CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE !
[ real life ]

❝ YOURS ❞

📂﹖﹕𓂃𐩐💻

ʳᵉᵃˡ ˡⁱᶠᵉ

aurora is sitting on a barstool behind her kitchen counter chewing on smart food popcorn when there's a knock from her front door.

auroras eyebrows raise and she swallows the popcorn piece she was chewing, standing up and checking the time on her phone to see its 3:30pm. that means school is over.

she's ninety-nine percent sure she knows who is behind the door and sighs, making her way there. when she reaches the door and opens it, facing the person on the other side, she's not surprised.

"hey." ross grins as he stands on her porch, shoving his phone in his pocket. his grin makes aurora feel a little guilty honestly.

"hi," aurora responds back shortly, managing a small, polite smile to him.

ross' eyebrows scrunch together a tad, glancing around behind her through the door like he's confused on why she hasn't invited him in yet. he does believe he's there to hang out after all. "uh.. can i come in?"

"um.. no actually," aurora hesitantly says, taking ross by surprise. she awkwardly steps out onto the porch with him and closes the door behind her. "i just need to talk to you real quick, it shouldn't take that long."

"oh." his face falters a tad as she comes to stand in front of him and she's pretty sure he knows how this conversation is going to go.

"look, ross..." she sighs and yeah, judging by his face, he knows what she's going to say. "you've been really nice to me and i feel like you'd make a really good homecoming date, or boyfriend, or whatever. but just maybe not wi—"

"not with you, right?" he cuts her off, taking her by surprise.

"yeah..." she rubs at the back of her neck awkwardly, not sure what to say.

he's silent for a moment before shaking his head like he's having an internal debate with himself and speaking up with, "it's because of matt, isn't it?"

auroras face falters slightly and she crosses her arms over her chest. "ross... you've known what you were getting into ever since you tried to kiss me at that party. i know it's been unfair of me to kind of.. lead you on like this, but you knew how this was going to go."

ross sighs, running a hand through his hair and clicking his tongue. "yeah, you're right," he admits. "i guess i was just really into you. i really wanted to get a fair shot with you and i pushed that by ruining what you obviously had with matt so i'm sorry for that. i saw this coming and it is kind of what i deserve for being a dickhead so."

auroras lips rise into a half-smile, appreciative of him for actually realizing his wrong and apologizing. "i'm sorry too, for leading you on in a way. i knew in the back of my head that i just liked seeing matt angry when i was with you and that is a very bitchy way to go about things."

"it's okay," he shrugs, auroras eyes leaving him for a moment when she notices a car beginning to come down the road. she doesn't think much of it and looks back to him. "it was really clear you had unfinished business with matt and i shouldn't of meddled with it."

"thank you," she gives him a small smile, noticing the car beginning to head for her driveway where ross' car is also parked in the corner of her eye. her heart drops a little bit once she realizes it's unrecognizably matt's car and suddenly feels the need to hurry the conversation up. "i'm sorry i can't go to homecoming with you or be with you. i wish you the best and i know you'll eventually find the right person."

"thanks, aurora," he gives her the same half-smile, turning to look behind him as they both hear a car door open. auroras face falters just a smidge as she finds matt walking around the car with an unreadable look on his face, not wanting him to assume the worst. ross seems to make eye contact with him before turning back around to face aurora and sighing. "well, i'll leave you be now. i hope you and matt work out."

aurora just smiles at him instead of answering, watching as he turns and steps down from the porch. he walks over to his car, passing by matt and glancing at him as he does so. matt narrows his eyes at him and ross just nods his head once in greeting before opening his car door and climbing inside.

the two both watch ross pull out of the drive way from where they stand, matt with a scrunched up face. he's trying not to assume the worst since that did not get him very far at all last time.

he was already unreasonably nervous coming here though since he knows aurora has read what he's wrote to her. it sounds stupid but what if she just changes her mind? what if she doesn't believe him? what does he do then?

and now that he knows ross was here before him, it throws him off a bit. it means either one of two things and he doesn't know what to think but he knows what he hopes for. he glances up at aurora from where he stands against his car, still not moving.

aurora tilts her head at him as her arms are still crossed. "well, i'm not coming down there in fucking socks, you idiot," she calls out.

that causes him to break out in a slight grin as he rolls his eyes and steps forward from where he was leant against the car. he walks over to the porch and up the stairs until he's stood in front of her. his hands awkwardly rest at his sides and his nerves take over again when he forces out a small, "so..."

she takes a step towards him, taking in a breath. "i read your letters," she tells him, not making his slight anxiety about it any better. he nods his head, resisting the urge to add an, 'and?' as he waits for her to speak again. "and i believe you." she gives him a smile, making his entire body wash over in relief.

"really?" he questions shortly, taking a step closer to her and sneaking an arm around her waist to pull her closer to him from where they stand. he allows a small smile to form on his lips now, his anxiety fading away completely.

