Aurora's Point Of View

When I wake, my lungs feel clear as I breathe in the Autumnal air the following morning. My skin temperature felt regular, my vision was crystal clear. To my surprise, the fever was gone. It had only lasted a day, almost like it wasn't a real fever at all. I look over my shoulder to find the bed empty. Arlan must have left for work. The day just kept getting better and better!

It was Friday, and thank God I felt better because it meant I still got to see Hadley! I was over the moon about my first ever sleep over. I always dreamed of having a best friend to have one with. Hoping out of bed, I opened my backpack and started to pack. I couldn't wait to watch cheesy teen movies, do a face mask, and maybe even see Beck.

No, no Beck. I'm here for Hadley.

Ok, maybe I was partly excited to see her insatiably adorable twin brother. The Friendly Lion. It was still so embarrassing that Arlan saw all my sketches yesterday. What was I supposed to say: hey Arlan, I've got a giant crush on someone?!

Nonetheless, I was overjoyed. setting my toothbrush into my bag along with some clothes, and zipping it up.

"Feeling better?" Nate questioned as I energetically skipped down the stairs.

"Mmhm!" I chirped, bouncing lightly on my toes.

"Good, miss hangover, fever girl," Nate teased. "I was worried your body couldn't catch a break."

"I heal pretty quick, Nate, I'm just unbreakable like that," I shrugged.

Nate's face pulled into an amused smirk, liking my confidence. And you know what, I liked it too. Maybe it was the high of no longer being sick, or the excitement of spending the night somewhere else, but I just felt good.

"Hey!" Hadley practically ran to me when the day was over, a wide grin on her face. Her ginger curls were in two braids as she wore a red knit sweater and cheetah-printed jeans.

"Ugh, the day couldn't have been slower! I'm so excited!" I bounced up and down. "And here," I say, passing her a note.

"Me too, girl's night!" Hadley took my hands and we squealed and jumped. Then, she unraveled the note. "L...P?"

"Loves pizza," I giggled. "That being me, of course. I know we haven't had lunch in a few days so I just wanted to do something cute to make up for it. And just wanted to let you know that I love pizza and we should totally make it tonight."

Hadley gave me a strange look, laughing, putting the note in her jean pocket.

And then, my heart soared with absolute joy as Beck approached us. It had been a few days and his sweet presence was like a spoonful of sugar. His disheveled mess of red velvet curls, sweet, honeycrisp eyes, freckles, all of it made my heart race and limbs melt.

"Hey, you. I was beginning to think we'd have to call Grey's Anatomony with all your conditions," He winked, sending me into overdrive. "I'm glad you're finally okay."

"I'm glad you're okay too," I smiled, then froze. "I-I mean, I'm glad that I'm okay too. Sorry, guess I still have some fever brain fog," I giggled, feeling my face flush as bright red as his hair. "But definitely no need for that, I'm all good now."

"Well," Beck swung his keys and clasped his hands together. "I've got a shift in an hour but I hope you guys have a great girls night. I'll drop you guys off and maybe see you later on. Come on, my car's not too far."

Hadley linked her arm with mine and I smiled giddily at her, following the twins to the car. When we reached his Jeep, Hadley saw a splotch of white on his trunk and snorted.

"Hey, Beck, someone else is shitting on your car for once," Hadley laughed, her breath in the air. Summer was long over and the peak of fall was here.

"God damn it," Beck said, peering over and shaking his head as we all piled into his car.

"See, maybe it's a sign you should get a new one, like I keep saying."

"There's nothing wrong with my car. You're just jealous cause you don't wanna drive."

"Yeah yeah," Hadley waved him off, turning to me as Beck drove out of the parking lot.

"I haven't had a sleepover in foreverrr! Show me your Pajamas," Hadley squealed from the passenger seat.

Though my pajamas were nothing cute to be excited about, I opened my overnight bag and pulled out Arlan's XL loose, grey T-shirt. Hadley's face pulled into a horrified look of disgust.

"Oh no, honey, we gotta get you something cuter than that, what the hell is that?!"

"I-it's my boyfriend's shirt."

Beck's hands momentarily gripped the wheel harder before releasing.

"Noooo girl," Hadley ferociously shook her head, "We gotta get you something cute, and I can help you. Trust me, I have the best fashion sense."

