[This roleplay is rated Mature for any of the following reasons, in moderation or excess: swearing, violence, sexual themes, alcohol or drug use or abuse, and things that do not fit these limitations. Reader discretion is advised.]
Hidden in Plain Sight
After a long night getting absolutely pissed with his best friend Daniel, Ari was starved. He hadn't a thing in his stomach thanks to his bad decisions in drinks from the night before, and he was ready to eat everything on the menu at McDonald's. He stared down the menu before deciding on getting more chicken nuggets than he'd admit to eating alone. As he ate them, he counted the bills in his wallet and sighed. That was his last twenty. He wondered when his mother would finally kick him out.
Boxes of nuggets in hand, Ari made his way away from the fast food restaurant. He headed for the river that split his hometown of Limerick in two. It was a warm day, and the August sun felt nice on his pale skin. As he stared at it absently, he wondered how out of place he looked. It was summer, and maybe Irish summers would never be as hot as Ari liked. That was why he was dressed as he was, in a long-sleeved T-shirt, a leather jacket, and a stylish scarf that almost made it seem like the man cared about his appearance.
Ari was content just watching the River Shannon for hours. However, he knew his mother would begin to worry about him, and he had wandered farther from home than he'd realized. Checking the time on his smartphone, he got up from his spot by the edge of the river, and he started his way home.
It was warm, but not warm enough. He had to stop completely when a cold breeze blew past him. The man hated the cold for a lot of reasons. He had to enjoy his summer while he could, because he would not be around come winter. Once the breeze passed, he started jogging, not wanting to be caught in the chills of the night.
Perhaps it was selfish of him, but Ari couldn't help but want to find someone. He knew his days were numbered, but he just wished he could do something. Maybe, if he'd had an education, or a job, or even a girlfriend, maybe then he could feel more accomplished. Maybe his days would be filled with more than fast food and trips to the river. He glanced over at the people walking by, none noticing him. Maybe, he thought, it was time to change. Maybe it was time to meet someone, to change their life, while he still could.
Burying his chin in his scarf, Ari shivered at another breeze and sped back to his mother's house.
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