Chapter 12- The Invitation
Nanny Mira had already arranged Aurora's room.
Right now, she was in bed with Aurora, who was sound asleep.
She slowly left the bed and went downstairs to the kitchen.
She prepared something for Aurora and brought it back to her room.
As soon as she walked in, she saw Aurora already awake.
"That didn't take long. You only slept for half an hour," Nanny Mira said with a short smile, placing the tray on the bed.
Aurora sat up and propped her knees.
"Well, you need to eat something," she said, bringing the tray closer.
"I'm not hungry," is what Aurora would have said, but man, the food looked amazing... and the smell...
"I know. It looks delicious," Nanny Mira chuckled, setting the tray on Aurora's lap.
"And it tastes even better," she added with a smile.
"You smile too much," Aurora said.
"There's nothing to be sad about," Nanny Mira replied.
"So... go on." She handed Aurora a spoon, and Aurora took a spoonful and put it in her mouth.
She stayed neutral while chewing, but deep down...
Nanny Mira smiled gently.
"I'm happy you like it. Your taste in food hasn't changed at all. When you were just two, you used to love this. Every time I made it, you and your best friend would fight over it with your little hands."
Aurora blinked. That didn't make sense.
"I met Oma in high school..."
"Not her... him," Nanny Mira corrected softly.
"What?... What do you mean?"
"Yes, he was so protective over you. I saw you two as best friends. But your parents-and his-used to call you childhood sweethearts."
Aurora frowned, confusion etching into her face.
Nanny Mira stood from the bed, still smiling faintly.
"I'll leave you now," she said.
"Always smiling..." Aurora muttered under her breath.
Who the heck was her childhood best friend?
And why hadn't her parents ever told her about him?
Her thoughts were abruptly cut short by the sudden swing of the bedroom door.
"Auri! Auri! What happened to you?!" her mother cried, rushing in. "Nanny Mira told me-are you okay?!"
Gemma flung herself onto the bed, wrapping Aurora in a tight embrace.
"I'm fine. Calm down," Aurora said flatly, trying to peel her mother off.
"But I'll definitely die if you don't let me go."
Gemma released her with a gasp.
"How did-why did you get an attack? Did someone harass you? Say something!"
Melvin burst into the room next, breathless.
"Dad..." Aurora began, but he cut in.
"You had an attack? What happened?" he asked, brushing her hair back gently.
"I'm fin-"
"Quiet!" Gemma snapped. Her voice cracked. "That's the same thing you said in high school. And you- you almost got raped!"
Tears spilled freely now.
Melvin's expression hardened. "Tell me his name. Right now. I'll ruin his life."
Aurora sighed.
Like... just say it.
Leonard. Leonard Grande.
Say it.
No. This time, she'll take matters into her own hands.
She was naive in high school, but not anymore. That rogue would learn a lesson-and it'd be from her.
"I can-"
"Handle things yourself. You used that line before, remember? Said it was just a crush. How did that end, huh?" Gemma cut Aurora off sharply.
"Stop reminding me," Aurora snapped, her anger bubbling.
Gemma sniffed, holding back emotion.
"We don't want history to repeat itself. I'll come there tomorrow," Melvin added.
"No," Aurora said firmly.
"I'll call Dr. Nina," Gemma said, already reaching into her bag.
Aurora cursed under her breath.
---
LIVING ROOM - LATER
Dr. Nina stood near the window, clipboard in hand. Behind her, Melvin and Gemma watched with tight expressions. Aurora sat on the couch, unreadable.
"Well," Dr. Nina started, "this one wasn't serious. At least she didn't slit her palm this time."
Melvin winced.
"She needs sleep," Nina added, giving Melvin and Gemma a knowing look.
Gemma nodded slowly.
Nina turned to Aurora.
"I need to sedate you."
Aurora frowned. "I don't need to be sedated to sleep."
"This injection is important."
