Lingering Denial

Chapter 2

~Saturday~

Aurora's P.O.V~

I woke up feeling a sense of wanting to know what I dreamt off. I couldn't help but let my mind repeatedly drift back to the previous encounters. I didn't know what to think of it but it made me want to know more.

I let my thoughts mull over, as I got up to get ready for the weekend work-shop I had applied to. My friends seemed to seriously question my way of thinking, when I decided to 'waste' a weekend, but I was serious about this. Even if it was hard work, it was my dream.

Once, I was ready, I decided to head down to cook some breakfast. Seeing as how I would wake earlier than them on weekends now, they had pinned breakfast duty on me, when it was their turn. Of course, I wouldn't let this go either, since now, I would have to do 5 days out of the whole week. I smirked before leaving to head to the workshop before it got too late.

~

When I was back, Ava was already throwing clothes out of her closet, with her door open. I saw Hazel, lying on the bed as she surfed her phone with a smile on her face. Rolling my eyes, I went to change into some comfortable clothes before heading towards Ava's room, "Aurora! I need help..." She cried, looking even more stressed out than earlier, if it were possible.

She dragged me inside, before pleadingly looking at me expectantly. "That you do..." Hazel mumbled under her breath, earning an irritated glare from Ava. "At least Aurora's more helpful than you. Is lover boy more important than me, already?!" Ignoring their bickering, I went through the new clothes she bought which were now on the floor, arranging the better ones on the bed.

Mum was a quite famous fashion designer; growing up with, and being taught by her directly, I ended up wanting to become a fashion editor. With all those years, I had gained quite an impressive fashion sense; one my teachers and peers would always tend to compliment. But, me being the shy potato I am, can't handle direct compliments. Therefore, at those times, I would just become flustered and my clumsiness would reach it's heights.

I just always hope I can reach my mother's expectations. Even when she says to just enjoy life, I know she wants me to meet her in her field, face to face.

My 'fashion sense', something by friends like to call my seventh sense, was something Ava never ceased to take advantage of. So, I spent a lot of my time in here, 'sharpening my talents'. In less than a few seconds, I gave the girls two outfits for them to wear, considering we always share clothes."Omg, you are a lifesaver, like always." She grinned at me, before running off to the bathroom. "Thanks, Rors." At this point, even Hazel had taken her outfit to change into, her excitement to see her boyfriend again, beginning to show. I laughed a bit, shaking my head at the two, before making my way back to my room, to find my own.

~

Although I was a bit reluctant to go inside, the appearance of the club intrigued me. The outside was better looking than she expected and not over the top. Walking inside, I was pleasantly surprised at the fanciness of the place. The inside was filled with neon lights, which was one of my favourite things, and the decoration was quite modern and futuristic, at the same time. Despite the utterly wasted weirdos you would find here or there, the whole place looked amazing.

Before, we headed deeper in the crowd, I heard Hazel's voice, "Here, it's part of the theme." Without saying more, or shouting considering the noise level, she grinned at me, and put two lines of something, on each of my cheeks, some even on the details of my dress. That's when I noticed the glow in the dark paint on Hazel and Ava already, as well as several other people in the crowd. There were a bunch of random thing mostly glow up bands on all the different people. She even handed to us, neon bracelets to match.

While I was admiring the place again, I hadn't noticed the girls started to move, so I was surprised by Ava's hand began pulling me along, in case they lost each other. The further in they went, the more decorated it was. Even the floor had strings of neon almost moulded in. But, there was always a dimness to the place, considering it was a nightclub. The whole club seemed full of life already.

I clinged to Ava's arm, slightly nervous around all the strangers, not noticing that they had arrived at the booth already. Feeling someone watching her, I looked up to find familiar grey orbs studying me curiously. Unlike his friends, he didn't have much paint on him, but that only emphasised how good looking he was. His features were quite sharp and he had quite a muscular and tall build. But, I was more focused on trying to figure out the sense of Déjà vu that came along with them. That's until I heard my name being called out. "-This is Lucas." Hazel grinned, pointing towards another male next to the mysterious guy. Oh, that must be the boyfriend.

