Halo | 18+

chapter sixty five

- AURELIA JONES -

We stood a distance away from the garden we had spent hours building.

It's been four days since we planted the wildflowers, and all that bloomed was what we already had.

I sat defeatedly against Shoju's chest, disappointment swirling through me.

"It's only been a couple days. I'm sure it will work." He said comfortingly, rubbing my arms up and down.

I sighed, "Maybe. I was just really sure it would work."

Winter was fast approaching. In less than 24 hours we'd gone from a scorching summer to a deadly winter.

I'm just grateful we've got a roof over our heads!

Gwynn has been a little less annoying. But seeing her face everywhere I turned was still pissing me off.

I wrapped my arms around myself to keep in the heat, looking up at the grey sky.

"Let's give the rain a chance. You never know, it could be the key ingredient to making the flowers bloom."

I didn't want to give up hope, so I agreed. "Now let's go inside. It's cold out here." He smiled.

I took his outstretched hand and we walked back inside, double locking the doors behind us until we were safely inside.
+ + +

The rain pelted down as we all tucked comfortably in the living room.

I refused to eat whatever it was Gwynn was cooking as I was afraid she would poison me, so Shoju was surprising me with something.

I stared at a baby picture if Lyza on the wall and felt like crying. Instead I swallowed the ball of anxiety building in my throat and looked away.

"You okay chicky?" Angel smiled, folding her book in half. I nodded, "I'm good."

The fire was crackling and it was a perfect rainy night. I wish we had actual electrify and a good water pressure system, but it's not too shabby.

"I'm gonna go see what's taking so long." I excused myself from the room and headed down the hallway.

There was a faint light coming from the kitchen as I approached, hearing a giggle come from Gwynn.

"-No you're a really good cook." She purred, "You'll have to teach me sometime."

I slowed my step and listened further, pressing my head to the side of the wall.

"Uh- I'm not a cook. I'm just making food for my girlfriend." Shoju said.

I smiled at the word girlfriend.

"She doesn't deserve that. I've never seen her do anything for you."

Rolling my eyes, I bit my lips nervously.

"She does lots of things for me. You're just to self involved to notice."

Gwynn scoffed, removing her arm off his, "She'll leave you know." Gwynn started, "It's what she does. When she gets comfortable and decides she's had enough, she'll leave you high and dry."

Shoju shrugged, "Then I'll go with her."

Gwynn growled, "She's not worth it, why do you think Jace picked me over her."

Shoju's smirk turned into a snarl, "Jace picked you because you're a conniving, heartless bitch with no regard for anybody but herself. He's a coward, you both are. You're just lucky Aurelia hasn't kicked your ass yet, because you'd lose and that would just be embarrassing."

At that moment I'd made myself known, leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen.

"You have five seconds to get away from my boyfriend before you spend the rest of your days in a grave next to Jace."

Both of their heads snapped to me. I folded my arms and glared at her. She stomped her foot and stormed off, leaving whatever she was cooking to burn.

Shoju put the plate he was holding down and walked to me, pulling me into a comforting, reassuring hug.

"How much of that did you hear?" He asked, brushing my hair with his hand.

"Basically everything." I sighed.

He kissed my forehead and then my lips, enveloping me. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry." I shook my head, "Thank you for saying what you said. And putting her in her place."

He shrugged, "She deserves it."

I nodded, "I hate her."

He chuckled, "I'm beginning too."

Letting go of me, he turned around to grab the plate, "Here. Dinner." He smiled.

I looked down at the small pile of roasted green beans, mashed potato and sausage from a can.

"Care to share?" I smiled. He grimaced, "Not a fan of beans."

+ + +

Hello!

I'm sorry for the (very) late and short update!! I was away on a much needed mental health trip to visit my best friend and it was also my 20th birthday, so I decided to take a break from social media and writing.

But now I'm back! Hope you missed me ;)

Happy thanksgiving to those who celebrated! Are we all ready for Christmas?? I know I am!

Thanks for 900 reads!!! That is insane to come back too! Much love! Xx

WC: 810