Unravelling Aurora

Snow On The Beach - Taylor Swift

This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen

I searched ’aurora borealis green’

I’ve never seen someone lit from within

Blurring out my periphery

My smile is like I won a contest

Aurora Ravenscroft woke up at 5 in the morning, without any help from the alarm clock like every other day. She peered at the alarm clock with a slight smirk tugging on her lips, she beat it again. Being a self-disciplined girl, she never needed one. Everything she did was planned and precise, she didn’t even need to keep a journal for that, once she decided to do something she did it.

Her feet which had never seen the light of the day were covered in socks even though there wasn’t anyone around to see them. The warm fuzzy socks padded softly against the hardwood floor as she went to the kitchen to prepare a new recipe for a super healthy and super delicious breakfast she learned from a YouTuber and a fresh cup of green tea. Aurora grew up watching YouTube videos, always taking life, fashion, and cooking tips from them. Their cheeriness reminded her of something she could no longer have. Watching them made her happy and guilty at the same time.

Balancing the tray on her hands she slid open the door leading to her beautiful balcony covered in flower vines. The decorative ideas were taken from Pinterest. The sharp cold air prickled her skin, leaving a red blush on her cheeks. She smiled as the cold burn faded. Inhaling the aroma, she glanced forward to watch the sunrise from behind the beautiful mountains, covered in snow.

Taking a sip of her tea, she smiles to herself showing her beautiful dimples on either side of her cheeks. Her face shone brightly from the morning rays cascading upon her, ’the view never gets old’ ′ she thought, recalling the days she first moved into the apartment 2 years ago. She had thought one day she’d grow tired of the view.

She took another bite of her breakfast in solitude, hearing the light crunch of the croissant she baked herself a day earlier, perfecting the recipe after her tenth try, despite being stringent to follow the recipe she couldn’t make them edible enough until her third try. She always missed adding that one ingredient, the dash of love.

The silence was always deafening at the moment, another reason for Aurora to wake up early, no one around the neighbourhood wakes up this early. Some of her neighbours go to the same university as hers. And they often come back at 4 in the morning barely remembering how they ended up back in their house. No one would bother waking up let alone stand on their balcony, covered in a snuggle blanket just to watch the sunrise every day.

But a sudden movement on her right broke her out of the blissful moment. Her head whips in the direction in alarm. As she feels the heaviness like someone is watching her. But she would never expect her lousy neighbour to wake up at this hour. She gave one last look at the balcony/dumping ground that obstructs the view of the apartment just as she prefers, she went back inside her apartment to prepare herself for the first day of her last year at the university.

After getting ready in her prim and proper clothes she covered herself with a long beige lapel coat. In her prim and proper affluent attire, she looked like a PhD student, not a grad in the Oakwood college she attends. It was a mere 15-minute drive from her apartment building to the college, but for Aurora, those 10 minutes were like hours. She would take the same road every day but still get stared at by every eye in the town. Well, who would miss the heavenly sight of an angelic beauty driving the Audi like a grandma on her way to church. Which gave them plenty of time to have an eyeful of her, she never gave them a time of her life, not a single glance, never a friendly wave, let alone a smile.

But something different was about to happen today. Aurora sensed it the moment her solitary moment was slightly disturbed, something that didn’t happen during the last two years.

She was hesitant to set foot out of her apartment but little Miss Perfect could not afford to be absent on her first day. Hopping into the stinky elevator she silently prayed, so she would not have to share it with anyone. Aurora would rather take the stairs from the fifth floor she lives on just to avoid mingling with her neighbours but every now and then, Aurora would dare to take the elevator, especially in the mornings.

Pressing the button for the parking Aurora closed her eyes to focus on the song playing on her air-pods. Taking in the lyrics, her lips tugged in a faint smile. Drowning in the rhythm, the faint smell of urine and cleaning supplies stopped bothering her nostrils. With her habit of being hyper-aware of her surroundings all the time, her nose had become sensitive to the smell around her.

Aurora didn’t realize the elevator hadn’t moved a bit and out of nowhere a muscular scent of cologne hit her senses. Her body tensed momentarily, only her neighbour was supposed to be awake at this hour. But the klutz would have bumped his shoulder with hers, greeted her so loudly she would have heard him over the music. She released the breath she had been holding. Her still-sealed eyes roll, taking in the beautifully blended aroma of his and hers, Musk & Vanilla.

Aurora didn’t dare open her eyes to avoid the awkward chat. It was stupid to with a man’s presence not use all her senses to defend herself in a confined space. But Aurora wasn’t really good at making last-minute decisions. All her decisions were diligent, precise and planned ahead of time. And she felt she had already embarrassed herself by practically sniffing on a stranger, who turned the toxic smell into an intoxicating one. Credit the drunk students with weak bladders for the noxious reek.

