"No," Aurora's mom denied, "don't try to lie to me."
She let go of her granddaughter and sat down on the other couch her husband following closely.
"Oh, really?" Aurora growled, "Then please enlighten us with your 'more accurate' version of the story."
"Aurora, we are your parents." Her dad snapped "Treat us with respect."
"Ah, yes." She groaned, "'Respect', I feel like there's some sort of hypocrisy here, don't you think?"
Her dad got up and winded his hand to the side, his palm open. He swing his open palm towards Aurora.
Surprisingly she dodged her father's hand away and got up to kick him in the stomach.
"I trained in karate when I was in college." She let out a prideful chuckle, "Sounds ridiculous, but I assure you, it's not."
"Enough!" Elliot stood up, "No fighting, you need to get along!"
Aurora crossed her arms begrudgingly, while her father held his stomach and grumbled as he also sat down.
"Should I take Dawn for a walk?" Natalie suggested, "Things are getting… a bit too violent now."
"Yes, please…" Aurora agreed, "I don't think it's good that I'm fighting my parents infront of her."
Elliot did a quick nod, also agreeing to the idea. Just then, both of Aurora's parents shake their head. It's like whatever Aurora and Elliot's choices are, they will disagree.
"You don't need to worry," Aurora's mom tried to ameliorate the situation, "it won't affect them."
"Affects them or not, I don't care." Aurora argued, "She is going on a walk, this atmosphere is too heavy."
Natalie got up, taking Dawn's hand, and soon walking towards the front door.
A moment later, a door opening and closing breaks the silence. Aurora was fine with the silence, it was better than arguing.
"Remember that day, you graduated?"
And ofcourse… Her parents wanted conversations.
"The day you tried to lock me in but failed miserably?" Aurora asked coldly.
"It was because the world is harder than you think! People will take advantage of you!"
Her mother immediately became defensive and began yelling. Aurora looked at her parents with a raised eyebrow.
"Really…?" she sighed.
"Yeah! We were just trying to protect you!" Her mom exclaimed.
"You know what really happened? Let me tell you."
——————
It was Graduation day, the day that you're supposed to become a responsible adult and leave behind your worries about school and begin about your worries about college.
It was 2 hours until I go to the party, so It was plenty of time to relax, nap, or chill with friends.
But I decided to pack my bags and get ready to move out. I don't have enough money to move out, nor do I have the job to get any.
Only option is Elliot's or Natalie's. Natalie's parents don't know me, so I can't just introduce myself and ask to stay there immediately.
I'll just ask Elliot's parents, pretty sure they'll adopt me instead letting me just stay.
I put my clothes in a big red travel bag—I don't really have alot of clothes to begin with, not the fashion kind—and I closed it, barely able to fit in everything.
Then I look at the small red travel bag that is twice as small as the big bag. So I open that bag and lay it on the bed.
Grabbing my books and other stuff I have, I order them in a way that makes everything fit perfectly without breaking.
I then closed that bag too. I grabbed my phone checking the time. I close the phone then reopen it because I didn't really focus on what the time actually is.
1.5 hours left…
I go out of my room and go to the kitchen, I then opened the tall, grey, humming machine and opened it. It was filled to the brim with foods like sushi and cake and other things.
"The hell is happening?"
I closed the fridge and looked towards the living room and see my dad working on his laptop, my mom scrolling on her phone.
I look back at the fridge and see a note.
"You can eat these before the celebration, eat as much as you want. -your mom"
Oh well, I take out my phone and set an alarm that'll go off after half an hour so I don't get late.
I then reopen the fridge and eat the sushi since I didn't eat lunch.
I took out the sushi and placed it on the counter as I take out chopsticks and grab the soy sauce and pour it into a small bowl.
I ate approximately half the sushi before the alarm rang, and as soon as it did, I got up and cleaned up.
I then went into my room where I wore my robe and hat, then I headed towards the front door.
I hoped they would atleast greet me or say bye, but they didn't…
Yeah, something's fishy. I tried to open the door but when I pulled it resisted.
I kept trying but it wouldn't budge. They locked me in. Damn you!
I then walked back to my room and opened the window, it's the second floor but I don't care, my legs can catch me.
I take my pillows and gather them, then I drop them one by one, and when I dropped the last one, I took the big red travel bag and drop it down to the ground below.
I heard a loud thud as it hit the floor, though the landing was probably softened by the pillows.
I then open my closet and take out a rope. thank God, I bought this for when stuff like this happen.
I tied one end to the small bag and slowly lowered it to the ground so that the things in it don't break.
