[18 Months Earlier]
"I'M AURORA. And I'm an addict."
"Hi, Aurora." The circle of people around her greeted in unison.
It had been a long 90 days in rehab; most days were spent crying and begging to leave, though some days were good. After her 90 days of rehab, Aurora decided it was best if she attended a Halfway House for a few months; the facility helped keep her clean, though it also had a lot more freedom, too.
"When I was at rehab, someone asked me, what's your problem? I told them I'm a drug addict. He said no, that's how you've been treating your problem..."
Rory's mind flashed a memory of a middle aged man and dark skin, his beard fading into shades of grey as age caught up to him. His name was Spencer and he was her sponsor; the man had witnessed Aurora during in her highs and lows so she was surprised that he stayed, though Rory was also learning that people were suppose to stay.
Aurora was used to the fact that she was always abandoned. It shocked her when the people she loved actually loved her back. It was meant to be normal for people to stay— family weren't suppose to leave.
"... So, now I know that I've got to fill this... void. In me. I have to solve the problem. This Halfway House has really helped with that, I think." Rory continued, "Anyway, I've been clean for 10 months."
"Whoo! Yes!" A few cheers came from the audience around her, as Rory glanced at Sarah and JJ. Her girlfriend was clapping, a warm smile beaming on her face; her brother was nodding in pride, before winking reassuringly at Rory as if he was saying 'that's my sister!'.
Rory continued listing, "I have a sponsor, Spencer, who shows me how good my life can be." She pointed to the man in the audience, who smiled gently, "I'm gonna get a job at my friends' shop. I have a girl friend, Sarah, who I love. My brother, JJ, who's always been amazing." She smirked at the boy, who was sarcastically waving to the people who looked at him as if to say 'it's no big deal, just doing my brotherly duties', though Sarah nudged him to stop.
Rory smiled, before taking a breath; she paused for a moment, "I want them to be proud of me." She hesitated, looking down at her bitten fingernails, "Because I'm proud of myself." She looked up at the audience, "I didn't think I would be able to live my life without getting high. At one point, I didn't think I would make it at all." She paused, "But, I did. And I'm happy that I did make it."
The meeting ended and Aurora felt proud that she had completed her 90 days in rehab plus three months in a Halfway House. She was free, which scared her more than anything, though she believed she was ready for it.
"Here she comes!" John B leant his arm out of the Twinkie window from the driver's seat; clapping loudly so everyone exiting the meeting could hear, "I know her!"
Pope leant over to beep the horn on the wheel a few times, adding cheers to the eruption of claps. Kiara slid open the back seats, revealing Cleo next to her as they all cheered extra loudly. Kiara cheered, "Whoo! You did it, Rory!"
Cleo smiled, "That's our girl."
Sarah and JJ escorted her dramatically towards the Twinkie, offering their hands out for Rory to hold to step up into the back seats. Rory shook her head, refusing to hold her brother and girlfriend's hand; chuckling as the gathering of people around her stared at her.
"I will kill you all." Rory warned, though couldn't help but smile; she missed her friends, although she saw them sometimes on visiting days, but life wasn't the same without them.
Sarah cooed, moving her face closer to Rory's, "You know you love us."
"Do I?" Rory pondered sarcastically, before kissing Sarah, though the kiss was cut short when her friends started complaining and insisting they should get a room.
Whilst being in rehab, the Pogues had brought back the Maybank house, which definitely wouldn't be Aurora's first choice in accommodation. Rory didn't want to live at the house where her addiction started; she was scared that the memories would trigger her and the 10 months of sobriety would be for nothing.
The Maybank house was much more daunting in real life than in her head. Aurora slid open the Twinkie door, meeting with the renovated building; no amount of freshly coated paints and decorations could hide the trauma that haunted it. Rory could practically see the horror that roamed inside, reminding her of her childhood.
JJ asked curiously, "You good?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded, ignoring the pit of anxiety in her stomach, "I like what you've done with the place. How much was it?"
The group went silent, all staring at JJ; Pope scoffed, "Ask your brother."
"Pope," JJ sighed, "Man, come on—"
"$775,010." Cleo interrupted.
"Hold on, what?" Rory stopped walking, as she turned to her brother with an expression of shock and confusion; almost as if she was scolding a child, "JJ. This piece of shit isn't worth that much."
"I'm an all or nothing type of person, Rory." JJ reasoned, "I get shit done."
"Rory, you have to close your eyes for this part." Kiara exclaimed, watched as Sarah placed her hands over Rory's eyes from behind her.
Rory's vision was covered by Sarah's warm hands, "Why?"
"It's a surprise," Sarah said in her ear, causing butterflies to swarm in her stomach. Aurora waited, listening to the chattering from her friends as they went to grab her present; Aurora had never gotten a present that sounded important before. She was used to presents like sandals, a magazine that she had found in a Kook's trash can, or a nice meal with her friends.
"Surprise!"
Sarah removed her hands from Rory's eyes so the girl could see her present opposite her on the grass. A pink and black dirt bike was stood in front of her, almost dazzling in the sunlight; Rory's eyes could only widen in shock.
Kiara smiled, "It's a welcome home present."
"A dirt bike?" Rory exclaimed, almost confirming that this was real. She looked at her friends, who were all smiling at her reaction.
"A 450cc pit bike." Pope informed, "She goes 80-120mph. To be exact."
Sarah asked curiously, watching Rory as she stepped closer to the bike, "Do you like it?"
"I love it," The girl beamed a smile, before turning to Sarah and hugging her tightly. She hugged all of her friends tightly, before rushing over to the bike in front of her; her eyes reflecting the sparkle of the treasure. Rory added, "Thank you."
"Wanna take it for a spin?" JJ asked, almost jumping in excitement.
"Now?" Rory looked at him, almost amazed, "Yeah, definitely."
"Good," JJ nodded, "I need someone to race with me for this year's Kildare Enduro."
a/n:
THEY'RE SO BACK.
im so excited for this season so i really hope you enjoy it<33