"really," she confirms. "i had a crush on you too before the whole note thing," she tells him truthfully, making his eyebrows raise as she connects her arms loosely around the back of his neck. "unfortunately don't think it went away though," she adds in teasingly.

"yeah, let's hope not," he goes with the teasing, an upturn to the side of his lips as he looks down at her.

"i also just told ross i can't be with him so..." she lets out a sigh before looking up and grinning at him with a nonchalant shrug. "looks like i'm all yours."

at this, he grins widely, leaning down closer to her face. "all mine, yeah?" he whispers, needing the extra confirmation.

"mhm," she hums once before just leaning forward and breaking the distance between them already. matt instantly responds back once their lips are pressed together, tightening the arm wrapped around her waist and bringing his other hand to cup her cheek.

he could never get sick of this, kissing her. it brings him a sense of security and passion he's only ever felt with her and it's extremely reassuring. he's lost her twice now and is determined to never let her slip out of his grip again. he knows he's been foolish before but his feelings are set in stone now and he knows what he wants. he just wants her. that's it.

he could never lose her a third time because then there'd be a chance he'd forget what this, kissing her, feels like. if he ever forgot things like this that he only gets to experience with her, he's not sure what he'd do with himself. the past week of him being left only to sit in his own self pity and mope over his mistakes helped him realize how important she is in his life. he's just a wreck without her honestly.

as they break away from the kiss, their faces still close, aurora has a look of admiration in her eyes. there was a time that he'd internally wished he'd be the only one to ever get to have her like this. he wanted to be the only one to see her so vulnerable, like when she's wrapped in his arms or a short distance from his face like she is right now. he wanted to be the only one to get to experience being with her and now, he realizes he is. she's his and he's hers. he has what he wanted, he has her.

so, he removes his arm from around her waist and raises it to cup her other cheek, now her face completely in his hands. aurora eyebrows furrow a little in concentration as she glances over his face and he loves that. he loves her being focused on him. "can you say it again?" he asks.

"say what?" aurora is taken aback, not quite remembering what she said in the first place since all she can register anymore is how close he is to her.

"that you're mine," he whispers.

auroras lips part in surprise for a split moment, realizing matt looks for reassurance in words of affirmation. she registered that back in that night in her aunts pool before they left for la and now she's growing used to it. she gives him a small nod and a smile. "i'm yours, matt."

before aurora can even get a chance to breathe after she's spoken, matt's lips are back on hers. he genuinely can't resist the urge to kiss her again since he's allowed to because she's his. he tilts his head to deepen the kiss and aurora hums, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck further.

they eventually break away from one another, aurora with a grin on her lips as matt takes in a breath. he removes his hands from her face and places one on each of her hips like he needs her to stand still as he speaks. auroras eyebrows raise slightly and she removes her hands from his neck, putting them overtop of his on her hips. "what?" she questions, sensing he has something to say.

"rory," he breathes, feeling the overwhelming urge to make her officially his so nothing can get in between them any longer and deciding now is the best time to voice it. "can i just be—"

he's cut off by the own ping of his phone getting a text notification. he instantly clamps his eyes shut in frustration. talk about self fucking sabotage. he can't even remember putting his ringer on. he sighs and aurora removes her hands from his so he can part from her and get his phone from his pocket.

he grabs it and glances over the notification taking up his screen, his eyes widening slightly. "fuck," he murmurs, glancing up to aurora who furrows her eyebrows at him. "i forgot to tell you i was supposed to come and pick you up so all of the group could go 'homecoming shopping' or whatever the fuck. like everyone is back at my place waiting."

auroras eyebrows raise and she is suddenly extremely thankful she put on makeup earlier today. "oh shit," she says.

"yeah," he sighs, texting out a reply and putting his phone away after it sends. "it was actually really funny. they think we're still not good so i told them i'd just go pick you up and they were all like 'no fucking way she gets into a car with you.'"

auroras lips twitch upwards in amusement. "well, if you did this like two days ago they'd be right."

he just rolls his eyes lightheartedly and she watches him do so before letting out a breath. "okay well i need to change and put shoes on so." she turns to the door, matt nodding as she opens it and follows her inside.

he's surprised when he gets greeted by her dog boomer, a smile taking over his lips when he jumps on him. "what the fuck? i feel like i haven't seen boomer here in forever," he exclaims as he pets the dog, aurora watching with a fond grin as she closes the door.

