As November carries on, so too does the school year. And as the school year carries on, the workload increases. Thanksgiving break is only a week away, my birthday following close behind, yet I'm too swarmed with schoolwork to even be excited for the upcoming celebrations. Even as I switch out my books Friday afternoon, I realize that most of my weekend will be spent doing homework. I have a paper due, a quiz, and the large Calculus test I'll be taking on Monday morning.

As I shut my locker, I jolt, finding a familiar redhead lingering over my locker.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" Aurora exclaims.

"I thought you'd left already," I admit. Aurora and I have not had much time to study or walk home together this week. While I've had homework, Aurora had studying to do and extracurricular commitments. I assumed that she would be heading off to another extracurricular this afternoon, but once again, she still manages to surprise me by appearing in random places.

"I'm about to leave in a little bit," Aurora states.

"Home?"

"No, club meeting."

My heart sinks slightly at the comment to my surprise. I find that our routine has been devolving a bit lately in the stress of the end of the semester, but perhaps it will pick up again once the spring semester starts.

"I wanted to ask though if you'd like to study for the Calc test this weekend," Aurora says.

I find myself nodding without thinking. As I zip up my backpack, I pause.

"Wait, where would we study? The school library obviously isn't open on the weekends," I explain. It would feel strange not studying at our familiar table by the window, I think, but I suppose the community library would be open. Still, it's fifteen minutes away by car, and I'm not as familiar with the set-up of that place. I have no favorite table or special spot to look out the window.

"You can come over to my house," Aurora offers.

"Your house?!" I exclaim, almost a bit too wildly.

"I mean, if you don't want to, we can study somewhere else. I just figure the coffee shops will be too loud, and the regular library will be filling up since everyone has finals," Aurora states quietly. She sounds almost disappointed by my response.

"Oh, uh, no that sounds good. I just didn't expect you to offer. I'd offer my house as well, but it's a bit chaotic on the weekends," I explain.

"It'll be quiet at my house," Aurora promises. "Do you want to come over, then?"

My palms are sweating for some reason, and I feel a bit awkward standing beside her as I close my locker. Even my limbs are trembling a bit for some reason that I can't quite pinpoint. I suppose it's always nervewracking going over to someone's house for the first time. Not knowing the parents that well or where the bathroom is...

"Sure," I say against my own better judgment.

"What's your number? I'll text you," Aurora says. 

I reluctantly hand her my phone. This was not a barrier I planned to cross so soon, but I suppose it makes it easier to ask Calculus questions. Aurora hands my phone back to me, where I see her name has joined my contacts list.

"See you soon." She turns and walks away, leaving me to stand there for a few moments and collect my thoughts before I start walking home by myself.

»»---------------------►

Aurora texts me later that evening to ask if I can come over Saturday afternoon. I still hesitate texting her back, but I agree, and she sends me her address. I feel strangely nervous about the situation, but I do value our study time, and I could use some extra help before Monday's test.

A little bit after lunch on Saturday, then, I put on some jeans, boots, and a coat and throw my backpack on. As I start heading down the stairs, my mother eyes me from the living room.

"Where are you going?" she asks.

Shit. I realize in the moment I may have forgot to mention this excursion to my parents. Not that they care much about where I'm going as long as I give a heads-up. Really it's only my mother to think about since my dad works weekends occasionally.

"Studying with a friend," I say. "She lives a few blocks away. I'm just going to walk."

"When will you be back?"

"This evening, I'm assuming. I'll text you any updates," I promise. My legs are shaking. Why are my legs shaking?

"All right. Well, see you later. If it's dark, call me. I can come pick you up," she says.

"Okay," I say before heading out the door. There's a bit of a nippy breeze as I head out, but it's not cold enough to bother me. Instead, I admire the remnants of the autumn leaves as I walk the short ten minutes to Aurora's house.

I pull my phone out when I step onto her street, trying to match the address. As I walk along the sidewalk, I glance up, realizing this must be her home. It is smaller than mine, for sure. It's a double story with a quaint little lawn and a big oak tree out front. There's one big window, but the curtains are drawn, so I can't see in that well. I suppose that doesn't matter much, since I'll be entering in only a few seconds.

I look at my phone one more time, triple-checking the address is correct before I walk up onto the porch. There are flower pots scattered around the walkway. Some plants are still in bloom, even if I'm sure the winter air will kill them eventually. Some wind chimes hang above her doorway and flow gently in the wind, letting out pleasant twinkling sounds.

