Falling Stars [h.s]

Chapter 42

Aurora

Soon enough we were back in California and I was back to work, a little sadden that our short trip came to an end. I shook the thought out of my head, getting back to my paper work. It was already ten thirty pm, I only had thirty minutes left before I can go home to my family. I was exhausted to say the least. I've been doing paper work all day which was the most exciting thing in the world. By tomorrow I'll be back to doing what I enjoy.

I filed the last of the case folders before gathering my belongings and locking my office door. "Goodnight Aurora." My boss' voice sounded from behind me.

"Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow." I quickly got into my car, making my way home. Everyone was already asleep by the time I arrived, Zayn being the only one awake.

After changing from my work clothes to something more comfortable, I roamed the kitchen in search for food. Zayn came over, taking a seat on a stool, "How was work?"

"Same as always. Did Odyssey go to see her doctor?"

"The appointment is tomorrow. We are just hoping for now that everything is well with the babies."

"I'm sure it's nothing too serious. Carrying triplets isn't easy, but she's done it before with twins and I know the risks are higher with triplets but it's all the same."

He let out a low sigh, "I hope you're right."

I walked over to the beeping microwave, retrieving my now heated plate of leftovers. "How was your trip?"

I sat down next to Zayn, taking a bite of my food. "It was great. I got to see old friends that I didn't realize just how much I missed. Also my parents, even if they weren't so happy to see me, I'm glad I got to see my mother and say what I wanted to for years now."

"And what about the decision you still need to make? Any changes to your choice?" Zayn knew me so well that he had a clear idea of just exactly who it was I wanted to be with. I was still unsure, but he believed I had already made up my decision.

"No changes. I think I'm ready now to make my decision and tell them. I just don't want to hurt anyone, which is kind of inevitable really."

Zayn reached over, sliding a small box towards me. "What's this?" I questioned curiously as I took the box.

"Your last clue." I looked down at the box, written on it was 'clue #10.' I took it upon myself to open the small black box. Inside was a ring. I took the ring out of the box, observing it with curiosity. It was a a sterling silver diamond swirl ring. Why would he get me a ring?

I set the ring aside, going back to the box, to find folded piece of paper at the bottom. I retrieved the paper, carefully reading the words.

'12pm tomorrow.

Solve the riddle and come find me if you accept.'

At the bottom of the page was yet another riddle.

'I come out at night without being called, and get lost in the day without being stolen. Only in the darkness am I visible. Let's dance beneath them and forget the world... Go to the place where you can view me from a place of comfort.'

I thought about the riddle for a whole, not having the slightest clue of what the answer could be. A place of comfort?

I placed the paper and the ring back into the box, closing it and setting it to the side. "Are you going to accept?" Zayn asked. I gave him a tired shrug. I didn't really know exactly what it was I was accepting. I can't just accept a ring without knowing the meaning behind it. Was he just giving me this as another means of jewelry. Was he proposing?

If so, I don't think this is exactly how I would want to be proposed to. "It's a no for now. I can't take this and I certainly can't meet with him tomorrow without having answered the question that is meant to tie together this whole scavenger. I'm not ready."

"Ready to face the reality of having to make a decision or is it that you are not ready to let go of him?" Zayn's words sunk into me deeper than probably intended. I picked my head up to look at him. I was hesitant of what I really wanted to say to answer his question.

Instead I stood up, "I'm going to bed. You should get some rest as well."

He nodded slightly with a smile "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I made my way to my bedroom, quickly checking on Layla who was still sound asleep. Once I got into my bedroom, I laid back on my bed, letting out a deep sigh. I reached my hands under my pillow, retrieving the book I was currently reading. I only had a few pages left. Harry wasn't lying when he said it was a really good book and I would like it. It took me only two days to get to the end. It was a really emotional book, but even with all the included loss and heartbreak, there was true passion, excitement and love within the mix of it all.

There were a lot of passages from the book that I related a lot to as well. Most of them reminding me of my first love.

'I now get scared of forgetting anything about Renée, even the tiniest detail, even the bands on this tape I can't stand—if she touched them, I want to hear her fingertips. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night, my heart pounding, trying to remember: what was Renée's shoe size? What color were her eyes? What was her birthday, her grandparents' first names, that Willie Nelson song we heard on the radio in Atlanta? The memory comes back, hours or days later. It always comes back. But in the moment, I panic. I'm positive it's gone for good. I'm shaking from that sensation now, trying to remember some of this music. Nothing connects to the moment like music. I count on the music to bring me back—or, more precisely, to bring her forward.'

For a really long time I felt this way. Every single day racking my brain, trying to keep the memory of Elijah alive. Afraid that if I stopped trying I would forget all together. It becomes harder trying to remember him as the years pass by. I was scared that one day I would have no memory of him and our love at all. And even though it's been almost seven years now since I last saw him, I wasn't trying to replace Elijah with Harry or Odysseus. I realized his love was different from anything anyone can ever make me feel. I learned that the hard way. But I also realized that each love I will eventually encounter in my life will be unique in its own way.

Reaching the end of the book, I closed it and set it to the side. I laid on my back, my hands crossed over each other, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. Eventually I sat up and got my phone out. It was midnight now. I texted both Zayn and Odyssey, letting them know that I was going out. I waited for a response from either one.

Zayn being the one awake, texted back shortly after, letting me know that he'll be coming down to watch over Layla. I got my car keys, quickly making my way to the car.

I can't wait another day. I needed to see him and tell him he was the one.

As I drove down the quiet night streets of the city, I found my mind wondering if this was the right thing to do. Before I had the chance to change my mind about this whole thing, I found myself knocking on his front door.

Moments later the door opened, Odysseus stared back at me with tired and confused eyes.

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