The charity youth training camp begins a week before the regional youth camp. That was a relief, moreover, that meant I would have to meet Noel for two weeks within the academic break. In short, the whole academic break, because it took two weeks for midterm sessions.

After last night's awkward moment, I hadn't dared text him more. I was still drawn by the thoughts of how his lips would have fully felt on mine. If only I had not been too nervous as always, I would believe that after the group study — he seemed more approachable to me.

I turned in my duvet whilst my covered face hit the pillow. "Why didn't we do it?" I screamed at my large-sized pillow that drew me in its softness. "I bet, they are this soft."

As I imagined the nastiest things, I whimpered loudly on my pillow. "No! I shouldn't think of that!" I slapped my already embarrassed cheeks until a random thought alerted me about my lack of actual kissing experience.

Furthermore, I had kissed a few friends in kindergarten and one in middle school. But, that was because of curiosity and a dare, respectively. "Ugh! What if I'm a terrible kisser?" I jumped off my bed in only a large shirt as I walked toward my study desk. Without any hesitation, I turned on the laptop and started my research.

"What? Try on my hand." I placed my lips behind my palm, unbothered and followed the instructions that placed me in my most weird states. I heard the phone ring beside me, but ignored it thrice. When I was about to proceed to the third stage, there was a loud knock on my door that caused me to flinch.

"Papa?" I questioned annoyingly.

"It's Vicky, Aurora." Victoria? Huh? What? I quickly turned off my laptop, then rushed toward the door. It was quiet for a while until I opened it — on the other side, Victoria stood with an unfamiliar girl who radiated a cunning pheromone.

"May we enter?" I was taken aback by the sudden question, then regained my attention. I muttered a quick approval, then led them into the messy room. It was almost eleven in the morning, and I was still sleepy.

"I wasn't expecting you, I'll clean the room right away." The guilt was evident in my tone.

"You sent me a text last night to come with an alpha." Victoria questionably stared at my dumbfounded expression. I was so excited about the ticket that I might have forgotten that I told her that. "Anyway, this is Katana — a Junior at Rockville Beauty and Arts Academy. But, she specializes in modeling and beauty therapy."

"Hey, Katana." I waved at the espresso–toned girl, who smiled back at me. She had dyed light brown, curly hair and small siren eyes that were highlighted by her makeup. Her slender figure and long legs looked smooth and glittery. "Wow, your skin is perfect."

Katana laughed at my random expression, then sat on the freshly tidied up bed. "Thanks, your room is so spacious and bright. I like it." I responded with the usual words of gratitude, then took out some refreshments from my mini bedroom fridge. Thereafter, the room was silent whilst we settled down.

"So?" Victoria smiled. "About last night?"

"He is just a random person that you don't know." A shy smile crossed my face before I took a sip of the cold grape juice. "Either way, it was solely a one–time thing."

"One–night stand?" Victoria gasped and almost spilt the drink.

"No! It was a favour."

"Is that why you were deeply kissing yourself?" I immediately felt the most embarrassed state when I heard those words. My flustered face got more heated as I looked away.

"I – stop it!" I covered my face, which caused the two to laugh.

"Forget it, Vic." Katana covered Victoria's mouth, though she continued to tease me.

Thereafter, I asked them about who showed them my room. Apparently, Victoria recognized my dad when he was about to leave for work. Which was a problem for me because Katana had to meet my dad to clear the misunderstandings. Hence, I decided to do it the next time that he would be around.

We spent the next six hours playing games and talking about families. To my surprise, Victoria and Noel first met in kindergarten; hence they are childhood friends because their moms are distant cousins. Unlike Noel's family, the Rowlands are in the entertainment industry.

Subsequently, we had a cook out and watched a fantasy movie. Even as the hours passed by, I still felt energized by having friends over for the first time since my mother left. Mother, I wonder how she is fairing. I stared at the two that were asleep on the couch with popcorn scattered on the floor.

"Wake up, are you two spending the night here?" I asked as I shook their heads. I could hear the irritated moans before Katana woke up.

"What time is it?" She yawned, then moved Victoria's head off her shoulder.

"We slept for an hour, it's almost six in the evening." I moved around the place as I tidied up the mess that we had made in the living room and kitchen.

"6pm?" Victoria's blue contacts shined in the bright evening light. Her eyes gazed at me, then Katana before she could stand up. "I had a perfect nap."

"Let's go shopping next time." I laughed at her ever excited gestures. "Well, Katana and I have to get going."

I stared at Victoria and Katana, who stood at the door, as they took turns hugging me. "Today was really fun."

"Goodnight"

The long day was finally over, and I had to clean up the house. As I closed the door, I sighed in relief and excitement – I had a really nice day. It was a new, interesting experience to have friends over.