"yeah," she begins to walk past him and towards the staircase so she can go to her room and change. "he's usually outside all the time now," she tells him as she begins to exit the room.

matt hums just loud enough for her to hear and ends up sitting on the living room couch with boomer next to him as he waits for her to get done. she eventually comes down from the stairs and matt turns his head to look at her. she's now wearing baggy jeans, airforces, and a lace tanktop that becomes slightly cropped when she raises her arms. he narrows his eyes as she walks over to him. "you're gonna be fucking freezing, aurora."

auroras mouth immediately parts in offense. "i've worn shit like this like five times this month and i was fine, you dumb fuck."

matt just sighs and stands up from his seat on the couch. "whatever you say."

aurora narrows her eyes at him just slightly as they walk to the door. once they step out onto the porch and shut the door behind them, she sighs jokingly, "you're talking like my step father."

"gross," matt's face genuinely coils up with disgust as they walk to his car. "don't compare me to him."

she rolls her eyes amusedly as they make it to their sides of the car. she opens the passenger door, climbing inside and easily speaking up, "i'm just joking, idiot." she closes the door behind her as matt does the same on his side.

"i know," he says lightly, putting his seat belt on. "i just hate your step dad."

"that makes two of us." she grins at him.

matt glances at her amusedly before switching the gearshift and resting his hand on her seat as he looks behind them for any cars. this time as she watches him do the attractive act, she doesn't bother with hiding her heart eyes.

he looks over to her and sees her expression once he's pulled out of the driveway, turning forward in his seat and rolling his lips into his mouth to prevent from smiling. "you can't be looking at me like that when i'm driving, rory," he tells her with an amused shake of his head.

"why?" she challenges.

"'cause it distracts me from driving too much," he says dubiously as he begins driving down the road.

aurora can't help the grin that forms on her face as she leans forward to reach for the aux cord. "alright," she sighs. "i'll manage, i guess."

"you can look at me like that all you want when i'm not behind the wheel though," he speaks up once more as aurora plays a mix of the weeknd songs, the shuffle button making 'die for you' begin to blast through the cars speakers.

"who says i'll still want to later?" she tries.

he turns to give her a blank, knowing look, narrowing his eyes. he doesn't even say anything, it's just obvious by the look he gives her before he turns back to face the road.

aurora rolls her eyes, crossing her arms and leaning further back in her seat. "you're a little too cocky, matt," she tells him lightheartedly. "you should really work on toning it down a bit."

"why would i tone it down when it gets you all flustered?" he chuckles like the subject is funny. auroras jaw drops in offense from his smugness.

"see, there it is again," she exclaims, extending her hand out to point at him dramatically. he notices it and rolls his eyes, taking one of his hands off the wheel and knocking her hand down. he instead connects it with his, intertwining their fingers over the console. it's crazy how he does something like that so effortlessly and nonchalant, like he's unaware of the way it gives aurora almost a million butterflies in her stomach. she leans back even further in her seat and breathes out a simple, "you make my brain hurt, matt."

"aw, is that a compliment?"

"what the fuck? no. die."

"aaand there it is."

they eventually make it to the triplets place and they don't even bother going in, matt just texts nick for them to come get in the car since they're outside. matt and aurora both wait as the weeknd continues to play loudly in the car.

chris is the first to come outside, quickly rushing to the passenger door which makes aurora raise her eyebrows and roll down her window. chris' face is scrunched up slightly as if he's confused. "you can get out now, don't worry."

aurora blinks at him. "nah. i've got shotgun."

"what?" chris' eyebrows furrow. "you hate matt and don't wanna be around him right now so you're supposed to give shotgun to me," he explains to her like it's the simplest thing to understand in the world as kingston, makayla, nick, venus, and raven begin to make their way out of the house behind him.

aurora awkwardly clicks her tongue and matt raises his head up to give chris a look from where he sits in the drivers seat. "no..." chris' eyes widen in horror. "don't tell me you guys already fucking made up. i was supposed to get shotgun for at least a week longer."

aurora gives him a sarcastic, tight-lipped smile. "yeah... sorry, bud."

chris' lips part in offense and he turns around in his place to face the rest of the group who are now in front of the car. "matt and rory already fucking made up," he announces to them, auroras eyes widening and matt facepalming with a sigh from where he sits in the drivers seat.

their jaws all collectively drop and they turn to look at matt and aurora through auroras window. aurora presses her lips together. "well, thanks for announcing it to everyone, chris," she says with mock enthusiasm.

"that's what you get for taking passenger," he tells her pointedly, huffing like an annoyed toddler before walking to the back to open the other car door.

aurora is about to roll up her doors window when kingston approaches it with a smug grin. "rory, bro, you fucking shithead," he starts when he reaches her. "we have so much to discuss now."

aurora groans. "shut up and get in the car, kingston."

"woah," he chuckles, stepping away from the door and stepping towards the back. "don't seem too excited there."

💌

this is lowk very shorter than usual my bad

also i'm trying SO hard to keep matt and auroras banter but it's hard since they don't rlly hate each other anymore so please tell me i'm not failing guys😭😭😭😭😭😭

this was such a pleasant chapter 😊

<3
jaden