Aurora (#1)

t w e n t y - o n e

"Thanks Fred," I smiled at the man behind the counter, as he handed me the usual black, two sugars.

"So you're bailing on me then?" Donny questioned.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to but..."

"I get it Rori. You deserve to go. It'll be good for you." He smiled kindly.

"I feel bad though." I murmured.

"Don't. You should be hanging out with kids your age not old men like me."

"So you admit you're an old man." I giggled.

"A ruggedly handsome old man who hasn't lost his charm after all these years." He winked.

"I'm sure you were quite the panty dropper," I chuckled along with my friend.

"What you wearing then?" He asked.

"I couldn't find a dress today so I'm borrowing one from Felicity." I told him. "But I found a beautiful dress in one of the shops, but of course I couldn't afford it. I don't know why I went because all of the dresses were outside my budget of twenty dollars." I laughed. "Do you have your phone on you, maybe I can show it to you on the internet." He nodded and gave his iPhone to me. I vaguely remembered the shop name and typed it into Google. A few minutes later I had pulled up the picture of the dress and turned the phone so he could see.

"You'd look so beautiful in that dress." He smiled kindly. 

"It's a shame that I can't afford it. It doesn't matter, Felicity must have loads of dresses that are just as beautiful." I said positively. 

"I'm happy that you're moving forward kid. You deserve all the happiness in the world." His warm chocolate brown eyes twinkled at me.

"Thanks Don. I don't know what I’d be doing without you." I smiled gratefully at the older man. He looked at the clock and finished the last of his coffee.

"Anyways I gotta go make my rounds. I'll be back before you leave for their house. I tried to swap my shift so I could be the cop on duty at the ball but they couldn't do it."

"I'll be fine Donny. You can't look out for me everywhere I go." I smiled.

"You take care squirt." He ruffled my hair before leaving me still seated in the booth. I threw away my empty cup before making my way up to my apartment. I decided I would attempt to sleep if I wanted to try and look good for the ball the next day.

That night I was lucky to have a small dream so I slept a little longer than five hours. I awoke at six and had a lukewarm shower before throwing on a pair of jeans and a simple top. I tied my wet hair in to a bun before making breakfast.

Donny arrived exactly at eight and by then I had prepared eggs, beans and toast. It wasn't much but the ingredients were cheap and it was fairly easy to pull together.

I made a cup of coffee for Donny and a cup of English tea for me. "Morning squirt!" Donny exclaimed as he strode into my apartment. I had a spare key cut for him so he could come when he wanted.

"Morning Don," I smiled at him as I set the cutlery on the table.

"You made a lovely breakfast." He commented. not looking at me.

"Thanks. What do you want?" I looked at him pointedly.

"Nothing?" he cried.

"You're such a bad liar. Out with it." I demanded.

"Okay I'll tell you after breakfast." He resolved.

"Fine. How was your round?" I asked.

"It was dull, couldn't catch any bad guys because the ones that were loitering around scampered off before I could charge them." He recounted.