A few weeks had passed since that night on the beach, and now Aurora found herself in the bustling streets of London. It was a week before New Year's, and she had travelled to the city to celebrate her friend's birthday in style.
The air was electric with anticipation as Aurora and her friends made their way through the neon-lit streets toward the club. Excitement bubbled up inside her as she imagined the night ahead, the promise of music, laughter, and dancing filling her with anticipation.
As they reached the entrance to the club, the pulsating bass thudded through the air, beckoning them inside. Inside, the music was deafening, the beat pounding in time with Aurora's racing heart. She laughed and danced with her friends, the energy of the crowd infectious as they lost themselves in the music and the moment.
Aurora found herself swept up in the joyous atmosphere of her friend's birthday celebration. As she made her way to the bar to fetch another round of shots, she collided with someone in the bustling crowd. Looking up, she saw Katie standing before her, a surprised expression on her face.
"What are you doing here?" Aurora asked, genuinely curious about the unexpected encounter.
Katie smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Just a team night out," she replied, gesturing to the group of players behind her.
Aurora nodded, understanding dawning on her. "Ah, it's my friend's birthday," she explained, her excitement evident in her voice.
Katie's smile widened, and she glanced around the crowded club. "Well then, let me get your drinks," she offered, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "And I can say happy birthday to your friend."
Aurora's face lit up with gratitude, touched by Katie's gesture. "That would be great, thanks," she replied, stepping aside to let Katie take the lead. Together, they navigated through the pulsating crowd, heading toward the bar to join forces in celebrating Aurora's friend's special day.
As they reached Aurora's group of friends, she quickly introduced Katie to the lively bunch, the music thumping in the background. Amidst the cheers and laughter, one of her friends couldn't resist a playful jab, remarking, "The hot Irish footballer, yeah? I know you!"
A mischievous grin danced across Katie's lips as she turned to Aurora, teasing, "You think I'm hot, huh?"
Aurora simply winked in response, a playful twinkle in her eye.
After exchanging pleasantries with Aurora's friends, Katie gently reminded Aurora of her obligations. "I just came to say happy birthday," she explained, her tone warm yet tinged with regret. "But I've gotta get back to the team before they think I've gone missing. You wanna come say hi?"
Aurora hesitated for a moment, torn between the comfort of her friends and the allure of seeing the arsenal girls again. Sensing her hesitation, Katie leaned in discreetly, her voice low. "Leah isn't there right now," she whispered.
Encouraged by Katie's invitation and her friends' supportive chorus, Aurora felt a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. With a grin, she turned to Katie, nodding in agreement. "Lead the way," she echoed, her voice laced with anticipation.
As they approached the group, Beth's voice cut through the music, drawing Aurora's attention. "Aurora!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with genuine excitement. "Haven't seen you in a while!"
Aurora's smile widened as she embraced Beth in a warm hug. "I know, it's been too long," she replied, feeling a sense of familiarity wash over her.
Alex stood nearby, her demeanour slightly reserved, perhaps still processing the unexpected yet deserved words from Alexia. Nevertheless, Aurora greeted her with a friendly hug, the tension easing as their conversation flowed naturally.
As they settled into the group, the topic of Katie being the one to bring Aurora over arose. Curious glances and playful teasing ensued, with Aurora jokingly attributing Katie's company to an alleged obsession.
Katie, unfazed by the banter, fired back with a playful retort. "Oh, I think it's the other way around," she quipped, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Aurora's been telling everyone I'm the hot one."
Aurora chuckled at Katie's jest, sending her a wink stating "Did I lie though?". Yet, Alex's subtle concern did not escape her notice, prompting a fleeting pang of guilt.
However, the unspoken understanding among the group prevented any mention of Leah, their shared history serving as a silent barrier to the topic. Instead, they focused on the present moment, revelling in each other's company and the vibrant energy of the night.
