Her life was far from perfect.
With an absent father, an alcoholic mother, and two younger siblings to take care of, Aurora never believed in an exemplary life for herself and therefore for others.
Everyone looked at her from their rose-colored gl...
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We were well into the movie when Oliver tapped my shoulder from beside me, his finger pointing toward the other half of our inner circle. It was hard to make anything out in the dark, but when a bright scene played on the screen, light burst through the theatre, illuminating the scene beside me. Faith's hand rested on the armrest between Liam and her as he mindlessly drew shapes with his thumb, holding her hand, something that was so small but so significant that you felt the air shift at it happening.
I turn to look at a proud Oliver, his eyes glistening with joy and awe. Seeing him watch them with adoration was probably the most down-to-heart thing I'd ever seen. He was so happy to see it happening. To see them happening. He was so glad he had to make me look and share what he was so proud of.
Oliver slumps back into his recliner and smiles at me before his attention fixes back on the movie. I look back at the budding romance on my opposite side and realize how pure the world can still be. That in all the bad there was a small glimmer of good. Even if it was as small as holding the hand of someone you trust and care for so deeply.
Faith looks up at me, feeling me staring, and when she catches my gaze she just smiles, not caring that we'd clearly seen the interaction. Not caring that she was bending the rules on her friendship with the boys to risk letting the boy who'd followed her for all their lives have a shot at winning over her heart.
I smile back at her and then go back to watching the movie. None of us break contact with the movie for the rest of its duration, all of us are either lost in the movie or at the accomplishments made tonight.
I was lost in a bit of both.
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How we'd gone from a smiling Faith to dragging a crying Faith out of the theatre was mind-boggling. She was fine up until the last few minutes of the movie when the main guy's dog died and there was a long— most likely to make Faith suffer like she'd fussed— montage of their time together. She was a mess of tears as we all held back laughter at the sight.
"It isn't real, Faith," Oliver whined once he'd had enough of her hysterical sobs that lasted until we'd reached Liam's car. Faith twists In a smiling Liam's embrace and points at Oliver. "You are cold-hearted! That poor dog deserved better." Her sobs grow stronger. Oliver rolls his eyes with humor.
"Look at it this way: the dog isn't in any pain anymore. It's disease was hurting it." I wanted to laugh but helping my friend stop her sobbing was the better alternative If I planned on getting home in one piece.
Faith looks at me and nods, tucking her head further into Liam's chest. That reveals the second reason behind her sobbing. She wanted more from Liam. Wanted to be held because once that rush of euphoria rushed through her at them holding hands, she couldn't get enough. Couldn't go back to the way things were before.
