Third Person Point Of View

When Arlan came down the stairs, he observed the sweet and rich aroma of hazelnut raspberry coffee meeting his nose and saw Aurora with her showered-hair combed neatly. His little Dove always knew how to create such mouth-watering blends from her days as a barista.

"Good morning,'' he said. "Sleep okay?"

"Yes Sir," Aurora recited plainly.

Arlan frowned.

Aurora made her way to the coffee pot to pour the delicious drink into a mug. He peered down at her, her height substantially lower than his, she was such a small and vulnerable thing. Purple hickies on her neck poked out from the loop of the T-shirt. He missed her fight, his spirited, bashful, adorable Aurora. She was suddenly awfully monotone. He didn't like her lack of expression, it was confusing and off-putting. He couldn't read her: He couldn't reach her. He longed to be close and affectionate to her, but her coldness was icy.

He shouldn't have hit her.

He missed her authentic personality, he fell in love with her for who she was. Right when he was going to wrap his arms around her waist, she turned to him and he dropped his hands quickly.

"Here," she said softly, handing him the mug of coffee.

With a sense of caution, he took it from her and set it on the table. Aurora turned to make her cup. She looked divine in just his T-shirt, loose over her body, her slim legs on display. He longed to be close with her again.

He couldn't fight off his urges and came behind her, dipping his head into her soft neck and nippping. She hummed and gave him a little more access without thinking, he knew it felt good for her, and pressed kisses with more pressure. He wanted to bend her over right then and there, fist her hair and hear her breasts hit the counter back and forth.

Aurora suddenly tensed and straightened her head, nudging him away.

Frustrated and confused, Arlan murmured, "What?"

Aurora timidly turned to him, her penguin mug in hand. Her eyes were lowered. She spoke softly.

"No."

He gripped her ass in both his hands and pulled her to him, making her squeak a gasp in surprise, as he squeezed the fullness, groaning.

"No? 'Fuck you mean?" He grunted. He gripped her chin and pulled it up. "Look at those baby blue eyes...fuck," He groaned, feeling himself harden even further and pushing his hard-on against her small thigh. "So adorable and innocent, it turns me on, Dove. Lemme take you, baby," He murmured in her ear before his lips kissed down her neck and below her jaw in open-mouth kisses. "Wanna make you feel so good." He moaned into her neck in satisfaction as her hand came to his neck in an attempt to push him away.

"I have to get ready for class," She whispered.

In a rush of brusque temper, he slammed her truculently on the table. Yet, she didn't even scream or gasp. She was completely quiet. Her baby blue eyes remained...neutral. He choked her tiny neck and moaned, loving the sight of his 'fucker' tattoo encased around her neck. He felt his face soften.

She had no reaction at all.

It confused the absolute shit out of him. He released her neck and lifted himself off her body, and she merely stood up and dusted herself off.

"Will you watch a movie with me tonight?"

Aurora looked up strangely, as if she hadn't heard right. She spoke cautiously.

"...You haven't asked me to do that in months..."

"Well, we can watch Disney one like old times."

Aurora couldn't believe Elise's plan was working so quickly. Her complete lack of reaction had him begging for attention. Arlan was nothing but an attention-whore, Aurora enjoyed seeing him so weak. She wanted to laugh,

"I'm sorry, I have to study Arlan. I don't have time for that. I'm staying late again."

Now his anger peaked once more.

"You did that yesterday, and look where that got you."

"Well, I have an important exam. So be it the consequences."

"You sure about that, Dove? You won't like what's to come later."

"I won't like it, or you won't like it?"

He paused, and he felt mind-twisted. He knew what she meant. They both knew he hated being alone without her. And last night, even though he got his anger out on her, her sleeping downstairs and not touching him ruined him.

"When will you be home?"

"Nine PM," She replied.

"Okay, we will have dinner together then."

"Ok," Aurora agreed subserviently.

The soft November wind gently tussled Aurora's hair as she sat in the courtyard of her college, intently viewing her notes. It was nice to have some fresh air as opposed to the stuffiness of the library, but it was damn cold.

"Hey," A voice made her look up. It was Beck, and he sat opposite her at the wooden, round table she was studying at.

