❝There are moments, when you're getting to know someone, when you realize something deep and buried in you is deep and buried in them, too.

It feels like meeting a stranger you've known your whole life.❞

~Aurora~

After my date disaster last week, there was hundreds of missed calls and messages send by Stephen, all ignored by me. I'm not sure, why was I so upset about it, when I was the one who made it very very clear for him that, we can't be anything more than friends. He was free to pursue anyone he wants. Why was I so bothered with the sight of him with another woman then? Was I jealous of her? No, I don't think so. Then what was it? Unless I figure it out for myself, I'll keep my distance from Stephen. Maybe with time, I'll forgive him or figure out my dilemma.

"Auro, sweety? Is everything alright?" my mom asked."Why aren't you eating? Are you feeling ok?" this got dad and Aaron's attention as well. "Umn..Yeah. Everything's fine..Great actually. I was just thinking to, maybe, volunteer for the campaign, Dr. Henderson asked me about. It's in some Botanical Gardens, 2 hours away from here. If I go there, I have to stay there for a week." before anyone of them could oppose me, I stood up. "Ok family, I better go and call him, so that they don't leave me out of it because it was a last minute decision." I said, walking away from the questioning.

I never told anyone how my "date" went with Stephen. That night when my family came back home from the dinner at the Osborne's, I pretended to be asleep and the next day and the following day and the next days, I tried to avoid the questions, which was a little hint for my family to let it go. So yeah, nobody knows what happened that night and I'm glad, I don't have to refresh my momory of that evening. Going to the camp for few days would definitely take my mind of the current problem.

After making a call to Dr. Henderson, I packed my things for the trip, so that I don't forget anything in the morning. After I was satisfied with my bag, I went straight to bed. Next day, dad insisted to drop me at the Uni, where we are all gathering to go on the campaign. "Princess? Did something happen between you and Stephen? Look, if you don't want to talk about it, I'll understand but, your mom is very worried...So am I. So, can you please fill us in." he asked.

I don't know, what to say. I really want to share that incident with someone and make it less traumatic for me but, how to tell your father about something so shameful. I'm still processing the images of Stefan with that girl. How is dad going to believe it. "Dad?... I'm not ready to talk about it yet." I mummered, which I hope he heared. "Alright then. I'll not pressure you about it anymore. Enjoy your camp. Call home everyday and try to bring back my little Auro, when you're back." he said, smiling. "Sure thing dad." I said, giving him a hug, before hopping out of the car.

I waved at him and took a deep breath before walking inside the Uni compound. Wow! This medical institute is so huge. This is where, I'll be graduating from? Hurrrey! Great start Auro. When I located the bus and Dr. Henderson came into my sight, I walked faster towards him with a bright smile but, my smile faded when I saw who he was with. Yeah!!! So much for getting excited. Note my sarcasm.

"Aurora dear, so glad you could join us. When Stephen heard, you're coming, he too volunteered for this campaign at the last moment." Of course he did. Why wouldn't he? "We are waiting for few more people to come, than we can start. You guys go-ahead and talk. Stephen brief her about the arrangements, I'll join you after sometimes, ok?" he said, before leaving both of us alone to an acward silence. I wasn't ready to talk to him nor, was ready to hear to whatever bullshit he has to say about last week. Why am I even standing here in the first place.

Trying to get away from him, I took a step back and moved around him to get inside the bus. "Auro wait." he caught me off guard by catching my bag. "Will you just please, let me explain?" he pleaded with his eyes but, I was on edge and it would be best to avoid this conversation by staying away from him, which I think is going to be very hard. "You have every right to be mad at me, Auro. Don't forgive me just, trust me...My side of story." that bought back the rage and pain, I was suppressing inside me for last 6 days.