Then I tied the other end to one of my bed's legs and climbed down, it hurt my hand and my hat almost blew off but I'm good.
As I put my leg on the ground, I rubbed my hands so that the itching disappears and the blood distributes around my palm.
I look into the window infront of me, both my parents distracting, probably counting on the fact that the door is locked.
Good thing the glass is closed, or I would've been caught from the thud of the big bag.
I should head to Elliot's first and ask for permission to stay at their house so I can drop off my stuff there.
I took out my phone and checked the time again.
45 minutes left…
I made the big bag stand and I dragged it with my left hand, while also draging the small bag in my right hand.
After a long walk, I finally arrived, it took me 15 minutes to arrive here, I gotta be quick.
I dragged the bags to their front porch and rang the bell, then I stood there, waiting for them to open.
The door opens and it's Elliot's father. He stared at me for a few seconds before finally recalling my name.
"Aurora, am I right?"
I just simply nod.
"Hello Mr Reid, I was wondering if I can stay with you guys until I can find myself a job and a home."
He stared at me for another couple few seconds before Elliot came to the door and saw me.
"Aurora! Why are you here?"
I started explaining to him why I'm here and not at the party and how my parents seemed to have locked me in.
"Oh, well… come in!"
I hesitantly walked in, dragging my bags inside but keeping them near the door. I noticed he isn't wearing the gown, but normal casual clothes instead.
His mom walked down the stairs and looked at me, she then grinned from ear to ear as she walked towards me and opened her arms wide for a hug.
I accepted it, but it felt awkward, So after that I explain what happened to Elliot's mom in a more concise way to limit the time that's lost until the party.
"Wanna come with us to the party?" she offered.
I nodded frantically, wanting to be there as soon as possible. Elliot's dad seemed accepting of the sudden request of taking me to the graduation party and later taking me in.
I'm surprised he's even remotely fine with it. But I guess since I'm the only girl he has ever been close to—other than Natalie, his parents are less wary of me.
I left the house waiting on the front porch as the family follows me, Elliot's mom locking the door behind them as Elliot heads towards the car on the driveway.
I also walk to the car, and wait as Elliot's dad walks around the car, and towards the driver's seat, and his mom soon caught up with us and got into the passenger seat.
"You guys ready?"
Elliot's dad smirked as his wife connected her phone and played songs, while he backed out of the driveway and began driving.
The songs were catchy pop songs that you'd expect. Despite all that excitement and smarts, they really are just normal parents.
I shifted closer towards Elliot, moving hand onto his, and entangling our fingers together.
"This is the day…" I sigh
"Yeah, but not for me." Elliot shrugged.
"Because 6 months of hospitalization?"
"You know it."
"So, you'll need to redo a year?"
He nodded, explains why he isn't in his gown. He's there probably to celebrate my graduation.
"Thank you." I said, letting my face blush and smile.
"Your welcome." he responded with a calm tone.
We arrive at the school after 5 minutes, It was crowded, a lot of people from our class are graduating, which makes sense.
Thing is, I can't seem to find Bryan, seems like that proved to be a major F student. The car drove towards the closest parking spot and parked, and it's there where I got out of the car.
Elliot walked with me into the school, I'm not sure where the celebration was going to be but I heard it's going to be in the gym.
So I rushed there and it turned out I'm 15 minutes early, they are still setting up the chairs. Most of the chairs are done though.
"So, seeing how you'll repeat a year, it seems like I'm the one whose going to give the speech." I said as I turned to Elliot.
"Seems so." He laughed, "But hey, at least you'll be known as the valedictorian of the year, and next year I'll be the valedictorian of that year!"
I nod. I hug Elliot, embracing him. This is it, the last year I'll ever see my parents—that is until they decide they want me back.
The students begin to fill the gym and they sit at the chairs, there is a carpet between each row of 4 and there are 8 rows and 5 columns.
I kiss Elliot in the cheek as I push myself off of him and saunter towards the chairs. I sit at the left-most chair and wait until they begin the ceremony.
To be honest, I just zoned out for the entirety of the speech from the principal—that is until he called out my name and heard everyone clapping.
I got up and walked onto the stage, I felt my heart almost drop, my knees getting weaker, but instead of giving in, I just zoned out the crowd and focus on one specific person inside of the crowd in front of me.
Someone on the back benches alongside everyone's families and friends who are yet to graduate or already have graduated.
That person was… Elliot!
If you didn't expect that then blame your stupidity.
As I zoned out the crowd, the feelings that stirred within me disappeared. I was able to stand with confidence.
