6
1051 Words
The drive to Lucas’ house was quieter than usual.
Aurora sat in the passenger seat with her head resting against the window, watching the city lights blur past.
Every few minutes, she would mumble something that made no sense.
Lucas glanced at her.
“You know you’re still talking, right?”
Aurora frowned sleepily.
“I am?”
“Yes.”
“What am I saying?”
“You were explaining why a cake is an important architectural achievement.”
She thought about that for a moment.
“…That actually makes sense.”
Lucas shook his head.
“You’re impossible when you’re drunk.”
“I am not drunk.”
“You fell into my arms five minutes ago.”
“The floor betrayed me.”
“The floor?”
“Yes.”
Lucas let out a quiet laugh.
Aurora smiled faintly before closing her eyes again.
By the time they arrived, she was barely awake.
Lucas helped her out of the car and guided her inside.
She had been to his house many times before.
For dinners.
For movie nights.
For random conversations that lasted until midnight.
But she had never stayed overnight.
The difference suddenly made her realize something.
“Lucas…”
“Hm?”
“I’m sleeping here?”
He looked at her.
“Unless you want me to drive you home the Ethan sees you drunk”.
Aurora considered it.
Then immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“Good.”
He helped her upstairs and handed her a comfortable set of clothes.
“You can change into these.”
Aurora looked down at them.
“Your clothes?”
“They’re clean.”
“I didn’t say they weren’t.”
“You were thinking it.”
She smiled.
“You know me too well.”
“Unfortunately.”
She rolled her eyes before walking toward the bathroom.
A few minutes later, Aurora returned wearing Lucas’ oversized shirt and comfortable pants.
The sight made him pause for half a second before he quickly looked away.
“You look tired.”
“I am tired.”
“Then sleep.”
Aurora climbed into the guest room bed and pulled the blanket over herself.
Lucas placed a glass of water and medicine for her headache on the bedside table.
She looked at him.
“You really prepared everything?”
“You’re going to regret drinking tomorrow.”
She smiled softly.
“You’re always taking care of me.”
Lucas looked away.
“Someone has to.”
Aurora yawned.
“Goodnight, Lucas.”
“Goodnight, Aurora.”
Within minutes, her breathing became slow and peaceful.
Lucas stood near the doorway for a moment.
The girl who had been laughing loudly earlier was now sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of how much trouble she had caused him.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Then he quietly turned off the light and left the room.
———*——-
The next morning…
Aurora woke up with a groan.
Her head felt like it was being punished.
She slowly opened her eyes.
The ceiling was unfamiliar.
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
“…Where am I?”
She sat up quickly.
This wasn’t her room.
Her eyes moved around the bedroom before everything came rushing back.
Lucas.
The party.
The drinks.
She looked down.
She was wearing Lucas’ clothes.
Her face immediately heated.
“Oh my god.”
She covered her face with both hands.
“I slept at Lucas’ house.”
Then another memory appeared.
A hallway.
A stranger.
Green eyes.
A face she couldn’t forget.
Aurora froze.
She remembered the way he caught her.
The way he looked at her.
And most importantly…
The way he walked away like she meant nothing.
Her embarrassment disappeared.
Her eyebrows furrowed.
“Who does he think he is?”
She crossed her arms.
“He literally bumped into me and then acted like I was invisible.”
The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became.
“Beautiful eyes don’t give someone permission to be rude.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“You’re awake?”
Aurora looked up.
Lucas stood outside.
She quickly composed herself.
“Yes.”
“Headache?”
She sighed.
“How did you know?”
“Because you look like you regret every decision you’ve ever made.”
She frowned.
“That is very rude.”
“It’s accurate.”
She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
Lucas caught it easily.
“You’re feeling better.”
“Unfortunately.”
He smiled slightly.
“Come downstairs.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
Curious, Aurora followed him.
The moment she reached the dining room…
She stopped.
The table was covered with food.
Different dishes filled every space.
Breakfast.
Her favorite meals.
Even a small birthday cake sat in the middle.
Aurora stared.
“Lucas…”
He looked away casually.
“Happy birthday.”
Her expression softened.
“You did all this?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It is not nothing.”
She walked toward him and hugged him tightly.
“Thank you.”
For a moment, Lucas didn’t move.
Then he gently hugged her back.
“You’re welcome.”
Aurora pulled away with a smile.
“You really are the best friend anyone could ask for.”
Lucas smiled faintly.
“Eat before everything gets cold.”
They spent the morning talking, laughing, and teasing each other like they always did.
For a little while, Aurora forgot about the embarrassment of the night before.
She forgot about the rude stranger.
She simply enjoyed the day.
Later, Lucas drove her home.
Before she stepped out, she turned back.
“Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And Lucas?”
“Hm?”
“Don’t think this means I’ll stop calling you annoying.”
“I didn’t expect that.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
She walked toward her house while Lucas watched until she entered safely.
——-*——
The next morning…
Aurora returned to her normal routine.
Her alarm rang early.
Her coffee was made.
Her laptop was opened.
And soon, she was back at the architecture firm.
The birthday celebrations were over.
It was time to focus on work again.
At least…
That was what she thought.
- Writer
