||YA ROMANCE Book of the Month August 2023||
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE!
Aurora "Rori" Callaway is starting her senior year in a new town, at a new high school. After all, after what happened at the beginning of her summer, a fresh start was the only way f...
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I smoothed out my grey sweater and then pulled at the hem of my blue striped skirt. I wondered if it was too short as I turned in my full-length mirror. White socks peeked over the top of my combat style boots completing the look. I was trying to go for a look that was stylish but would allow me to blend into the crowd.
Good luck as the new girl, I thought to myself.
A light knock on the door startled me. "Come in!" I called over my shoulder.
The door opened and I saw the greying feathered hair of my father. He smiled in the mirror and I returned it.
He put his hands on my shoulders, "You look great Rori." His light southern accent was always soothing.
"Thanks," I responded.
"I can't believe this is your last first day of high school." Dad sat down on the edge of my small iron frame bed.
"Me either," I admitted. "It's pretty crazy to think that this time next year I'll be getting ready to go to college." My eyes dropped to the floor.
A wave of guilt washed over me and I could feel my heartbeat quickening.
"Rori?" My dad's voice sounded garbled in my ears.
Breathe. I thought to myself as I tried to steady my emotions.
"Rori." Dad was now standing and had forcibly turned me to face him.
Tears began to flood my eyes and I fell into his chest. I began to sob. He soothingly shushed me while he rubbed between my shoulders.
"I- I- I- I'm sorry." I stuttered through my mess of emotions.
"It's okay darlin'," he reassured me. "Let it out."
My body shuddered as the last of the tears left my eyes. I composed myself, wiping the wetness off my cheeks.
"What a waste of makeup," I joked as I rubbed away some of the black my tears had deposited under my eyes from my mascara.
"You still look beautiful," Dad told me.
I sighed. "I guess I better reapply this and come downstairs."
He nodded, "Your mom is jus' finishin' up breakfast."
"Okay. I'll be down shortly."
Dad gave my shoulder a quick squeeze before he disappeared out into the hallway. I took a deep breath as I reached for my makeup basket and began to fix what my grief had just broken.
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