I ring the doorbell and awkwardly stand for a few minutes. The door opens, and my worst fear comes true, because it's not Aurora who answers the door. It's her mother, I can only assume. Her mother has short blonde hair that sits slightly above her shoulders. Her eyes are green, I realize, just like Aurora's. She has a red apron tied around her waist with a flour splotch on it from what I can only assume is her cooking.

"Um. Hi. I'm Callie. Aurora invited me over to study," I say awkwardly, praying that I have not stumbled across the wrong house.

"Oh, yes—Oscar get back here," her mom snaps as a fluffy, somewhat fat, ginger cat scoots between her legs and walks right up to me, nuzzling his head against my leg. "Sorry. He's friendly," she says.

I crouch down and scratch the cat's chin, feeling a bit comforted one of Aurora's cats has already taken a liking toward me. I can see Aurora approaching from the gap in the door so I slowly stand up and brush the stray cat hair off my jeans.

"I see you made friends with Oscar already," Aurora says.

Aurora's mother makes a few noises to call the cat back inside, and I awkwardly enter. Her house smells like fresh sheets, and there's the lingering scent of of garlic coming from the kitchen. I suppose her mother is preparing their dinner for later in the evening.

"Um, thanks for inviting me over!" I say, sliding my shoes off by her door.

"We can head to my room and start studying," Aurora says, leading me past the living room. Her father, I assume, is the one with graying hair who sits in an armchair with the newspaper in his lap. He lifts the paper away and greets me with a smile.

"Oh, you must be Callie, right? Aurora's told us a lot about you," he tells me.

"Oh, um, thanks," I murmur, though Aurora seems more embarrassed by that comment than me as she quickly ushers me up the staircase. She leads me into the first room on the right, which is a bedroom a bit smaller than mine. It consists of a double bed alongside a window, as well as a dresser and short square table where I assume we will do our studying.

"Do you want a pillow to sit on?" Aurora asks, grabbing one from her bed. Arranged on her blue pastel bedsheets are soft white pillows. It's hard not to stare around at her room as I awkwardly grab a pillow from her. There's a vase with flowers in it on the table—yellow roses. Pictures of her friends hang on the wall, fairy lights decorate the walls, and over her bed, a few motivational posters. It's much more aesthetically decorated than my mess of a room. No wonder. I expect her room to be in tip top shape.

On her dresser, I notice a lit candle. Its flame dances slightly, and I recognize that the aroma in the air is a sort of familiar fall scent.

"Is something wrong?" Aurora asks, noticing I'm distracted.

"Oh, nothing. I'm not allowed to keep candles in my room. My mom thinks the dog or one of my siblings will knock it over," I state, laughing some.

"Oh, yes. French Fry, right?"

"You remember the name of my dog?"

"Of course! It's too funny of a name not to," Aurora says as she gathers her books. I gather my notebook and study guide. Before any of us can say anything, a knock comes at the door. I practically jolt.

"Do you girls want any snacks?" her mother asks, holding a tray of an array of pretzels and crackers, along with what appears to be, from the aroma, some apple cider.

Aurora accepts before I can say anything. Her mother sets the tray down, but before she can shut the door, a slim gray tabby cat wanders in, letting out a few mews.

"I see Sammy wants to join you two," Aurora's mother says before shutting the door.

"She's sweet," Aurora promises me.

Her cat slowly approaches me and sniffs me cautiously before rubbing up against me, just as Oscar did upon my entering. I give her a few chin scratches before turning to my problems. The environment suddenly becomes cozy. Aurora and I go over problems while Sammy naps beside her. I watch Aurora occasionally give the cat a few scratches before turning back to the study guide. I sip on my apple cider as we work, and I realize I feel extremely calm, perhaps even more so than in my own home.

This house is so quiet compared to mine. I can barely go twenty minutes without my mother nagging us from downstairs, Fry letting out a few loud barks when he spots a squirrel out the window, or my siblings fighting with each other. But sitting here, in this autumn spice-scented room with a cat purring and a warm cup of cider, I feel like I could stay in here forever.

Aurora and mine's conversation is strictly about Calculus, but we finish the study guide in only an hour or so, and I realize that it will probably be time for me to head home soon. That is, until Aurora starts up a casual conversation.

"What are your plans for Thanksgiving break?" she asks as she dangles a feather toy in front of Sammy. The cat lurches around as she moves it, and I watch, letting out a few giggles here and there at the twisted motions Sammy makes.