As Aurora turned to leave, a sudden jolt of disbelief surged through her as she beheld an unexpected sight. There, amidst the pulsating crowd, was Leah, speaking with and dancing intimately with another girl. Aurora's heart plummeted as she watched in stunned silence, her mind struggling to comprehend the scene unfolding before her.
Her breath caught in her throat as Leah and the girl leaned in for a kiss, the sight sending a wave of anguish crashing over Aurora. Unable to bear the sight any longer, she turned away, her footsteps faltering as she made her way through the throngs of people.
The bathroom offered a momentary refuge from the chaos outside, and Aurora gratefully sank onto one of the empty stalls, her mind reeling from the shock of what she had just witnessed.
A soft knock echoed through the cramped space, and Aurora's heart clenched with apprehension as Katie's voice filtered through the door. "Aurora? Are you okay?"
With a trembling breath, Aurora composed herself enough to respond. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just... needed a moment."
The door creaked open, and Katie stepped inside, her concerned gaze meeting Aurora's troubled expression. "I saw," she said quietly, her voice tinged with sympathy. "Are you... okay?"
Aurora shook her head, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice cracking with the weight of her turmoil.
Katie's heart ached with empathy for her friend's pain. She reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from Aurora's tear-streaked face. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, her voice laced with sincerity.
Aurora let out a frustrated sigh, her emotions roiling beneath the surface. "I spent so long getting my makeup right," she confessed, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. "And now it's all ruined."
Katie's brow furrowed with concern, her gaze filled with compassion. "That's not what I want to know," she said gently, her voice a soothing balm to Aurora's wounded spirit.
Aurora closed her eyes, a heavy sigh escaping her lips as she struggled to find the right words to express the turmoil raging within her. "I still love her," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "And seeing her... it hurts. I never thought I'd see her again, and now... now she's dancing with someone else, the way we used to." Aurora sighed softly, her gaze drifting back to the memory of Leah dancing with someone else. "It just hurts," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "... it feels like a punch in the gut."
Katie's expression softened with empathy as she reached out to gently squeeze Aurora's hand. "She doesn't know what she's missing," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. "She's an idiot for letting go of you."
Aurora blinked back tears, grateful for Katie's unwavering support. "Really?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
Katie nodded firmly, her eyes meeting Aurora's with unwavering conviction. "Yeah," she said with a gentle smile. "The biggest idiot in the world."
Aurora let out a small laugh, the weight on her chest easing ever so slightly at Katie's words. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
Katie smiled, a warm and genuine expression that reached her eyes. "Anytime," she said softly, her gaze never leaving Aurora's. "You know I've got your back, right?"
Aurora nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "I know."
Katie's words carried a warmth that eased the sting of Aurora's heartache, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly at her friend's attempt to lift her spirits.
"Lucky me, you aren't crying anymore," Katie quipped, "You're an ugly crier, you know that?"
Aurora scoffed gently and lightly swatted Katie's arm "Rude"
Katie grinned, her gaze softening with affection. "Hey, honesty is my best policy," she teased, her tone light and playful. "But you know what? You're much sexier without the tears."
Aurora's laughter bubbled up, the sound like music to Katie's ears. "You really do sound obsessed," she teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Katie shrugged, a playful smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Can't blame me if I am," she replied with a wink, the affection in her gaze unmistakable.
Katie's gaze lingered on Aurora, a fleeting moment of temptation passing through her mind before she pushed it aside with a resigned sigh. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts, not when Aurora was hurting.
"Come on," Katie said gently, rising to her feet and extending a hand to Aurora. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Aurora nodded silently, allowing Katie to guide her toward the restroom mirror. As she stared at her reflection, the remnants of her tears staining her cheeks, she felt a surge of gratitude for Katie's unwavering support.
With a soft sigh, Katie handed her a tissue, her eyes filled with empathy as she watched Aurora dab away the traces of her tears. "You're stronger than you know," she said softly, her voice a gentle reassurance in the midst of Aurora's turmoil.
As Aurora and Katie approached the group, Aurora couldn't shake the sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. Leah was there, her expression tight and guarded, and Aurora couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at the sight of her.
