𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤// 𝐇.𝐒

Rules Should Be Broken

Aurora

After leaving the Professor's apartment Leo made sure to drop me off at the hotel. We said our goodbyes and he drove off as soon as I went inside.

The car ride back wasn't as awkward as it was going. We had a nice talk about the possibilities of what happens next and he even asked about how I got myself into all of this chaos. I explained to him about getting the opportunity to come here with Zach and help with the case and everything and was even taken aback once he told me how he met Harry and started working with him.

He told me that the girl I met at the Connivence store was actually his sister and that they both had a rough time growing up. Their parents left them at a young age and that led them to be out in the streets a lot. He later said he fell into the wrong crowd and created his own crew that eventually led him to meet Harry. He said it wasn't easy but the two of them soon became close friends and run the East together.

As we talked I realized how easy he was to talk to, he was an open book to everything and anything. Especially when explaining the hard times he and his sister went through he never hesitated to speak on any detail and kept calm throughout the whole conversation. It made me feel at ease that there was someone else to talk to about all of this aside from the Detectives, and I look forward to getting to know more about him.

As of now, I quietly enter my key into the hotel room cautiously entering trying not to wake up Zach, although Leo made me feel better about the situation I still felt guilty about what happened and that Arthur followed me. I just wasn't cut out for this and it made me feel helpless.

Walking into the room, I slowly close the door latching it with the silver lock, and turn on the main light, and met with Zach sitting on the couch with a frustrated look on his face as he looked like he didn't get an ounce of sleep.

"Where were you all night Aurora? It's nearly 3 in the morning?" He shouts out as I face him looking defeated. It's like I can't do anything right. I had never seen him this upset before and didn't know what I was going to do. I walk further into the living room area sitting next to me. As much as I didn't want to tell him anything that happened tonight I knew I would've had to.

"Look, Zach, I'm sorry I lied to you. You have every right to be upset with me but, please just hear me out." I admit as I made eye contact with him. His face softened as he heard the sincerity in my tone. He then exhaled a large breath and quietly shakes his head agreeing to listen to me.

I told him everything, from when Harry gave me the letter, to meeting Leo, and seeing what Watermelon Sugar actually is. Though he was upset I didn't tell him about all of this, his anger subsided as he listened until he spoke again.

"I understand you felt obligated to help Harry Aurora but what if something happened to you? Arthur at any point tonight could've taken you and killed you, or even worse. What would I tell your parents? You know, I- I think it's time we leave. I overestimated this whole thing and it has gone too far. I can't risk you getting hurt." Hearing the words come out of his mouth I watch him in disbelief not knowing what to say. Or if there was there anything I could say to make him change his mind.

"I can't- We can't just walk away from this Zach. Leaving now won't do anything, It won't fix anything with people's lives at risk. What about Charli, Marvin, and Harry? How will they continue with us gone." He abruptly gets up going towards his room and I follow him as I watch him swiftly grab his suitcase and clothes that were packed neatly in his drawers get tossed into the suitcase. He was serious about this.

"That doesn't matter now Aurora, I didn't bring you here for you to risk your life over this case. They will have to decide for themselves if they want to continue without us, they are professionals and I hope they figure everything out. After we pick up H with Marvin tomorrow, we're getting on the first flight back to Los Angeles. That's the end of this.