Chapter 39
1083words
"Aurora!"
"Rory!"
She nearly jumped out of the chair when she felt cold hands on her skin. Natasha peered at her in concern, her lips pursed slightly,
"Where's your head at?"
Aurora blinked stupidly, shaking her head and muttering, "Nowhere."
That was a lie. A big fat one. She hadn't been able to sleep a wink ever since last night, her mind racing with thoughts of what Evan's intentions were.
He wouldn't possibly share the photo...right?
She would not have been so distraught if it weren't for the fact that the angle which the photo was taken perfectly captured her face, luckily, Ryan's own was a bit blurred but it was more than enough to ruin her, forever.
After Evan's threat, she'd begun to re-evaluate her plans. But then she let out a curse knowing that she wouldn't be able to stand still while he went on with his plans to wreck her family even if she were not a part of the supposed wrecking.
"Are you alright?" It was Mason who asked this time, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She tried to answer but Natasha beat her to it, "Of course, she's not fine. Why would you even ask that?" Natasha tipped her chin towards where Eva and her clique sat, chatting and laughing loudly, "That sly snake is after her position, I can't believe she acted all innocent at the beginning," She ended the statement with an annoyed huff.
Aurora muttered something under her breath and Mason leaned towards her, "What'd you say, darling?"
"Nothing," She murmured, "Nothing at all."
The truth was, Louisa Roberts was the least of her concern at the moment. There were other pressing matters at hand.
Natasha gasped then and she resisted an eye roll. What was it again?
"O-O-Over there, Matt."
That single name caused her to raise an eyebrow, she followed the paled girl's line of sight and sure enough, Matt was standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, looking all cute and confused as she searched the room.
For a moment, she thought he was here for Louisa but then his eyes fell on hers and a wide smile erupted on his face.
"He's coming in our direction," Natasha squealed but she tuned her out and Aurora shakily rose to her feet. Matt came to a stop in front of her and she noticed that the entire cafeteria had gone silent, their attention on them.
Matt cocked his beautiful head to the side, the lopsided grin causing flutters to swirl in her belly, "Since you were bent on ignoring my calls, I decided to come see you for myself."
Ignoring? What did he mean by that?
"I-I'm sorry, I don't follow," She shook her head once, "I ignored your calls?"
He nodded, although his golden eyes twinkled with mirth there was a sad pull to his lips, "And my texts too, did I offend you in any way, Rory?"
The use of her childhood nickname made her cheeks heat up and she cleared her throat, understanding what he'd meant. It was a mistake on her part, she'd planned on replying all the texts on her phone but she got so busy and if she were being honest, she didn't remember the last time she used the device.
"No, No, of course not. I'm sorry, I should've responded," She added the last part sheepishly but he shrugged, stretching forth his hand.
Behind her Natasha stifled another gasp and Mason made a cooing sound. Her eyes widened a fraction at the single white rose in his hold. Aurora held back a sigh, how long was she going to put up pretending to like roses and lillies?
But then her eyes met Louisa's wide pale gaze and a petty part of her flared. The part that wanted to make the blonde jealous, so she forced a swooning smile on her lips and giggled bashfully, accepting the rose from him,
"Thank you, it's very pretty," She lifted the flower to her nose and inhaled. An action she instantly regretted.
Matt nodded, obviously pleased with himself, "Also, I was hoping we'd have dinner tonight? Just the two of us, like the old times."
Now, this got Aurora confused. If Matt was involved with Louisa, why on earth would he be making grand gestures like this and publicly offering to take her out on a date?
Or maybe she was wrong and they were just having a fling. Something to pass the time.
Like she and Ryan. She grimaced because somehow the analogy didn't quite fit. Her relationship with Ran was far beyond sexual, they shared an intense connection. One she wasn't able to grasp yet.
"Um, S-Sure, sure, I'd love that," She grinned bashfully and he smiled, leaning forward to press his lips against her cheek.
"Great," He said, "I'll come pick you up by 7, is that good?"
She nodded wordlessly and he winked. Aurora could only stare, open-mouthed as Matt Traynor walked away leaving her a breathless, blushing mess.
"Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my god!!!" Natasha squealed, grabbing her elbow and almost yanking it out of its sockets, "Tell me I didn't just imagine that and Matt really just asked you out on a date."
She couldn't mutter back a response.
Mason chuckled, slinging an arm over her shoulders, "Well, Well, I guess dreams do come true. Your long time wish for him to notice you is finally here."
Aurora tuned out the rest of their excited titter and turned towards where the blue-eyed blonde was just standing moments ago but she was no longer there. She allowed herself to frown then, her gaze falling back on the fresh white rose.
A part of her was excited at the prospect of spending the night with Matt. After all, this was her dream come true. Not only did he ask her out in public, he'd also kissed her!
But the rational part of her found all of this confusing, especially since he'd boldy declared during their last time out that she was nothing more than his best friend and family.
Aurora suddenly had a sneaking suspicion as to what this whole charade was about and she would confirm everything tonight at their supposed date.
"Come on, guys," She spoke, breaking up their gossip, "Let's go."
Natasha meandered closer to her before asking, "Where to?"
Aurora's lips curved into a wrathful smirk, "To pick out a dress for my date, of course."
