Recapturing Fate

Chapter 13

As the day drew on Tristan had gotten to know the interesting, perky Renee over that short time. He could see why Aurora had become her friend. This woman was interesting and dreadfully honest. She barely knew him and yet she was already talking about her past loves and her life in general. This girl had her share of bumps in the road which made Tristan more aware of a woman’s mentality. ‘I’m turning into a softie’, he thought to himself.

“So Renee, Since Aurora doesn’t plan on talking to me about her life how are things going with her?” he said.

She eyed him curiously and took a sip of her coffee. “Well, her fiancé and she broke it off about two weeks before the wedding. She was a bit heartbroken but she already knew it would have turned out that way because she couldn’t stand the thought of commitment. I remember her telling me one night that he said he loved her. She told me she was scared at that moment and it was because he was exactly everything she wanted. Too bad she couldn’t keep up with him. They were a really happy couple. She smiled a lot around him but after they broke up it was weird since she made it seem like he never existed. I guess love works like that. The poor girl just wanted to drop it to get away from all the crap she was taking. Besides that, she’s been great and successful. “Renee sighed as she thought back to the certain time.

She knew it wasn’t the whole story but Tristan was catching on. He smiled faintly and he couldn’t help but think back to what she had just said. “So how long were they together?” He asked.

Renee bit her tongue. Her somewhat true speech was the perfect bait and he got on… Hook, line, and sinker. It showed he still cared. “Well, they were together for about a couple of months before they got engaged. I barely saw her when he was in town. They were inseparable.” Renee smirked.

Tristan frowned a bit annoyed and yet held his serenity. He couldn’t let it be obvious. He had to lie low for a while since he still had to build his relationship with her up. She was such a hard shell to c***k. He knew in the end, if luck was on his side, he’d be able to have his love with him. He groaned inwardly and braced his head on his hands. “Well, at least things were good for her in FL. I was worried that she’d do something reckless.” He said, clearly impulsive in his words.

Renee stared at him until she was confident about her next reply. “She’s not that kind of person. You should know that. You’ve known her longer than I have.” She said with an annoying twist.

“Yeah, I know. I guess I was thinking about how she left here without mentioning anything and within a couple weeks her parents divorced. I never heard from her until a couple of days ago.” Tristan said wholeheartedly.

Renee remembered that time. Aurora had been a mess. She hadn’t eaten or attended school that week. She was adamant towards everyone if she did step out of her room. “Well if I were you, I’d pray she sticks around,” Renee said before sipping her coffee again. Their conversation died out and they sat in a comforting silence for minutes more.

The fun night ended and Aurora headed to her car forgetting she had Renee with her. Renee followed after her and they entered the car with smiles. Aurora opened her mouth to talk but Renee cut in. “You should have told me all of them looked amazing. I felt so out of place and they all looked like they were on some TV show. I have to admit you have good taste in men. Tristan is a great guy. Too bad he was the one who screwed up.” Renee said while whispering the last part as quietly as she could with Aurora still hearing her.

Aurora gripped the wheel strongly as she backed out of the parking spot. “Yeah I know but let’s talk about him later. Right now I’m going to show you one of the best places in the world.” She said dismissively.

Renee shrugged instinctively and turned on the radio. They drove along the road and Aurora pointed to different places where special memories were made. The whole time Aurora wouldn’t say the person’s name and Renee knew it was about Tristan. Renee knew they were close. Aurora had those memories of him and it looked as if she didn’t plan to let them go no matter how much they hurt her. They drove over a bridge and to the falls. The sun was barely setting over the horizon and the water was a piercing color.

“Wow. Aurora this place is amazing. I thought all sunsets were the same. This place is nothing near the typical beach.” Renee said as she stepped out of the car.

Aurora looked out at the blazing sun and smiled. “I usually came here after school to think. My parents never cared anyway so I stayed here, till sunset and the stars took their turn at the show. I loved being here.” Aurora said hugging herself.

Renee turned away from her and cringed slightly. It was always hard for her to hear about Aurora’s past. It was so sad to hear how a little girl could act so grown up and push all things in her life that hurt her away. She was forced to be an advanced girl from a young age and not have a childhood like her friends had. She never learned how to ride a bike from her dad or learn how to cook with her mom. She learned all those things on her own or with other people. She learned how to be independent since it was how she had to be. Through it all, she still managed to smile that big smile full of radiance. Nothing could stop that smile that already hadn’t tried to.

“A lot of people care about you Aurora. You inspire them to keep going strong in their lives. Don’t let the mistakes of your parents change you. Everyone who knows you hasn’t once said they didn’t need you. Even the ex! You guys were set to get married and it didn’t turn out the way but the guy knew he couldn’t let you out of his life. That’s why he settled for friends. It shows people care tons about you.” Renee said sharply.

Aurora tried to let those words sink in but she couldn’t. Even if she looked at it from Renee’s view, she knew it wasn’t entirely true. Her mom had said she cared about her only a few days ago and yet she had nothing to do with her for countless years before. She had decided to forgive and forget on her mother’s part. “Thanks, Renee. You’re a great friend.” Aurora said while the breeze swished around her. Renee smiled.

They spent about an hour walking along the falls talking about recent things in their lives. Tristan was not a major part of their conversation but Renee managed to put some words about him. “What’s up with you talking about Tristan so much?” Aurora said with a curious smile.

“He’s a good guy. Plus you never talk about him that much so I might as well start the conversation.” Renee said smiling.

Aurora sighed and didn’t bother to reply since she knew what it would turn into. The sunset slowly and the stars glittered above. The sky showed no clouds or fog. It was only the big bright moon and millions of stars that sparkled together. They headed to Aurora’s car happily and sat inside for a while to admire the view. She didn’t know why but Tristan was fresh in her mind. She remembered the week before their anniversary.

He became more withdrawn to her and barely listened when she talked. She didn’t know why he had to say he loved her and then left her. Everything seemed to be right between them and then he disappeared taking every bit of happiness she had. When it was their awaited day she didn’t realize he already forgot her. She wasn’t the most important thing on his mind anymore. She remembered what he had said the next day when he had arrived at school and she chased him down to talk to him.

“Give it a rest Aurora. It’s always been about you in this relationship. I’m done with you and all of it. Just forget about everything we went through.” He had said sharply. For the rest of the year, they didn’t talk.