"Believe you? Believe the man who left his date alone in the middle of hundreds of drunk and horny people, just because he had to attend to his Ex. Wow! You Keep giving me more reasons to why...I can't be with you. " I said, walking away from him. To my luck, one of my old school mate, Amy was here too. "Aurora? You made it!" she said, jumping excitedly. "God, we're going to have soooo much fun. Come on, I reserved a seat for you." she said, letting me take the window seat. "Thanks, you're a life saver." I said, making unwanted conversation with her, to avoid the intense gaze from Stephen.

It took another 15 minutes for everyone to pile up and then 2 hours of unhindered journey to the botanical gardens. For a while, I almost forgot about Stephen. Almost, I said because, he was sitting right behind me to keep reminding me of his presence. I wanted to keep myself out of his sight but, for one or the other reason, we were coming face to face with each other, like right now. "Auro? Let me carry that bag for you. It looks heavy." he said, trying to take the bag from my hand. "No, it's fine. I wouldn't have bought it, if I couldn't handle it, right?" I said, trying to walk as fast as possible, with my bag in hands.

Actually, it was heavy but, I would rather jump off the cliff, instead of asking any kind of help from him. "May I help?" I heard a familiar voice, halting me on my track. What the hell is he doing here? "Duke, what are you guys doing here?" I heard Stephen voice right behind me. Taking a step aside, I tried to maintain a little distance from him. He sighed audibly. Like I care. "Oh well, our family contributes in this campaign every year since, it was grandma Katharine, who started it. After grandma, some of us volunteer every year. This time, it's my brothers and me." he said proudly, then he turned towards me.

Wait! Did he say, he and his brothers? Great, just great. So much for running away from my problem. I should take my own advice and face it, rather than avoiding It. "Fancy seeing, the Osborne brothers here. I'm not sure, here you would find any stripper to entertain you guys. Hope these 7 days are not too boring for you and your brothers and I really, really hope, the poor tents are not too inconvenient for your royal standards." I said, offering a very big fake smile, before leaving all their mouth wide open, before walking away. "See you around, Aurora." I heard, Titus's taunting voice.

"Not that I have a choice, you highness." I said, glaring at all of them and walking away towards the camping area. I'm damn sure, they are stalking me. And I have a bad feeling about them being here. Why are they here, really? "Is it true that, the Osborne brothers are here!?" I heard someone asking. "Yes, oh my god! All of them are here! I am so gonna, sleep with one of them." said another one. God, these girls are so wasted. "When a girl wants to throw herself on someone, can we blame the guys?" said Amy, helping me to set the tent.

I just shaked my head expacting everything around me to vanish for a while. Ok, focus Aurora. Let's set the tent first. Then we could get something to eat and then sleep it out for a while. "I'm sure, everything will be fine."I said to myself, not realising Amy looking at me like I have gone mad. "What are you talking about? Are you ok?" she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Yes, yeah. Absolutely. I think aloud sometimes." I said, joining her in setting our temporary house. "You look nervous for some reason, Aurora." she said, worried.

God! Get over it, Aurora. People would notice. You came here to clear your mind, not making it worse. What happened, if the problems you were running away are here? You have to fight it. You can do it. No more running, here after. "Ok, how about we go get something to eat and then come back to settle the tent?" I asked Amy. "Sounds good to me. I'm starving anyways. " she said, leaving the work behind and followed me to get some grub. When we reached the canteen, I saw people, no scratch that. Girls, were pilling over the Osborne brothers, as if they were not hungry for food but those 5 he-man.

I rolled my eyes, when their eyes met mine and their arrogant self, looked lifted by the attention they were getting. They looked amused by my irritation. Whatever. I walked towards the counter, very much aware of their eyes on me. It was like, they can touch me with their eyes. "Why are you getting goosebumps? It's not even cold out here." asked Amy from behind me. I just waved at her and stood in the line, people were already waiting in for the meal. There were like almost 30 people infront of us. When the 4th guy upfront looked back and saw Amy and me, he offered a smile.

