You and me | Pacey Witter

thirty-seven

"YEAH, ACTUALLY, I had a great time there, my roommate, Michelle was really sweet, and she showed me around to all the main areas on the campus," Haley informed as she walked down the hallway side by side with her girlfriend. "Don't even get me started on the campus, because it was absolutely beautiful, and it just had a really peaceful vibe, you know what I mean?"

Aurora zoned out through her sentence and thought back to the other day in the grocery store. As soon as she heard Haley's voice quiet down, she snapped back into reality. "Oh, huh? I mean, I'm really glad that you had a good time," she rambled with a small smile rested on her face. "Do you think you'll like it there?"

Haley furrowed her eyebrows at her strange behavior but still continued on about the college. She smiled, "oh, I am definitely taking it into consideration. I feel like anyone would be crazy not to choose, or even consider that college," she responded. "What about you? Are you interested in any colleges?"

Aurora looked to face her and shook her head, "no, uh, not really," she answered. "College isn't for me, I don't think. But I'm going to start focusing more on college my senior year, because, you know, what's the rush, right?"

Haley nodded, "true, you have this whole year, summer, and senior year to decide," she informed. "It's fine to wait. Whatever you decide to do though, I'll support it," she smiled. "And if you need any recommendations, I can tell you about a few colleges. What are you into?"

"Uh, music," Aurora replied. "I was thinking about maybe being a music producer, but it's just a thought. To be honest, right now, I don't really think I'm going to college, but who knows, it may change."

- - - - - - - - - - - 

AURORA'S MOUTH fell slightly a gape as she heard the words that fell from her uncle's mouth. "Wait what?" she asked in disbelief, her arms crossed over her chest. "You mean, Lucas? Like, my brother, Lucas, right?" she questioned, only to receive a small nod from Joshua. "He went camping?" 

"Yes, he did," Joshua replied. He sat on the couch in the living room and propped his feet up in the recliner. "Jack dragged him along with Jen," he informed. "Speaking of Jen, how are things between you two?"

"I haven't talked to her," Aurora shrugged. "I mean I understand it was Pacey's choice, just as much as it was hers, but I'm just upset that she would agree to it in the first place. I get that her and Pacey agreed that no feelings would come out of it, it was just strictly for fun, but he's my ex, and she knew that. It's pretty much breaking girl code, I mean I think, I don't know if me and Jen are that close actually."

Joshua sighed, "even if you two are close or not, you should at least hear her out," he informed. "I don't think Jen would purposely try to hurt you, it, uh, it just doesn't seem like her," he stated. "Maybe she was going through something, and most people do stupid things under stress and sadness, and I'm not saying it's an excuse to hook up with your ex, it's just, I think you two should talk, and if she doesn't apologize, then you have every right to be upset."

Aurora just simply nodded as she glanced down at the ground. She took a deep breath before she went to sit down on the couch beside him. "Uh, Uncle Josh, could I talk to you about something else, please?"

"Of course, sweetheart, you don't even have to ask," Joshua replied. "What's going on?"

"Um, the night before Jen and Pacey kissed, uh, I was teaching Pacey how to ballroom dance for this contest he joined, and we almost kissed, but I stopped it before because I knew it was wrong," she explained. 

"So, yesterday, at the grocery store, I ran into Pacey, and we talked things out in the middle of an aisle, literally," she continued. "And out of anger, we confessed that we still had feelings for each other. Pacey said that he loved me, and I- I think I love him too," she admitted. "But, Uncle Josh," she paused as tears began to prick in her eyes, "I'm scared. I don't want to lose, Haley, because of this. I mean, I almost cheated on her, and I can't keep being in a relationship with her, when I like Pacey still."

"I've been trying to be distant with Haley, but I know that's dumb, and she's going to get suspicious," Aurora stated. "But Haley has helped me through so much, and she brings me so much comfort. I just- I can't be in a relationship with her, when I love someone else. I don't know what to do. I'm such a shitty person."

"You are not a shitty person," Joshua stated.

"I am!" She exclaimed. "I love someone else, while I'm in a relationship."

"You can't control your feelings, Rora," Joshua informed. "You can't continue to lead Haley on in your relationship. Sure, you truly did have feelings for her before, but you have much stronger feelings for someone else. You need to explain that to Haley. I know it's going to be difficult, but she cares for you, and for your happiness, and she'd want you to go with the person who made you happiest."

"If she doesn't understand that, then clearly she wasn't the one for you," Joshua continued. "You two may need space after the break-up, and that's normal for people, but I promise you that you aren't going to lose her forever. You two care for each other too much to let each other go like that."

Aurora sniffled as she glanced down at her fiddling fingers. Joshua frowned before he wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a comforting manner. "You two need to talk soon, you can't keep putting it off," Joshua told her. "It's going to be okay, Rora. I know your scare, but you're going to be just fine. I'm proud of you for going to be with the person you love, rather than staying in a relationship, and keeping yourself away from who you truly belong with."