Love, Dahlia // B2

[23]

Luke's P.O.V.

Aura and I sit on top of The Orpheum, watching cars on the street below.

"Zey drive so fast only to get stuck bumpair to bumpair," she points at them.

"That's pretty common for Hollywood traffic," I laugh.

"Stupid Americans," she shakes her head. I chuckle and few minutes of silence pass by.

"Aura," I tap my fingers against the roof. "If you don't mind me asking, how exactly did you die?"

"Well," she sighs. "I had boarded my plane to fly to America. We barely got over the water when the engine failed. The plane crashed into the ocean. I couldn't put my life vest on fast enough and I can't swim."

"You drowned," I finish.

"It iz ironic considering my zizter iz a competitive swimmer," she looks out over the cars, over the buildings. "But I met you. And zere iz nothing I would trade zat for."

"I don't know," I shake my head. "I'm pretty boring."

"You and I both know zat iz a lie," Aura looks back at me. "Your story is unique. And it iz worth telling. I happen to enjoy being here to see it in person."

"Thank you, Aura," I say quietly.

"Luke?" She looks back out over the buildings. "Have you given Dahlia zee necklace?"

"Yes," I answer.

"Have you learned vat it does yet?" Aura asks.

"No," I shake my head. "I haven't actually."

"Close your eyes," she orders. I do so and she continues. "Think of Dahlia. Every detail of her zat you can think of. Every thing you miss."

I imagine Dahlia. Her eyes, her lips, her hair, her hands, her voice, until she looks so real in my mind I feel like I could reach out and touch her.

"Can you see her?" Aura asks.

"Yeah," I nod. "She looks so real."

"That iz because she iz," she says. "Whenever you think of her, if you close your eyes you vill be able to see her. In the moment, that is as long as she is wearing ze necklace and she is at least somewhat thinking of you."

"Let's hope I don't think of her while she's in the bathroom," I joke.

"Ze necklace has it's flaws," Aura giggles. "But I suppose that never happened to me so I didn't zink of it when I give it to you."

"Will Dahlia know I can see her?" I ask.

"Ask her," she says.

"What?" I quickly open my eyes, breaking the thought of Dahlia.

"Damnit, Luke," Aura smacks the back of my head. "Now you vill have to start all over. Ven you see her, ven she looks the most real. Talk to her. She should be able to hear you."

"Are you serious?" I ask.

"Just trust me," Aura smiles kindly.

"Okay," I nod. I close my eyes again and imagine Dahlia. When I can see her in a clear picture, I try to talk to her. "Dahlia?"

She picks her head up.

"Can you hear me?"

"Luke?" I hear her whisper.

"Dahl," I smile. "Holy sh- this is working."

"Where are you?" She whispers again.

"I'm at Thr Orpheum," I answer. "Butlisten, the necklace I gave you. It makes it possible for this to happen. Look, when I think of you, I can see you wherever you are as long as you are thinking of me."

"I'll remember to not think of you while I'm using the bathroom then," she laughs.

"Wow, great minds think alike," I smile.

I watch Dahlia put her hand over the necklace. "Does this really make it so you can see me?"

"I see you right now," I say. "Nice blue dress."

"Okay stalker," Dahlia laughs.

I laugh again before Dahlia asks, "When will you be able to sneak away from Caleb again?"

"I'll try to see you in person whenever I can, I promise," I swear. "Is there something you need me there for?"

"No," she shakes her head. "I mean, yes. But no there's nothing I need need you for. I just- thought of something that would require you to actual be here."

"Well, what is it? I'm here," I ask.

"Luke?" She asks, looking around. "Luke?" She repeats, grabbing the necklace. She fades away from my mind, turning grey before disappearing completely.

I open my eyes and stare at Aura. "What happened?"

"It can only last for so long," Aura grabs my shoulder. "But you should be able to try tomorrow. Until then, you have to get to Caleb's club."

I look over to the horizon. The sun is sinking, signaling my curfew. Aura and I both stand up. Without hesitating, I grab Aura's shoulder and pull her in. I wrap my arms around her tightly. "Thank you."

She slowly hooks her arms around my waist. "Anything."

A.N.

Another one? Wait *clears throat* sorry... anotha one *in DJ Khalid*

Soooo here's this mess. You're welcome. Now you know what the necklace does.

-Redd

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