LABYRINTH, christopher sturniolo

006

after the long, fourteen hour flight, aurora was shook awake by one of the triplets.

"aurora, we're here, get up." chris ordered as he harshly pulled her up by the arm. she stumbled a little due to being asleep for so long. this resulted in chris placing a softer hand on her waist and guiding her out of the plane, making sure she didn't fall over.

he hated himself for wanting to help her. but he knew that her iron was always low when she woke up.

chris kept his eyes on rory's feet the entire time as he carefully helped her off of the plane. the girl, on the other hand, was staring at her surroundings with wonder and glee. it was beautiful, unlike anything she had ever seen before. "wow." she sighed.

"what?" chris questioned, shivering due to the freezing cold air. "look around stupid. it's beautiful." she replied.

he didn't look. he didn't look because he couldn't stop himself from looking at her.

he couldn't quite figure out what it was, but something inside him had changed. because for some strange reason, he now found it difficult to think of something bad to say about aurora labella and genuinely mean it.

<>

the log cabin was warm and cozy. it was pre decorated by the owners especially for the families. the christmas tree was filled with vibrant, crimson and ivory bobbles, with creamy, white lights to match.

rory couldn't help but grin as she looked around. it was better than she had imagined it to be. a gush of wind rushed pushed pass her, she turned to see nick running up the stairs. "i get first dibs on the best room!" he cheered as he practically fell up the stairs, rory, matt and chris swiftly ran after him in attempt to overtake the boy.

the rooms smelt of fresh snow along with comfort and musk. rory's room had cream painted walls with a double bed covered in patterned blankets to go with it.

she didn't bother to close the door as she paved her way across the room and over to the window. she watched the snowfall as it slowly fluttered onto the ground. it was so peaceful. the icicles were clear from above the glass.

"why is it that whenever i see you alone, you're staring outside a window?" chris asks with a slight sneer in his voice, standing at the doorway yet again. "i find it strange that you noticed that." the girl replies blankly. "so do i." he admits, now walking towards her.

he stood beside the shorter girl, now looking outside the window himself. "i think we're going ice skating tomorrow." chris informed, slightly glancing at her.

"that sounds fun. although i've never been good at ice skating." rory replied.

"i know."

rory turned around as she heard footsteps approaching her room. "we're playing board games, let's go." matt stated by the doorway.

<>

everyone was laughing and joking all night long. rory couldn't contain her smile. she never realized how nice it felt to be included. she felt like she belonged, that these were her people. the people she wanted to be surrounded by for as long as she lived.

and just like that, all of a sudden, things were actually going on inside her head. feelings, emotions, thoughts. but none were bad. all was well. there was no other place she'd rather be than in a room soaring in contentment along with her favourite people filling it.