Lingering Denial

Chapter 1

~Friday~

Aurora's P.O.V~

The week went on, though I was still mystified by the events. When I had gotten home, surprisingly because of her directions, my friends were there; like the lady said. Of course, they knew I had gotten lost before I even explained anything. However, I decided against going into any details, considering they weren't as superstitious as I was. All they knew was that some lady on the street told me how to get back.

That night, as I was placing the pretty necklace in my drawer, my mind kept on recalling the words of her; I was resolved to find her again, another day. Too bad my professor hated the idea of us having any time to ourselves this week. She loved to do this every month. Thankfully, the phase ended today, and I would be free from working for a while.

I sighed once again as I continued to be dragged around one shop to the next. My own expression was met with an even more exhausted one of Hazel's. It wasn't as if I despised shopping like Hazel did, I just hated it when Ava, like usual turned an hour or two activity into a whole day search for a new wardrobe. "Ava! Let's go already! My hands are about to fall off..." Hazel cried out, looking as if she was about to lose consciousness any time soon. Laughing, I nodded in agreement, to our still overly enthusiastic friend.

It was always a wonder to me how she would remain so energetic, even after university. "Well I'm not the one who's already found a boyfriend. What if his friends are as hot as you say Lucas is?" Ava looked seriously concerned at the matter, making Hazel roll her eyes, "Oh, just be quiet and hurry up, will you?" Though she said it quite nonchalantly, I caught the tinge of pink in her cheeks at the mention of her new boyfriend. Smirking at her, I wiggled my eyebrows teasingly, which resulted in being shoved in return, and an even more annoyed Hazel.

You see, the reason of us coming out here was to find a single dress for tomorrow. Me and Ava would finally be meeting Hazel's new boyfriend who she seemed to be so smitten of. Despite my shy nature, I was quite excited to meet the guy who seemed to brighten up my best friend so much. Ever since high school, me and Ava had been best friends, and meeting Hazel at university last year, we immediately connected. We truly thought of each other as sisters, along with our other best friend, Skylar, who transferred to California this year, chasing her dreams of becoming a travel writer. However, she would always visit us in London, in the holidays. Though, this year was going to be different given that we would be travelling to America for the holidays; how different was something I had yet to realise.

I rolled my eyes in amusement, at the two bickering, before Ava announced, glaring at Hazel. "Fine. You guys go ahead to the cafe, I'll be done in a few." I sighed in relief while Hazel seemed like she just won the lottery. Turning to Ava, I scolded her slightly, "It better be a few Missy..." Ava smiled innocently before rushing off to another store leaving her bags with us. "Yea yea, don't worry, I'll be there before you can say Doughnuts." Hazel scoffed at her response, before mumbling Doughnuts under her breath and following after an amused Aurora.

~

The sun was beginning to set now. Glancing around, it seemed the streets of town were still as busy as always, so we decided to travel through another route. It was quite a view from where we were at. Cherry blossoms drifted in the air since it was spring, and a light breeze began to blow. I glanced at the water from the seaside walkway they were currently strolling along, smiling at the view. The sunset always seemed to amaze me. Although, I loved the scenic places and the modernness of the city, the business of London always got tiring eventually. So much that, I even began to have a headache, though the fresh wind seemed to cool me down. It always did. It was a good thing that Friday classes had decided to end early as well. I couldn't have handled another busy day.

Hazel caught something ahead of us; a small shop with accessories and several clothes inside. "I'll need to check something. Stay here, I'll be right back." And with that she rushed off. While waiting for a minute or two, my stomach gurgled. Deciding to check nearby, I wandered down a street.

While walking, my eyes caught a crowd in a dark alleyway, down the side of the route we were taking. It lead to the familiar roads I went by on Sunday. Without realizing I stopped, curiously observing what they were doing. There was quite some cheering and...a fight? As I inched closer, and peeped in from an empty area between several dangerous looking people, some with different types of masks on as well, unaware of them; that's when my eyes met his.

Most of his face was covered by a skull mask, but I couldn't pull my eyes away from the mesmerizing grey orbs that peered at me. When he saw me not moving and maintaining a curious eye contact, he raised an amused eyebrow at me in surprise. I had realized now that his opponent was collapsed onto the ground, seemingly unconscious. Yet despite the eruption of cheering and many trying to talk to him, his interest remained on me.

However, soon enough the eye contact was broken when someone appeared in front of me, with a mask similar to the man behind him. Familiar light brown eyes watched me, until he chuckled a bit, reminding me of the man from last time, but his dangerous aura and the fight nearby made me rethink. "Supp, Nemo." I stepped back in surprised by his sudden appearance, but he stepped forward, cornering me into a wall.

