Aurora (#1)

n i n e

The rest of the week dragged on as I avoided Christian at all costs. I would see him walking towards me and I would scurry off to the library. In the two lessons I had with him I kept conversation to a minimum, usually ending with me getting frustrated and cursing him. Our project had progressed no further than a title we had decided on, this was partly due to my reluctance to go home with him only because he continued to insult me and my 'slutty' ways.

It was definitely not the first week I had imagined and I was glad when Friday finally arrived and I was making my way to Rosa's for my longer shift. She added the few extra hours I would miss when I went out over the weekend. Rosa herself was insistent I go out and have a good time instead of adding extra hours to my shift, but she relented when her night waitress bailed because of family issues.

Nine o'clock came and Rosa had already hung up her apron, ready to leave. "You sure you'll be okay to lock up?" Rosa asked.

"Yeah I'm sure. Don't worry I'll keep the key safe." I said.

"It's not the key I'm worried about chica." Rosa told me. "I have my set."

"I'll be fine. Really." I insisted. It took me ten minutes to finally convince her to let Enrique take her home. Him being the gentleman that he was decided to come back to accompany me for my first long shift.

"Don't miss me too much Rori." He winked.

"That's going to be hard." I teased as he threw me a mock scowl before closing the door. I sighed as I glanced up at the clock. Five hours to go. I passed my time working on the dreaded chemistry assignment and biology sheet. Don't get me wrong, I liked to work because it took my mind off the important things, but I wasn't a science nerd. In fact I hated the subjects, but to keep up my 4.0 GPA I had to make sure I was doing well.

I think Enrique must have forgotten to come back because it was already 11 and there was no sign of him. I sighed deeply as I finished another assignment. A gust of wind blew in as the door opened. I placed my sheets on the shelf beneath the counter and looked up serve the customer. I looked up to see the one person I had been avoiding all week.

"Nerd?" Christian asked.

"How may I help you?" I asked. I knew my voice was overly cheerful and my grin was fake but that just reinforced my distaste in seeing him here.

"Uh... yeah. A mint latte and a double chocolate chip muffin." He replied. I nodded as punched his order into the cashier. "You work here now?"

I ignored his question and instead, "That'll be $6.23 please." I said. He handed me a crumpled ten dollar note. I counted out the change before he stopped me.

"Keep the change." He muttered. I simply turned around to make his coffee. While his coffee was being prepared I placed the muffin in a brown paper bag and then poured the coffee into a cup along with the lid.

"Thanks." He muttered before turning away. Instead of leaving, like I thought he would, he sat at the table and pulled his muffin out the bag. I tried to ignore him by pulling out my unfinished homework.

"Rori?" he asked looking straight at me. I sighed. "Sit with me?" Although it was a question I knew no wasn't as answer. I walked round the counter and took a seat opposite him.

"Before you call me a slut or other variations of that word I want to say that..."

"I get it Rori. Ben explained everything to me. I shouldn't have jumped down your throat like that. It was rude and uncalled for. Felicity had a few words with me too." He chuckled nervously. He still hadn't said sorry yet but I was starting to forgive him. "I shouldn't have given you a hard time especially since you're new and all but in my defense I thought you were going to be like all the other girls who date us. Because you look like the way you do I thought you just wanted to date us for our money."