He gave her a knowing look of agitation, and she instantly felt her face warm at his adorable freckles, purple flannel and soft-wash blue jeans.

"You've been out here since this morning, you need to take a break, seriously. It's like you and that book are married."

A soft giggle pealed from Aurora and she felt some stress leave her body. That was Beck, he was always trying to loosen up her anxious state with a joke.

"Cmon," He tapped his hand twice on the wooden table and stood, "let's go to Green Gatherings," He beckoned her. "You must be hungry. And I wanna talk to you, ask if everything's okay. You just left yesterday, I hardly got to hear about your ThanksGiving."

Why did he care so much that she left? He had oh-so pretty and smart Peyton with him.

"I-I'm sorry...it's just a lot. This test, you know. It's important."

"But all you've been doing every hour of the day and night is studying, it's okay to take breaks. I know this test is a big deal, I'm not negating that, but it's healthy to take breaks to take care of yourself. Cmon, my car's running, let's eat, Mulven."

Aurora sighed, anxiously looking down to her notes.

That's when Beck set his hands on the table and leaned over her, his frame hovering above hers. She looked up, and a blazing warmth spread over her face at their close proximity, his minty scent so consuming and intoxicating. Her senses narrowed into one: simply her visualization of Beck, and nothing else. The smoldering and rich, warm brown of his irises held her eyes captive.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," He mumbled sternly, sending Aurora to squeeze her thighs together in excitement as a breath caught in her throat. Is this what it's like to be excited by someone in...that way? Her mind briefly wondered.

"O-okay," She breathed out, horrifically embarrassed at her mumbling and breathlessness. He had her a mess simply with his eyes and voice. He grinned at her, his freckled cheeks widening.

He gave Aurora his hand and helped her up, even helping to pack up his belongings, and opened his car door for her.

The car ride was comfortable as they drove in silence. She was relieved to not smell smoke.

"Is this temperature cool?" He asked, eyes flicking to her.

"Oh yeah, don't worry."

"Liar," He sneered lightly and she giggled. "Lemme crank up the heat," He leaned over and turned the heat up, warm air from the car vents hitting her.

"Crank? W-who says crank?" Aurora giggled softly and couldn't help but stammer as she tried to confidently flirt, giving him an odd look.

"Uh, I say it, thank you very much, Mulven."

Her cheeks felt warm as he referred to her as her last name, as he usually did. She wasn't sure why, but for some reason she wished he'd put his hand on her leg and cup her thigh. She wanted the comfort and wished he'd touch her affectionately in some sense.

"How are your classes going?" She inquired sweetly.

"They're going pretty well, aside from a few minor assignments. I've been working on my Italian project with Nate, that's been....interesting."

"Oh yeah? How so?"

"I mean...why don't we save that for the diner," He chuckled, rubbing his eye with his fingers. "You can play any kinda music you want, my phone's in my pocket."

Aurora looked down to his jeans, and back at him.

"You can just reach for it and put on Spotify," Beck affirms, eyes intently on the road as he flicked his turning signal and spun the wheel slightly.

Aurora eyed his pocket and wasn't sure if it would be weird for her to touch him right on his jeans, but he said it was okay. She was just getting his phone for music, after all, nothing else. But she was so shy about that kind of thing. Aurora hesitantly reached forward, his blue iPhone tucked pretty deeply into his side pocket. She reached her hand inside his pocket and pulled his phone out, tingles of sparks in her stomach stirring at the close contact.

"Password is 3398," He said, unphased, which she easily unlocked.

Sliding through his spotify, she sighed and whispered under her breath, "I miss Spotify and having a phone."

"Oh yeah? Well what happened?"

Stupid possesive Arlan happened, she thought.

"Uh, I don't know. I-I guess I just spent too much time on it and thought I'd be healthier without it," She made up a lame excuse, scrolling through his playlist of Greenday, Three Days Grace and Modest Mouse.

"I commend you for that one. No wonder you get so much studying done. You're probably like a lil genius. It's cute."

Aurora blushed.

Relax, relax, she told herself. He said cute, not cute. Don't think too much about it. You're already too fucking attached to him.

As they entered the diner, Beck held open the door as his co-workers nod to Beck fondly.

"You're always so popular," She notes shyly.

