Roommates

Chapter 27

Knocking gently on the door, Aurora swayed on her fatigued feet. The soles of her feet burned in her worn out sneakers. They were years old and falling apart at the seams. They provided her no support against her rocking. Nothing, not even the excitement of this dinner with Evangeline, could mask how exhausted she was after her busy post-holiday season day. Everyone was in a bad mood because of hateful Christmas dinners the night before, and every other woman she helped commented about how her New Year's Resolution should be to lose weight.

If she wanted that advice, she'd call her mother.

Evangeline opened the front door and let her into the apartment with a hushed song. "Come on in."

Startled by the smell of delicious food cooking, Aurora gently let her bag fall to the floor by the coat rack to the left of the door. She set her keys next to Evangeline's in the teal bowl by her right. Breathing in the savoury aroma, Aurora was lulled into a fantasy, but she brought herself back to reality. "Dinner smells amazing."

"It has about fifteen minutes left," Evangeline reported, helping her shed her coat. She hung it up and started towards the kitchen slowly.

Aurora took off her shoes. "I might take a quick shower if that's alright." Taking in Evangeline's appearance made her feel severely under dressed. Aurora's brown hair was falling out of the claw clip she had secured it with this morning and she was still wearing her work uniform. She probably smelled like the store, like pinecones drenched in cinnamon.

"That's perfectly fine," Evangeline chirped. "I'll be in the kitchen."

With the utmost sincerity, Aurora exuded her gratitude before heading off to the back bedroom. She set a mental timer in her head and began digging through her trash bags to find a blouse or something at least presentable.

Evangeline had thrown on a white skin-tight tank with sage and blush peonies on it with an olive green pair of shorts that hugged her waist and thighs. Her outfit wasn't formal, but she had put an effort into her appearance from what Aurora could tell. She even used a makeup pallet to match with dark pink eyeshadow and brown accents. Evangeline looked stunning.

How would she ever compare?

Pulling out an article she hadn't worn in months, Aurora laid the dress out on the bed. The tight long sleeves contrasted the flowing bottom. If it still fit, the gown would fall above her upper thigh. She had not had a reason to wear a dress in a while, but it was an outfit she couldn't donate when she purged her wardrobe when she moved to Seattle.

Aurora headed to the bathroom with thirteen minutes left to shower and somehow forge a decent appearance using Chloe's left over supplies. It was a daring task, but Aurora felt confident she could make something work. After all, Evangeline had never seen her with her makeup done. Anything was better than nothing.

She secured her hair back and stripped, laying her clothes neatly on the counter. She ignored the voice in her head that told her to look in the mirror and she slipped into the shower. She couldn't bear to look at her body right now, so she showered with her eyes closed.

Maybe the women at the store were right. She could afford to lose ten pounds here or there. Especially in her thighs and stomach. She hated her stomach. She was ashamed of the weight she had put on, even though doctors told her it was healthy. Four years ago, she was skin and bones, and was hospitalized for her anorexia. The doctors told her that if she got to that point again, it could — and would — kill her. They were right, of course, but it didn't make a difference to her disordered thoughts. She'd rather die than be the weight she is today.

Shutting off the shower, she hopped out and wrapped a towel around her figure before the mirror had a chance to condensate. The last thing she needed was an affirmation for her spiralling thoughts.