Rebellious Aurora | ✓

twenty-five | part one

{THANK YOU TO @LITTLEPRINCESS8589 FOR CONTINUING TO VOTE AND COMMENT ON MY STORY. I TRULY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS CHAPTER IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU! XO}

{Ashton's POV}

As I leant against the brick wall, I watched the sun dipped down behind the buildings, leaving a beautiful painted night sky in its wake. I couldn't help but admire nature's true beauty, wondering how tainted the world was now.

I recognised the loneliness in the deep depths of her orbs, craving for a love that was deeper than the ocean itself. I saw the colours that fade from her cheeks whenever I saw her after she had an argument with her parents and the truth behind all her lies. I saw the anxiety in each of her trembling hands, the unsteadiness in her struts whenever she walked in stilettos.

Why? Was the question that haunted me for the last few hours. The only word that cornered me and the word that lingered on my itching skin. But you see, it wasn't the word itself...it was the way she said it. With pure, raw sad emotions pushed into one word that knocked me out like the wind.

I was so...so heartless but yet so full of feelings.

And maybe, just maybe, it was because of her.

Aurora, my sleeping beauty.

I hated being in denial. I hated people being in denial. It was a waste of time.

"Are you ready to leave?" a familiar feminine voice ask just as she walked out of the house with a bright, wicked smile before sending Landon and I a glance whilst adjusting her top.

Landon and I briefly glanced over to each other, nodding curtly.

As we followed Ruby down the street, she hummed a melody but my mind was elsewhere. I wondered what Aurora was doing at this time now. I wondered why she hasn't even called or texted but I knew I shouldn't expect much from her after Ruby and I gave her a show.

The disappointment and shock that were plastered all over her face were enough to send my heart down to hell.

"You've been spacing out lately," Ruby stated, sending me the look...the look that threatened me if I didn't do whatever she said, she was going to ruin my friendship with Aurora. If she had never found out my secret, I wouldn't be here at fucking all. "Ashton, do you have something to tell me?"

I quietly scoffed, shaking my head amusedly. "No, Ruby. I don't. Where are we headed now?"

Ruby set me a sideway smirk before snapping her attention to Landon who seemed to be lost in his own whirlpool of thoughts. He has been more distant lately, always rushing off to somewhere without saying anything, leaving me to deal with Ruby on my own.

"Landon," Ruby said, trying to gain his attention but to no avail. She clicked her tongue in annoyance before slapping him hard on the shoulder, causing him to snap out of his own world and wince at the pain. "Landon, have you been listening?"

Landon narrowed her eyebrows in on her and chuckled humourlessly. "What do you want, Ruby?"

She grinned wickedly. "We're going to visit a friend."

Landon raised a curious eyebrow. "What friend are you talking about? You have no friends."

I couldn't help but chuckle in agreement, earning a glare from the witch.