A & Z

[Zade]

Zade sighed as he climbed up the staircase, scratching the back of his head as he did. It's been a while since he had been here, having walked around always at night. In fact, he had not seen Aurora since he had returned. Man did he miss her. The two were roommates since they left, but Zade actually felt a lot about her. Heck, he wondered how he would react to seeing her again. Would he hug her, or kiss her? That would not be good. After all, when Zade had left, they treated each other like roommates and friends, not any closer. Maybe a brother and sister, but Zade had always wanted to be closer. Well, to sum it all up, Zade loved Aurora. He couldn't believe it either, but yeah, he loved her.

Zade reached the second floor, letting out a sigh. He was wearing a blue shirt and a black hoodie with the hood down. He was wearing a red-and-black sports shoes that squeeked softly as he turned on the spot to face his door. His brown hair was combed downwards and in random direction, his eyes crimson with contacts.

As Zade reached for the door knob, he wondered if Aurora was home, if she was going to greet her with that smile of hers, if she was at their kitchen cooking dinner. Zade jerked his head to the side, unbelieving himself. Grabbing the doorknob, he turned the doorknob, the click sound filling the deserted hallway. Then, he opened the door, the familiar soft creak feeling his ears.

Then, as he took a step inside, he spoke in a soft and calm voice.

"Aurora?"

[Aurora]

The pale red head was in fact in the kitchen, cooking a snack for herself. The radio sat on the counter, softly playing music. Her pale jeans and light yellow t-shirt were slightly covered by the pink apron she wore. Her left foot slowly kept in time to the Japanese music playing, as her hands chopped up the veggies before her.

"You don't hear me say, please oh baby, don't go."

Aurora thought she was by herself, and as such, her voice was louder than it would have been. If she had known someone else was there, she wouldn't have been singing so loud. The girl didn't even hear Zade walk in.

"Simple and clean is the way that I'm feeling tonight. It's quite alright. Hold me..."

[Zade]

Then, her voice entered his ears like music. Well, it was music. Aurora was singing, like she always did when she thought she was alone. Zade smiled... She was home! Zade's eyes widened as he neared the kitchen, his heart beating so fast, he could feel his shirt move with it. Touching the edge of the door, he looked inside and saw Aurora, and suddenly, he felt calmed, hypnotised, whatever. And then, he wondered, how she had been without him? Was she engaged now? Zade suddenly flinched at that thought. Man was he confused. Well, there was only one way to find out, stepping into the kitchen, he spoke once more, but in a louder voice.

"Aurora?"

He had a small smile on his face, his hands by his side as he stood there, feeling awkward and nervous. Here he was, standing by the girl he had loved and left, wondering if she even missed him at all.

[Aurora]

Her name was spoken, and the red head whirled. Her hazel eyes large, and shocked. Who was here in the apartment?!? The knife was still in her hands, held by her slim fingers.

"Z-zade?"

The pale girl stared for a few moments. It was Zade.A sigh escaped her lips, and the knife-less hand pressed itself to her heart as she slumped against the counter. He was home. He was okay and safe.

"Y-you're alright...I was so worried."

He hadn't been home in ages. Relief spread through her, and she slowly began to recover. A small little smile spread across her lips. He was home.

[Zade]

Zade took a step back, noticing that Aurora was holding the knife with an intent to kill as he called her name. His eyes widened. Zade did not expect that, but he wasn't surprised either. After all, he did come into the house without her knowing it. Then, as she called his name, he could only smile. He relaxed, shifting his foot back to where it was.

She remembers me.

Zade took a step forward, closer to her, hearing her next few words. She was worried. Zade had to wonder, how worried was she exactly? Very or less, Zade still felt guilty, in a way. He had, after all, left without a word, or anything. And then, before he realising what was happening, he was pacing towards Aurora, before enveloping her with a gentle and warm hug, resting his cheek against her hair as he did. His eyes were closed, a small smile on his lips as his heart beat so hard that Zade wouldn't be surprised if she felt it.

"I missed you, Aurora."

[Aurora]

She was about to set the knife down when he suddenly hugged her. Her hazel eyes went wide, and her heart skipped a beat. Zade was hugging her. The pale girl blushed, she wasn't use to physical contact.

"Z-zade? You missed me?"

Why had he left? She had been by herself in the apartment for what seemed such a long time. But she hadn't even changed the lock, hoping he would have come back. And he had! Her pale arms slowly wrapped around him, hugging Zade back. This was...weird. But not in a bad way. Her eyes closed, and pressed her cheek into his shirt. He smelled good. The blush wasn't gone.

"I.... I missed you too Zade."

[Zade]

Zade felt her warmth on his body, especially from her face. Was she blushing? That didn't matter. Zade just wanted to hold her in his arms for as long as he could. Wait, what was wrong with him? He wasn't like this before he left? Or was he? He remembered when he first saw Aureus, wooing Aurora. He had been so jealous that he even challenged Aurora to a fight. Maybe, this feeling had been going on for a long while, but Zade had just been too stubborn to pay any attention.

A small smile played on his lips as she replied, the boy letting out a soft sigh. Then, for a moment, he felt as if time had stopped. He didn't feel the ground, he didn't hear the music, he could only feel her. Wow. Was this really what love was like? Zade opened his eyes, and all he could see was... Her hair. The rest was black. All black. Wait, wasn't that too far? And then, unwillingly and unexpectedly, he spoke again.

"I love you, Aurora."

[Aurora]

The words left his mouth and Aurora felt as if she had been hit by a 18 wheeler. Wait, no...two 18 wheelers. Her feet felt like stones, and her heart beat rapidly. Her head was spining...and so was the ground. She felt....odd.

