"Do you feel prepared for the test tomorrow, then?" Aurora asks quietly at the library table we share after school. For the past hour, we've been reviewing for our massive Calculus exam. It's mostly a joint studying session, but for the past half hour she has been working me through the word problems.

"I think so," I answer.

"Should we do one more problem just to be sure?"

"I guess so," I agree. We pick out another word problem from our textbook and get to work. Lingering in the back of my mind is the copy of Aurora's story I still have not returned to her, even though I've had it close to a week now. I already had read it and wrote my comments the first night I received it, but not wanting to come off too strongly, and based on how awkward I am in general, I still have not found the right time to return it.

I force my thoughts to cease when I realize I've written a number wrong. I curse to myself slightly and quickly correct my mistake. Aurora glances up once, but seeing me still diligently working on the problem, she says nothing, finishing a few moments before me.

"We both got it correct!" she says after a quick peek at the answer key. She leans forward to give a high five. My palm slaps against hers, but quietly, as we are in a library setting after all. We begin packing our belongings up, and I ponder once more if I should return my story to her on our walk home.

We are fairly quiet walking out of the library. The only conversation that passes between our lips is whether or not we're mentally ready for the exam tomorrow. The schoolyard is quiet, since school has been out for an hour at this point. The sun is already beginning to set in the distance, a sign that winter is approaching.

"You okay?" Aurora asks, noticing my silence.

"Oh. Yeah! Just nervous for the test tomorrow, I guess," I say with a shrug of my shoulders. Maybe I should wait another day, until the test is over with, so I don't worry her. Not that I have any negative feedback anyway.

We pass the few shops leading up into the neighborhood, when Aurora suddenly pauses next to the coffee shop that many of the girls like to meander into after school. I go with my friends every so often, but mostly on days where homework is slim and the weather is cold enough to solicit a warm drink.

I almost squeal as Aurora suddenly latches onto my arm.

"Let's go get a coffee!" she suggests excitedly.

I lightly brush her arm away. Although the aroma is tempting, both of us need our rest before the test tomorrow, and I don't know what her schedule is like, but I still have a few more assignments to complete before the evening is over.

"I'm so busy though," I offer as an excuse.

"Can't you smell the sweet scent of coffee, that pumpkin spice aroma filling the air?" Aurora teases. "Come on, Callie. All we do is study."

She's right. That is all we do. And there's nothing wrong with that. Studying together and walking home should and always will be the extent of our relationship, I think. I know her better now than I did a month ago, but do I consider Aurora a close friend? No. More like an acquaintance. And coffee dates are usually reserved for friends.

Still, a sigh escapes my lips. Seeing her so excited over coffee when I know the workload she is under makes me reconsider my original response. Slowly, I nod my head, causing her to shout in excitement, and we head inside, listening to the small bell attached to the door alert our entrance.

The coffee shop has cleared out now that the after-school crowd has now gone home, but there are still adults and a few students scattered throughout. Aurora quickly hops into line, already bent on what she's going to order, while I linger behind her awkwardly, clutching my hands together as I scan the menu.

When it gets to my turn, I simply decide to go with a hot cider, worried any caffeine will make it difficult for me to sleep. I wait next to Aurora, and when our drinks are called, I shoot her look when I realize she has ordered the most generic autumn drink of all: a pumpkin spice latte.

"What? It's good!" she argues as we find a seat in the corner of the shop.

"I see you as more of a tea person," I say as I take a sip of my cider.

"You're pretty spot on. That's what I normally get, but it's autumn, so I couldn't resist some pumpkin," Aurora says, bringing the drink up to her lips for a sip. She lets out a sigh and smacks her lips together as she sets it back down. "How's your cider?"

"Good," I say. It's apple season, so any form of cider is bound to taste delicious.

"Do you like to come here a lot?" Aurora asks.

"Every once in a while with friends. How about you?"

"Once a week. I've tried every pastry they serve. The chocolate croissant is the best," Aurora says gleefully. "Sometimes I like to stop by on the walk to school, so I can be like every other girl who comes in with her morning coffee."

I laugh some. "I don't really have the time to meander around in the morning. It's straight to school for me. The number of times I've slept in has been embarrassing."

"Really? But you seem so put-together," Aurora comments.

