The Mysteries of Mackinac Island

Chapter 2

Aurora

Once five hits, I meet Jay Jay back in the living room and we both walk out the front door. We talk a bit about the island and what it's like growing up down south till we reach a place called Pink Pony Grill.
"What the heck is this place?" I ask looking through the glass to see the weirdest painting of dancing pink horses.
"Okay, so two things: one I thought it would be funny seeing you eat here, and two, we are meeting a few of my college buddies here. The thing about Mackinac Island is that you need a crew if you want to have fun around here," he confesses, heading towards the door and opening it to let me enter first.
"Wait we are meeting people here? Jay Jay, a heads-up would have been nice. I don't think I am mentally prepared for this."
"They will love you. We are a quirky bunch of friends. You will see." He looks around till he finds who he is looking for and pulls me along with him. "Hey besties! Long time no see!" At the table, there are two women, one with long dark brown hair and an olive complexion and the other blonde and pale. Both are shockingly beautiful. There is also a tall man and a bearish man with strawberry-blonde hair sitting next to the brunette.
"Jay Jay you asshole, where have you freakin been the past two months?" The blond snides at Jay Jay and pokes his side.
"And who is this lovely thing?" The brunette adds.
"I'll tell you about my trip later. To the other question... this is Aurora. Say hi Aurora." Jay Jay jokes
"Hi, Aurora." I deadpan then smile at the other. "Jay Jay stole me from the Bed and Breakfast. We met each other about 2 or so hours ago."
"That's our Jay for ya. I'm Lillian, this is Evangeline and the brute over there is Waylon, Eva's boy toy." the blonde exclaims as Evangeline elbows her.
"Boyfriend, L, not a boy toy. You should know this by now," she whispers to Lillian then looks towards me. "Nice to meet you sleeping beauty."
"Oh, my fricking fiddlesticks. I just realized you're named after a Disney princess." Jay Jay says hopping into the chair next to Waylon. "Maybe we can find Prince Phillip to save you from a sleeping curse."
"Yeah I deal with enough voodoo and superstition back home to want to bring that on vacation, thank you."
"Oh, what's the harm in finding a man who wants to save you?" Eva responds. "I mean either that or some good sex."
"What's this about voodoo?" Lillian asks.
"Aurora is from the Bayous in Louisiana." Jay Jay leans over to the table like he is telling a secret very badly.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I have some descendants down there. Do you believe in all the witchcraft and supernatural speculation?" Lillian adds on.
"I mean I've been raised by people who have to knock on wood for just about anything and learned to stay out of our witches' paths, but I really haven't cared too much about that life. I'm more in tune with all of our recipes and seasonings. I mean I don't really think the Rougarou is coming to get me anytime soon.'' I shrug.
"The Rougarou?" Waylon questions.
"It's the swamp werewolf that will come take kids when they are being bad," I answer.
"What a lovely story to tell your kids before bed," Eva says with an eye roll.
The night continues on with us all ordering a ton of food to share and many drinks around the table. We are
laughing and joking around till a chill goes up my spine like
I'm being watched. I turn around in my seat and all I see are people sitting in their chairs or standing around and drinking. Until my eyes meet the most beautiful pair of blue eyes. We hold contact for a few seconds before he turns around and waves to the bartender.
"Yo hoo, Auraaaa. Whatcha lookin' at." Lillian asks, waving her hand in front of my face. I'm pulled back to where I am and face her again.
"I'm sorry, I just felt eyes on the back of my head and he-" I turned around to look at the man I saw before and he wasn't there anymore. "Where did he go?"
"Did you find Prince Phillip?" Eva asks, taking a loud sip of her drink.
"I don't know. There was a beautiful man there and now he is gone." I sigh.
"Oh well. If it's fate, you will see him again." Lillian responds.
"Speaking of fate. Jay, are you coming to the family meeting next week?" Evangeline points toward Jay.
"If I had a choice, no, but that's why Mom called me here." Jay sighs leaning onto Waylon and putting a hand to his face. "You are lucky that you aren't part of the family."
"Get off him, Jay." "You can say that again." Evangeline and Waylon respond to each other.
"Well, I'm not going by myself so you now have to come Jay," Eva demands.
"Wait, are yall cousins?" I ask.
"Kinda. We are both part of the Anishinaabek tribe here. So we have a tribal family thing once every month." Jay says." but I haven't been to the last two cause I was out of town so I'm not looking forward to this one coming up."
"Why? You're allowed to leave the island right? It's not like y'all were gonna stay here forever." I indulge in curiosity.
"Ummmm the elders are a little traditional and already don't like me too much because I like men." Jay shrugs.
"Well, that's a load of crap," I responded.
"You heard that right. Their family is super strict. I mean they are grown adults." Lillian adds in.
"Says you Lilly." Eva grips.
"Okay, I think we better be going," Waylon says grabbing the check and Evangeline, then walking to the counter.
"Wait... are we just letting him pay?" I whisper to Lillian and Jay Jay.
"Yes," they say at the same time.
"We have already had this argument with him before. It's better to let him just do his thing." Lillian continues and gets up to her full height. She leans over to hug me and whispers see you soon into my ear and walks out behind Waylon and Evangeline. 
Jay Jay and I start to make our way back to Small Point. I turn to look back at the Pink Pony wishing I could have talked to the Blue-eyed man. Looking up, I see the moon shining brightly down and the flicker of many stars. A cool breeze brushes past Jay Jay and me, making me shiver in discomfort. The alcohol I downed makes my feet fall heavier with each step and my balance is slightly off, but I feel warm with the excitement of future friendships. I'm overjoyed by how friendly and accepting everyone has been to me so far. I mentally toss away the plans I made prior to coming to the island. Who needs a prescheduled vacation when being spontaneous feels much more freeing?