"Eh, you get used to it when you're this awesome and good looking," He pokes. "Which booth side do you want?"

"Uh, probably not the one facing the door," I shrugged shyly.

"Perfect, yeah that's fine," He nods, sitting across from me. "Yo, Tony, two menus!" He beckoned.

"You got it, Beck," He calls, going to retrieve them.

"How long have you been working here?" Aurora asks.

"About two years or so, ah thanks man," Beck nods to the waiter, taking the menu.

"Thanks," Aurora says politely, taking the menu.

"So," She looked up, chin in palm. "Nate."

Beck bristled his lips, shaking his head. "Kid's a total nut case. I mean, smart as hell, but a nut case. He's got this long swooping hair and brooding look like, 'I'm gonna kill your family'," Beck poked, narrowing his eyes in a fake-creepy way.

"Oh, come on, you can't judge him because of a haircut," Aurora giggled.

"Eh, maybe not, maybe not," He shrugged as two waters were set in front of them.

"Welcome to Green Gatherings, anything I can get started for ya?" A sweet, gray-haired asked before gasping and noticing Beck. "Oh, hi Beck, handsome!" The waitress gawked at Beck, making him laugh softly and rub his neck in slight embarrassment.

"Hi, Greta," He grinned at his elderly co-worker.

"Who's this?" She asked with a large grin at Aurora.

"Uh, I'm Aurora," She smiled and introduced herself shyly.

"Oh, my, what a beautiful name!"

"Greta, this is one of my really good friends from school," Beck grinned at Aurora, making her feel intense butterflies.

"Oh, well sweetheart you're just so lucky to know Beck, he is the sweetest boy! Always so friendly and helpful and charming! Anything I can get started for you two kids?"

"You wanna get a milkshake?" Beck looked to Aurora.

Feeling caught off guard, thinking he was implying they'd share one, Aurora's face suddenly dropped, her blush returning.

"Uh, I-I, like for,"-

"Not to share, or anything," He laughed. "Just on our own. They're really good. Can I get a Reeses and banana milkshake?" He said.

"Sure," The waitress nodded, jotting it down. "How's school going, guys?"

"Good," Beck and Aurora said at the same time, Aurora charmed by the old ladies sweetness.

"Oh yeah, any tough assignments?" She smiles.

"Well, she over here has this huge test she's studying for. I'm kinda forcing her to take a break."

"Oh, and what the perfect place to be at for that. And you, dear, a milkshake?" The waitress said, blinking emerald eyes beneath her follicles.

"Uh, strawberry...if you have?" Aurora inquired sweetly.

"Sure thing," The waitress grinned in a sweet voice. "Reeses banana and strawberry milkshake, I'll be back soon to take your orders, take your time."

Once she was out of sight, Aurora leaned in.

"Okay, she is the sweetest and the cutest! Why didn't you tell me you had a charming old lady as a co-worker."

"Hm, I usually factor that fact in at about week 12 of knowing someone. I gotta know if they're cool enough to know about Greta."

"Well I'm certainly cool enough to know," Aurora poked, brushing her shoulder.

"Ah yeah?" He teased, rolling his jaw. "I don't know," He shrugged.

"Does Peyton know about her?" Aurora blurted without thinking, and instantly regretted herself.

Beck's face slowly fell from it's tight lipped grin and into a look of confusion, like he wasn't sure what to say.

"I-I'm sorry, uh, what the fuck...I just...I was curious," Aurora mumbled the last part, looking down.

"Uh, no. She doesn't. She didn't serve us when we were here."

Aurora nodded, suddenly growing quiet.

"Aurora...do you not like Peyton?" Beck said, hesitating a bit.

Aurora's face grew wildly ruby red as she looked up.

"What? No, of course I like her, why wouldn't I like her? Why would you say that?"

"It...it just seemed like you were pretty uncomfortable when she was with us, you just got up and left."

Aurora picked her t-shirt hem and bit her lip. She felt incredibly embarrassed.

"I just...don't feel comfortable around many new people. I'm awkward, I guess."

'Well, what are you afraid of?"

Aurora shrugged.

"I don't know. I've been in foster care all my life, living and being surrounded by people I don't know. It's always daunting to me being around new people."

