Rebellious Aurora | ✓

thirty | christmas day

It was Christmas.

Aunt Irodella and Damon's sister, Rosette, finally arrived and was now staying in the guest quarter of the house. Damon had been hiding in his room ever since his mom and sister had arrived, letting me know through message that he was sorting out some stuff with his mom first before they were going to make an appearance. As much as I loathed Christmas day, my parents held the most lavish party I had ever seen in my existence and maybe it was because it had so much class to it. It was a tradition my grandmother had started back when she was young enough to host events like these and I guess my mother had learnt from it.

Staring back at myself in the mirror, I decided to adorn my body with a fluffy white sweater and a red skirt that flowed out and a pair of black Christian Louboutin's that I had stolen from my mother's shoe rack. My dirty blonde hair had been loosely curled, hugging my shoulders as I inhaled a sharp breath, preparing myself to socialise with people who I didn't even know. My friends had sent me photos of themselves with their family since they decided to go out of the state for Christmas and I knew that Hailee was spending Christmas with her family in Australia. In the summer. How blessed.

Staring back at myself, I regretted not ordering the grinch costume just to piss of my mother.

"Knock-knock," a familiar, masculine voice sounded from outside my door before cracking the door open. Damon's head poked in, a soft smile on his lips as he fully widened the door, exposing his white suit and a small red bowtie. "You look outstanding."

I flipped my hair behind my shoulders. "Why are we dressed the same?"

Damon chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "Almost the same."

He offered a hand and I bit my lip and took it before he led me out of my room and standing from atop the stairs, my eyes devouring family and friends who mingled with one another, a glass of champagne in their hands.

In my peripheral vision, Damon studied me, a sad smile playing on his lips. "Has he called?"

I shook my head and it was a challenge to not think of him on Christmas. "Let's hope I find myself a charming, young man today."

"Your family awaits," Damon announced with a small smirk and I couldn't help but roll my eyes as the both of us slowly descended the stairs, hand in hand as if time took us back to when we were five years old where Damon and I spent most of our time together. Before he moved away.

I decided to look ahead but I knew many eyes were on Damon and I as I caught some muttering under their breaths. Some eyes were painted with awe but most were painted with distaste and I fought the urge to ball my fist and punch their throats. I needed to behave tonight. It was the least I could for my grandmother.

"You look astonishing!" my grandmother exclaimed, opening her arms for me as she kissed both of my cheeks gently before pulling me into an embrace. My grandmother looked just as beautiful with her white dress and white faux coat. "Oh, my beautiful, Aurora. You've grown so much."

I genuinely beamed at her and I caught my family were watching us closely in the corner of my eyes. "I wish you would stay and live here."

My grandmother exhaled softly. "I'll always love you, Aurora."

I clenched my jaw and I couldn't help but let a tear slide down my cheek, my grandmother quickly wiping it away as she kissed my cheek again before moving to Damon who stared at her with adoration in his eyes. My grandmother had always been close to Damon and I and maybe because we were so alike in our nature.

The only thing I picked up from Damon and my grandmother's conversation was that Damon and I needed to look out for each other, no matter what. Damon and I glanced at each other and beamed, both knowing that Damon and I were always going to love one another.