Nonetheless, even in this situation, I tilted my head in confusion, at the nickname. "Nemo..?" I saw a hint of a smile show up in his eyes before he threateningly added, "It's too dangerous to get lost here, you hear me? Watch where you wander off to next time..." My eyes widen slightly at his tone, as a shiver of fear runs through the back of my spine. While his eyes watch me trying to figure something out, I'm there frozen in shock, fear building up in me.

~

Liam's P.O.V~

Weird. That's what I would describe her as. She amuses me. If I recalled correctly, she bumped into me last Sunday. Given her knack of getting lost easily, gives me the feeling that she's just moved here recently. What really confuses me though, is even if she's lost, how a pretty, and innocent looking girl ended up roaming towards the danger in the area this easily. Again.

I sighed, rolling my eyes at her terrified form. It looks like my warning did the trick. But, my attention is diverted when a firm hand is placed on my shoulder. "That's enough. You're here for me, aren't you? I did what you asked for." A menacingly cold voice rings through the air. I back up from the girl, narrowing my eyes at Axel.

Behind him, the other guys were cautiously watching curiously watching the two 'kings' clashing. That's until they saw my menacing glare, and they headed off, back towards the place. "Oh! You actually managed to beat him!? I knew the rumours were right about you." I replied, some of the excitement and expectancy being shown in my voice. Finally... Someone I can call an even match... He's back.

"I have to admit I'm impressed..." I decide to mockingly taunt him, "He was even one of my best..." I closed my eyes, shaking my head, "Ah... What do I do from now on..." I jokingly sighed, with a devilish grin you could almost hear.

Axel scoffed, before narrowing his eyes at me, "Cut the crap. What do you want from me?" He icily snapped at me. I chuckled a bit, before pretending to think, "Hmm... You know what I want." That earned a glare. I could tell he was about to straight away deny it.

"Aw, come on." I look at him irked. Axel just ignored me, his eyes watching something else at my side with confusion "Before you say no, think about it... It'll be fun, I swear." I added, before Axel sighed, disgruntled, "Whatever..." He headed towards his bike, while I glared at the back at his stubborn head. With a low tone, I ominously called out, "This won't end you know, these aren't your grounds any more..."

Once he was gone, I finally remembered the girl from before. Turning to my side, I sighed in relief to find her gone. Hopefully, Nemo can find her way back herself. I shrugged, ruffling the back of my head, as I headed back. Not that I really care.

~

Aurora's P.O.V~

All I could do was watch, undeniably intrigued, as the two in front of me began conversing, unaware of me next to them. But I couldn't really figure out what they were talking about.

My thoughts were snapped out by someone tugging my sleeve. I pulled my hand towards me slightly alarmed before my eyes widened. There she was, a glaring Hazel waiting to chop my head off while she beckoned me towards her. I considered actually running towards the guys to hide from her but reluctantly followed when she decided to just grab my hand and drag me off.

Looking back as I was leaving, I saw the other mysterious guy with grey orbs watching me curiously, while the other talked to him. The eye contact we shared seemed to last a lifetime, until I was out of the alleyway.

"Are you bloody nuts?! Did you even see how dangerous they looked? I don't know how I didn't find you skinned alive already!" Hazel scolded me, crossing her arms. Oh man... Yep. She was definitely more dangerous than them.

"I'm sorry,... I was just curious..." My eyes drifted back to the alleyway for a bit, before she looked at me worriedly. Trying to focus on Hazel, I smiled at her innocently, while linking arms with her "Don't worry about it, I just had a quick look. Breathe..." She looked at me like I grew two heads, "That's not the point. I thought I told you to stay here!" I cringed as she exploded, apologetically giving her puppy eyes before she eventually sighed looking away.

Grabbing the bags again, she rolled her eyes. We continued to walk to the cafe, while she interrogated me on what happened. "Nothing much, on of them just warned me... and then they started talking to each other" Hazel raised her eyebrow at me questioningly, and sarcastically added, "Ever heard of the quote curiosity killed the cat? You have been the cat in question since high school. I seriously worry about you sometimes, you're clumsy enough as it is."

I internally rolled at the quote bit. Of course I've heard of it, they've never once forgotten to remind me. I grinned at her, sighing in relief inwardly as I finally saw the cafe. "Don't fret it, look we're here."

