Aurora: The Great

Chapter 2: Pearlish Anderson

" You just want attention. You don't want my heart." Aurora picked up her phone, which was bursting her all-time favorite song, 'Attention' from Charlie Puth.

"Hello," Aurora answered, still feeling sleepy. "Hey, sleepyhead. Did you forget something?" Jake said from the other side of the phone. "What?" Aurora asked. " Today is our anniversary!!" Jake replied, chuckling. " What anniversary?" She asked. " Guess." Jake sang. "Oh!! Today is the day we met. We were five then. I can't believe time went by so fast. I remember. I was alone that day. Thank you for saving me from my depressed state." She replied. "Yeah. It's okay, you were blue. So, I thought why not cheer you up." He said. "Yeah, that day dad had to go away again! And that was the last time I saw him. It was really hard to say goodbye. And harder to see other's dad picking up their children from school. I've got my mom. But still, it aches to be so far away from Dad." " You don't have to explain anything, Ora. I understand. Leaving family to work far away is painful too, you know. He has to sacrifice things too." Jake said sympathetically. " Hmm. Well, Happy Anniversary, BFF." Aurora chimed happily." But I thought these things are remembered by kids only." Aurora joked. " Yeah Yeah, Laugh. I just don't want to forget the most precious day of my life. I had met someone, who is always there for me. I could never lose you,You are special to me. I could never find someone like you. I'm such a lucky friend. Moreover, nowadays it's really hard to find a friend as lovely as you. I'm happy that I met you. So, I will always remember this day and the moment I met you." "Aww, Thanks, Jakey cakey," Aurora replied, chuckling. " Yeah, whatever, enough of cheesy stuff, get up and get ready because we are going to watch movies today," Jake replied. " Yippee," Ora shouted and rolled over and fell from the bed. "Ouch!!" "What happened?" Jake asked worriedly. " I fell from the bed." Aurora laughed. And she heard laughing from the other side of the phone. "So, where are we going, and which movie are we watching?" She asked. "My theatre at home. We'll be watching 'Birds of prey.' Then, TVD marathon." Jake replied. Jake is rich, has his movie theatre, where He along with his friends, watches movies. All of us have movie nights. But as their group is a movieholic, they have a movie day whenever they want. " Woohhhooooo!!!" Aurora danced. "I love TVD. See you there, Cake. I'll get ready, don't wanna be late." " Yep, see you later, Pumpkin, "Jake said, chuckling. Let me tell you. Aurora calls Jake cake only because it rhymes, but He calls Her pumpkin because She was a chubby kid and it makes Ora angry.

"Hey yo!!" Jake hugged his buddies as they reached his doorstep. "Where are the girls?" Alex asked. " They'll be here any minute, no need to worry, friend, Bethadora is coming. We know you can't live without her." Jake and Henry laughed as Jake completed his sentence. Alex's eyes widened. "We know Alex. Everyone knows that you have a crush on Beth ever since you met her," Henry said. Alex growled. "Like everyone knows that Jake has a crush on our Aurora?" Alex teased and as expected, got a glare from Jake. And He shut his mouth. "Hey, guys!" Aurora and Beth shouted as they got inside. There was pin-drop silence, and Ora got curious. "What were you guys talking about?" Aurora asked, her one brow raised in question. "Nothing, Pumpkin, you want something to drink?" Jake asked and got a glare from Aurora. "Yeah, coke," Aurora replied, glaring at him. Jake smirked. He knew it would shut her up.

