{Thank you to @LizbethThePanda for supporting me on this novel and by showing me that you love it! And I also want to thank you for supporting me on my other novels too! I really appreciate it! Thank you so much! This chapter is for you!}
"Aurora!" I heard my father's voice bounce against the walls from downstairs as I sighed before sitting upright on my bed, exhaustion washing over me like rough tides.
I skipped school, again. And the only reason was that I didn't want to see Ashton. Ever. I had texted Jiao what had happened yesterday and she had also informed me that during the week, she had two figures that looked exactly like them but she wasn't sure if it was Ashton and Ruby. Now she was sure.
I had managed to come home and welcomed oblivion in the afternoon after treating myself to some ice cream and spoiling myself. What I didn't expect was to sleep throughout the rest of the day.
I sighed heavily, feeling exhausted even after a good rest. No, I was mentally exhausted. I shook my head slightly in an attempt to chase away an oncoming headache before rolling my shoulders back as I slipped out of my room and descended the stairs with ease.
"Yes, father?" I questioned just as I stepped inside his office. I was completely drained which meant I was not bothered to fight with my parents.
My father looked much tanner after his vacation. He looked much brighter than he usually was. He looked much more vibrant than he ever did. He frowned before gesturing towards the seat in front of the table.
I took a seat without a word.
He seemed surprised by my quietness. "Your mother and I didn't see you when we came home."
I stared at him blankly. "I went out and was exhausted so I went to bed."
He nodded slowly, seeming confused. "Well, your mother bought you gifts from our vacation."
I nodded, feeling a part of my soul drained as my heart wasn't into our conversation. I honestly thought a part of me had already died long ago.
He sighed heavily before running a hand through his hair. "Aurora, we love you. You are our daughter and we have always loved you from the beginning. It's just...it's been tough on us. Every night, we would wonder where we went wrong because you've grown into a person that...a person we didn't raise you to be."
I clenched my jaw as I sighed heavily, my eyes feeling heavy. I wasn't in the mood to argue with him. I really wasn't. I just...needed a break from home, from friends, from this life. "I'm not going to apologise to you for the person I've become. I love myself just the way I am and you and mother are just going to have to accept it."
I watched my father clench his jaw in frustration as he released a shaky breath. "Aurora, we love you for who you are."
I laughed humourlessly, my empty stomach screaming at me. "You have a funny way of showing it."
"Your mother-"
I scoffed, averting my eyes away from his. "It's fine, father. I love myself enough for the three of you. Give Dakota your love. No, shower her with your love."
My father raised an eyebrow in confusion as I rose from my seat and clenched my fist. I was on the verge of breaking. I didn't know why. I just couldn't handle it anymore. "I'm leaving."
My father abruptly rose from his seat, managing to knock his seat down to the floor as I didn't even flinch in surprise. "Aurora. I'm sorry that we haven't-"
A lump rose in my throat as a shaky smile crawled onto my lips before I looked up to meet my father's desperate eyes, his mouth immediately clamping shut. I could feel the tears sting my eyes as I clenched onto my t-shirt dress, the material crinkling under my sweaty fists. A tear slid down my cheek without my permission, surprising my father as his blue eyes widened. "It's been so many years and now you say sorry to me? I've grown up fine without your love and I'm sure I can survive my whole entire life without it."
I turned on my heel and strutted out only to stop just outside the office where I looked down to my mother who was stunned. Speechless, even. Her lips tried to pull into a forced smile but it failed to even do so.
That was all I needed as an answer.
"I'll be home soon," I whispered to her before racing out the door, my heart pounding against my chest, demanded to be let free as if it was caged in my chest for too long.
I didn't know how long I had been running for but it was long enough for my breaths to become ragged, my chest heaving up and down heavily as my cheeks were now tear-stained.
It hurts, I'd admit that.
It'd hurt to know that my mother couldn't even smile because of me. I couldn't be the reason for my parents' happiness and it hurts to know that. It hurts to know that my sister was the perfect child and that they could even have a family portrait and I wouldn't even be in it and it'd still be called a family portrait.
It was at this point that now, I felt sorry for myself.
I found myself standing on a cliff, my eyes looking out to the horizon where the sky met the ocean like it was meant to. I inhaled the fresh atmosphere and closed my eyes for a brief moment, appreciating the nature for once as it comforted my mind.
And then I collapsed to the ground.
I connected my back to the grass and looked up, my eyes seeing through the tree tops as a small, genuine smile brushed against my lips whilst the gentle breeze caressed me like I was its lover.
My eyes fluttered close as I allowed nature to surround me but before I could get sucked into oblivion, my phone in the pocket of my shorts began to ring.
Mindlessly, I reached for my phone and answered it without even looking at the ID caller. "What the fuck do you want?"
"Where are you?" I was surprised to hear Landon's voice on the other line.
"Good-fucking-bye," I answered and was about to rip the phone off my ear when I heard Landon cry out, stopping me from ending the call. "I swear, if this isn't important, I'm going to murder you and bury you under a fucking-"
"It's Ashton," he whispered.
I almost laughed. "I don't fucking care. I'm trying to enjoy my time alone."
"So, you're time alone is more important that Ashton?"
I scoffed. "Obviously." Not.
"He's in the hospital."
My eyes shot open as I immediately sat upright my heart jumped to my throat in just seconds. "What?"
"Caught your attention, huh?" Landon questioned flatly. "I was joking. Jiao and I need you to come to the local café." And with that, he hung up.
Son of a bitch.
I inhaled a shaky breath and shook my head as I continued to lay there, my eyes fluttering close again before hooking my fingers together underneath my head to act as a pillow.
"I'll do whatever hell I want," I whispered to myself. "And be wherever the hell I want to be."
a/n: Aurora...my heart hurts for her. She's gone through so much, things that she will soon reveal for you guys.
What do you think of her parents? What do you think they should do? Make sure to leave a comment and a vote!
Don't be a silent reader!
Ariella XO