𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐔𝐁𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐌━𝐏. 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋

[Tw: Underage drinking and mention of suicide in a jokey manner]

"...Ten points for creativity, I guess..."

___

   ━━AURORA STACY unequivocally loved driving. She didn't do it much, considering she was still too young to even try for her learners yet, ━she could get them next year, okay!━ and she was only allowed to if one of her parents were present. 

   But considering that both her parents weren't in her vicinity, Aurora was sure she could get away with driving alone just this once. After all, Happy was way too busy with the moving of the tower ━which was starting to inconvenience her as all her things needed to be packed into suitcases soon━ and he wouldn't have the time to drive her to Liz's party. So who was left to drive but her?

   It only took a few minutes for her to find the one car that hadn't been shipped off yet, along with its keys, grab her overnight bags, and drive off. All done without alerting Happy or her dad, who was still in India.

   The ride over wasn't long, Liz lived quite near Grace, whose house was only a ten-minute drive from the tower, which Aurora was thankful for as she pulled onto the sidewalk of Liz's place. It was only half an hour ago that they'd gotten out of school, and Rory was supposed to help out with setting up for the party. 

   After that Liz, Betty and Rory would be getting ready together. Grace was supposed to join them but she still wasn't feeling well enough, though if she felt up to it later, the girls were supposed to have a sleepover and she promised to pop in.

   The blonde grabbed her bags from the back seat and got out, she headed towards the front door and up the pathway she was already so familiar with until she could ring the bell and wait.

   "Coming!" Liz's mother, Doris Toomes, called from inside. The door swung open a few moments later and a familiar smile greeted Aurora. "Rory, hi, honey. Liz told me you were coming to help set up." 

   "Hi, Mrs. Toomes! Yeah, I was supposed to bring Gracie with me but she's still feeling a tad under the weather." Rory greeted with a beam, she'd always been good with parents; they seemed to naturally love her as their children's friend.

   "Oh, I hope she gets better soon. Is she still coming for the sleepover?" Mrs. Toomes waited for Aurora to come in before she closed the door and led her to the kitchen. "Oh, uh, she said she might come around if she feels better." 

   The older woman nodded her head. "Would you like water or Coke?" She offered, holding out a bottle of each in her hands. "We've got so many for tonight; I'm sure Liz won't miss any." 

   "Thank you." Aurora took the fizzy drink. "Is Betty here yet, Mrs. Toomes?" Her only answer was a shake of her head and a hum, before Liz's voice echoed down the stairs. "Mom, was that Rory and Grace or Betty?!"