After a thorough cleaning, it was almost till midnight, yet father wasn't home. I quickly took my phone and called him thrice again with no response. Out of irritation, I quickly left a text about the trip to Rockville on Monday.

When I was about to head upstairs, I heard the door code unlocked, which caused me to turn around. I noticed dad enter the living room as he coughed uncontrollably. A shiver ran down my spine upon realization, which caused me to unconsciously run down the stairs. "Papa!"

"Papa, What's wrong?" Even as my sweaty, shivering hands held his weak figure, I could feel him fake the strength to walk. I quickly directed him toward the cold couch before I raced toward the kitchen. Without reasoning, I put the kitchen table cloth in cold water, then rushed back to put it on he's sweaty head. "Should I call uncle Nathaniel?"

"N–no, I'm okay." He huffed and coughed as blood stained his hand. "Bring me tablets." He cleaned his hands with the table cloth.

"I- But, the doctor said—"

"I said bring the medicine!" He commanded as his pheromones became more suffocating. He was in no state to reason with. I rushed toward dad's room and quickly pulled the drawers.

It had been months since I entered his room, to my surprise, it was messy and smelt like a strong alcoholic addict's house. The air which was once filled with flowery scents was now saturated with a toxic scent. The clothes seemed unpacked and the study desk was filled with scattered documents.

I had less time to analyze the place before I stormed out with the prescribed medicine. On the way downstairs, I picked up my phone and rushed to the living room. "Papa, I'm here."

When I gave him the medicine, he quickly took the pills and clenched at the instant pain. My eyes slowly filled with tears before I couldn't control my emotions. Suddenly, the room was filled with my sobs and bloody coughs by my dad. "Papa, why did you stop going for your clinic examinations?"

"Your h-health is getting w-worse." My shaky, cracked voice was all that I could hear. It was silent as I slowly wiped the tears away– when I looked up, I noticed that he had fallen asleep. I quickly stood up and covered him with a blanket before walking up the stairs.

When I was away, I held my phone and dialled the doctor's number. It rang for a few seconds before a calm feminine voice echoed through the phone.

"Hey Sweetie." Aunt Emma's smooth voice filled my ears.

"Hello." I sniffed as I cleaned my wet nose.

"What's going on?"

"It's my dad, can uncle pass by tomorrow?" I whispered then closed my eyes.

"Sure, sweetie. I'll send our personal nurse there right now." There was a pause when I heard a deep male voice in the background. "Will you be okay? I can call Ruby over too."

"Anything is okay."

"They'll be there soon."

As Aunt Emma promised, Ruby and their family nurse arrived half an hour later. According to the nurse, my dad needed an immediate admission to the hospital. Hence, it didn't take long before Ruby's parents were informed. Even though I sat beside his resting form, I felt helpless and useless. A while later, a siren echoed in the neighbourhood as the ambulance stopped at the entrance.

Ruby and the nurse went with him, as they left me in alone in the dark room — paralyzed by my thoughts. The guilt of being unable to help and the fear of what would become of me if I lost him. I rested my head against the door while my quivering legs rested on the floor. "I'll be a burden if he continues providing for me."

"I'll have to save up for his health cover." A stressful sigh was all I could master as my tears slowly flowed down my cheeks. "What will I do? I still have to go for the training on Monday."

"Breath in, relax." Everything that happened these previous weeks seemed to have drowned in, I had been so excited to be different that I forgot what made me different. I'm just a regular omega with average looks and grades.

Aurora Hexion.

It was finally the day for the trainee orientation. Despite spending the whole Sunday at the hospital, I felt refreshed after uncle told me that dad's health might improve. It wasn't the best news, but I needed to be positive for our sake.

I closed the packed suitcase that had been laying on the bedroom floor for the past two hours. It was fortunate for me that I had more summer clothes compared to the winter. With a heavy sigh, I quickly pulled the light weighted suitcase out of the room, then downstairs. Even though it was heavy, I continued the torture for the next three minutes.

Upon descending the stairs, I threw my entire weight on the couch as I took my phone off the table. Although I was excited about this trip, I couldn't avoid the worry that crossed my mind. Would father be alright with me unavailable for two weeks while he was sick?

I heard the doorbell sound echo in the spacious room before I stood up. It had to be the taxi driver that I booked. It was the first time using a quick transportation app, and to my surprise, it was so efficient. I walked to the door, then unlocked the code within seconds, but I forgot my usual tendency to ask who was at the door.

My next surprise was like a flash across my face. I stared at the angry girl who stood in front of me. Her arms crossed and hair messed up. "Ruby?"

"Don't dare! Go back inside." I was taken aback by her tone, which caused the obedient omega side of me to stare at the shined floor. "Right now." As though unable to control my body, my mind unquestionably followed her command. Within seconds, I sat on the couch, then watched Ruby as she paced through the area.

