We Heal Each Other

9

When we got to Atlanta we took two taxis to take us to our hotel. Mick and I would be sharing a hotel room. This means eating burgers, watching reality shows, and talking until 2 am. Maybe going down to the hot tub. That's the dream.

When we checked into the hotel Mick and I put our suitcases away into the closet and we jumped onto our beds and sighed loudly. I put my backpack in a chair. 'Finally in Atlanta.' I took off my leather combat boots and looked at my phone.

"Finally in Atlanta. Now we can relax." Mick said, walking around the room.

I looked up at her slowly. "Uh, yeah. I'm thinking about going down to the hot tub. My back is achy from the plane." I said.

"Oh ok."

I grabbed my pink lacey swimming suit and changed. I put my hair in a messy bun. I grabbed a fluffy white towel and I put on my white flip flops. I went down to the pool room. Two people were getting it on in the hot tub. I looked closer and it was my parents. I dropped my towel.

"OH, My God! I'm forever scarred now." I exclaimed.

My dad looks at me. "Aurora Illine!"

"Father, I wanted to take a dip because my back is achy but I come to my parents making out in the hotel's hot tub." I cringe. "Gross, you guys."

My mom and dad laughed. "Aurora, how about you have your dad give you a massage? He's got that touch." My mom said getting out.

I wrap my arms around myself. "Do I dare?"

They started laughing. "Camoran, I'm going to bed. I'm tired." My mom said.

"Okay, babe."

My mom leaves and My dad looks at me curiously. "Come in baby girl." He said.

"Um...is it safe?" I asked, sarcastically.

My dad laughs. "Yes, it is."

I throw my towel on a lounge chair like a football. And get into the hot tub slowly. I moaned. I move to one of the jets. I leaned back and closed my eyes while I heard my dad say, "Aurora Illine Johnson, when did you grow up?" I shrugged my shoulders. I feel tension in my shoulders. I grab onto

my shoulders and wince. My dad looks at me with soft eyes more like emotional.

"Come here, baby girl. I'll massage your shoulders for you. I hate seeing you in pain." My dad said.

I slid next to my dad and he started to massage my shoulders. I close my eyes.

"Thanks, Daddy," I say, putting my hand on his.

"Anything, Baby girl." He smiles softly.

I leaned into my dad's chest and my dad kissed my head. I opened my eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be resting, Daddy?" I ask looking at him.

"Yeah, well I also need to take care of my body." He said. "So, Rory, what's been going on between you and Rayven?"

"Uh—um. Nothing Daddy." I stuttered.

"Aurora Illine. You can't get past me. You know that."

I groaned. "Okay Okay. Um...promise you won't get mad okay?"

My dad raised an eyebrow. "Aurora?"

"So, um—he kind of asked me out. I told him I couldn't. He made a bet with me. If you won tomorrow...he could take me out. If you didn't I would never see him again." I said nervously biting my lower lip.

"And you agreed?" My dad asked setting me up.

"Um, yes. So do me a favor. Please win tomorrow. Daddy, I really like him."

My dad sighs in defeat. "For you baby. I'll do it for you baby. But you tell him that he and I have to talk before he takes you out." My dad smiles.

"Okay, Daddy." I said. "I'll go get him. you can talk to him now."

My dad nods in agreement. I get out and get my towel. I wrap it around myself. I put my flip-flops on and go searching for Rayven's room. Rayven comes out of his room and looks at me. He has a towel over his neck in his navy blue swimming trunks. He has thick black flip-flops.

"Aurora?" He said smiling at me.

I walked up to Rayven and he is looking at me intrigued. "Um, my dad wants to talk to you. He's in the pool room. Rayven...he knows about our deal."

Rayven looks at the pool room's door and then at me. "Uh—um okay."

I smiled. I fixed Rayven's messed-up curl. "It's okay. Don't worry."

Rayven goes into the pool room and I can hear some of the conversation:

"Mr. Hart. Nice to see you." My dad says.

"Uh, sir?" Rayven says, nervously.

"Mr. Hart, come into the Hot Tub, and let's talk about my daughter."

I hear splashing.

I leave. I don't want to hear any of this. When I got back in the room Mick was watching reality shows and she ordered room service. "I ordered sodas and pizza," Mick said with her mouth full. I laughed. I rolled my eyes playfully. I grabbed my Rams sweatpants and white lacey tank top. I went into the bathroom to change. I heard knocking.

"Ror, door," Mick exclaimed.

I finished getting ready and went to the door. I saw Rayven who has his towel around his waist. He looked at me head to toe. He looks anxious. "Can we talk?" He asked fidgety.

I nodded. "Come with me." I lead him to the bathroom and I shut the door. I looked at him waiting for him to speak.

"Uh, your dad gave me his blessing to take you out if he wins." He says, smiling.

"Oh?" I leaned against the counter.

"If your dad wins tomorrow, I'd like to take you somewhere here tomorrow." He says confidently.

"Hmm. Okay. I'll think about it." I said, seriously.

"Okay, goodnight Aurora. See you tomorrow for the big day." He smirks.

I blush. "Good night Rayven."

The evening consisted of me and Mick watching trashy TV and talking until midnight. These are the days I'm going to remember. I can't wait until tomorrow.