"You always say that. Why are you even here? We left New York and you were there. Now we're back, and you're still here, giving the same damn line."
"Listen-" Nina tried.
"No! I'm not taking the damn shot."
Melvin sighed deeply. Gemma glanced away.
"It's fine, Doctor," Gemma said softly. "You've done the checkup, so it's enough for today."
"Alright," Dr. Nina said, standing. "That's all for now."
She left with Melvin and Gemma.
Aurora scoffed under her breath.
There's something off about these injections...
---
OUTSIDE, LATER
"Can't you provide a pill or liquid instead of the injection?" Gemma asked, glancing back at the house.
"I can," Dr. Nina replied. "But it won't be ready till next week."
"We need to avoid suspicion," Melvin added. "She's sensitive. She'll keep getting flashes."
"I'll see what I can do. Just... be careful. You know what triggers her," Nina said before leaving.
Gemma turned to Melvin, voice shaking.
"Honey... what do we do? What if she remembers everything?"
"She won't," he replied. "I'll handle it."
---
INSIDE
They entered the house and found Aurora at the staircase.
"Why does it always feel like I'm missing a huge part of my memory?" she asked, arms crossed. "Every time I ask, I get the same half-answer."
"You need to sleep," Gemma said.
"Sure. After you give me a real answer."
"It's just side effects of your-" Melvin began.
"That doesn't make sense," Aurora snapped, cutting him off. "And the injections. What are they really for?"
Gemma sighed and stepped away. "Just rest, Aurora."
Melvin gave her a soft pat on the head before walking upstairs.
Aurora groaned and ran her fingers through her hair, following slowly behind.
---
RICKY'S PLACE
Ricky lay sprawled on the couch, mind tangled with thoughts of Ivy.
He'd noticed her acting off after their night together... but whatever. It wasn't his first time dealing with clingy behavior.
He wasn't the relationship type. Never had been.
For him, it was about the body-anything else was a wrong number.
The doorbell rang.
He groaned and dragged himself up to answer it.
Asha stood there, grinning like she owned the place.
"Hey, baby," she said, trailing a finger down his bare chest.
Ricky grabbed her hand. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, come on. You know why I come here. You're the boss," she said, winking.
"I'm not in the mood."
"Really?" She slowly unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her bra-clad chest.
Ricky rolled his eyes. "I've seen better."
She frowned. "But you've been going crazy over these."
He didn't reply.
"Please, don't be like this." She went for his lips.
He resisted... until her hand slipped into his sweatpants. Then he gave in.
He shut the door, pushed her against it, and kissed her roughly.
She moaned, dropping her bag and struggling with her shirt.
He helped-tugging it off, unhooking her bra. Her chest spilled out like an album drop.
She was left in her short skirt.
He lifted her, her legs wrapped around him. His lips found her neck.
Another moan escaped.
He dropped her onto the couch without warning and kissed her again.
"I knew you couldn't resist me," she whispered.
But then he stopped. His hands froze.
"What?" she asked, caressing his chest.
"Leave," he said, moving her hand away.
"What?!"
"I said leave." He picked her shirt off the floor and threw it at her.
"But why?!"
"I'm tired of you."
"Tired?!" she shouted, standing up.
"Stop yelling."
"You can't just do this. I thought... maybe you'd develop-"
"Develop what? Feelings? Don't fool yourself," he snapped.
"Ricky-"
She gasped, stepping closer. "Why are you being so cruel?"
"Leave."
She reached to slap him. He grabbed her wrist.
"Don't make that mistake."
He dropped her hand.
"You're heartless."
He scoffed. "Meet Leo. You'll see I'm a nice guy."
She yanked on her clothes, grabbed her bag, and slammed the door behind her.
Ricky sank back onto the couch, disgusted by how it still smelled like her perfume.
"Sh?t..." he muttered, rubbing his face.
---
THE LOPEZ RESIDENCE
Oma paced her room in panic, fingers trembling.