"Oh, just an extended family dinner," I state. "Are you going out of town?"

"Yes, just for a few days," Aurora says.

My heart sinks a bit at the comment, but what do I expect? We don't hang out casually, not really. This hang-out is still academic based. Besides, there will be no tests to study for over the small break. I'm sure we'll pick up with studying and walking home together once finals come closer.

"Your cat is cute," I say.

"Do you want to play with her?" Aurora asks.

I shift uncomfortably. "Uh, I can try, but I'm used to dogs," I admit.

"You just dangle it in front of her. Oh, but don't let her get too close. Her claws are sharp," Aurora says as she hands the toy to me.

Following Aurora's example, I dangle the toy in front of the cat, laughing as Sammy pounces for it. She manages to get the toy at one point, which is when Aurora informs to me that I've lost to a cat.

"I feel bad for her, like I'm teasing her," I say.

"You can't let her win. Then, she'll give into her predatory instincts and try to eat the family," Aurora teases.

Sammy appears to be tired out. She lets out a wide yawn, revealing her sharp incisors, before rubbing up against Aurora. I watch Aurora as she scratches the cat behind the ears and chin. I've never heard a cat make such loud purrs before.

I'm so distracted by Aurora petting her cat that I don't realize the room has taken on a golden glow. It's sunset, and by this point, I won't manage to make it home before the sun goes down. I think about texting my mom, but I find myself becoming embarrassed at the thought of my mother picking me up and driving me home, like I am in middle school once again.

Before I can bring it up to Aurora that I should probably head out soon, considering I've overstayed my visit as it is, a knock comes at the door. Aurora's mother appears in the doorway with a grin on her face, and the smell of food lingers from downstairs.

"Would you like to join us for dinner, Callie? We're having soup," she says.

My mouth starts to salivate at the idea, and I almost agree when I see Aurora smiling at me, but then I start second-guessing myself. This was merely a study date. I don't know Aurora well enough to stay over for dinner, or her parents for that matter. Awkwardly, I fumble my fingers together and shake my head.

"That's very kind of you, but I know my mother wants me home for dinner. I have some unfinished chores to do as well," I say.

"Too bad. Aurora, do you want to take her home, then?" her mother asks.

"Oh, um. I can have my mom come get me. It's only a five minute drive," I offer, but Aurora shakes her head.

"I can take you home. It's no big deal. Can I borrow the car, Mom?"

"Of course," she says.

I begin to gather my things and walk out with Aurora. I give a few good-bye pats to the cats and awkwardly linger by the front door.

"Not staying for dinner?" Aurora's father asks.

"I've got to head home," I state.

"She can stay next time she's over," Aurora's mother states.

"Oh, um—" I wasn't envisioning a "next time." I'm not sure how I've made such an impression on Aurora's parents with only a few minutes of conversation, but they seem happy to have me over.

"You're always welcome," Aurora assures me.

I give a thank-you and good-bye to her parents before stepping out of the house. The sun has pretty much fully descended now, and the streetlights illuminate the street. I walk out in the cold with Aurora toward the car. Though the drive is short, it feels like an eternity to me.

"Thanks for coming over and studying with me. It's nice to have a friend that lives close by," Aurora states.

Friends? Have we reached that level already? I suppose this hangout became more friendly near the end of my visit, but the term still seems foreign to me in this relationship.

"Um, thanks for having me. Your parents are nice," I say.

"No problem," she says. I give her a few directions, and she pulls up to my home moments later. I climb out of the car, about to say good-bye, when she speaks before me.

"You have a nice house. I can't wait to visit sometime," she says. "Have a good rest of your weekend."

"Oh. You too," I say, shutting the car door. I walk up to my porch and give her a wave as she drives away.

Her comment is a bit off-putting. I didn't realize that she intended to visit me next, though I'm not sure why she would want to. My house is most certainly more chaotic, and not at all a good study environment. But perhaps she meant just to hang out, which, in that case, makes me only more confused.

As I turn the key to open the front door, I can't help but notice a certain warmth in my cheeks. Today was fun, even if it was just studying for a while. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy myself, and while it would be nice to visit again, I don't expect to anytime soon. After all, we have our routine, we have our boundaries, and I don't think it's good for me to get any closer to Aurora than this.

Yet, even as I step inside the house, I realize with a shock that it's been days since I've thought about Isabella.