Chapter 20
1191words
Aurora hid back a grimace as her mother pressed a kiss on her cheek. She nodded unenthusiastic, watching as her parents sauntered out the front door. The light slam of the door was a welcome sound to her ears.
She turned on her heels and began making her way over to the stairs when Rosa popped out of the kitchen, almost scaring her half to death,
"You need to stop walking out like that," She chided the older woman and then crossed her arms over her chest, "What's wrong?"
Rosa smiled widely, raising the small silver plate in her hold in offering, "They just came out of the oven. I had to wait until your mother was gone."
Aurora couldn't resist the grin that split her mouth, she gratefully collected the plate of freshly baked cookies. Hee stomach grumbling in response to the delicious smell,
"You're a lifesaver," She whispered to Rosa who waved her off.
"Ring me when you're done and I'll come get the plate."
She gave Rosa a thumbs-up, skipping happily to her room. The house was empty tonight, with her parents out for dinner and Evan pulling an all-nighter at work. She was glad for the solitude and intended to make good use of it.
Starting with these cookies.
She jumped on her bed, sitting cross-legged and placing the plate in the space between her legs.
"Mhm," She moaned in appreciation when the first bite hit her tongue. It was heavenly, making her entire body tingle in a good way.
As she munched on the snack, she decided to scroll through her phone. It wasn't surprising when James Arthur's party was the first thing that popped on her news feed. The guy had gone extra, even hiring a live band to perform, her incredulity turned into disgust the longer she scrolled and when she couldn't take it anymore, she dropped her phone.
James a big fool. She had never been so sure of it at that moment. Why else would he post pictures of them drinking and smoking?
There was a penalty for that at the institute and it wasn't pretty. For a brief moment, she wondered if Saint Louisa smoked and drank too but the thought quickly disappeared.
It wasn't her business, neither was it her problem if James was violating a rule.
She wanted to be petty and report this to the school but then everyone would think she was a prissy brat, as if the nicknames they had for her weren't enough already.
Aurora was bored, she didn't want to spend the night stuffing her face with sweets, or practising until she got tired or musing over her miserable life. She wanted to be like the others, Natasha was out on a hot date and Mason had an all-gents club where she knew he always had fun.
Everyone was busy doing something enjoyable except her.
On cue, her phone's ringtone blasted in the air and she suppressed a groan. She was pretty sure it was her mother, probably calling to check in and see if she was tucked in bed.
She did not want to pick up the call but if she didn't, she would be in bigger trouble than she currently was. So, she begrudgingly picked up the vibrating device and flipped the screen over,
The caller ID had her frowning and for a moment, she thought she was seeing things. But the phone kept ringing and his name glowed brightly on the screen,
"Hello?" She softly spoke, pressing the device to her ear.
Ryan's throaty voice answered after a moment, "Hey, flower. I'm surprised you're still up, isn't it past your curfew?"
She rolled her eyes at that, looking down at the cookie tray and glowering when she saw that it was empty.
How did she finish so many that fast?
"Why did you call?" Her tone was curt and he chuckled.
"Touched a sore spot, didn't I?"
She didn't give him an answer, instead repeated her question.
There was some rustling in the background before he finally replied, "You're probably going to say no but are you up for a date?"
Now, that was surprising.
She sat straight up, pressing the phone further into her ear, "A date?"
"Yeah."
Her heart sped up and she sunk her teeth into her bottom lip. This was great! But how was she going to make it out?
The smile on her face fell at that and she sighed, "I can't come out, Ryan."
"I could come get you?"
She gawked, sputtering helplessly before settling on, "Are you crazy?"
His laughter was rumbling and she felt like throwing him a punch, "I was kissing. Okay, is there a window in your room that leads outside?"
"Yes," Her response was instant.
"Good, jump from it then come meet me at the place where I dropped you last week-"
"Hold on," She cut him off, gently rising to her feet, "My room is like ten feet above the ground, you can't expect me to just jump!"
Ryan chuckled again and this time it really grated at her nerves, "I'm sure you'll find a way. I'll be waiting, bye!"
He hung up before she could respond and she pulled the phone away from her ear to glare at it. He was insane if he thought she was going to endanger her life just for some silly date with him.
But on the other hand, she didn't want to be stuck here, left with nothing but her thoughts. That was way much worse.
She cast a dismal look at the open window beside her, the breeze was blowing lightly, causing the curtains the flutter in the air.
Ryan better had something good planned for what she was about to do.
Aurora rushed to the table and pressed on the ringer connected to the kitchen. She leaned against the edge of the furniture, anticipating Rosa's appearance.
Less than ten seconds later, the busty woman burst in through the door and she smiled. She walked over to her bed where the silver plate lay and picked it,
"It was absolutely delicious. You have to teach me how to make these next time," She said with awe.
Rosa gingerly accepted the tray, kind brown eyes twinkling with pride, "Of course, if you need anything else-"
"Oh, no!" She gently interrupted, waving a hand in dismissal, "I'm quite tired, I think I'll crash in early."
Rosa raised a brow, confusion evident in her features, "Oh?"
"Yes, there's no need to check on me and when my parents are back, tell them I'm sound asleep," Then she added quickly, "You know I wake up at even the slightest sound. I'd very much like to not be disturbed."
Rosa bobbed her head in understanding, "Of course. Good night dear." She patted Aurora's cheeks tenderly before moving towards the door.
Rosa gave her another kind smile before shutting the door. Aurora breathed out in relief, her nervous eyes going over to the window again,
It was showtime.
