Taboo: Her Married Mate

Chapter Two: Monday

When Monday finally came, Aurora was completely exhausted from discussing or thinking about the subject of babies, mates, or birthdays. Aurora did find herself, however, excited about the unavoidable graduation that was to come and the freedom that comes after that. At least then she can finally move on to bigger and better things. And become the teacher she always dreamed of being. But for now, while she still could, Aurora just wanted to spend what time she had left with her best friend before they both went their separate ways into adulthood.

Putting on a fresh blouse and vest, Aurora was dressed and ready for school, wearing a black skirt instead of her usual slacks. Aurora was ready for her final school week and her time with Annie before their big nights. And in a few weeks, no more uniforms. No more waking up early and no more walking home. Aurora was ready.

As the first bell rang, the students in the halls of Onyx High quickly hurried off to their classes, trying to avoid any late slips that could affect their participation in any activities at the end of the school year.

Aurora headed to her first class eager to start her day. She had a separate first period from Annie, but they both had homeroom together for their second period, and had history together for their final class of the day. Homeroom was where the girls did a lot of their work, so they had less to do in their free time. Aurora was always best at keeping Annie focused on her work. But now that the year was ending, Annie would more than likely give Aurora the latest issue of some teen magazine, so they could pick through and look at cute dresses and compare them to the ones they picked out to wear for Annie's big party.

But when the second period came, Annie was not there. The one class that would be odd for Annie to miss since it was her favorite class and time of the day. For her to not be in their second-period home room was strange. Declan Sharp sits in front of her, and she absolutely loves being able to sit behind him while fantasizing about him being her mate. He, too, had recently turned nineteen and had yet to find his match. Annie had been hoping that, by some chance of a miracle, it was going to be her. And Aurora, being Annie’s best friend, was hoping it was her as well. They have known Declan since they can remember and Annie has been in love with him ever since.

Once the second period was over, Aurora used her free period and headed towards the office to ask the school secretary if Annie had been by yet. Annie always went to the secretary’s desk every morning and gave her a breakfast muffin to start the day. It was a tradition her dad started when she was young and after his passing she made sure to keep the tradition alive.

When approaching the front desk, the secretary saw Aurora before Aurora could ask or say anything. “Where's Annie today? I missed her morning muffin. Today was supposed to be blueberry, isn't that right?” She said, looking at Aurora.

“Why, yes actually, Mrs. Brown. Today is Blueberry Monday, and i have no idea where Annie is,” Aurora replied. Mrs. Brown was a sweet older woman who loved wearing floral dresses and enjoyed the occasional sweet treat that would be left with her at her desk. “Oh, really? No, Annie? You haven't seen her at all?” Mrs. Brown favored Annie; most of the school did.

“Nope. That's why I came to ask you,” Aurora replied, now regretting coming to the secretary to ask.

Mrs. Brown rolled her eyes and clicked on her mouse, and started to type feverishly on her keyboard, taking all her frustrations out on the keys. She looked through the computer's filing system to see if Annie had been in any of her classes and then looked up sharply and said, “Annie hasn’t been in at all today. In fact, it says right here that her mother called her out sick this morning.”

That was very unlike Annie. She would not miss the last Monday before her birthday party. She would obviously have used this day to dress up and come to school to make a huge fashion statement before handing out the rest of the party invites.

Once the final period came and there was still no Annie. Aurora began to worry about her best friend. Was she sick? She hadn’t bothered to text her to let her know what was going on or that she wouldn't be coming to school today. Aurora kept checking her phone, trying to see if, at some point, Annie decided to message her. But still, there was nothing besides the messages that were left unread from Aurora asking her where she was.

Once the final class of the day came, Aurora had given up trying to reach her best friend. Then, about twenty minutes before the final bell of the day rang, Annie decided to grace the school with her presence. Annie danced her way into the classroom without her uniform on and instead had on the most sparkly green top that she could find, and the tightest jeans she owned. Parading around the class, she handed out invitations all while smiling and giggling. Annie was the happiest she had been.

The class cheered on as Annie did a strut up-and-down the isles between the seats in the classroom, handing out invitations, giving a little shimmy as the boys whistled and howled and the girls clapped. The teacher didn't give a single notion to the class. He carried on with his nose deep in a book. With it being the final few weeks of school, he couldn't care less about what the seniors were doing in his class. By this point, nobody cared.