"Hey," Aurora greeted, her voice strained but forcedly casual. "How've you been?"
Leah's response was curt, her gaze flickering briefly to the intertwined fingers of Aurora and Katie before returning to Aurora's face. "Good," she replied. "You've not been around. Where've you been?"
Aurora shrugged nonchalantly, masking the turmoil churning beneath the surface. "Everywhere, really," she said vaguely, her words a feeble attempt at deflection.
Turning to the girl beside Leah, the one Aurora had caught kissing her moments earlier, she offered a strained smile. "Nice to meet you," she said, the words feeling foreign on her tongue as she forced herself to maintain composure.
Feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her, Aurora's discomfort only grew, but she refused to show any sign of weakness. Instead, she turned to Katie, her resolve firm. "I'm gonna go now," she said quietly, a faint smile playing at her lips.
Katie's concern was palpable as she asked one last time if Aurora was okay. Aurora couldn't help but laugh, the sound tinged with bitterness. "Yeah, I'm good," she replied, her words betraying the turmoil swirling within her as she turned and walked away.
Aurora returned to her friends, the weight of the encounter with Leah still heavy on her mind. As she approached, they greeted her with warm smiles, but their curiosity was palpable.
"Hey, saw Leah over there," one of them said casually, a knowing look in their eyes. "How's that going?"
Aurora offered a dismissive shrug, trying to brush off the question. "Nothing's happening there," she replied tersely, her tone betraying her discomfort.
Feeling the overwhelming need to escape the suffocating atmosphere, she apologized hastily before making her excuses. "Sorry, guys, but I need to go," she said, her voice tinged with urgency.
Her friends nodded understandingly, offering their farewells as she made her exit, the weight of the evening's events heavy on her shoulders as she walked away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Aurora stepped into her studio, the familiar scent of creativity surrounded her, but tonight, it offered little solace. Her mind was in turmoil, the echoes of the night's events reverberating through her thoughts.
With a heavy heart, she approached her workstation, the promise she made to Alexia weighing heavily on her conscience. But in the solitude of her studio, the walls closing in around her, she found herself unable to resist the pull of her emotions.
Before she knew it, her trembling fingers reached for her notebook, the blank pages calling out to her with an irresistible allure. As she began to write, the floodgates of her emotions burst open, pouring forth in a torrent of raw honesty.
Each stroke of the pen was a cathartic release, her words painting a vivid picture of her inner turmoil. With each passing moment, she found herself unravelling, the weight of her emotions too heavy to bear alone.
Despite her best intentions, Aurora had broken her promise, the sanctity of her vow crumbling in the face of her overwhelming need to purge herself of her pain. And as she poured her heart out onto the page, she couldn't help but wonder what consequences awaited her in the light of day.
As she recorded each track, the weight of her sorrow threatened to overwhelm her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the notes of her song as they filled the room with their haunting melody.
But amidst the pain, there was also a sense of catharsis, a release that could only come from confronting her innermost demons head-on. With each verse, she found herself drawing closer to a sense of closure, the healing power of her music offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
And when the final chord faded into silence, Aurora knew that she had poured every ounce of her being into her work. Despite the tears that stained her cheeks, there was a sense of peace in her heart, a quiet resolve born from the ashes of her pain.
With a trembling hand, she saved her recordings, each song a testament to her strength and resilience. And as she listened to the finished album, she knew that she had created something truly beautiful out of the wreckage of her heartache.
Aurora's phone buzzed with a familiar tone, and as she glanced at the screen, a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It was a text from Ella.
Fav Mccabe
Katie said she saw you today
Where's my invite
Bit offended you haven't seen me yet
With a warmth spreading through her chest, Aurora tapped on the FaceTime icon and waited as the call connected. Moments later, Ella's face appeared on the screen, her eyes bright with anticipation. Aurora's heart swelled with warmth at the sight of Ella's face, but her smile faltered when she noticed the concern etched in her expression.
