Recapturing Fate

Chapter 9

As she entered she took note of the red and black balloons before looking at the people. The loud voices of her old classmates died out and all eyes were on her. She heard whispers of people who didn’t believe that she was there. She felt herself become self-conscious and noticed a group of people rush toward her. It was Roxy, Jen, Alexa, and Tina followed by Jack, Max, and Anthony.

Wow, it had been so long. They all looked so different in the best way possible.

“AURORA!!!” Jen said while running as fast as her feet could take her.

Before she knew it, she practically tackled her with a vicious hug. All of them took their turns with a hug and they smiled at her. She thought their smiles would wear out but they hadn’t. Aurora felt all her insecurities die down as did so. Anthony was the last to hug her and he held on tightly. She looked up into his eyes and felt her cheeks redden. She thought he was beyond gorgeous but he hadn’t sparked that fire she desperately needed to feel again. He had always looked boyish and he still did but with a manly twist.

“You look great Aur.” He said in a low whisper.

She laughed and replied, “Flattery must have gotten you everywhere.”

All of them laughed and Roxy decided to speak up.

“I can’t believe you’re here!! When did you get here? Where do you live now? What do you do? Come on Aur, spill all you got! You have ten years’ worth of things to tell us about!!” Roxy said with a big smile.

“I live in Miami and drove up here yesterday and I work for a big restaurant. It’s adventurous over there.” She said grinning from ear to ear.

It was time for Max to talk and he said, “No kidding. It’s better than this boring old place! You still play sports?”

Aurora couldn’t help but keep smiling. “I can’t live without sports! I guess you’re still showing people your unique abilities?” she said with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, I tend to shock people still not to brag or anything. I’m the head coach of this high school’s basketball, football, and baseball team. Enough about me, tell us about your life! Find that dream guy you used to tell me about?” he said grinning. Aurora laughed loudly.

“No, I haven’t but I was close. I just couldn’t keep up with his reputation as everyone’s golden boy. I bet you guys read that in the paper.” She said thinking back to Mike Roberts.

“Yes!! I did oh my god that was a really big thing!!” Alexa piped up happily.

“I thought people didn’t care that much for him,” Aurora said shocked.

“It was quite big here and also about your engagement to him real or a rumor?” Jack said with a devilish grin.

“It was real but I couldn’t keep up with the blah… blah besides I’m still young and I’m not in a rush to get married,” Aurora said while all of them looked at her outraged.

“You were about to get married to Mike Roberts and you didn’t tell any of us anything??? What the hell were you thinking?” Tina said with a smirk.

“I don’t think I was thinking!! It was so fast but we went out for seven months before he asked.” Aurora said loudly.

“So that means at the moment you’re single?” Anthony said lastly.

“Yes I am and I plan to stay so for now.” She said firmly.

She looked at them and their smiles looked as if they were plastered onto their faces.

“What about you guys? Are any of you married yet?” Aurora said curiously.

Tina blushed and looked over at Jack who did the same. “Actually uh Tina and I are getting married next month,” Jack said while rubbing his head.

“Really? That’s great you guys!!! You can fill me in on all the details later!” Aurora said happily.

“Thanks, Aur,” Tina said with a shy smile. “Any more of you getting married? Or dating anyone I should know about?” Aurora said in a motherly tone.

Roxy blushed and turned to Anthony as he did the same.

“We’re dating.” They said together while pointing at each other.

Aurora laughed at the display and congratulated them. Before anyone else was able to say any more Tristan walked up to them. Everyone greeted him and turned to Aurora to see if the tension was thick between them.

“Hello, Tristan,” Aurora said smiling. He leaned in for a hug and she gave him one back. He smelled so good it was almost sinful. To Aurora, he was amazingly handsome at that moment. He wore a button-down shirt under his dress jacket. His jeans made him look interesting as it came in contrast with his top. He was yummy and he knew it.

“Hey Aurora, how’s it going?” he said smoothly. She looked up to his eyes and they glittered furiously.

“Amazing. How about you?” she said dragging their conversation longer.

“Great.” He smirked suspiciously.

Everyone around them stared with suspicious looks but dropped it knowing they had not been entirely anxious around each other. They finally sat at a table. The gym was where they had their school dances and she thought back on how people danced on that same dance floor back then. Before she knew it, her friends had been pulled out to the dance floor with smiles. Aurora sat at the table alone and within minutes a familiar guy walked up to her.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

Aurora looked up at him and watched as his blue eyes glittered. “Only if you tell me your name first.” She flirted slightly.

“I’m Mark. We had some classes together I think.” He said with a faraway look.

“Mark Webber. I remember you.” She said with a really big smile. Mark had been her lab partner for a long time in chem. He was cute, she had to admit but it was just looks and she had seen better ones.

“I’m honored.” He said while grabbing her hand to pull her up. She stumbled slightly and he caught her without a problem.

“Careful there don’t fall for me too quickly.” He said teasingly.

She laughed without trying to stop herself. It was a cheesy line and truthfully she loved it. He pulled her onto the dance floor and they danced slowly to the gentle music. When the song ended he departed from her and Aurora was left yet again at a table. She viewed the happy faces of everyone and smiled thinking of their happiness. Suddenly she felt a hand touch her bare arm from behind and she turned around. It was Tristan.

She motioned to a seat and he took it. For him, it was one of the hardest times ever. Watching her dance in that dress with Mark annoyed him to no end but he knew he couldn’t do anything about it. If he did, it would cause a big scene and ruin everything he was planning. The dress was practically made for her and yet also made for his enjoyment. The black fabric used for the dress brought out her eyes and complimented her dark hair. It clung to her body like a glove and his eyes scanned her unconsciously.

C’mon Tristan. Get it together. You’re 27 not 17 anymore, he thought firmly. He noticed he had been staring at her involuntarily and she looked at him with a flushed face. Aurora was shocked as he stared at her. He made her feel as if she was a specimen under a microscope. He used to do that a lot. His eyes penetrated her heart and seemed to see what all her secrets were. It made her feel fuzzy inside and yet she couldn’t let it get to her. She couldn’t and yet it already had gotten to her.

Her mind was telling her to go for it and forget everything that happened between them but her heart recalled the pain that he caused and ached feverously. What she wanted was to forgive and forget but it was impossible. Tristan could tell she had been in deep thought so he sat back watching the couples sway to the sweet music. He eyed Tina and Jack somewhat jealous and caught them smiling at each other.

They had dated during their second year of college and all of them except Aurora and Tristan had gone to. Now years later they were getting married and always looked as if they were in a blissful dream that never ended. If things hadn’t turned the way they had, he and Aurora would have been as such. It was his fault and he knew it, but she was also to blame. Before all of them noticed, the reunion had ended and it was time to head home. Everyone said their goodbyes to each other but knew they would have seen each other around the town.

Aurora didn’t want the night to end. This had been the first time in a while that she was with the people she had always been close to and the first time in forever that she just relaxed. All of her friends agreed to have a get-together sometime during her stay. Aurora was excited and they all said their goodbye. She walked to her car and heard rustling behind her. She didn’t know who it was and she didn’t care before turning around.