"You?" Beck retorted.

"Yes, me," Her eyes narrowed at her brother. "America's favorite Jewish lesbian."

"I-I'm not sure I have the money for that, you know, since I quit my job to focus on school," I interject, nervously playing with my fingers.

"Oh, I got you!" Hadley insists.

"Are you sure? You pay for me all the time," I reply, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Aurora, our parents give us a pretty good amount of money considering they're hardly ever around for us and always traveling. It's no big deal, and I like doing nice things for you. It's what friends do. Beck, you don't mind taking us to the mall before your shift, right?" She turned to face her driving twin, batting her eyelashes and pouting

"Shopping for frilly girly pajamas? What else would I rather do," He sarcastically deadpanned.

"I'll buy you a Cinnabon, you'll be fine. Yaaay okay girl's trip to the mall!"

"Wait, I never,"- Beck tried to say.

"GIRL'S TRIIIIIP!" Hadley turned up the Halsey song on the car radio and kicked her feet, dancing. Beck laughed dryly and shook his head and I giggled from the backseat, clutching my bag to me.

"I keep digging myself down deeper, I won't stop til I get where you aaareee!"

The mall was bustling with people on this Friday evening, which was to be expected. I can't remember the last time I had been to a mall, if ever. I never had anyone to go with and they tended to make me freak out with how crowded they were. But surprisingly, with Hadley and Beck by my sides, I didn't feel anxious at all.

"Look at this! It's so cute! I mean, not $75 cute, but still!" Hadley squealed, holding up a lacy blue Victoria's Secret bra.

I glanced to Beck who was rolling his jaw, looking awkward. Hadley rummaged through the rest of the bras as I crossed my arms and walked to Beck.

"Sorry," I laughed. "This must be pretty painful for you."

"Eh, if people can survive wars, I can survive this."

I giggled, absentmindedly looking through some of the bras myself. I had never bothered to look into super sexy or lacey lingerie and the concept was foreign to me.

"I mean, I used to do this kinda shit with my ex-girlfriend, you know, so it's not the worst thing in the world."

"Oh...yeah, right," I awkwardly nodded. "Well, you're a good boyfriend for that."

He smiled modestly and shrugged, before Hadley all but bombarded me with clothes. Stumbling back with an oof, I clutched the items and peered at her.

"Okay, okay, okay! So I got lace bottoms with stripes, and striped bottoms without lace, in case lace makes your skin itch or something. I got pink bottoms with matching pink tops but also blue, yellow, black, cause black goes with anything, but also orange, in case you're feelin' crazy! Go try it on!"

Bewildered, I laugh in amusement at her grand effort.

"Okay, jeez, thank you, Had," I laugh, clutching the items. I twist around and find the dressing room, turning to the twins. "I'll be right back, I guess."

Once I situate myself in the dressing room, placing everything on the bench, I turn to look in the mirror and peel my long-sleeved sweater off my skin. With the mirror in front of me, I look at my body, adjusting my plain, beige bra strap. I never thought too much about my body, and was a little nervous to try on rather revealing pajamas.

Stepping out of my jeans, I pull on the medium-sized silky striped shorts up my thighs, turning to see them from the back and the front. They were adorable! I wished I knew about this stuff before, they made me feel so confident and cute.

I then tried on the black, silk pants and matching lacy black tank top. These were comfortable, but I really liked the pink. Stepping out of these, I pull on some baby pink shorts and a matching lacy, silk pink top. Pulling open the dressing room door, I hesitantly step out to an awaiting Hadley, and a Beck on his phone. When I close the door, Beck's eyes widen.

"Well..? Does this...look okay?" I bite my lip, running a hand through my hair.

Beck starts, "I,"-

"Eeeee!" Hadley squeals, running up and hugging me. "Aurora, you're a hot bitch! I was so right, the pink top with lace and matching bottoms is so you!"

I giggle and return her hug, looking at Beck over her shoulder. He swallowed, seeming like he was making a point of keeping eye contact with me and not letting his eyes fall anywhere else.

"Definitely throw these in the bag, we're buying them."

"Thank you so much," I pouted at her, feeling so grateful for her kind gestures.

