A Lost Object [h.s]

Chapter 18

Aurora

I haven't seen or spoken to Harry in almost three weeks. Until today that is. We had to pick up Odyssey from the airport. Him being the driver and all. It was a Saturday today. I had no classes. I did have midterms to study for though. I'll have to worry about that later. I looked at my reflection in the mirror once more. I looked decent I suppose. I wore a black pullover hoodie, with jeans. My mother would never approve of this look if she were to see it. I quickly applied gloss to my lips before leaving the room.

Harry's car was already parked in the driveway. He stood leaning against the white car, his eyes fixated on the phone in his hand. He seemed to be talking with someone on the phone. I couldn't necessarily hear or see who it was. He was too far away. I turned away from him to allow him to finish his conversation. I unlocked the garage door with the keys I had in my hand. Harry was standing behind me once I had the door open. I turned to look at him. He didn't say anything, which I was very thankful for. I handed him the keys to Odyssey's car before going in the passenger's seat.

The drive to the airport was quiet. Not uncomfortable quiet though as it usually was. The radio was playing lowly in the background, bringing up the mood a bit. I gazed out the window for half the time, watching the many odd things we passed by on our way to the airport. Three hours later we were at the airport. This had to be some kind of record, I have never gone three hours without talking before.

Harry parked the car in front of the terminal before retrieving his phone from the pockets of his coat.

"So, what's going on with that girl?" He speaks. I had a feeling he was talking about Odyssey.

"What girl?" I questioned him as I looked out the window.

"That girl. Your best friend or whatever. The one with the name of a book. The Odyssey was it?" I was surprised to hear him mention the book The Odyssey. It was refreshing to know he reads literature. The Great Gatsby was one of my favorites. Followed by How To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee.

"Odyssey is her name. She's going through a rough time at the moment."

"Like what? If you don't mind me asking"

"Her dad was really sick, he passed away recently."

"That sucks" He hummed.

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It does." The short conversation ended there. I looked out the window once again, searching the place with my eyes for Odyssey. From a distance, I could see her struggling to drag her bags. Suddenly she harshly threw the bags on the floor before dropping to the floor on her kness, breaking down. I got out the car, ushering my way over to her. I kneeled down in front of her, pulling her into an embrace.

"I'm so sorry honey." I cried with her. Harry grabbed the bags from the floor, taking them to the car. I helped Odyssey up off the floor, leading her to the car. I got in the backseat with her, still holding her tightly in my arms.

Odyssey sobbed loudly. She buried her head on the side of my shoulder. "How can he just be gone Aurora. It's so unfair."

"It is unfair, but it'll get better Odyssey. It won't always be this painful. I promise." I reassured her. She shook her head, still continuing to cry. Harry pulled out of the parking, driving out of the terminal, onto the freeway.

•

Odyssey had calmed down by the time we got back home. She was sleeping peacefully. Harry parked the car in front of my house before getting out. He got in his car and drove off without saying a word. I ignored his rudeness, focusing on Odyssey instead. I shook her to wake her. She stirred in her sleep, rubbing her eyes with her fisted hands before fully waking up. She looked outside the window, looking around.

"Thanks" She sighed. Odyssey got out of the car, getting inside the driver's seat. I still sat sitting in the back.  I didn't want to leave her alone. It's not what was best for her.

"You can go home Aurora. I'll be fine. I'm going to my dorm room to unpack then rest."

"I'll help you unpack."

She shook her head. "There's no need. Just go please" Her voice going low at the end of her sentence. Tears filled her eyes once again. I got out of the car and closed the door before opening the door to the passenger's seat, getting inside.

"Let's go," I told her. She stared out the windshield for some time before starting up the car.

We immediately started to unpack when we got back to Odyssey's dorm room. She didn't speak the whole time. I was fine with that. She needed some time to grieve. I can tell she wanted me to go away, but grieving alone was never the best idea. I needed to be here with her and for her. I wasn't going to leave her alone. The same way she never left me alone when I was going through a similar time. Odyssey was there for me every step of the way until I was no longer in the grieving stage. I plan to do the same for her, no matter how many times she tells me to leave. No matter how upset she gets. I didn't have any plans to leave her just yet.

"Odysseus says to call him" She speaks suddenly.

I nodded "I'll do that then," I say

She gave me a weary look, "No funny business" I laughed unenthusiastically.

"I promise."

"Good. I don't think his girlfriend would like that either way" She says. Odyssey sits crossed legged on her bed after having completed unpacking. I sit down next to her in the same position.

"He has a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, supposedly they've been together for two years now. I've never heard of her. Odysseus brought her home to meet the family. He's an idiot, bringing her home when dad was dying. Either way, no one likes her. Especially mom. I've never seen her hate someone so much. I mean the girl was pretty hateable if I'm being honest. The triplets absolutely despised her."

"And what about you? Did you hate her?" I asked.

Odyssey shrugged. "I don't hate anyone. I strongly dislike her. She's no good for my brother."

"No one is ever good for your brother" I laughed thinking back to the many times Odysseus broke up with his girlfriends because Odyssey disapproved.

She laughed half-heartedly. "That's not true. You two would've made quite the couple"