The elevator stopped at the parking area with a ding. Aurora expected him to leave first since the neighbourhood lacked gentlemen. Then she witnessed the most appealing voice she had ever heard in person, deep, masculine that has the power to make you do anything, say… “After you” is A simple thing but not when you’re not witnessing it very often.

Alluring aura, enchanting voice, and intoxicating fragrance. Run, Aurora! She mentally screamed at herself.

Without acknowledging the chivalry, she strode towards her car like a possessed woman. Quickly closing the door of her car she locked herself inside in fear for some moments before heading out. Few minutes into the drive, the fragrance that captured her senses, faded. Like a powerful charm being broken.

Aurora asks herself ‘What is wrong with me’ and ’Who was that guy?

Her usual 15-minute drive took longer this time. Aurora’s thoughts were clouded by the voice that was slowly slipping away from her. Her focus was divided, watching the mostly empty road and remembering her previous encounter. Aurora somehow managed to reach her destination, with her brain on autopilot mode.

Before heading out of her car. Aurora took deep breaths as she was disappointed with herself. Bracing herself for what was coming, Aurora stepped out of her car. It was time to meet her two annoying friends who declared themselves as her ‘best friends forever’ the minute they met her. At first, Aurora was determined to get rid of them, as she could not afford to have friends. Too much attachment would endanger her secrets. They tried to get her to open up thinking maybe she was just shy. They would invite her to parties, and vacations, but Aurora had politely declined their every offer.

Aurora met them on her 2nd day at the university. She purposely missed her first day to avoid the awkward introduction part. Whilst it seemed to work with most of them. Some tried to get to know her but Aurora’s cold behaviour discouraged them.

A lot of guys tried to take her out. Aurora rejected all the advances. But, It wouldn’t stop them from admiring her beauty from afar. Aurora was aware of the stares and the occasional cat callings too. However, she gave no mind to it. Her Ice Queen mode worked on almost everyone.

Almost!

Except for the two people, determined to know her. Two curious kittens on a mission. Trying to solve the puzzle called Aurora.

“It’s 9:30 PM and we still haven’t reached our destination yet, you sure you’re not seeing the map upside down? Because I am not getting any sign of the blissful snow-covered mountains shining under the moonlight.” Phoenix taunted his friend, perching his legs on the dashboard.

Crossing his arms behind his head, his lips curved in a crooked grin when he heard his friend mutter curses his way. He didn’t need to open his eyes to see his friend’s knuckles turn white from gripping the steering of the car too tight.

It was his fault, so he deserved it, thought Phoenix. As he had never been on board to be a part of the road trip from The Hamptons to North Elba in Phoenix’s Jaguar. He could get a dealership here, but no, everyone wanted him to take the car. It would have taken them approximately 7 hours to drive. They were headed in the morning after having a heavy breakfast at Phoenix’s. But his friend had another idea to inhale all the food packed for them before lunchtime. Followed by numerous stops at food joints and bathroom breaks.

Phoenix had enough and handed the keys to his friend. That was 3 hours ago when his friend kept murmuring they were an hour’s drive from their destination. Before more hurtful taunts could spill out of Phoenix’s mouth, his closed eyelids were contacted with something bright. His green eyes shot open to see the mountains.

The view was obstructed by the glass window covered in layers of dust from the road. Phoenix rolled the window down. A sharp gust of chilly wind hit his face, prickling his sun-kissed skin. The wind tried its best to dry his eyes, but Phoenix was bewitched as he kept on watching the mountains until his face was numb, ignoring his friend barking obscenities at him.

“I’ll close the window on your pretty face.” He threatened the last time but to no avail. He floored the gas pedal and reached the city where the view was obstructed by the concrete jungle. It felt like years had passed since he admired any view despite going on exotic holidays during Christmas and summer.

Phoenix sighed in resignment closing the window. His face was now scorching up, as the tingling sensation began to ripple on his skin. The car abrupted to a halt in front of a big apartment building. Phoenix climbed out of the car and craned his neck to see how far it was up.

“10 floors and a terrace, you need to get permission to get there.” His friend provided while taking the luggage out of the trunk, Phoenix nodded absently as his gaze moved sideways to the crooked neon lights of 2 story hair studio. Their apartment was on the 5th floor, so hopefully if there weren’t any bigger buildings ahead, he would be able to see the mountains from up there.

Phoenix’s fleeting glance halted for a few seconds at the balcony that looked lively with the flower vines hanging, compared to any other balcony. Phoenix was carefully counting the floors for that apartment before he was rudely interrupted by his phone’s ringing bell.

Acknowledging the call, Phoenix entered the building at midnight without any clue how his life was gonna change from now.