Midnight Muse

6 | AA

AURELIA

Two years later...

"Cheese puff... what did I say about biting my toes? That's not nice, you're a gentleman. You need manners, mister," I scold the creature as he shamefully lowers his ears.

Cheese puff replies with a few meows, either telling me off or apologising. I'll never know.

"Lia?" I hear my roommate call out, her cheerful voice making me forget about the scratches all over my foot from Cheese puffs attack.

"Maya!" I embrace my friend in a hug as she scratches my back when I slump in my position.

"I brought us flowers from the farmers market, so many beautiful tulips they had."

Maya has been my roommate for the last year and a half. After papas death, I fled our house without a second thought. I had been shocked after seeing him fall death before my eyes, hence why I packed up my painting supplies and items I was sentimental over, fleeing the state to New York.

I'm in a big city now and I work as a research assistant in a lab... and a bakery. Both jobs give me a steady income as I put myself through school at Columbia.

I'm beyond grateful that I was able to get accepted in one of the most prestigious universities. The coursework is difficult and I've struggled making friends due to my reserved nature, however, I was lucky to meet Maya— my current best friend and roommate.

I only told her about my life a few months ago, having taken over a year to trust her.

She now guards me with her life and I do the same for her.

I'm so lucky to be surrounded with so much love, purity, sincerity, and kindness. It surrounds my existence everywhere I look.

"These flowers are pretty, Maya... but nowhere near as gorgeous as you." I take a deep breath,
Softly appreciating the pop of colour around me. My world is so vibrant and pretty, I love it.

☁️

Maya was hesitant about letting me wander around the city for raw honey while it was raining so heavy, her protective instincts making her appear as though she was my mother.

My heart awed at her care, appreciating the solace I've found in my best friend.

I had a white lace umbrella shielding me from the heavy rain. My mind was distant— wandering somewhere far and lost.

It wasn't until I collided into a solid wall that a loud oomph came out of me and halted my action.

As I was about to fall backwards, I felt a pair of warm hands clutch my waist to keep me steady.

"Aurelia?"

My heart begins to race at the familiar voice, the unique deep tone accompanied with a smoothness that I never heard in another persons voice.

I look at the man in front of me wide eyed, much like a deer caught in head lights.

I felt unable to move and stuck in my position.

"Atticus," I quietly whispered, ignoring the shake in my voice.

"What are you doing out in the cold? You'll get sick," his voice is hard and stern, making my stomach dance with elephants and butterflies.

I could feel the urge to throw up growing by the second.

His shoes are too pretty to throw up on, I'd have to sacrifice my own.

Or not throw up on any shoes... that could be an option. I'm not sure.

"I'm going to the farmers market, I need raw honey."