"You know, I always thought that you are a reasonable girl." She rolled her dark eyes as her hands imitated her attitude. "Aurora, are you sane? Does that head still function?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." I muttered, and responded with my own cold gaze.

"Really? Your father is in the hospital, but you are thinking of going to a god-damn – what? Linkup!" Ruby smacked her forehead as she whispered, "If I knew this is what you could do for that boy."

"What? How did you—" I shook my head, as I took a deep breath. "I don't care how you found out, but you are not going to tell me what to do."

Who did she think she was? It was one thing for her to know all my secrets, but controlling me was another. I frowned and walked toward the open door.

"Be true to yourself. I know you better than anyone else, have you convinced yourself that you are doing that volunteer work for money?" I heard the thud sound of the couch — which made me assume that she finally sat down.

"I'm doing this for the money. Yes, because dad hasn't been giving me enough lately." There was a loud mummer as I whispered — which made my words slowly become inaudible. "What should I do? Huh? I would rather not burden him."

"... Aurora."

"Don't say it! I know that I should be by dad's side, but who will pay for his bills? I – I just don't know what to do." I felt warm arms wrap around me before my head rested on Ruby's shoulder.

"Trust us a little more, you have to know that you are not alone in this." She whispered. "You are too young to worry too much."

"I just don't want to be a burden to anyone." Tears rolled down my cheeks whilst the makeup stuck to her clothes.

"Shh, don't say that. It's easier for you to call me sister, then try leaning on me like your life depends on it." Ruby's hands rubbed my back as my cries echoed in the room.

"I'll talk to dad and figure something out. Meanwhile, please avoid texting a sick person with abandonment issues that you'll be unavailable." I paused upon hearing the words.

"Dad has abandonment issues?" I pulled away, then leaned against the door.

"That has been causing his illness to worsen. He was better during the prescribed counselling sessions, but after he stopped — the alcohol consumption increased, and he seemed to have shocks."

Ruby's words came as a shock to me. I had given much attention to father after my mother left, yet I had no idea that his illness was linked with a mental problem. The worst part was that I had been less suspicious of the alcoholic scent in his room. How did I miss that clue that my father had been drinking heavily when he was prescribed to avoid alcohol?

It had to be my fault, I should have paid more attention. It was right in front of me every night when he was downstairs in the kitchen. I had not questioned his sudden, excessive shocks and disappearances too.

But, abandonment issues? I was not aware of it. "Is it related to mother? His abandonment issues?"

"Let's sit, and I'll tell you a little secret." Ruby whispered as she led me to the couch. She quickly walked to the kitchen and filled a glass with cold water. Her little smile across the room helped me relax. "I'll make some toast for you too."

Ruby had always been a kind, caring individual. When we were kids, she would often spend weekends at our house, and hence I became so close to her. Even though I lost my mother, and she lost both her parents, we became closer than ever. It was a surprise for me since she was a college student and looked more beautiful than me. Yet, she continued as my friend during the time that I was bullied and lost all my friends. The situation might still be the same, but I have a few people I could call friends despite the bullies.

"You know, your mother was from a very wealthy family. When she married your father, who was just a working scientist, all her family members opposed her. None of your relatives showed up for their wedding. Hence, they decided to move here. It seemed that after years passed by, your mother might have realized that your father was nothing more than a scientist.

His wealth came from her, to top that, he spent numerous hours on work compared to his family. Unfortunately for him, she met her childhood friend, then hooked up with the friend. When your father found out, for the love of his family, he left her to her games and played dumb. That was until he found out that she was pregnant and planned to divorce him.

Thereafter, he refused to divorce her and slowly his illness began to showcase itself. We don't know what happened during that time, but I remember your dad being taken to the hospital and found with several illnesses."

I placed the half-eaten bread on the plate whilst my mind analyzed what I had heard. "Do. Do you know where my mother is?"

"Married to that man, for sure." Ruby rolled her eyes, then gestured for me to finish the food. Even after the narrated story, Ruby seemed unfazed. "Aurora, I think you should be by his side. The money can wait because once you lose this chance — you might not have it again."

"..."

"I'll be going tomorrow for my second semester, that means that you'll have to trust mom if you need anything. Be a good girl, and stay by his side." That was all I heard before she stood up and finger combed her curly hair. "That means; no camps."

"Okay." I whispered and smiled shyly.

"Bye sweetie." Ruby moved closer, then kissed my forehead. I could see the worry by her facial expression because her half smile couldn't hide the deep pressed brows.

"Bye."

It was still early morning and by the sudden experiences, one would call it a terrible morning. I watched as Ruby walked outside and spoke to someone before the sound of cars filled the area. Although I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be at the Youth camp training, it put me at ease that father would be better if I stayed by his side.

I'll go there tonight.

🦋
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