An Unkindness of Ravens || LUCAS SCOTT [2]

Two ― Deep Green Sea

2004 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

Brooke Davis was throwing an 'end of the summer' party tonight on the beach. Aurora wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to go, but she knew she would probably go. She was on her way to the Scott House to see Nathan. He called her when he got home from High Flyers. Aurora rang the doorbell and leaned against the threshold as she waited.

When the door opened, a shirtless Nathan was standing on the other side and he rubbed his eyes. When he saw it was Aurora, he smiled. "I'm sorry Sleeping Beauty, did I wake you up?" She asked. Nathan laughed as he shook his head.

"No, come on in," He said as he stepped aside. Aurora first wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Nathan smiled as he hugged her back. The best friends had been apart with minimal communication for three months, which was unusual for them. "I missed you too. How was your summer?" Nathan asked as they pulled away and made their way into the living room.

"It was great! I took some college classes for psychology, took some dance classes, all of which I told you on our limited phone calls," She said and Nathan laughed.

"Yeah, I know. How's Blake?" Nathan asked. Aurora rolled her eyes but she was smiling. Of course, she told Nathan about Blake.

"He's good. He got home last night, we talked for a little bit," Aurora said.

"How do you feel?" Nathan asked.

"He was a good romantic distraction for the summer, but he ended up becoming a good friend as well. He might come here for Christmas break so then you guys can meet because, of course, I told him all about you," She said and Nathan laughed.

"I'll make sure to tell him that whatever you said was probably all lies," Nathan said and they laughed.

"Did you tell Hales that you're back?" Aurora asked. His silence was all the answer she needed. "Nathan," She said.

"Don't give me that," Nathan said.

"Nate, she's technically still your wife, you need to tell her that you're back," Aurora said.

"Ari," He said.

"Nate," She responded.

"Just... please don't tell her, okay?" He said and Aurora sighed as she ran her fingers back through her hair. She knows that Nathan is angry with her sister, and she understands completely because she's still slightly angry with her too. Aurora also knows that Haley will want to know that Nathan is home, and if Nathan won't let her say anything, then he needs to.

"Nathan... she lives with me and Alex," Aurora groaned.

"I know and I'm sorry. I will tell her, but I just got back, and I'm not ready for her to know yet because I know she'll be over all the time and I'm just not ready for it yet... Please, Ari, just for the day," Nathan said. Aurora looked at her best friend and saw in his eyes he was practically begging her. He just wanted one day to himself.

"Fine, Nate. One day. If you don't tell her you're back by tomorrow, then I will," Aurora said. Nathan smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. She laughed as she hugged him back.

"This is why I love you the best," He said and Aurora rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I love you too. Are you going to Brooke's party?" She asked.

"Brooke's party?" He asked.

"Yeah. I guess she's throwing some end-of-the-summer party down at the beach. I haven't fully decided if I'm going or not... but I probably will end up stopping by," Aurora said.