As if, I think. My grades are good, but lately I feel like I'm losing my mind over a multitude of reasons. The insomnia has been particularly bad this semester for some reason.

"Oh, I'm not that smart," I say, taking another sip of cider.

Aurora shoots me a glare. "You're smart. You know that."

"Well, not as smart as you."

"I'm not that smart either," Aurora counters.

"You know what I mean," I murmur, sinking deeper into my chair.

"Do you have any weekend plans?" Aurora asks.

"Studying. Homework. Same old," I say. A silence settles between us, and I suddenly widen my eyes. "Your story!"

"Oh, that wasn't a way for me to ask you to read it. Though I am curious if you have," Aurora says.

I quickly rummage through my bag, pulling out the pile of paper inscribed with my notes.

"I'm sorry. I finished it a few days ago but forgot. I didn't mean to make you worry about it," I say, handing it back. She runs her fingers over it, but sets it aside. "Don't you want to see my comments?" I ask.

"I think I'll read them later. It's a little nervewracking getting feedback, you know. Especially when I'm sitting directly in front of you," Aurora says.

So she does get nervous too, I think. Perhaps perfect Aurora does have a flaw after all, though whatever it is, I'm sure it's buried deep within her, and I'll never get the chance to see it. There's a strange disappointment that floods through me, then realization.

Sitting here in this quaint coffee shop makes me crave this memory, this spot, again. The sun is going down, and knowing I have to leave soon makes me feel a sense of dread. Is it possible I don't mind hanging out with Aurora? That I like the change of setting? That she feels more like a friend here than a tutor?

Aurora tilts her head in confusion, clearly noticing I'm deep in thought.

"Sorry! Zoned out for a minute," I say.

"You tend to do that a lot."

"You have no idea," I murmur, draining the last of my cider dry.

"I'd like to do this again," Aurora decides.

There are a million parts of me saying no. That we have a routine. We shouldn't expand it. Our relationship merely relates to school, and nothing happens outside of it. Yet once again, my head starts to nod.

"We don't get to do much besides study. It's nice having a break for once," Aurora says. "I'm not saying it has to be a coffee shop every time, but...I like spending time with you."

"Oh, um, really?"

Aurora laughs. "I don't know why you seem to think you're so unlikable."

"Well, aren't your friends jealous or something that you're hanging out with me?" I mutter. Not that I think my friends would be jealous I'm spending time with her, but I'm still desperately clinging to some excuse that we shouldn't save time to spend together in the future.

"Of course not! It's difficult having friends that live so far away. We all live in opposite directions. It's always twenty to thirty minutes just to get to someone's house. I like being friends with someone who lives close by," Aurora says, leaning her arms on the table.

"Yeah. Same," I say, not being able to think of anything more eloquent to say.

The sun has almost set now, painting the windows black.

"Well, should we head out, then?" Aurora asks.

I nod, following her outside the coffee shop. The air has gotten colder now that the sun has gone down, and I tug my backpack close to my body as we walk under flickering street lamps. When we reach that corner, she turns and smiles.

"Thanks for today. The coffee and reading my work. I'm excited to look at your comments," she says.

"Oh, no problem."

"See you tomorrow, then?"

"See you tomorrow," I say before turning and departing. The walk back to my home is short, though it feels longer than normal. Perhaps it's because it's already dark. As my key slips into the door, I can hear the clanking of dishes. Have they already begun eating dinner?

"Callie, where were you that you stayed out so late?" my mother asks, placing her hands on her hips.

"Sorry. We went to get a coffee after studying," I say.

"Who's 'we'?" my mother asks, returning back to the food she is serving.

"Oh. Aurora. The girl I've been studying with for Calculus. She's a senior, remember?"

"Oh, that's right. I didn't realize you two were close enough to get coffee."

"Neither did I," I grumble as I set my bag down and head to the kitchen table. Olivia and Oliver are arguing over something, though I pay no attention to them.

"Having a senior friend might help you out next year. Maybe she'll help you with getting good grades and writing good college applications, all that senior stuff," my mother says as she finishes bringing the food over to the table.

Something irks me about her comment, but I don't know why. After all, Aurora is just a tutor, though I feel like I want to defend her, but from what? I let the thought subside, realizing for the first time just how hungry I am after a long day of school.

Ignoring my mother's comments, I take a seat at the kitchen table and begin to eat after a long day.