"Zade?"

Her hands clutched the fabric of his shirt, but in a different way. She felt...odd. Too many emotions were rushing through her, and she couldn't name them all if she tried. Her knees gave out, and Aurora began to sink to her knees.

He loved her?!? No one but her mother had ever said those words... and yet she felt as if he meant it. She felt so...faint. He loved her? Why had he left then?

[Zade]

And then, he pulled away from the hug, a smile on his lips, not even bothered that he had done this the first time to her, or to anyone, at that. Heck, it was like he was possessed or something as he stood in front of her, his hands on her waist, looking into her eyes as she called his name. As awkward as Zade was, he found himself unable to control his body and his mouth.

"Yes, Aurora?"

He spoke with such decency that even Zade couldn't believe it. True, he was a decent young man, but this voice seemed too gentlemanly even for him. It was like he was a whole different person, trying to impress Aurora and win her heart, or had he already have? Problem was, this wasn't the real him. He felt seriously odd. Like his body was being controlled, and yet, he felt as if he was doing it by his own will.

[Aurora]

"If you love me...why did you leave me?"

The words left her lips, and she realized the song was stuck on repeat. Had been this entire time. The red head just blinked, staring up at him even with her knees half way given out.

Why had he left? Why was he saying this now? Her hazel eyes searched his face and yet she was so confused. Did she love him? Or not? Her throat felt tight, and she felt as if she couldn't breath at all. Why did she feel like she was going to faint? Aurora clung onto reality, trying to fight her way through all the confusion racing through her mind. Why? It was the one word that kept repeating in her own thoughts. The one word stuck on repeat there.

"Why?"

[Zade]

"I had no choice... I was in with some bad people... I had to go."

At that, Zade let go of her. Yeah, that was it. Zade stepped away from Aurora, his hands dropping by his sides as he looked away. He had indeed left without a word, and the real reason had finally been stated. What was he doing exactly with some bad people? It had been forced. He had witnessed a murder by some kind of mafia man and had left California to... Well, save Aurora from all this. Only then did Zade realise that this feeling for Aurora had started from the day he first saw her, that day when she came in like an angel, so innocent and pure that even Zade was taken aback. Zade kept his head turned aside, not wanting to look at her.

"I'm sorry."

[Aurora]

He stepped back, away from her and she sank to the ground on her knees. Would these emotions just stop already?!?! Aurora was taken back from the anger in her own voice in her head. But her mind had cleared. That much she was thankful for.

She got to her feet, dusting off the non-existing dust from the pink apron that covered her. Those hazel eyes looked up at him, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. If that was his explantion, then that was his explantion. It was all she needed then.

"Alright. I forgive you Zade. I was worried you'd never come back. Are you hungry? I can make you something."

He loved her...and she didn't know how she felt around him. He had been gone for so long, and she had just blended in with the background of the school. Not speaking to...anyone. How did she felt? The red head wasn't sure.

[Zade]

As she fell on the ground, Zade looked at her, his mouth and eyes open as he stepped forward, his arm stretched out and wanting to help her, but she still managed to get himself up. And then, he just realised what he had just did. He had just returned, and he was already rushing things. Zade gulped, biting his lower lip as he stepped back, feeling very very awkward as a slight blush came onto his face. What had overcome him?

Zade then turned to her as she suddenly acted like nothing had happened. Maybe that was for the better? Yeah, probably, but Zade did not exactly like it. He wanted for something to happen. He wanted to her to accept him. He wanted to hear her say that she loved him too, but no, that was all wishful thinking. It was hopeless. Having no choice but to play long, he gave her a nod, an awkward smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah. Thanks..."

[Aurora]

Aurora turned and opened the fridge, pulling out the things she would need for a good meal. He was male, and therefor would eat a lot. But she stopped, a bag of lettuce halfway pulled from the cold white container. She had to be honest with Zade. She felt the words swelling in her until she had to speak them.

"I like you Zade. I really like you... I just don't know...what love is exactly. I can't figure out if I like you like that....until I figure out what love is."

Only her mother had loved her. The only person to love her during her entire life. And she had loved her mother, and yet it was a different verision of love Zade spoke of. The red head knew that much.

"I'm sorry...but I'm telling you the truth."

Her pale fingers clutched the bag of greens to her pink apron front. Her hazel eyes were locked on the ground, the red locks of her hair falling around her shoulders softly. Shaking her head just slightly, she continued to pull things out of the fridge. He would probally eat a lot.

[Zade]

Well, she liked him. But was that all? Zade looked aside once more, biting his lower lip as he forced himself not to cry. Suddenly his urge to let the tears emerge from his eye socket came up, but Zade didn't want to look desperate in front of her, letting out a sigh, he turned around and opened a nearby cabinet, taking out two plates, two cups and a pair of spoons and forks. Well, what do you know? Love did suck. Zade sighed softly as he took the plates, cups, spoons and forks with both hands and went out of the kitchen, entering the dining/living room and placing the things on the table, one set on each end.

As he did, he gave Aurora a reply. An almost monotonous one.

"Yeah, I know..."

It was the truth, Zade knew and as much as he did not want to, he believed it. That was life. It had its ups and downs, but for a few people, it was always downs. For those who weren't, well, they could go on with life and live the "American Dream". What was the American Dream, anyway? Different people and different definition of it, so what was the American Dream.

And then, Zade started to think, would life with Aurora be the same? There were roommates, after all, and if worse comes to worst, they might start avoiding each other. And that would be difficult.