The Aesthetic Question

Picnicking

[Blue Skies - Lenka]

The weather is painfully nice this time of the year. Aurora was perched by the windowsill, elbows supporting the massive weight of her head. The sun dusted her pale face lightly, while the autumn breeze lifted strands of her flaming red hair. With her big yellow coat, she looked like a tree nymph.

She glanced at the corner of her room where shoes were piled on top of each other. She was content with having a messy room. She could always find her order in chaos, hence she preferred unorganized areas. At least it was cozy.

Feeling fancy today, she put on a pair of black heels. It turned out to be a bad choice when she flew down the stairs in the rush to spread a sudden idea.

Maple was startled by the loud, hurried knocks on the door. She stood up from her laptop and was even more startled to see Aurora standing at her door, all dressed up and ready to talk. 'I have an idea!'

'And what would that idea be?'

'Picnic!'

'Picnic.'

'Why not? The sun's out. It's a beautiful day.'

Maple watched Aurora's lively face and considered the proposition carefully. 'Vitamin D might do us some good.' She finally concluded.

'Should we invite the others?'

'Hm...I think Berkley's not awake yet. I'll ask Grace and you can probably not invite Alex.'

'You know, I actually do want to be a decent human being and invite him, but I'm afraid he might bite my head off.'

'The chances of you getting your head bitten was lower than you getting rejected.'

Aurora walked upstairs regardless and knocked three times against the dark wood door. Silence stretched on uncomfortably. Aurora was about to turn back around when the door cracked open.

'What---' Alex cleared his throat. 'What do you want?'

Aurora took in his straight hair sticking out in all angles and the purple circles around his muddy green eyes. His T-shirt was crumpled, so were his shorts. She had never seen him dress this casually so her first thought was that there must be a girl in the room. But that was dismissed quickly enough since his windows were always open and no one could be that quiet.

'We're having a picnic. Wanna join?'

'Picnic? Like...blankets and baskets and shit?'

'Yeah.'

'Then no thanks.' He slammed the door shut. Aurora hated how she flinched as the door banged closed. It was just the loud sound, she told herself.

Somehow she found her composure during the time it took to walk downstairs. 'Head's still intact.' She joked, trying to lighten the mood.

'I called it.' Maple replied indifferently, rummaging for food in the fridge. Grace was there as well, making herself useful by swinging her legs off the kitchen counter and snacking on chocolate digestives.

'What're we making?' Aurora asked as Maple laid out cucumbers and lettuce.

'Salad, for starters.'

'Alright, I'll make egg rolls then.

Grace stared blankly at the joint stares directed at her. 'Stop staring at me! I know I'm attractive, but you guys are making me blush!'

'Oh shut your trap.' A new voice emerged. 'It's too early for this shit.'

Berkley was wearing a beige sweater with bell sleeves and a pair of faded black jeans. But just like with Alex, Aurora had no difficulty spotting that she just woke up.