Fallen

Chapter 22

Aurora's POV:
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Here comes another day knocking on my door, I saw sunlight trying to infiltrate my room through the curtains, I flipped over the bed, then I removed my phone from charging and opened it.

No new messages, no missed calls, nothing. Who am I even fooling? Of course he won't call after what i said.

Well, I don't want to do anything today so I called Thomas to get me out, and he did. He told me he would pick me up in a few minutes.

I got prepared and surprisingly, i was home alone. isn't it weird? it's still 10 am. Where's everyone?

i got a text from Thom saying he's waiting in front of the house so I quickly grabbed my purse and left.

"Morning." i smiled.

"Good morning, love."

"I'm surprised you're awake this early."

"I thought it was an emergency when you called, but then, you said you wanted to skip school and I was already awake. so.." he sighed.

"My bad." I rubbed my eyes sleepily.

"Don't worry about it." Thomas smiled.

"So where are we going?"

"Today's all about you, love."

"The beach."

"Hmm?" He looked at me out of the corner of his eye as he drove.

"I want to spend the day at the beach."

"How romantic, love." his grin went big.

"Don't get your hopes too high." i laughed.

He kept quiet yet he was smiling, knowing exactly what i was thinking.

we arrived and soon we found a perfect place to settle down.

The place was quiet and only the sound of light waves could be heard. The sun was caressing the golden sand, and there was a light breeze caressing my loose hair. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and smiled. This is exactly what I needed, some peace of mind, to rearrange my thoughts and distract myself from my phone.

I took out a big blanket and laid it on the sand after we had chosen a perfect shaded spot close to the sea. The blanket was big enough for us both to sit on, but small enough to keep us close. I placed some tasty snacks and drinks that we bought on our way next to us.

"A perfect date. isn't it?" Thomas spoke sitting next to me.

"hmm, yes." i smiled.

he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"You can lie on my lap, you seem tired."

Without answering, he rested his head on my lap and slowly closed his eyes while I took out my phone.

"No phones today, love." Thomas took it from my hands and turned it off.

he opened his eyes then glanced at me. "What are you thinking about?"

"Things.." i played with my fingers.

"Tell me, I'll listen."

i was quite but then spoke calmly. "What is love for you, Thomas?"

"Love... it's a word with a simple meaning."

"What?"

"Trust. Love is supposed to be based on trust, and trust on love, “I trust you” is  bette than “I love you” because when you love, you trust each other but when you love you may don't trust them. it's something rare and beautiful when people can confide in each other without fearing what the other person will think. Love needs trust the way flowers need sunshine."

"Yes, you're right. but i think it's more complicated than that."

"hmm?" He snarled, closing his eyes again.

for seconds, Ezra came to my mind. i don't know why. i thought of when we watch episodes of "Friends" every day, or when i argue with my mother and he comforts me, or when he tries to cook something and end up burning it.

many memories came to my mind.,

i closed my eyes and smiled a bit.

"Love is Vulnerability. Because love is scary, it’s basically giving someone a map of all your flaws and imperfections and putting faith in them to not abuse that power. And that can be so beautiful, it makes you do the hardest thing a human could ever do. Love is caring, compassion, patience, not being jealous, not having expectations, giving yourself and other people a chance, and not rushing. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love is mysterious, you can't tell if the other person truly cares for you, yet you love them with all your heart. Love is knowing that no matter how much hurt it'll cause you but you still give them a chance."

"Yes.., true. When you pur it like that, i think love has many different meanings for each one."

"Yeah."

I had never seen this side of Thomas before, the rational and sensible side. I like it, and I like the idea of him being himself with me.

I guess, it's different with him than what's with Ezra... I'm different.

How pathetic.

I can't get him out of my mind even when it comes to love.

We kept talking all day about different topics,
explored the beach under the moon's light and starry sky, listened to the waves crash into the shore and even got your feet wet.

it was lovely,

a part of me wished that Ezra would be here with me.

but the other part, thought of Thomas.

what is wrong with me? i can't like them both. I don't want to.

or do I?

We decided to leave but for some reason, the urge not to go home kept haunting me.

Thomas drove all the way with a smile, I didn't know why. We arrived in front of my house and I was about to get out of the car when I felt Thomas's hand holding my hand.

I turned my head to him and he was looking at me eagerly then pulled me into a kiss. He grabbed his hands behind my head and slowly pulled me towards him, then took me in a tender kiss, our lips slowly mingled, then he slowly moved away from me, his face only a few inches away. "Don't you see that your influence on me is increasing, love? Hmm?" a deep whisper came out.

"What?"

"I know you said we should stop playing the fake boyfriend, but I don't want to be like that anymore. I want to be your real boyfriend, Aurora."

"Thomas..."

"Shhh, just think about it and tell me later, love."

"Okay. Good night then."

"Good night, love."

I carried myself and opened the door of the house, I entered without raising my eyes, and the first thing that met me was the sound of loud laughter. I went inside the hall and found my sister, talking and smiling...with Ezra?

My sister turned towards me once she saw me and hugged me strongly indicating the intensity of her longing. “I missed you, brat.” I returned a hug with a smile, but my eyes did not leave Ezra.