forefront of her mind.
Sensing her panic, Garrett turned her head with a gentle hand. “Hey, Ari, look at me. I’m real. You’re real. That’s all that matters.” He cupped her face with his hands. “Look at me.” His dark eyes were calm and his breathing even.
She tried to mimic it.
“I’m real. You’re real,” he slowly leaned forward. “This is real.”
His salty lips pressed against hers, and she lost all focus. This wasn’t real. None of it. In a second, her world blackened.
Ari stared at the ceiling, struggling to catch her breath. Garrett’s hand hung open and empty by his side as his eyes fluttered open.
Her hands reached behind and slowly unplugged herself. Now awake, Garrett unplugged himself, and then came over to help her. She knew how to do it, but without years of experience like everyone else, it took her longer.
Even the dim lights couldn’t hide the disappointment in Garrett’s heavy eyes.
“Thanks Garett,” she said. “I’m sorry, I just ...”
“Don’t worry about it.” He spoke in a brisk manner. “It’ll take a while. I get it.”
She stood, and they both headed outside. The cool wind brushed against her skin, and for the briefest moment, she wished she was back on that beach. Instead, she tugged her cardigan around her body to block the chill. They walked back, an awkward silence settling between them. He stopped at the door to her building. She kept the distance between them, not ready to relive that moment in the VR. Not that he wasn’t cute or nice for helping her. It just messed with her mind, having reality and the virtuals mix so closely. Her feeling swirled in her mind, unsure of how she felt about him. He was a great friend, but as a boyfriend? Maybe that was her answer right there.
Chapter Nine
Tessa shoved Ari’s shoulder repeatedly. “Hey, are you going to class? You slept through both of our alarms.”
“What?” Ari bolted upright, though her mind took a bit longer to catch up.
“You slept through breakfast and have about ten minutes until class.”
“Damn.” Ari stumbled to her desk, shoved her tablet in her bag, and slung it over her shoulder.
“Your clothes?” Tessa watched her in disbelief.
Looking down, Ari realized she still wore her pajamas, gray sweatpants and a purple tee. “Ugh!” Ari headed to her dresser.
“Don’t mention it. Here’s a coffee, you’re going to need it more than me.” Tessa placed the drink on her desk and headed out the door.
Ari made a mental note that she owed Tessa big time and rushed to finish getting ready.
Ari slipped into class a
