It had been three days since Aurora received the email from Scott for "The Black Phone 2," which meant she was leaving in just three days.
The weight of the impending departure hung heavy on her mind, yet she hadn't found the courage to share the news with anyone other than her siblings.
She didn't know why
As the group gathered at their usual spot in the park about a few hours ago and Walker was waiting for his mom to pick him up whilst Dior and Leah where staying over at the Bushnells .
laughter and chatter filled the air, but Aurora couldn't shake the knot of anxiety in her stomach.
She stole a glance at Walker, whose easy smile seemed to flicker with a hint of unease whenever their eyes met.
Leah noticed the tension between Aurora and Walker and exchanged a concerned glance with Dior. "What's going on with you two?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of conversation.
Aurora bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She knew she couldn't keep the truth from her friends any longer
Before she could gather her thoughts, Walker's voice cut through the air, his tone tinged with frustration. "Seriously, Aurora, what's up with you lately? You've been acting weird all week," he remarked, his gaze reaching into hers.
Aurora's heart sank at the accusation in Walker's voice, the tension between them reaching a breaking point. "I... I have something I need to tell you all," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
The group fell silent, their attention now fully focused on Aurora as she struggled to find the words to explain.
She could feel the weight of their expectant gazes bearing down on her, adding to the pressure she already felt. Charles placed a hand on his sisters shoulder
"I... I found out a few days ago that I'm leaving," Aurora confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm leaving in three days to film The Black Phone "
Walker's expression hardened, his jaw clenching with barely concealed anger. "You're leaving? Just like that?" he said , his voice laced with hurt and betrayal.
Aurora felt her heart break at the hurt in Walker's eyes, "Walker. I didn't know how to tell you guys," she whispered, tears stinging at the corners of her eyes.
" I'm so happy for you girl I'm just really going to miss you !" Dior said going up and hugging Aurora which she quickly returned .
Leah reached out, and linked her hands into auroras "I'm going to miss you Rora "
Walker remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground as he processed the news. When he finally spoke, his voice was tinged with hurt and disappointment. "Why didn't you tell me sooner, Rory?" he asked, his words heavy with emotion.
Aurora's heart clenched at the pain in Walker's voice, knowing she had let him down by keeping such a significant secret. "I... I didn't know how to," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about it I just found out I could ."
Walker looked up, his eyes searching Aurora's for answers. "You shouldn't have been scared to tell me, and even if you weren't allowed you still should have " he replied, his voice soft but firm. "We're supposed to be friends, Rora. Friends tell each other everything."
A pang of guilt shot through Aurora as she realized the depth of Walker's hurt.
She realized that's the first time he's called her Rora , not rory
And it doesn't seem like a bid deal sure
But that was the nickname he would only call her
As the group began to disperse, Walker's mom pulled up in her car to pick him up. His expression remained guarded as he exchanged brief farewells with the group. "I gotta go," he muttered, his voice flat and devoid of its usual warmth.
Aurora watched him go, a lump forming in her throat as she felt the weight of his disappointment settle over her like a heavy blanket.
Aurora turned to her friends, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, guys," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I never meant to ruin the mood "
Dior wrapped an arm around Aurora's shoulders, offering silent support, while Leah squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay, Rora," Dior said softly. " you didn't ruin the mood I'm happy for you Leah's happy for you and probably Aryan , speaking of Aryan where is he ?"
" with his girlfriend Ellie " Leah replied " there so cute I love them "
Aurora nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "They are the cuties ,"now enough of that let's go back home into my room eating cookies and cream ice cream and watching the summer I turned pretty "
~🎀~
As they settled into Aurora's room, surrounded by cozy blankets and pillows, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement .
Dior grabbed a handful of cookies and cream ice cream, his eyes lighting up with. "This is gonna be epic," she exclaimed, digging into the ice cream
Leah snuggled into a pile of pillows, her gaze fixed on the television screen. "I can't wait to watch Connie again ! ," she remarked, her voice filled with fondness.
Aurora smiled at her friends, feeling a surge of gratitude for their unwavering support. "I know right Conrad is so fine " she agreed
In the dim glow of the television screen, Aurora found herself drawn to Dior and Leah, the warmth of their friendship wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. She knew she would miss moments like these more than anything.