"I have something serious to tell you guys. "Aurora had her serious face on. "What?" They all asked together, excluding Beth. "Is everything okay?" Jake asked, being concerned. "Yeah, Everything's fine. But I saw Pete today. "She replied. "Yeah, So?" Henry asked. "Did He tell you something?" Alex asked. " No, Guys, listen to me. I saw him yesterday, outside my window. So, I went to him to confront him about something. "Aurora said. "Confront him about what?" Jake interrupted her. "He has been watching me, I mean, just staring at me for a couple of months now. So, I just wanted to ask him------."Aurora was interrupted by Jake. "What? Why didn't you say anything to us? You know He is dangerous. Why would he stare at you for nothing? And you shouldn't have gone outside Aurora. He could've done anything." Jake panicked. Aurora knew the moment Jake called her by her full name that He is mad, even furious. He could even KILL her, Just kidding. "See, this was why I was afraid to tell you. I knew you would panic. "Aurora said frustratingly. "Jake, calm down. Just listen to her for once. I know you are angry, and I understand because I was angry too. She just told me about this when we were coming here. And just because I pressurized her for telling me. Because she was shivering, Just listen to her full story. Then we can decide something. " Beth said calmly.' I don't know why they always panic when it comes to me. I mean, I get it, He's dangerous, but We have never witnessed him doing anything to anyone. Just because he is well built and silent all time doesn't mean He is a monster. They always panic when it comes to me, even if they see a cat around me. I'm grateful for having friends like them. But they act like I'm so fragile, maybe even a newborn. I'm not a baby.' Aurora thought, pouting.

"Ora, we'll listen. You can continue," Alex said. "So, I noticed him staring at me since July this year. But I never saw him following me or doing any strange stuff. So, I ignored his stare, but I always shiver when He is around. I don't know why. Yesterday, when I was practicing piano for the competition, I felt the same feeling. So, I went to drink water, and while I was looking outside, I saw Pete. I felt strange still I went to confront him, He was standing right there when I went to him and then He saw something or someone, so I looked behind me, and I saw nothing then I turned around and Pete was gone. Now, I'm curious about the fact that how he left within seconds? Is he a vampire, like Stefan? "Aurora said, chuckling. Everyone was staring at each other. " Okay, are you telling me he is a vampire? Why are you all looking at each other?" Aurora asked them."Don't be stupid, Ora. They are all in your imagination and in the shows that we all love to watch," Henry said while laughing. " So, what happened today when you two were coming here? "Jake asked. " I walked out of the door after Beth shouted at me to hurry. Then I saw Him. He was standing behind a tree. But it could have been someone else, but I was shivering, So I thought it was him. Then Beth came out of her car and asked me what happened, and I told her everything. God, I loved that forest. But now, it seems spooky to me. It could have been anyone hiding out there, you know." Aurora said. "Don't worry, Ora. we'll protect you," Beth said. "Yeah. You all were always there for me. "Aurora said, her eyes glittering with tears while remembering the incident in her dark past.

"Okay. So, from today onwards, someone will be with Aurora ALL THE TIME. You hear me, guys?" Jake announced. Everyone nodded their head. "Guys, it's not necessary. He won't do anything to me." Aurora said. "And how do you know that?" Jake asked angrily. "I just know. And because He hasn't done anything yet. So, I just think when He was looking at me, He was thinking about something."Aurora said rather stupidly or maybe she was trying to calm her friends down because she knows they are always worrying too much for her, and it is bad for their health. " Seriously, Ora?? Are we that stupid? Was He standing in front of your house just because he was thinking STUFFS? And He didn't do anything to you yet that doesn't mean He won't do anything to you afterward." Jake shouted. ' God, Jake is panicking again.' Aurora thought. "Jake, calm down. It's okay. Someone will always be there with me. I'll be fine. "She said while touching Jake's arms. And Jake calmed down instantly, taking a deep breath and smiled towards her.

"So, Enough of drama. Let the movie day begin." Henry announced. "Yeah," Alex shouted enthusiastically.