"Hey, Ella," Aurora greeted her, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ella's brows furrowed in concern as she studied Aurora's face. "Have you been crying?" she asked, her voice soft yet probing.
Aurora's heart skipped a beat as she scrambled for an excuse. "Shit," she muttered under her breath before replying, "No, of course not."
Ella's sceptical gaze lingered for a moment longer before she relented, albeit reluctantly. "Okay, if you say so," she replied, though her tone hinted at lingering doubt.
Quickly changing the subject, Ella asked, "So, what are you up to?"
Aurora's eyes brightened with excitement as she replied, "I just finished my album. Wanna hear?"
Ella's eyes widened with excitement, and she practically squealed, "Yes, of course!"
A mischievous grin spread across Aurora's face as an idea struck her. "Actually," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief, "I have a better idea. How about you join me on my instagram live?"
Ella's eyes lit up with excitement at the suggestion, and without hesitation, she exclaimed, "Yes, let's do it!"
Aurora took a deep breath, as she tapped the "Start Live Video" button on her Instagram app. Within seconds, the screen came to life, and she was greeted by a flood of comments and reactions from eager viewers.
"Hey, everyone!" Aurora greeted her audience with a bright smile, her voice laced with excitement. Reading some comments she can't help but laugh saying "Yes I was out not that long ago. Yes I am slightly drunk right now. That doesn't matter though."
Aurora grinned, holding up her phone to the camera to reveal Ella's face. "But hey, look who's here now! Say hi to my favourite McCabe, everyone!"
The comments section exploded with greetings and hellos as viewers eagerly welcomed Ella to the live stream. Ella blushed at the sudden attention, waving shyly at the camera.
"Alright, folks, it's time for a sneak peek at the finished album," she announced to her viewers, excitement bubbling in her voice. "And I have the lovely Ella to thank for this brilliant idea."
Ella rolled her eyes playfully at Aurora's words, "I didn't say anything for this to happen," she protested lightly.
Aurora grinned mischievously. "Well, you seemed excited to hear it, so I figured why not share the excitement with everyone else? And since you're going to hear it first, you can choose which songs we listen to."
Ella shook her head, a hint of apprehension in her eyes. "No, I don't want to pick. That's too much pressure."
Aurora shrugged, her inhibitions still slightly lowered from the alcohol. "Okay, then I'll just play the ones I just finished. What's the worst that could happen?"
With that, she queued up the first track and held her phone up to the camera, the opening notes of her new song filling the room and captivating her audience.
"This one is called... If I don't laugh I'm gonna cry... damn that sounds sad. Okay well here we go...
Went out the other night with all my friends
Started to feel like me again
Hadn't been that happy in a while
Had drinks and we put a sad song on
You're oh, so casually brought up
There goes my night and goes my smile
... 'Cause that was two full years of us down the drain
And I'm reminded that it all went to waste
And when my friends are asking if I miss you
What do I say?
... If I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry
Don't wanna hear your name tonight
I'm finally happy, not in the mood
I don't wanna think about you
If I hear your name one more time
I think I'm gonna lose my mind
Don't know what to do 'cause I'm not alright
But if I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry, cry
... Made my way to the bathroom, nonchalant
'Cause I felt like tears were coming on
It's not what I planned for my big night out
Took me hours just to do my makeup right
If you're the reason it gets ruined, I'll be pissed tonight
Either way, mascara's running down
... 'Cause that was two full years of us down the drain
And I'm reminded that it all went to waste
And when my friends are asking if I miss you
What do I say?
... If I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry
Don't wanna hear your name tonight
I'm finally happy, not in the mood
I don't wanna think about you
If I hear your name one more time
I think I'm gonna lose my mind
Don't know what to do 'cause I'm not alright
But if I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry, cry
... And I bet you're out with all your friends
Or maybe kissing someone new, and you don't have to pretend
Like you don't miss me
Like you don't miss me
... If I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry
Don't wanna hear your name tonight
I'm finally happy, not in the mood
I don't wanna think about you
If I hear your name one more time
I think I'm gonna lose my mind
Don't know what to do 'cause I'm not alright
But if I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry, cry"
Ignoring the comments and the tears welling up in her own eyes, Aurora chuckles as the first song fades out, moving to select the next track.
