Aurora woke with a smile on her face, she stretched her limbs and released a wide yawn. Her blurry vision cleared before falling on the dresser in her room,

She looked back down at herself noticing that she was still in her attire from last night. Her cheeks flamed when she remembered what happened at the bar,


"Control yourself, Aurora," She whispered to herself, a smile creeping to her lips.

A sharp knock from the door drew her attention and she flinched slightly.

"Darling, are you awake?" Rosa's voice echoed from behind the door, knocking gently.


Shit.

Aurora flew from the bed, unzipping her dress, "Yeah, yeah, I'll be right out!"


She flung the flimsy material away and snatched the pajamas that was laying on the floor, wriggling it on.

"Okay, but I have to drop your milk, can you open up?" Rosa called again, rapping her knuckles against the door.

Aurora blew out a breath and kicked her dress underneath the bed before releasing her hair from the ponytail that she'd previously styled it in. One quick look at the mirror told her that she was safe to go out and so she did, flinging the door wide open,

"Hello," She greeted breathlessly, leaning against the doorframe, "Rosa, you look wonderful today."

The Hispanic rolled her eyes, chucking the glass filled with warm milk into her hand, "Drink this and get ready quick. Breakfast is in twenty,"

Aurora sighed, wrapping her fingers around the glass, "Can't I skip breakfast this morning? It's not like I eat anything anyways."

And it was true. While the rest of her family had the good stuff, she was stuck with salads and oats for a meal.

Rosa chuckled, patting her palm against Aurora's cheek, "I hate to break it to you sweetheart but we don't always get what we want." With that, she sauntered off leaving Aurora standing alone.



Breakfast was similar to a ritual in the Rochester household, everyone sat where they were supposed to and then listened to whatever her mother had to say. It was a repetitive occasion that she was used to albeit tired of.

Aurora stabbed her fork against the lettuce in her plate before bringing it to her mouth, chewing with more force than necessary.

"...And then I told Laura that that idea was foolish, I mean why go through with it in the first place. Don't you agree, darling?" Miriam Rochester passed the buttered bread to her husband, smiling lovingly.

Her father nodded, accepting the offering and placing it onto his place, "That's ludicrous!" He said, although Aurora was sure that the man wasn't even listening to a thing,

"That's what I said when I heard it," Her mother laughed sweetly, staring at her husband with so much love in her eyes it was almost sickening.

To any other person, they might think that these two truly loved each other to pieces, with the way their conversations flowed and how they smiled at each other. But Aurora knew better, she had never seen anyone who hated each other as much as her parents. She wondered if this was a coping mechanisms for both of them,

"Another miserable meal for you, I see." Her head snapped towards her brother who for some reason decided to sit next to her today.

She took another stab of lettuce, "Mind your business, Evan," She hissed dangerously and he chuckled returning to his own meal.

When was he going to move out anyway? She was starting to get tired of his silly banters and offside comments.

"Ah, Aurora?"

Here goes. She resisted rolling her eyes, instead forcing a smile on her face as she stared at her mother,

"Your aunt Christy is getting married next week and she wants us all there," Her mother said with a stern tone, "You and Evan will leave first since your father and I have business to handle but we will meet you a day before the wedding."

The fork in her hold fell from her grasp and she slowly began to process the information.

"Hold on, Aunt Christy? Your sister?"

Her mother nodded.

"Wasn't she the one who married that model guy last year?" Her mother nodded again, "But why do I have to go? And why is Evan tagging along? Plus, I have a recital and practice starts today, I can't just leave like that."

Her mother sighed and threw a napkin on the table, "Let me answer your questions accordingly. Yes, my sister got married last year but apparently she found out that the guy was bisexual and so filed for a divorce," Oh wow, "You have to go because I'm the older sister and I can't attend such a huge event all by myself. Evan is tagging along because your father said so and I have spoken to Chancellor Blakely, he has agreed to let you off provided you practice whilst on leave. I'm sure you know the steps, right?"

She was beginning to get aggravated. Her mother did this every time, she loved spitting out orders and expected everyone to go by them.

"You can take Dad and Evan with you, I don't see why I have to leave as well," She countered, her voice rising, "Don't you know how I feel when you do things like this? You can't keep pulling strings at school, mom. Everyone is expected to be at the institute to practice, no excuses whatsoever-"

Her mother stood to her feet, the chair scraping along the tiles loudly, "You are a Rochester. You're not everyone, Aurora. The moment you realize, the better it will be for you." She titled her chin in that haughty manner that Aurora detested, "Pack your bags, you leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Her chest burned with indignation, she felt like throwing something at the woman. Her fingers shook and she folded them into a tight fist.

Her mother's eyes were unwavering, lips pulled tight. Aurora had a thousand things to say but knew it was useless, Miriam Rochester would always have her way in the end. That was how her entire life was run, by her mother.

"I have something to say," Her eyes fell on Evan and he smiled sheepishly, "Are we allowed to bring guests because-"

"No guests are allowed, Evan," Their father cut in gently, rubbing his forehead with a sigh.

Aurora met her mother's gaze again and she hoped her eyes reflected the resentment she felt. "Every single time," She whispered, shaking her head, "Every single time, you do as you wish without caring how it will affect the person in question."

Her mother didn't know the taunts and jeers she had to put up with at the institute. Every one thought she was an entitled spoiled brat who got away with everything but it was really her mother. Her selfish mother who acted how she wanted because apparently they were 'Rochesters'.

"I'll pack my bags but don't expect me to act happy there." She pushed her chair away and stalked off without another word.