"This year is out last year, it's obvious I know. But to be honest? I never really liked any of you—except a certain someone and Natalie."
I kept my focus on Elliot, his gaze netting mine, almost making me drift off and forget what was on my mind.
"But even then, I still enjoyed my years within this school; from the trip that hospitalized me to plain simple moments when I'm in class."
A memories floods my mind, when I first met Elliot, then when I first met Natalie. I recall more memories as I continue my speech.
"However, everyone in this school has at least two good traits, stuff like: integrity, determination, justice, bravery, patience, perseverance, and kindness."
I can't believe I just did mentioned something from a game! He really is affecting me, that sly idiot.
"That's what made each of us unique and different! What makes each of our experiences different!"
I sound cringe right now, do I? I'll just finish the speech so I don't sound even more cliche. I let my eye wander around the students, some are crying, others are smiling fully and… Bryan is winking at me.
"So, as the valedictorian, I just want to say… see you guys never! And one last thing… Bryan? Go to hell."
As soon as I finish my speech, everyone claps and the students throw their hats in the air as they celebrate.
Natalie is laughing with a bunch of other girls, while Bryan is standing and doing nothing, just staring at me with his eyebrows extremely furrowed.
I look away, taking my certificate and staring blankly at the camera as they take the picture. I walk down from the stage and towards Elliot.
While doing that, I take my hat and gently throw it at the chaotic crowd of celebrating students.
Elliot ran towards me and tackled me into a hug. I almost fell, but I caught myself just before I was about to fall.
"I feel so damn excited for you. Envious too" He said as he took a deep breath.
I wrap my arms around his upper body, squeezing it in an embrace. I then press my lip against his cheek and plant a small peck of a kiss.
"I'll be your moral support!" I jokingly whispered to his ear, "And probably more if you want to."
"I-Uh… Uhm…"
I heard him stammer as he slowly let go of the hug and pushed away. He took his hands and crossed them over his chest as an attempt to not lose composure which he is failing at.
"You forgot to hide your face, it's obvious you're blushing." I teased.
He then put his right hand on his mouth. Didn't really hide it much, but it's cute nonetheless. So I let a smirk appear on my face.
"Hey! Aurora! Elliot!" Natalie called as she ran towards us with a hint of bounciness in her step.
"Hey, Natalie." I greeted.
"…"
"Seems like someone is overwhelmed!" She said.
I nodded, putting my arm around his shoulder and pulling him close.
"Let's go back to your family, shall we?" I snickered.
The three of us walked towards Elliot's parents, weaving through the crowd of parents and their child.
"Aren't you sad that you aren't celebrating with your parents?" Natalie asked as she looked at me.
"Nope," I answered, "they already gave me cake and sushi—so technically, I did celebrate."
Natalie let out an acknowledging "Oh," while Elliot finally calmed down and relaxed, putting his hands down and joining in the conversation.
"Cake and sushi? Are you kidding? That's a weird combo, but also a very celebratory one indeed."
Smiled at his response, it amused a bit. I hope I spend the rest of my life with Elliot, maybe have some kids. Natalie's gonna be the "cool auntie" I think-
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Dad??
I turn quickly, with absolutely no time to spare. Nope, it's Bryan… Why'd he deepen his voice so much??
"None of your business." I scoffed.
I then turn back forward, and continue walking. I jumped as the principal suddenly decided to play songs.
Students immediately began dancing, I just lightly nodded my head, Elliot added more bounce to his steps to match the beat; meanwhile Natalie began singing the lyrics.
At least the principal has a good sense of music. Haha
Elliot fell forward as I saw a hand extended behind him. I turn and see it's Bryan. Oh this little…
I lift my leg then I aim it and extend it on Bryan's crotch, using my full force. Consequently, he dropped on his knees, so I took advantage of that and kicked him in the head.
He fell to the ground on his side and groaned in pain. I think, the song's too loud. It was difficult attacking in my robe.
I turned and left as both Elliot and Natalie followed me, Elliot was grimacing a little, and Natalie was laughing her head off, barely able to balance herself.
When we reached Elliot's parents, his mom hugged and took a lot of photos of me, even though I'm not her daughter. But I still like it.
After the celebration, I started living with Elliot and his parents, helping them clean and cook.
Soon after I moved out again because I went to a nearby university for a scholarship, so I began living in their dorms.
I majored in architecture because It seemed like the most fun. A year later, Elliot followed me into the same university for the same scholarship but in a different major: Computer science.
While Natalie got into college normally and majored in psychology because "it has no math." Oh darling, if only you knew.
——————
And that's the last of our story, for now at least. Hope you enjoyed it!