"Alright, folks, get ready for the next one," she announced, "This one's called 'Crying My Eyes Out.'
Nothing could prepare me tonight
To watch the girl I'm still in love with move on in real time
The floor feels like it's caving as I
Watch the last two years of you and I get kissed goodbye
The lights are low
And you're swaying with her back and forth to records we used to know
And you're falling slow
And I'm watching it all from the front row
You're out there dancing
Holding her closer now
She used to be me
Now, I'm here crying my eyes out
You start to kiss her
Mascara is running down
You look so in love
And I'm here crying my eyes outI'm crying my eyes out
I'm crying my eyes out
Wish that love was actually blind
It turns out that the best night of her life is the worst of mine
I feel dumb
I can't pretend that I don't see you now
I know I'm obvious
With makeup running down my face, this sucks
The lights are low
And you're swaying with her back and forth
The records we used to know
And you're falling slow
And I'm watching it all from the front row
You're out there dancing
Holding her closer now
She used to be me
Now, I'm here crying my eyes out
You start to kiss her
Mascara is running down
You look so in love
And I'm here crying my eyes out
I'm crying my eyes out
I'm crying my eyes out
I'm crying my eyes out
I'm crying my eyes out"
As the final notes of the song echoed through the room, Aurora felt a lump form in her throat, her emotions swirling within her. Hastily wiping away the tears that trickled down her cheeks, she let out a shaky laugh.
"Damn," she muttered, her voice betraying the raw emotion she had poured into the song. "I guess that was more emotional than I thought."
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Aurora cast a reassuring smile at Ella through the screen. "Alright, let's switch gears, shall we?" she said, her voice regaining its usual buoyancy. "How about I play something a little less... depressing?"
Reading the comments that are flowing in she searches for the next song, after a few minutes she addressed her audience once more.
"Alright, folks," she announced, her voice tinged with irony. "Up next, we've got a little number I like to call 'Lead me on.' Now, technically, it's about the same thing as the last one, but hey, at least it doesn't sound as depressing, right?
I was born to love you
You were born wild and free
I was made to find you
But your heart is constantly runnin', just never toward me
So why don't you just lead me on?
'Cause something is better than nothing at all
Yeah, I want you to lead me on
'Cause something, yeah, something is better than nothing
Something, your something is better than nothing at all
It's hard to tame wild horses (it's hard to tame wild horses)
It's hard to stay sound asleep (sound asleep)
The thought of you is torture (the thought of you is torture)
But your heart is constantly runnin', just never toward me
So why don't you just lead me on?
'Cause something is better than nothing at all
Yeah, I want you to lead me on
'Cause something, yeah, something is better than nothing
Yeah, something, your something is better than nothing at all
Nothing at all
Nothing at all
Nothing at all
So why don't just lead me on?
'Cause something is better than nothing at all, at all, at all
So why don't you just lead me on?
'Cause something, yeah, something is better than nothing
Your something, your something is better than nothing
Your something, your something is better than nothing
Just a little somethin', just somethin' is better than nothing at all"
Aurora's heart sank as she read Alexia's comment
"Pensava que no deiem mes esciure sobre ella."
Guilt gnawed at her insides, knowing she had broken their promise. Quickly, she ended the live stream,bracing herself for the inevitable scolding.
Meanwhile, still on call with Ella, Aurora forced a smile despite the weight of her emotions. "They were great, right?" she asked about the songs. But when Ella pressed for an explanation, Aurora simply shrugged, a silent promise to share the truth with her friend someday.
"Sorry, Ella," Aurora said, her tone apologetic. "I've got to go. If I don't answer Alexia's call now, she might just kill me." With that, she ended the call with Ella and braced herself for the conversation with Alexia.