"What have I done? I'm so stupid."
She tried to breathe.
"What if he tells her?"
She grabbed her phone-then hesitated.
What would I even say?
Oh wait-she didn't even have his number.
"Ricky," she muttered, calling.
He picked up on the third ring, voice low and tired. "Xup."
"I need Leo's number."
"Hold on," he said, then hung up.
No teasing? No sarcasm? Weird.
Soon after, her phone beeped. Message from Ricky.
She quickly dialed Leonard.
Switched off.
No.
Again.
Still switched off.
One more time.
Still off.
"Is he doing this on purpose?" she whispered.
Frustrated, she tossed her phone onto the bed and yanked her hair.
---
NEXT DAY - ALL ELITES
Aurora walked down the hallway nonchalantly, ignoring the stares.
But as always, there were whispers...
??? How did it feel?
??? Was he hard?
??? Did you two hook up later?
Her fists clenched as she fought to keep her anger in check.
"Out of my way!" Kimberly barked, shoving students aside-even those not in her path.
Aurora stopped. Slowly. Eerily.
"You finally got what you wanted, right?! First, he danced with you, now this!" Kimberly yelled, clapping mockingly. "You're probably thrilled. Applaud yourself! Go on!!!"
"You're even worse than Nicole. You're cheap and shamele-"
SLAP!
The force knocked Kimberly's hair into her face. She froze, her hand flying to her cheek, wide-eyed with disbelief.
??? Oh my God!
??? Best semester ever!
??? The slap heard 'round the world!
??? I blinked-what happened?
Phones were everywhere.
Aurora stood calmly, as if she hadn't just slapped someone into next week.
"That's for being a disgrace to your gender," she said coldly, her eyes blazing.
SLAP!
"That's for even thinking about walking up to me."
SLAP!
"That's for the courage you gathered to do it."
SLAP!
"That's for insulting me."
SLAP!
"And that-" Aurora hissed, leaning in, "is for thinking I have even the slightest interest in the guy you all are obsessed with."
Kimberly whimpered as tears slid down her cheeks. Her mouth bled slightly from where her teeth cut into it. She was shaking, humiliated.
"You..." Kimberly choked, trying to stay composed. "How dare you?"
She raised a trembling hand, but Aurora caught it mid-air and squeezed.
??? Daaamn!
??? Go girl!
??? Respect!
??? Aura!
??? Yeah, Aura suits her!
??? Auraaaa!!!
Aurora's grip tightened.
"Let go," Kimberly demanded.
"Let go!" she screamed, in pain.
Sean pushed through the crowd, intrigued by Aurora now more than ever.
Aurora finally released her, and Kimberly stumbled back.
"You think you're cool?" Kimberly spat. "Don't believe the hype. No one actually likes you!"
Aurora stared at her like she was a brat throwing a tantrum.
"What are you staring at?! Say something! Apologize!"
Just then, Kiara, Oma, Ivy, and Roseanne showed up.
"Dang! What'd I miss?" Rosanne whispered.
??? Fight! Fight! Fight!
Kimberly was seething. She couldn't beat Aurora, but she couldn't let her get away with this either.
Oma bit her lip, anxiety building. This was getting out of hand.
The tension between the girls was thick. Aurora's stare was lethal.
??? All this over Leo?
??? It's always Leo.
??? And it's always Kimberly.
Aurora took a step closer, slow and threatening.
"I'll spare you... this time," she said darkly. "But the next time you try something like this-I'll end you."
Kimberly's bravado faltered. There was something terrifying in Aurora's voice.
"I'm not scared of you," she said weakly.
Aurora smirked. "Try me."
??? Ohhhhh!!
??? The hunter's become the hunted!
??? Doesn't make sense, but I'm here for it!
??? Team Aura!
Then Aurora felt it-that strange sensation of being watched. She glanced around, and then she saw him.