I don't know him but somehow we all would end up working here together so, It would be kind of rude to not return it. So, I smiled back. "You want to go up front?" he offered us. 'No, I'm fine' I gestured. He wishpered something to the boy beside him and broke the line to come towards us. "Hey, I'm Logan. You're Aurora right?" he asked, offering his hand to shake. "Yes. Umn..But, I don't remember you, sorry. Have we met before?" I asked back. "Its good to meet you finally. Actually, my sister was in your class. Tina, if you remember." when he said that, I kind of see the resemblance now. "Yes, we use to be lab partners. So, you are the famous Dexter brother, han?" I said teasing him. He laughed following by me chuckling.

"What else my baby sister told you, I wonder?" he said, folding his hands, over his lean but firm chest, puffing his hard biceps. "Nothing much. Just about few of your "adventures" and obsessions, let say." I said, amused. "Shit, that minx. She's gonna get punished, when I get my hands on her." he said, embarrassed. That make me laugh out loud, followed by him. "Dont worry. Your secret is safe with me." I wishpered. "How will I ever repay your kindness, princess" he said, dramatically. Just when I was about to ask him about Tina, Stephan came.

"Hey Logan, long time no see." he said, coming and standing beside me. Logan noticed my change of behavior but, didn't say much. "Hey Stephen. How you doing? Still obsessed with your dreams girl or found someone new?" he asked. They had some kind of silent conversation. Smirking and glaring at each other. What is all this about? "Actually no. My obsession for her will never die. I love her and only her. One day, she'll understand." I could feel his eyes on me, when talking but, I tried to ignore his gaze by listening to something Amy was saying.

"Aurora, would you like to join our table?" asked Logan, hopeful. I looked back at Stephen. I noticed, he was already digging a hole and burring Logan in it. "Yeah sure, why not." I said, smiling. "Actually no. You're sitting with us!" said someone from beside me. Turner. I found Logan has the similar look on his face like Stephan had earlier for him but, now Stephen's face looks blank. Wow. "Um..I don't think so, Turner. Amy and me, we are sitting with Logan." I said, smiling at Logan. He smirked back at both Turner and Stephen. 'Boys' mouth Amy to me. I completely agree with her.

I was about to take another step forward when I was sandwiched between Tuner in my back and someone up front. Titus? What is wrong with these brothers? "I dare you to sit anywhere but with us, Aurora." he said, jaw clinging. "Listen to us, when we're asking nicely." said, Titus, looking straight into my eyes. "Or what?" I asked, trying to be brave and hide my racing heart. "I'll love to punish her Titus."said Turner, breath tickling my ears. I tried but their touch does something unexplainable to my body. Why do I feel so helpless around them?

"You are lucky, we are surrounded by a crowd or else..." Titus bit his lips, holding himself from completing his words. But the stupid and curious girl I was, I wanted him to complete it for some reason. So, I digged a hole for myself and jumped into it. "Or else what Titus?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest and looked straight into his eyes, challenging him. "Fuck, I'm hard already. Don't play with fire, babe. It'll only burn you. By the way, to answer your question, I would have brought aaaall my fantasies to live and my brothers would have had their ways with you...If you were alone right now." he said smirking.

These bastards. Are they trying to play games with my mind? I think, they are unaware of the real Aurora yet. It will take a lot for them to get a reaction out of me. "Well too bad then, Mr. Osborne. You have to apply your "fantasies" on those bimbos out there because, those dreams of yours are never coming true. You can just jurk off thinking of me. I'm so sorry, I feel bad for you guys. I can understand, you had never heard the word 'No' but, from now onwards, you have to live with it. Because I'll be the first one to deny you and your brother's wishes, everytime you expact an 'yes' from me." I could feel them blinking confused.

"You are messing with the wrong girl, sir."I said, pushing them away and walked towards Logan's table, who's was lit up like a Christmas tree right now. I can deal with that.

Guys, Im glad you read and like my story. So please vote for me. It just takes a click for you but it means a lot for the author. Hope you understand.

Anyways. Merry Christmas 🎄 and Hopefully, I'll update before the New year. Chao.🎁🎀

FYI >> Symon Nessman as Stephen
Leo Mangieri as Logan.