~

I had to admit that, it was one of the cutest cafes around here. Being at the corner of two lanes, and at a place where you could see the see, it almost seemed perfect. That meant that I would never miss a chance to visit the place, whenever I could. The smell of coffee, and the fancy but cutesy decoration always seemed to cheer me up. The colour scheme was based around coffee as well. It would be something you would imagine to pop out of a book. Walking in, we first put all the bags on an empty window booth, before Hazel waved while I grinned at the owner, Mrs.Claire, who was at the till today, "How you doing, Ma?"

Mrs.Claire was a middle-aged lady, who was quite cheerful and welcoming to anyone who she would come across. The first time I came here, I was in high school, and had just gone through a rough breakup. I came across the place while it was raining, and I was wandering aimlessly, trying to get some fresh air near the sea. At that time, home-sickness was making me feel even worse as well considering how mum was away at on of her business trips. So I ended up beginning to cry, sitting at the edge of the water. That's when she was closing up the shop, but when she saw me, she immediately rushed me inside for a warm cup of coffee, and some towels. After some motherly advice, crying and reassuring, I was surprisingly alright. I couldn't be thankful enough for her caring gesture during that time; seeing that my friends hadn't found out about anything yet.

To me, and my friends who I had introduced afterwards, she was a second mother. Over time, we had begun to call her Ma, and, we would come every few days or week to visit and drink her addictive coffee. Even though she was one of the kindest people I had ever met, she could also be scary when she needed to, especially when we would get scolded at. Looking up at us, after finished talking to another customer, she brightened up. "Oh, there you are, loves!" The staff and some regulars who had also grown close to them, all waved excitedly and greeted them. The not so frequent ones, looked up confused but still amused as they watched the scene.

A few of the staff which they were close to were about to come to greet them, but they winced when they saw Ma in front of us. Our attention was diverted back towards her, and we flinched a bit at the crossed arms and narrowed eyes. "Now, care to explain where you were for the past two weeks? With no contact? You had me worried sick." Hazel laughed it off nervously, while I looked apologetically at Ma, giving her the puppy eyes, and linking my arm with hers, "I'm sorry Ma, we got really busy with the project we were doing, and got side tracked. Well, it's mostly Hazel's fault, actually."

Ma raising her eyebrow at me, before throwing Hazel a questioning but demanding look. I looked at her innocently, pulling my tongue out at her, meeting a completely shocked and betrayed looking Hazel. "Hey! You traitor! How is it my fault?" The others watching us laughed a bit, before I innocently looked at her, "Oh is it not? Who's the one who got a boyfriend recently and wouldn't stop talking about hi-" I was cut off by Hazel throwing her hands on my face, making me nearly fall over. I grinned evilly behind her hand as she nervously laughed off the crowd oo-ing and teasing her. Ma looked at Hazel slightly shocked but happy, "Oh my, Hazel, is this true?" Hazel watched her nervously laughing, while blushing, though not denying it.

Tom, one of the staff members, and Ma's son, laughed at her a bit "And here I thought it was impossible for you to even understand the concept of dating." Hazel let go of me, before jumping towards him and punching him in the stomach while he was too busy laughing his ass off. Clara, laughed at him next to her groaning in pain, before he managed to glare back at Hazel, to which she put her tongue out. The two sure shared a strong hatred between them. "That's what you get, ass-hole. Anyway, congrats Haze, you must be quite enamoured by the guy, if he made you blush like that" Clara teased, "Oh, she is." I made sure, earning another glare from Hazel, making me shiver in fear. Well, that was before she was interrupted by Ma hugging her tightly, almost coming to tears. "Aw, you're all grown up now." Hazel rolled her eyes but hugged her back, "It's not like I'm not getting married, Ma." She added, to which she earned a smack on the arm. "Ow! Geez..." I laughed at her grumble.

~

That's how we spent the next hour lounging around in the cafe catching up with everyone, and sitting on one of the tables outside before Ava finally decided to show up. "Took you long enough" Hazel grumbled, laying on the table, facing the sea. "What's wrong with her?" Ava looked questioningly up at me. I mouthed 'boyfriend' while pointing towards the cafe, too scared to say another word out loud. Ava burst out laughing, before adding, "Oh, damn, I should've been there..." She wiped a tear away. Poor Hazel, was too tired to even glare any more. I could even see her soul beginning to drift off towards the sea. "Don't worry, it won't end anytime soon. That's why she dragged me out here." I smirked at Ava, sharing a knowing look between them.

The rest of the night was spent in the cafe, Ava also receiving a lecture from Ma, bringing some life back in Hazel. But, we didn't have to wait soon as we were rushed off before it got too late. When we reached home, I was close to falling asleep at the door, much less the couch. We all left to our own rooms in the apartment we shared. I soon collapsed on my bed, however, before I drifted off, a pair of hypnotising grey eyes appeared in my mind.

~