"Well, listen, you know you're always safe with me," Beck leaned forward, opening his hands up. Aurora leaned forward and placed her hands in his.

"Always," He emphasized. "You know I'd never introduce you to anyone bad, or someone who would harm you. You're probably overthinking it a little too much, okay, A?"

"Yeah," She exhaled, feeling calm suddenly and not even processing it's because Beck's thumbs were softly caressing her hands up and down. He was always so gentle and put her at ease.

"Sometimes...I get jealous of you Beck. You're so social and extroverted and likable and...I feel like a snail going back into its shell whenever I meet new people. How are you so confident?"

"I don't know, I mean, I just give off the energy that makes people comfortable to be around. I'm not too much in my head overthinking what I look like or what I'm doing. I'm just down to have a good time. I'm not focusing on me, I'm curious about other people."

Aurora found his advice insightful. Be curious about other people, take the focus off yourself, make others feel comfortable...it was valuable advise, especially from such a sociable guy like Beck.

"I just...I was worried. I wanted to make sure you were okay, is all. It's okay if you're really stressed about school. Or, even if the situation was theoretically that you didn't like Peyton. Whatever it was, I just wanted to know you were okay at the end of the day," Beck explained softly, sincerely.

"You...really care about me," Aurora abruptly said, softly, her blue eyes meeting his chocolate ones.

"Of course," Beck affirmed, his brows furrowing. "Aurora, you're an amazing, amazing girl. I love hanging out with you, I hate seeing you upset. You kinda make that face Josh makes when he goes 'Megan'," He tries to add light-heartedness into the conversation.

"Huh...Josh?" Aurora tilts her head to the side.

"Yeah," He laughs. "Like Drake and...wait, hold on a second, you've never seen Drake and Josh?!" He says incredulously, dropping her hands like he was offended as they both leaned away.

"Is that a TV show? I-I didn't have TVs in my foster homes," She giggled. "I haven't seen a lot of shows."

"That's it, we're having a Drake and Josh marathon next time you come over. The show's hilarious, pure 2000's nostalgia. I found a waaay, I found a waaay."

"Well, what's it about?" Aurora inquired, giggling at his singing.

"So, there's these two step brothers. One's a giant geek who's totally into school, the other's this total rockstar guitarist who kinda only cares about gettin' some with the ladies. And of course, their younger sister Megan fucks shit up."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, pure Chaotic evil."

"Not even chaotic neutral?"

"Nope, total chaotic evil. And whenever she pisses them off, they make this face and go 'Megan," He mimics the face and Aurora laughs. "Do it, do it, do it!" Beck encourages, like a little kid which amuses Aurora. She peals with laughter before twisting her face like she just bit into a lemon.

"Megan," She mimics cutely which sends Beck into chuckles, he claps his hands.

"Perfectttt!! Yeah, now you can totally watch, I consider you worthy. Hey, I'm gonna run to the bathroom and then we can eat, okay?" He asks, getting up from his booth.

"Sure," Aurora nods, smiling as he goes off.

Watching him cross his way to the bathroom, Aurora sighed. She wished they were sharing those milkshakes. She wished this was a date. But even if they couldn't date, hanging out with Beck was just so fun. So easy. So enjoyable, she liked who she was with him and didn't second guess if she sounded or looked weird like she always did with her social anxiety. It was just...simple, effortless. He made her giggle so much and feel so careful, so normal.

And not only that, but he cared for her so much. She thought once she left, Beck would just forget she was even there and just play with Peyton's hair or something. But he did care. He thought about her. She was worth someone thinking about her.

She was so happy that she had completely forgotten all about her test and Beck was entirely right, it was really good to take a mental break, not overthink. Being around someone as easy going and out going as Beck was a good influence on her, Aurora thought. She was too much in her head while he was completely out of it and just enjoying life in the present, completely opposite to Aurora. She was going to take to heart his insight on focusing and being curious on others to take the heat off of focusing only on herself. Maybe it would even help her at the Fall Back. Aurora had hopes.

She peaked at the menu trying to decide what to order. There were so many delicious vegetarian entrees that piqued her interest. Maybe she'd get something and Beck would try some of hers while she tried some of his, that would be fun, she thought.