Falling Stars [h.s]

Chapter 34

Aurora

The next morning I woke up with the worst headache ever imaginable. My body felt hot as well. I removed the covers from my sweat drenched body, confused as to why I was feeling like this. I looked around the empty hotel room, even more confused. How did I end up back here? What happened last night?

I stood up from the bed, immediately regretting it as I went crashing down to the floor. "Aurora! Are you okay?" Odyssey came running from the bathroom to my side and helped me back up on the bed. I reassured Odyssey that I was fine, "what happened last night?"

"You and Louis played a drinking game and you were piss drunk not even after a few drinks. It was very entertaining to say the least." That didn't sound like something I would do, but I believed it although I didn't remember much of it.

"I'm going to get in the shower. My head is killing me."

"Take some pain killers and you should be fine in a couple of hours. We have a long day of adventure ahead of us!"

•

After Odyssey and I got ready for the day, we left the hotel room to meet up with Liam and Louis in the lobby.

"Where are we going?" I curiously asked the three. Liam was carrying a picnic basket and Louis had a back bag on that looked heavy. I was genuinely confused. We never discussed a picnic.

"Well first we are going on the Banff Gondola lift that will take us up almost 2,200 feet off the ground then we are going to hike on Mt. Norquay where we will have a picnic once we get to the top." Hearing Liam say our plans for the day out loud made me rethink this whole trip. 2,200 feet off the ground sounded scary. I could barley ride a roller coaster.

"Are you guys sure about the Gondola? We can do the hiking and spend the day having the picnic." I asked them. They turned to look at me with raised brows.

"Are you scared Aurora?" Liam asked me.

"No of course not. It's just- well yes actually I am. 2,200 feet is pretty high don't you think?"

Louis slung his arm around me and grinned, "Don't worry Aurora, we'll all be on the same lift so you don't have to be scared. You got this."

Louis' reassurance wasn't very reassuring, but I nodded in response anyway. It'll be fun. I hope.

When we got to Sulphur Mountain, we were already up next to get on the gondolas. Liam, Louis and Odyssey were already making there way inside the lift, laughing about as I hesitated.

The worker impatiently waited for me "Are you getting on Ms?" Not wanting to annoy him more than he already was, I got inside the gondola, sitting in the empty space next to Liam, across from Odyssey. As soon as the doors were shut we started to move upwards.

I laid back in the seat and closed my eyes. I didn't want to look down and see just how high we've already gotten. A warm hand was placed on top of mine, causing me to open my eyes. "Don't worry. I got you." Liam smiled at me and proceeded to squeeze my hand. I smiled back and thanked him profoundly.

Louis and Odyssey were occupied with a deep conversation. Liam went on to look around at the view before us. I sat up wanting to take a look as well, immediately regretting it as my heart dropped at just how far from the ground we came. Although the sight of the mountains and trees quickly taking that feeling away. The view was absolutely breath taking.

Liam slightly nudged me "Not so bad?"

"Not at all."

Soon after we got off the gondola, we left the place, getting ready to go on our hike.

•

Liam and I walked behind Louis and Odyssey who were way ahead of us. We conversed as we made our way up the mountain. "How is little miss Layla?" Liam asked me. I smiled at the question. "She's doing very good. She turned seven not too long ago."

"That's exciting." He responded.

"Very. And how are your boys, Ishmael and Jamal?"

"They are good as well. Jamal is going to be starting kindergarten next school year and I honestly don't know how to feel. It's exciting yet overwhelming."

"That's very exciting Liam! I remember Layla's first day of school, I was a mess whereas she just wanted to go have fun and make new friends. Jamal will make friends in no time, no need to worry."

"I'm sure he will, I'm just not ready for both my boys to grow up. They're getting so big. Ishmael is going to be seven in a couple of days and I'm not ready for that either."

"I know what you mean. They grow up so fast. Next thing you know they'll be teenagers going off to high school."

"I'm not ready for that either."

Liam and I continued to make small talk as we neared the top of the mountain where we were to have our evening picnic. There were some questions I wanted to ask Liam, since he had given me pretty good advice in the past about Harry, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to bring up that topic.

I ended up asking either way. "Is it okay if I vent to you for a bit? I could really use some advice."

"Of course."

I was hesitant about the topic but I could really use some help about all this. "Well, Harry's been back as you might already know, he says he wants to to be in a serious relationship, but then there's Priscilla. He says there's nothing between them but I doubt it and I honestly don't mean to come off as a jealous bitch, but I've given him the benefit of the doubt before and you've seen where that landed me. Odyssey's been so negative about the whole ordeal and I just want someone to tell me that I'm not making a mistake letting him back into my life after everything I've been through because I really do love him. I also want him to be apart of Layla's life as well, but that also didn't work out when I gave him the chance to meet her."

"Tha-"

"Oh and did I forget to mention that I'm dating both Harry and Odysseus?"

Liam looked at me surprisingly, "Yes actually, I think you might've forgot to mention that part. Good for you girl." I rolled my eyes and laughed at his comment.

"Well before I give you any advice on that situation, who are you planning on being with because you can't be with both guys can you?"

"No of course not. I'm not too sure yet. They're both really great guys and I don't want to hurt anybody."

"No matter what happens someone is bond to get hurt in the end. I say go with whatever your heart is telling you. Do you love Odysseus?"

I had to really think about the question, which could be a red flag. I never thought much about it before even though I should have gave it some thought. It wasn't fair to Odysseus especially when he repeatedly tells me he loves me, just like I do with Harry and I know the feeling of one sided feelings.

"I don't know. Maybe? I've never told him I did, not like I do Harry. I've told Harry plenty of times just how much in love with him I am and it worries me that he never says it back, and I realize now that must be how Odysseus feels."

"I don't think you need anyone's help or my advice with this Aurora. Your choice seems clear. I know you know who you want to be with, it obvious. Let me just say one thing, don't ever feel like you have to be someone's second choice. You shouldn't have to doubt yourself or your worth because this person is unsure whether they want to be with you or not. You have options, but you also have your answer. I know you do. Bob Marley once said 'the biggest coward is a man who awakens a woman's love with no intentions of loving her.' and he couldn't have been more right."

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