I smiled at him squeaking out a 'Hi', though I doubted he heard me, while Ava went straight to the 'If you hurt her I'll kill you' quote. Slightly amused, he chuckled a bit, "Don't worry, I'll keep her safe."

I elbowed her slightly, glaring at her, before Hazel chuckled a bit at her, "Don't try to be intimidating Ave, it doesn't work. And of course he won't hurt me, I'll kill him before he does, right babe?" Hazel smiled threateningly at Lucas who actually looked terrified for a second, before he pecked her cheek, nervously laughing it off.

Ava put her tongue out at her, looking away, annoyed. Isaac scoffed before taunting Hazel, "At least she tried. Like you could do any better..."He grumbled a bit.

Lucas smirked at him, before turning to an aggravated Hazel who looked like she would start shooting lasers any minute "Don't mind him, he's just in a bad mood because of this morning." She looked at Lucas confused until she clicked on and started smirking at him. "Lost at a stupid game again?" He glared at her before grumbling under his breath, irritated.

~

We had settled down by now, the girls ordering their own drinks, since it looked like the guys had ordered already. I've met Isaac before considering that he was Hazel's brother but who was the guy next to him? My gaze unconsciously drifted back to him, as he was introduced by Lucas. Axel, huh. My stomach flipped when I saw his own gaze catching mine.

Blushing a bit, I huffed, refusing to get caught in the act again. "You alright? Your cheeks are red." Ave asked me worried and surprised. Damn her observation skills when they weren't needed. I blushed harder, hurriedly denying it when I felt his amused eyes watching us. "Just a bit drunk. That's all."

Being the more controlled and level headed one of the group, I was a lot more sober than the others already, but needed a break. While were all occupied, I quickly excused herself to the toilet. Nevertheless, as I went through the club alone, I realised just how crowded it was and just how many people were wasted. I began to feel nervous as I avoided several men hitting on me, now regretting my decision of coming alone. I should've just asked Ava or Hazel to come with me. How stupid I was. After quite some time, I somehow managed to finally reach the toilets, managing to take a breather. The club seemed to be a lot larger when so many people were in it. I almost lost my way. It was a good thing, I'd taken note of where it was when we were entering.

~

When I was done and about to leave, my stomach squirmed nervously, as soon as I saw a drunken man in the middle of the hallway, that lead to the main party. The problem was how I was going to get past without him noticing. My heart began to jump in fear, as I weighed her options. I texted my friends, but I knew they wouldn't really look at their phones right now. I sighed in hopelessness, before deciding to just rush ahead and get it done and over with.

I hastily rushed past, letting out a sigh of relief until I felt a cold hand grab my arm. My senses heightened as I gasped, the blood in my veins running cold. I tried to pull away, however, he easily pulled me towards the wall in a matter of seconds, trapping me there. His eyes skimmed me lustfully. "Hey there, pretty little lady, how about you join me for a drink?" The man seemed pretty drunk already, although he was dressed well and fairly good looking. "I'm perfectly fine, thank you." I replied, trying to sound firm, but my voice cracked at the worst time. I really hated my shy and easily scared nature at a time like this. It was hard to get across a simple no.

After a moment of being frozen in shock, I continuously struggled to be free, but, his grip was too tight. "Aw, now don't be a joy kill..." He smirked, as he moved closer and whispered in my ear. I shivered in disgust which he mistook as attraction, and smirked wider.

My eyes even began to water, as my thought process suddenly plummeted downhill. This was exactly what I was afraid off, at the back of my mind ever since we came here or for any club for that matter. I suddenly wished to be home, safe, doing my coursework and designing or back at the cafe with Ma instead of here. What was I to do now? Crying now won't help, and trying to push the man's advances off of her wasn't working either.

I began to regret not taking up the chance to learn self defence earlier, when I could. The sound of the party, defeated all my attempts to call for help as well and soon I found herself pathetically closing my eyes, any slither of hope that was left, drifting away.

~