♛ Aurora ♛

"Oh my god, I've created a goddess," Olivia shrieked as she gave me a once-over of my outfit and hair.

Friday came too soon, and inevitably, it was the day of the date with Tommy. To say I was really excited was a stretch, but I actually was getting out on a Friday night so I was somewhat excited since I never went to any of the parties that students from neighboring high schools had.

Liv took the liberty of dressing me like her personal Barbie doll for this date. She put me in ripped jeans, a lavender cropped sweater, and my white converse with my hair in a curled ponytail. We were just going to the movies, so I didn't want to dress up too much, and luckily, Olivia agreed. Normally she would go all out even if the date was at a McDonalds.

"I feel like I'm just leading him on. It's wrong," I sighed as I sit down on my bed. "I don't even like the guy in the slightest bit."

"Well, you might start to develop feelings for him. It's possible."

"And what are you getting all dressed up for?" I asked as I noticed her inspecting her lip gloss in the mirror. "Another party?" There was really no place for a student at our boarding school to have a party, so everybody went to other parties that were hosted by students from other high schools.

"I have a date too," she turned away from the mirror to face me, a thoughtful look on her face. "I have a love life, ya know. I don't just sleep around all the time."

"A date with who exactly?"

"Oh, uh, um," she stuttered. "Nobody you know."

"I probably know him," I narrowed my eyes at her skeptically. "I'll find out eventually, Liv." I said just as a knock on the door sounded.

"Looks like the little golden boy is here," she smirked at me since she didn't have to reveal who her mystery guy was yet.

I put my hand on the brass doorknob, taking in a breathe before opening the door to reveal Tommy, clad in the letterman jacket for his baseball team and jeans, holding a bouquet of red roses.

"I, uh, got you roses," he said with a boyish grin and handed them over to me.

"Thanks, Tom-Tom," I returned his smile as I placed the roses on the table beside the door. "So what movie are we seeing?" I asked after I shut the door, and we were making our way to his car in the parking lot.

"You'll see," he replied and opened the passenger door of his car for me. I nodded in thanks while I got in as he closed the door and jogged around to his side of the car before getting in and driving.

"I hate surprises though!" I laughed hitting his right shoulder playfully, trying to lessen the awkward atmosphere.

"Well here's a surprise," he started, "There's a track meet tomorrow. First one of the season, and I convinced Coach to let you run."

"What?" I looked at him wide-eyed. "How? Oh my god, thank you!"

"It was a lot easier than I expected actually," he chuckled. "I just reminded him that you're one of the fastest runners on the team, and your chances of winning will increase with you. It's just like a cross-country meet; we're just all running a course and whoever gets the fastest time wins."

"Wow, I never would've guessed that you're the Coach's favorite" I joked. Even if the meet didn't include hurdles or anything, I got a chance to run, and I was more than ready. The rest of the five minute car drive leveled in uncomfortable silence until we finally arrived at the movie theatre.

"We're seeing some movie about some psycho killer?" I asked looking down at the ticket as we got situated in our designated movie seats, the dimness of the theatre causing my eyes to strain as I tried to read the words.

"Yeah, but don't be scared. I'm here." Tommy smiled at me as the dim lights faded and the movie started with some tacky blood and a high-pitched scream.

I subtly rolled my eyes. If this guy thinks I get scared so easily, he needs to grow a pair.

♛ ♛ ♛

Thankfully, Tommy hadn't tried to put his arm over my shoulder or anything during the movie. And the movie ended up to be cringy and boring, making me fall asleep so I didn't have to suffer through the tackiness.

The dim lights of the theatre increased, and Tommy and I made our way out of the theatre and into his car.

"So how's baseball for you? I don't know how you manage two sports," I started a conversation as I strapped on my seatbelt.

"Eh, we're only training in baseball," he shrugged, pulling out of the parking spot and onto the main road. And with that, we lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, well, at least uncomfortable for me.

I knew Tommy was somewhat popular among the female population, due to his baseball reputation, but it just didn't feel right for me. I know, I should feel lucky that he asked me out and all, but it was more of a pity date on my side.

The unbearable silence didn't last too long, fortunately, as we were arriving back on campus and getting out of the cars. Like the gentleman he is, he insisted on walking me all the way to my dorm room, claiming that he didn't want me to "get kidnapped and forced to participate on Naked and Afraid."

"I heard there's a party," Tommy mentioned. "Wanna go? I think some guy at Webster High is throwing it."

"Oh, um, maybe some other time," I replied. "Parties aren't really my scene anymore."

"Anymore?" He prodded, looking down at me with a curious glint in his eyes.

"Yeah, not anymore though."

"Why?" Jeez, can he get a hint? I'm obviously avoiding the question. And people say I'm dense.

"I just don't like parties anymore," I snapped, having enough of his prodding.

"Oh sorry," he sincerely said as we rounded the corner leading to my room, "I didn't mean to overstep or anything. It's just-"

"You're fine," I waved off the issue before catching what I just said. "I mean, like, it's fine. Not you're fine. Not that you're not-"

"Chill, it's fine," he smirked down at me. Yeah, he can't pull off a smirk, they just don't look good on him. "So," Tommy started, rubbing the back of his neck as we arrived outside my dorm room, "I had a fun time, Aurora." 

Well, that makes one of us.

Obviously, I kept that thought to myself as I just smiled softly and nodded. "I did too, Tommy." I forced myself to say out of pity. I owed this to him, right? I mean, not really, but I have to be nice at least. This guy doesn't deserve to be rejected by the girl he likes, nobody does.

"And, um," Tommy's eyes look everywhere except my face. "Sorry, I haven't done this in a while."

"Stop apologizing for everything. It's okay."

"Sorr-" he started before he caught himself. "I obviously really like you."

I nodded.

"And I don't know if you like me also, but would you, um, be my girlfriend?" He stepped closer as he ran his hand through his hair, an action that I was so used to seeing Xander do.

How exactly do I reject him? This smiley, innocent, golden boy who probably never gets turned down. He's been nothing but sweet to me, and right then and there, my guilt overpowered my own will, so naturally, I did what I've always done: go with it, even if it'll cause a mess later down the road.

"Sure," I looked up at him, making direct eye contact and forcing the next words out of my mouth. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

♛ ♛ ♛

That was Chapter 11! How did you like it? Who do you think Olivia's secret date was? And this was way too short for my liking, but I just wanted to cut out the unnecessary, and since this chapter was about Tommy and Aurora's date, I made it as short as possible lol. Sorry for not having Xander in this chapter, but you will definitely be seeing him next chapter, I promise.

Also, HAPPY 2018! Ahh, I really do hope that this new year will be a good one for you guys. Cheers to fresh beginning, a clean slate, and better goals than 2017! I wish you guys nothing but the best!

So I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I love you a lot!

-sophia ♥︎