"And anything else you like, throw it in! I grabbed some face masks while you were in the dressing room so we're all good to pay after you change!"

"Yay!" I squeal, running back to change as quickly as possible.

As I close the door, I hear Hadley say something to Beck while swatting his arm, but can't make out what she says. Neverminding it, I change back into my clothes and gather the pajamas to go and pay. When I come out fully dressed, I see Hadley has left to go online and Beck waiting for me with a smile.

"Hey, I'm sorry you had to come with us on our girly shopping, I know you kinda wanted to just drop us home and go to work."

He shrugs sheepishly.

"I don't mind, really, it's not a huge deal. I'm just glad to see Had so happy these days. And if it makes you happy, too, it's good with me."

My lips spread into the biggest smile I can muster.

"You definitely make me happy Beck, really happy. U-uh, both of you, you know?" I quickly clarify. "I mean...life is so crazy. It can get so bad, and you don't think it can get better, and then you meet people you didn't even know existed, and you're so thankful to be alive because you found them. It's then that you know, life always gets better."

"Guys!!" Hadley waved us over, at the front of the line.

I grin at Beck and he returns the face, and we walk to meet his sister.

"Welcome!" Hadley opens the door to her house after Beck drops us off.

As soon as I walk in, a tiny corgi puppy hops to me, yelping excited little barks and clawing at my ankles as I flinch in surprise.

"Ugh, Cannoli!" Hadley groaned. "I'm so sorry, this is our corgi, Cannoli."

"N-no, it's ok," I laughed, catching my balance with Cannoli's antics. "I love puppies! Can I pick him up?"

"Sure, but just beware, he's very squirmy and has a lot of energy," Hadley warned, hanging up her coat and taking off her shoes.

I lean down, setting the Victoria's Secret bag down and Cannoli licks my face anxiously.

"Okay, come on, little thing," I giggle and lift him with me.

In my arms, Cannoli rapidly moved, whacked his tail, sniffed and licked me, panting in my face as I laughed and moved my head away. Hadley wasn't kidding about her puppy's antics. When I set Cannoli down, he followed me right at my ankles, sniffing me as I followed Hadley.

"This is my home! Welcome!" She said as we left the small shoe and coat-rack area to enter her kitchen.

It was extremely homey, with wooden floors and a round, white kitchen table. Adorned on the walls were lush, happy family photos. There were silly childhood pictures of Beck and Hadley in Halloween superhero costumes, yearbook photos, and more. I peaked at a childhood picture of Beck smiling on the beach, his eyes squeezed shut and his wide, silly smile missing several teeth. I chuckled quietly to myself.

"Come on, I'll show you my room!"

I pick up the Victoria's Secret bag and followed Hadley down a long hallway where more pictures of her and Beck were lined up. I peered around at all of them: Hadley playing guitar at a middle school talent show, Beck up to bat on a minor league baseball team, the two twins graduating from high school. Finally, she opened a door that was covered in little sticky-note quotes of lyrics, unveiling her room.

Looking around in awe at the spunky colorful walls, 70's inspired tapestries and pillows, and many musician posters, my jaw fell open.

"This is beautiful," I say, peering around. Posters of David Bowie, John Mayer, The 1975 and more lined her yellow walls.

"Aw, really?" She said, anxiously picking up a few pieces of clothing from the floor. "Thanks, girl! Sorry it's kinda a mess."

"Please," I waved her off, sitting on her bed. "It's totally fine, I love it here! You're so lucky!"

"Is your room kinda guy-ish since you live with your boyfriend?"

My face fell at the mention of Arlan. I had kinda forgotten all about him all day.

"Oh, um, I-I'm sorry," Hadley quickly said.

"He's a little...controlling," I shrugged.

"Yeah, he must be a Pisces," Hadley tried to joke, but still sensed my awkwardness so she bit her lip.

"I-I know you mentioned you like pizza, I have your silly little note," She giggled, taking it out of her jeans and putting in her desk. "I have frozen ones in the freezer, wanna go make one?"

"Sure," I nodded happily, fingers knitting together nervously. My heart sped up at the mention of the note. Yet, Hadley said nothing about it more. She smiled warmly at me, leading my hand out.

"Alright, let's just hope we don't burn the place down!"