"Guys, there's something else I need to get off my chest," she began,
Dior and Leah turned to her, their expressions filled with curiosity. "What is it, Rora?" Dior asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
Aurora took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak her truth. "I... I've been thinking a lot lately," she confessed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "About Walker... I have a crush on him
Dior and Leah exchanged knowing glances, their eyes twinkling with amusement. "We know, Rora," Leah said with a gentle smile. "It's kind of obvious."
Aurora's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat at their understanding. "You knew?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Dior nodded, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, it's not exactly a secret," she replied, chuckling softly.
Leah reached out, squeezing Aurora's hand in reassurance. "But don't worry, we've got your back," she said, her tone filled with warmth. "Whatever Walker did back there was really bitchy but we'll be here for you. Just like you are to us and you have Becca and Bella as well "
Aurora felt a wave of gratitude wash over her, her heart swelling with love for her friends. "Thanks, guys," she said softly, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
" ya what would you do without us ?" Dior smiled
~🎀~
Aurora lay awake in the darkness of her room, the soft glow of her phone illuminating her face as she scrolled through her contacts. With Dior and Leah fast asleep beside her, she felt a sudden urge to reach out to her best friends, Becca and Bella.
Taking a deep breath, she typed out a message to Becca, her fingers hovering over the send button for a moment before finally pressing down.
My heart ❤️
Hey Becca, are you awake?
My heart ❤️
Yes, what's up?
Can we talk? It's kind of important.
other half ❤️
Hey Bella, are you awake?
other half ❤️
Yeah, I'm still up. What's going on?
Can we do a group chat? I need to talk to both of you. You and Becca
other half ❤️
OFC
Power puff girls
Bubbles
AURORA !
Blossom
BECCA !
Buttercup
AURORA MADELINE BUSHNELL
Blossom
ISABELLA DIANA BROWN
Bubbles
Of course, Aurora. What's going on?
Blossom
Okay, so you know how me and becca have to go film the black phone or whatever in like 3 days
Buttercup
Yeah, don't keep us in suspense AND ALSO WE NEED TO HANG OUT BEFORE U BOTH LEAVE CUZ NOW I CANT RLY TEXT U GUYS WHEN IM THERID WHEELING THOMAS AND OLIVA
buttercup
Answer that later anyway continue
Blossom
But here's the thing I haven't told anyone other than my siblings. And I knew Becca told you Bella so I didn't worry about that and I didn't know how to break it to everyone else.
Bubbles
Understandable. It's a big decision.
Buttercup
Yeah, it's okay to be nervous about sharing news like that. I mean going away for like months in such a short notice
Blossom
I just wish I hadn't kept it from everyone for so long. Especially Walker.
Bubbles
Walker? Is there something between you two?
Buttercup
Spill the tea, Rora.
Bubbles
Your so British
Buttercup
STFU
Blossom
Ok so you know how I like walked ok and me and Walker are like best friends whatever I feel like he's mad at me for not telling him idk
Bubbles
Context ?
Buttercup
Rora more info
Blossom
Welll when I told everyone I was leaving Leah and Dior where supportive btw there right now asleep anyway he was like " oh so your just leaving like that " amd whatever and when his mom had to pick him up and all he said was "oh got to go I guess !"and he didn't call me Rory he called me Aurora and Rora
Bubbles
Oh my god you and Walker are so blind!
Buttercup
Yeah, you clearly like each other!
Blossom
Wait, what? No, we're just friends!
Bubbles
Please, it's so obvious. The tension, the lingering glances...
Buttercup
The way you light up when he's around
Bubbles
And the way he only calls YOU RORY and u love it and u get upset when he doesn't
Blossom
Guys, stop it! We're just friends, okay?he doesn't see me like that
Bubbles
Sure, Rora. Whatever you say.
Buttercup
But seriously, just talk to him about it. It'll be fine!
Blossom
Ugh, you guys are impossible. Fine, I'll talk to him.
Bubbles
Love you Rora
Buttercup
Love you
Blossom
Love u guys more
—You belong with me —