Those icy blue eyes. Intense. Calculated. Watching her like prey.
Leonard Grande.
He stood silently among the crowd, expression unreadable. The intensity in his gaze made her uneasy.
She turned away and stormed off.
Ivy blinked in shock. Roseanne smiled, impressed. Oma rubbed her temples. Kiara was already scrolling the school blog.
?? Why am I always late to the drama?!
?? The slaps!
?? Best semester ever!
?? Low-key crushing on Aurora now.
?? Same, but what's with the baggy clothes?
?? Probably hiding curves.
?? Or not. Who knows?
"Guys! The blog is insane!" Kiara gasped.
"I've never seen her like that," Ivy muttered.
"This isn't good," Oma sighed.
---
Aurora burst into the bathroom, startling the girls inside.
"Whoa, careful!" one said.
Aurora ignored them, rushing into a stall and sitting, trembling.
Why does everyone like you?
What's so special about you?!
You took everything-my crush, my popularity... everyone chants your name!
She clutched her ears, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.
Then the memories came.
Aurora gasped, jolting upright. Tears streamed down her face before she could stop them.
"Auri? Are you okay?" Oma's voice came from the other side of the stall.
Aurora stepped out slowly. Oma hugged her.
"Stop. I hate hugs," Aurora muttered, pushing weakly.
"Shut up and take it. You need this," Oma whispered.
After a moment, she let go.
"You're okay, right? No episode?"
"I'm fine," Aurora said quietly.
"I'm sorry about-"
"Don't."
"Let's go to the cafeteria."
---
CAFETERIA - QUIET.
"So... Friday. Wanna go out? Movies? Shopping?"
"None. I need peace."
"Then come over. We'll hang out. Please?"
Aurora sighed. "Fine."
"Yay!"
Just then, a guy in glasses called out.
"Hey, listen up! Mr. Roland says failing to submit his project will affect your grades. Don't say you weren't warned!"
Groans echoed.
"Ugh, Mr. Roland," Oma muttered. "You've started, right?"
Aurora said nothing.
"You haven't, have you?"
Before she could reply, Ricky climbed a table.
"Yo! Elites, listen up!" he grinned.
"A party at Leo's place next weekend for his birthday! I'm the host, so get ready. No lowlifes from other colleges."
The place erupted.
Oma looked at Aurora.
"I'm not going," Aurora said flatly. Her phone buzzed.
· Come to the library now.
"What the-?"
"Who is it?"
Aurora stared. "Probably my twin."
Another text:
· Come to the library now, baby doll. Don't make me come get you.
Only one person calls her that.
"Leonard," she muttered.
"What?"
"He got my number."
She replied:
Aurora: How the heck did you get my number?
Leo: Come for the project or I'll come get you myself. You don't want that.
She groaned. "I'll just go."
"Did you just say that?" Oma blinked.
On her way out, she bumped into Sean.
"Hey, sorry."
"People need to stop bumping into me," she muttered.
Sean turned to Oma. "What's with your friend?"
"Nothing."
"She's kinda toxic."
"If you're thinking of asking her out-don't. That's a threat to your life."
Sean laughed. "Noted."
---
LIbrARY~
Aurora searched, and then saw him.
Leonard.
She marched up, grabbed his collar-and punched him.
"You're lucky I slapped someone already today, or you'd have lost teeth."
Gasps spread across the room.
??? Not the face!
??? Why does she always hit him?!
??? And he never even gets mad?!
Leonard smirked. "Strange how I find that sexy."
He pulled her down beside him.
"Stop it," she muttered, slapping his chest.
He caught her hand.
"You got the message from Roland?"
"Yeah, so?"
"We need to work on our project."
"Fine. Just let go first."
"Not here."
"What?"
"We're not doing it here."
"Then where?"
"My place."
TBC...
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The slaps ??
Are you on team Kim or Aura?
More long chapters coming... I missed you guys so much ??