broken strings. ➳ payne. [slow updates]

Chapter Four. - Run Ins and New Beginnings

Third Person’s POV

Those past two days had been tough on both Liam and Aurora. They both longed for each other, but they both believed the other wanted nothing to do with them. Liam was obviously more determined to find Aurora than she was of him. Though he would never admit it himself, Liam often felt like an unfinished puzzle, just one piece missing for him to feel accomplished with the picture before him. And even though the picture would show how it came to be beautiful, showing all the cracks that became connected, Liam would accept just as much as if his puzzle was a picture painted by an artist.

Liam had a game plan, pin pointing where he would visit and whom he would ask in order to find the girl he so desperately needed. He promised himself he would not leave his hometown until he found her and explained everything. He hoped that once it was done, he would be leaving his hometown with her by his side, but he knew how stupid that sounded. Liam had hoped that she would accept his apology and they could pick up where they left off, but he knew that would not happen. It would take a lot of work to get her back, and he was prepared for that.

He was ready for whatever Aurora had for him, but he was overestimating her. For Aurora had lost everything a person could ever lose; her family, her only friend, her dignity, her reputation, her life. And with everything gone, she had nothing left to fight for, and she just gave up. She only kept going because of Austin and even though their life was far from what she hoped, she just stayed. She thought it was better than dying but those thoughts had a way of drifting back into her mind. They always had a tendency to when she thought about Liam or her mother or how she ended up with Austin.  And for a while, she had shut out those thoughts, pretending life was perfect for her. But she could no longer keep that fantasy going.

She would just aimlessly walk through her days, not really understanding the full concept of what she was going through. Anyone watching from the outside would never know what she was actually thinking, even if she were to open up to them. So she just decided to keep everything to herself, knowing no one would care for the demons she was fighting. To everyone, she was just a college dropout slut and what was left of a sweet girl. No one understood what really happened that night, but they blamed what happened to her mother.

Aurora’s mother was a sweet woman, making time for everyone in any way she could, while still trying to make sure the two had a roof over their head. It was difficult for both of them to adjust to the single parent life, especially in an unfamiliar country. But they made do with what they had; the Payne’s helping both of the confused females through whatever new obstacle came their way. Aurora’s mother was forever grateful for the help the Payne’s gave her and Aurora. She never would have made it through this time without them.

Aurora’s mother never told Aurora, but she had kept in touch with the Payne’s, even after Liam left. It was not frequent, but Liam’s parents and Aurora’s mother could not give each other up completely. Aurora’s mother knew what had happened to Liam and why he left. She was desperate to tell Aurora, but she could never bring herself too. She wanted Liam to come and make everything right.

Aurora’s mother was concerned for Aurora, especially when she became withdrawn from the world and everyone in it. Aurora’s mother was proud still when Aurora graduated and decided to head to university. Unfortunately, that one morning would be the last time Aurora’s mother would feel proud of Aurora.

But that was the bed that Liam had made for both him and Aurora, but he refused to be stuck with it. He was determined to bring their friendship back together and he was determined to make things right, no matter what the cost. He just didn’t know what he would be getting into when he stumbled back into Aurora’s life.