Chapter 86

' You good? You look like you haven't had any decent sleep in ages." Aurora asks, her eyes on her pale looking friend. ' Hmm hmm. Had a terrible dream last night so couldn't sleep." Arianna responds. ' You sure you are in the position to go?." Aurora asks. ' Hmm hmm. I'm fine." Arianna replies and conceal her dark underbags with makeup but it still didn't conceal how miserable she looks. ' We can stay back if you want." Aurora says worriedly. ' No. I really am fine, Aurora." She replies and run her right shoulder down Aurora's left arm then stops when she gets to her palm, holding onto her fingers. ' I understand that you are worried about me but Paul's big day is coming up and we have to help him plan." She adds and gives her palm a little squeeze. Aurora nods in acceptance. ' Thank you." Arianna mutters, glad to have someone who cares about her. Aurora sends her a warm smile. ' If you are ready, let's go." Arianna says. ' I'm done." Aurora replies and drops her makeup kit down. The two walks out of the room and down the stairs. ' Someone looks good." It's Brendon's voice from behind and they turn around to see him. ' Hi." Arianna greets. ' Hi Arianna. Hi Aurora. Where are you guys off to?." ' It's almost Paul's big day so we want to go help him plan it out." ' Oh!." He exclaims. ' Won't you both wait for breakfast?." ' Breakfast!. I like breakfast." Arianna says and her stomach rumbled loudly to remind her of her starving herself for some days now. ' But we have to go, Ari. The others must be waiting." ' All the same let's have breakfast. We need all the energy we can get to plan his day." Aurora thinks for a while and shrugs. ' Maybe you are right." Aurora says. ' I am always right." Arianna replies. The two chuckle at the irony of that as they head for the dinning room. ' You both seem so happy today. Any special occasion?." Damon asks. ' Paul's birthday is coming up." Aurora replies. ' Oh! Now that explains the excessive dressing and makeup." Damon jokes. ' Excessive!. This look, brother, is what we call perfection." Aurora replies. ' In your dreams." Damon teases and laugh. Caesar's words suddenly crosses his mind but he shoves it aside. ' So how are fairing Arianna?. I heard about the whole thing. I'm sorry you had to witness all that." He says. ' I'm fine. Thanks. Ummm, I will go join Mrs Salvatore in the kitchen." Arianna replies wanting to not have that conversation. ' Okay Ari." Aurora replies and watches her walk out of sight before turning towards her brother. ' What was that about?." She asks. ' What?." Damon questions. ' Why did you have to bring the topic up?. You know how hard she has been trying to put it all behind her. She is in pain right now. Her world is crumbling and I won't watch you make it worsen." Aurora explains. ' I wasn't trying to do that. I was only trying to ensure that she is okay." He replies. Aurora scoffs. ' Make use of your brain next time you want to do that." She snaps. ' He was right when he said you do some bold mouth." He says. ' Who was?." She asks curiously. ' None of your goddamn business." He responds. ' Yenyenyen!." Aurora mimics. ' You too fight too much." Brandon who has kept mute the whole thing to watch the whole scene finally speaks. ' Well at least I am not the one starting it." Aurora defends herself. ' I don't either." Damon defends too. ' Yea. Nobody dies. You both are the saints here." Brandon teases and laughs. Aurora rolls her eyes. ' I will go join Mom in the kitchen too. It's way better than being here with your boys." Aurora says and gets up on her feet, walking out of the room. She hears Arianna's laughter half way to the kitchen and steps in to see her in a Black apron with a spectacular in her hand. ' Oh Mrs Salvatore. That was so funny." Arianna says and laughs again. ' What are you talking about?." Aurora cuts in and watched Arianna turn backwards to keep eye contact with her. ' She was just telling about stories from her youth. Did you know your mom once killed a tiger one time during camp?. That story is so hilarious." Aurora says and laughs again. ' No." Aurora replies and turns to look at her mom. ' Did you really do that, Mom?." She asks. Mrs Salvatore nods briefly, her eyes still glued to the meal she is making. ' Yes. It was a long time ago when I was about your age." She replies. ' You should hear her other tales and stories. Your Mom used to super cool back in her days." Arianna says sounding happy. ' I am still cool now or am I not?." Mrs Salvatore asks. ' Of course you are cool…Mom." Arianna replies then smile. ' She says I can call her Mom too." She informs. Aurora suddenly feels jealousy run through her veins as she slowly mentally replace her friend in all her roles in this house. ' What can I help with, Mom?." Aurora asks, wanting to take back her place. ' Don't worry, child. Arianna and I has everything covered. Just go settle at the table and we will be there soon." She says and smiles then looks back at the liquid in front of her.