~Tranquil~

The first thing that greeted her awakening was the ray of sunlight streaming in through the curtains. She opened her eyes  then proceeded to sit up gingerly on the bed. Something didn't feel right. Her own bed was certanly soft but not the way this one wasand it definitely didn't smell like freshly opened gatorade.

She rubbed her palms into her eyes to rid it of the hazy visions she was having. It was her brother's room. She found Nicolas sleeping in a very uncomfortable position in his reading chair but the moment her movements made the bed creak a little, dusky gray orbs pinned her down.

"You're up already. You fell asleep really fast yesterday."

Thoughts of yesterday powered up the dull ache in her chest as memories she wanted to forget forever burned into the front of her eyes once more. She wanted to burrow into the bed and cry some more but there were no tears left to.

"I slept fine and I don't want to talk about yesterday."

She put up her guard again. She didn't want her brother prying into her life like he was currently doing.

'But you were the one who wouldn't stop bawling like a baby.' An inner voice jeered at her. She tuned out the voice in anger till all she heard was the sound of her heartbeat.

"You owe me an explanation Aurora. I have a right to understand what went down yesterday." Nicolas found himself using a stern tone on her. It wasn't his fault that despite how he had tried to assure her of his affection, she still tried to act like nothing happened by putting up her guard as usual.

"Is that so? If that's what you want to know, then here is it. As you know, I went out with Selena and the rest of my supposed friends to hang out. We were having this conversation which Selena piped up and said that I had experience." Aurora took a moment to control her breathing pattern.

"One thing led to another and I found myself saying things that I didn't even mean. Selena then called me a liar and a faux which in reality I wasn't. Was it a crime to yearn for things you didn't have and couldn't afford?"

Nicolas then understood her point of view. Little wonder her requests were always obnoxious and unnecessary. She was struggling hard to be in a competition with those who were way out of her league just to be appreciated by them. He would have warned her about this if he was constantly there for her as he should have been but she was suffering as a result of his negligence.

"This is my fault. Even though I tried to warn you, I wasn't there to stand by you." He thought of times he dropped her off before they even got to the school's gate. "I don't hate being seen around you, Aurora. There's a lot of crazy shit going on which I don't want you to get caught up in. When the time is right, I'll explain all to you."

She sighed, propping her back up against a pillow. "If you're talking about you dropping me off at school, nevermind. I got used to it. I'm sorry."

"Stop being sorry. I'm the careless one this time around, not you." He stopped as if to let it sink into her subconscious, then added. "For once in your life, you're not the one at fault here."

She threw a pillow behind her at him which he caught easily while laughing. "Be serious."

"I am." He smiled. "And I love you too, Aurora." He gave her his reply which he didn't get to before she fell asleep.

"Thanks for being there for me."

He gave her his signature smirk. "If I wasn't there, who else would?"

Aurora rolled her eyes at his boastful words even though she knew there was every atom of truth in what he was saying. The atmosphere was getting moody again like yesterday so she steered away from the tears inducing topic. "Have you changed your mind about going to school? Because you are five minutes late in case you do not realize it."

"I can't miss school today. I just want to make sure you're fine before I go freshen up. I take it you don't want to be in school?"

She looked down at her fingers. "I'm not sure I have the heart to just yet. I still haven't been able to swallow the bitter pill of humiliation from yesterday. How much more would the students do when I arrive at school?"

He stood up from where he was over to where she sat with a forlorn expression. "The more you understand that most people don't give an actual hoot about you, the more you'll learn to care less. Don't worry, I'll handle it. In the meantime, I want you to use this stay at home to reflect deeply over your actions and what they would cost you if it repeats itself."

She nodded her head absentmindedly. She was already having the conversation with herself without being told to. She looked back at her brother. "I will." She got up to give him a hug.

Nicolas scrunched up his nose as he placed a palm on her forehead, pushing her away from him. "God, you stink! Go and get a bath, will you?"

Aurora gasped in fake shock. "I thought you didn't mind what I smelled like when I hugged you yesterday. Now you're treating me like garbage."

He rolled his eyes. "You looked like you needed a great hug yesterday and it would have been rude to refuse you. Plus, you smelled like chicken soup. Today it's rotten soup."

She scrunched up her nose in disgust. "Ew. That's a lie, I do not smell like that." She looked down her shirt to sniff but quickly retracted as the odor hit her square in the face.

"You're right. I need a bath." She threw the covers off her body, hightailing out of there to her own room.

Nicolas shook his head in humour as she dashed out of his room, quick as lightning. By the time he was done with his bath and had dressed up, he grabbed his bag pack and keys. He had just bade goodbye to his sister and was going to leave when he reconsidered venturing into the part of the house that no one else did so often.

He was not certain if his presence would be welcomed but he wanted to give it a try anyway. As usual, he stopped by the door with his hand hovering over the door knob. All that was left was for him to turn it and push the door open but as simple as it sounded, it was the hardest part of every single day.

There was a second thought to leaving as soon as he heard minimal movements from behind the door. He went back closer like he had been doing for the last few years. Hesitation was the dominant element as he stood undecided on his next line of action. Subconsciously he pressed a palm flat against the door.

"I know you heard what happened yesterday with Aurora and I know you're about to get yourself worked up but I want to assure you that she's fine. I also know you don't want to see me just yet and I respect your decisions. Just don't hold on for a while longer and you'll be up in no time."

There was a low grunt that was almost inaudible and would have been missed if he wasn't paying all his attention. His eyes watered suddenly. That was the first reply the man had given to him since the incident that rendered him incapable of speeches. Nicolas was completely aware that the short gruff reply didn't mean he wanted to be seen, so he stepped away from the door feeling more at peace than he had ever been.

~~~{•}~~~

This is more of a filler chapter even though it's short.
It's Nicolas and the mystery man in their house.
Anyone has an inkling who the mystery man is and what he's all about?
I bet you don't...lol

Please don't forget to leave a vote
I feel very appreciated when you do that
~~Tequila~~