;; stuck in reverse

Lily was someone who would always try to be there for others, not talking about her problems fearing to be a bother, not wanting to complain about anything because she didn’t like conversation focused in herself. Yet she knew this was Aurora, not just any person, and she just wished she could open up like she did to Lincoln, and just let her see what her heart had to show. But it was hard, like fighting against a life of customs, and she found herself not finding the right words. “I’ve been good. I like the Holidays. I’m planning on doing Christmas shopping soon if you…. if you maybe want to come with me?” She asked, hoping to have another opportunity to spend time with her older sister and reconnect, like she had been meaning to do but now sure of how to do it.

At Lily’s response, Aurora shook her head. “I meant how are you doing with the breakup?” Perhaps she hadn’t framed her question right but she was certain that most people would have interpreted the statement as her asking if she was doing alright with the breakup. How was she handling it and was she still in pain? Granted it seemed she was because even if Aurora didn’t know her sister well, she knew humans. And no matter how short lived a relationship was, the feelings were never easy to let go of. It had been years and Aurora was still in love with a man that was no longer there. “I would love to come.” She had to buy presents this year and she didn’t know what to get anyone in her family.

“That’s alright, I don’t have to. Just thought I’d offer.” He said in a way of explaining himself. Adam was always very polite and friendly, a trait he wasn’t sure where he got it from. Certainly not his father. But he always found it more beneficial for everyone involved to be respectful and kind than rash and defensive. “I’m Adam, by the way.“ He said introducing himself, gently reaching out a hand for her to shake. 

It was a foreign concept to her and it was amazing that even after meeting a man like Vincent, Aurora still doubted that there were nice people in the world. It wasn’t that she didn’t accept that there were, but in her mind no one could be as nice as Vincent. He had been the unique person in her life that no one else could compare to and that there existed none of. He was the one and only—at least that’s what she thought. And Aurora continued to live in that world where he was one of a kind and there would never be another in the world like him. Which was why it was disconcerting to run into someone who was perhaps just as accommodating and nice as he had been. “Aurora.” She replied on instinct, completely distracted by the momentary flashbacks this entire encounter was forcing her into.

I have a resturant called ‘Elise’, but we cater all sorts of events in the city.

“Really? What cuisine do you specialize in?”

Adam frowned, a little unsure of what she meant at first. But his expression was not of an offended sort but more friendly and open. “Not really, no.” He said with a warm smile. “Don’t worry I’m not trying to ask you out on a date or anything. Just thought I’d offer the favour. Since I spilled your drink, I’d be happy to buy you another one.” 

“No I um—I didn’t think you were going to ask me out.” In fact that thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. Thinking about it the possibility hadn’t occurred to her in years. She just didn’t think it would happen and so even if people had had the intention because she was so completely dismissive of any chance of that, not ever entertaining that possibility, it hadn’t happened. Instead she was still unsure about whether or not this man was honestly offering to buy her another water bottle. Looking at the one she had, it still was pretty full. “Um, it’s okay you don’t have to.” There were very few people who could catch Aurora off guard, but for whatever reason, the man’s actions had rendered her surprised.

She wasn’t sure what to say, so Dwani simply kept silent. Distantly, she wondered if the library needed her back sooner rather than later.

Realizing that she had spent too much time away from work anyways, she looked at the woman and gave her a smile. “Well I hope you enjoy your smoothie. Have a nice day.”

Lucifer simply shook his head in disagreement to her question. “It’s fine Aurora, don’t worry about it.” Now that her name had been said out loud she now knew that he still remembered her. After leaving to go to college Lucifer lost all contact with everyone in Boston. He would return in the summer every now and then, but only his closest friends were aware. Aurora was a high school relationship that was meant to stay in high school. 

Once he said her name, making it clear that he had indeed recognized her. Of course she was a completely different person from when she was in high school and she wasn’t sure if the burned bridge between them was because of her or him. Granted it was an unspoken agreement from the start that things between them were probably not going to get serious so it didn’t come as any surprise when the relationship naturally ended. It was just how things were going to pan out. “I thought that was you but I wasn’t sure. How have you been?” There was one thing she had hated when she was younger and it was this very thing—what she was doing right now. Small talk and asking the basic questions that people didn’t really care for the answers to anyways. They just asked it because society dictated them as the norms and god forbid people didn’t follow all social conventions. Though this time she genuinely did want to know, but it would be a lie to say that she didn’t also want to just break whatever awkward encounter this was.

Oh, that’s cool! No, I have some cooks and all for that, but they can just be line servers or even setup crew for venues.

“Okay I’ll let her know you are looking. Where do you work?”