The Hidden Bodies of Sun Valley

Chapter Four

The New Haven carnival had started only a few days ago. I guess it was a big event for the locals in Connecticut. We planned to arrive as early as possible before all the good stuff sold out.

Today, I was wearing a yellow flowy skirt with a white crew neck shirt.

When I glanced at the mirror in the apartment, my mind immediately picked up all my flaws. I've avoided wearing the skirt so it wouldn't show how wide my thighs are.

However, this time, I swallowed all my insecurities and left my apartment with them. The girls and boys complimenting my outfit also helped.

Giovanna wore a midi dress with cute sneakers. Ophelia was in jeans with a black oversized jacket. Iris was in a monochromatic blue outfit. Quincey wore black cargo pants with a graphic t-shirt. While Bo wore a white v-neck shirt, khaki pants, and a brown cardigan.

They all looked beautiful and prepped.

"Cell phone coverage is not good in the area, so try not to wander too far from the group." Giovanna said.

"Yeah, last time we were here with the squad," Bo said, "Iris and Ophelia got separated from us. It took us hours to find them. We got back so late and my job was pissed that I was late in the morning."

"How about this time we hold hands like good girls?" Iris looked up from her phone, smiling teasley. "I'm sure you guys won't mind."

"Oh there will be hand-holding, but too bad we won't be a part of it, Iris." I added, grinning at the bashful face she made at my suggestive remark.

Quincey rolled his eyes from the back seat. "No wonder gays are afraid to come out."

"Every couple has to deal with their friends' obnoxious jokes," Iris muttered, her eyes fixed on her phone, fingers typing away.

"I remember when each and every one of you poked fun at Anthony and me junior year," uttered Giovanna next to me in the passenger seat. "So don't pin this on gay oppression."

"I'll pin this on whatever I want. You nagged on and on about Anthony that year." I saw Quincey stick his tongue out from the rearview mirror and I chuckled.

Iris didn't even glance up, too busy glaring at the screen.

"Now that we're on the topic of love..." Ophelia drawed out, asking from the back row. "Aurora, when will you start looking for love again?"

My cheeks tinted lightly when I felt the attention shift to me.

Iris's fingers stopped typing, Giovanna turned to me, Bo and Quincey were staring at me curiously, while Ophelia was gripping the headrest in front of her.

I haven't opened up a lot about my first love, Grant. Towards the end of college, I just stopped mentioning him completely. It wasn't like I didn't want to open up to them, but I was kind of scared to. I was afraid of their judgements.

Grant truly made me feel what it felt to be loved. But when he went ghost before game day my freshman year, I couldn't not expect my friends to criticize whatever was blooming between us.

I'd already gotten a preview of it when the interrogation began that year — when Bo went off on me.

Granted, Bo was just looking out for me. That's what friends are for.

Anytime Grant and I were in proximity to each other, I couldn't deny our sizzling connection. It was just that. He was my definition of what love was.

"Honestly..." Aurora began. "It's been almost four years since Grant disappeared after the murders," she gripped the wheel tightly, turning her hands white. "I think I'm just more afraid to love again. Not that I wouldn't be open to it..." she trailed on.