The next day was beautiful and wanted by all of us, Sunday. Ora woke up early. UNUSUAL. She thought she would go for a jog. So, she got out of bed and went outside. It's 5 A.M. It's slightly cold outside. She was jogging, and then She saw someone wearing a hoodie and a mask. He was running towards her. The guy looked familiar. Then he slowed down and was jogging beside Aurora. "Hi!". "Hi! Do I know you? I can't see your face. Why are you wearing a mask?" She was shivering again, So She guessed the guy was Pete. Then the guy pulled his mask down, and He was Pete. " Now, do you know me? "Pete asked. "Yeah, but what are you doing here?" Ora asked. "And You can talk. GREAT!!" Aurora said, surprised that Pete was talking to her. Pete laughed. "Yeah, I can talk, and I look at beautiful and unique people like you," Pete said. " HUH!! You can flirt too. Well, you do stare at me. But seriously, what are you doing here?". "Following My pearl," Pete said, smirking. " So, who is this pearl of yours, and why are you following this pearl?" She asked. "She was whining for days to come to the park, said she grew up here, and always used to come to the park when she was a kid. So, today I brought her." Pete said.' God, I thought He was flirting with me.' Aurora thought and laughed in her head. " So, what is Pearl's real name?". "Her name is Pearlish Anderson. My grams. I call her Pearl, My pearl," Pete said while chuckling. "Cute and unique name," Aurora said, smiling. "But at this hour?" Ora asked. "Yeah, we've been here for half an hour now. She said she couldn't sleep properly and want to feel the cold breeze. WEIRD I know. But She loves dawn. Don't know why," Pete said, chuckling. " YOU woke up this early just because your Grams wanted you to? Wow, Nice. I didn't know you were the kind of person who cares for anyone.". "Ouch, that was harsh." "I'm sorry. It's just that there are rumors about you. So, it just slipped ". "Yeah, It doesn't matter. I know about the rumors. I love her. And you can do anything for the ones you love. Right?" Pete asked. " Yeah, of course," Ora said, smiling. "Want to meet her?" Pete asked. " Who? "Ora asked, confused. "My grams. She will love you"." Yeah, Why not?".

"Hey, Beautiful! I'm back." Pete said to his grandma. "You could have stayed away for one more hour, you know. It was peaceful here without you." Pearlish said, chuckling. "Yeah, but I missed you so much. You know I can't stay away from you for a second." Pete said, pouting. " Hey Pearl, meet my friend from school and college, Aurora Hedsword," Pete said. "Hi, Pearlish. Nice to meet you." Aurora greeted her with a warm smile. "Hello, sweetheart. Nice to meet you too. Come sit with me." Pearlish said. Once She was sitting, Pearlish asked her, "Where do you live?". "I live here. My house is near this park and forest. So, Enjoying the scenery? "."Oh, I am, I am. It's so beautiful out here. I always used to come here to play when I was a child. My momma used to bring me here. I didn't have any friends because I was shy and different. So, my momma used to play with me. It's not that far from the city. So, children always used to come here to play. It hasn't changed yet." Pearlish said. "Yeah, I used to play here too with my friends. "Aurora said. "What are your friend's names?" Pearlish asked. "Jake, Alex, Henry, and Beth. "Ora replied."Oh!!, They are nice. Huh?" Pearlish asked. "Yeah, they are always with me. They've always got my back." Aurora said. "Hmm, it's really hard to get true friends these days. So, you should always keep them close." Pearlish said with a sun brightening smile. "Yes, Pearlish. Always." Aurora said with a grin. "Call me Pearl, sweety. I'm like your grams too. And now, we are friends. Right?" Pearlish asked with a heartwarming smile. "Yes, Pearlish. BFF even." Aurora replied.

'She seemed so pure, so beautiful. She has beautiful grey hair that was tied up in a cute bun. She wore Pearls on her neck and ears. She had pearls in her dress too. Maybe that's why her name is Pearlish because she loves pearls.' Aurora thought. "What are you thinking, Aurora?" Pete asked. " Is your grandma's name Pearlish because she loves pearls?". "Well, Sort of.Our house is near the ocean. And Pearl's father used to dive in the water, and He used to bring pearls and shells from the water. They realized that Pearl loves pearls, shells, and everything that comes from the ocean. And one day she was lost and then she came to the house and said that the ocean guided her to the house. Funny, HUH??" Pete said. " Like Moana??" Ora said with sparkling eyes. " Yeah, like Moana. So, you are a Disney fan?" Pete asked. " Yeah, and water fan. I love shells too." Aurora replied. "Wow, great, then you and Pearl are soulmates." Pete said while chuckling. " Yeah, I think so too. And she has a great sense of humor." Aurora replied, smiling. "Yes. So, Friends?" Pete asked as they reached her house. They were walking together as Pete didn't want this pretty lady to go back home alone, as Pete said. A pretty good guy undercover. Huh?? " Yes, Why not? I counted you as a friend as soon as I met your grams." Aurora replied. "Oh, So, you agreed to be friends with me because of my grams?" Pete asked, chuckling. "Yeah, I did you a favor because Pearl is my BFF. And You are her grandson," Aurora replied, chuckling. "Okay, thank you, Kind Lady," Pete replied, chuckling and bowed.