Out for a Decision

After her phone call with Nina, Aurora needed air.  She didn't even think about where she was going, Aurora just bolted out of her house.  After walking aimlessly she decided to head over to the Fall Festival at the old cannery.  This was one of the few places that didn't provoke any of those memories or images.  So Aurora felt safe that she could think clearly there.

Once there Aurora headed toward the pumpkin patch.  She realized it was almost Halloween and didn't have on so why not.  She quickly headed for the haunted house.  If it was anything like last years it wasn't scary.  Aurora really just wanted to keep herself distracted.  She wasn't really in the mood to be all festive, she just honestly didn't want to think about where she should go or really if she should look at that house.

After the haunted house which Aurora felt was almost pathetic, she was glad to run into one her neighbors.  Although Constance Shelley didn't seem like the pie eating contest type she sure couldn't wait to find someone to compete against.  So when Constance asked her Aurora said sure.  I guess when the prize is money people will do anything.  Aurora figured she would just let Constance win since money is no longer an issue for her.

However something very strange happened as Aurora waited for the whistle to start.  It was like she was there but not.  All of the sudden she started seeing these images pass through her head.  She was at the fall festival, but not this festival and she wasn't alone.  All of them had Aurora and that mystery dream man of hers in them.  Like all the other times she couldn't see his face straight on, but it was the same guy.

It was just three images, but three very vivid images.  It threw Aurora for a moment.  Usually the festivals never brought on anything.  However this time it did, they were clear images of Aurora and that guy having fun at the festival.  It was so weird, Aurora was so flustered by this she couldn't even win the contest against Constance is she wanted to.  As soon as it was done Aurora just flew out of there.  Although those memories or whatever they are took her back, they also made Aurora know exactly what she wanted to do. She just needed a quiet place to make a very important phone call.

Undecided

Aurora woke up the next morning feeling still uneasy about calling to see the house.  She didn't sleep well and the little sleep she had was filled with dreams, memories, or whatever of living in the house that she kept seeing.  The house she is pretty sure is now available.  Although the actual design of the house is slightly fuzzy in her mind, the picture she saw online does appear resemble what she keeps seeing.  Not sure what to do, Aurora decides to give her sister Nina a call.

A few weeks before winning the lotto, Aurora had finally come clean to Nina about all the stuff she had been going through.  She didn't tell her right away because Nina can be a little quick to judge sometimes.  She also has a tendency to insist she is right, which annoys Aurora.  Just because she is older doesn't mean Nina knows everything.  Knowing full well Nina would probably go off on some tangent, Aurora still decided she wanted her sister's advice over anyone else's at the moment.

Aurora didn't know if it was Nina's pregnancy hormones or what but Nina was particularly cranky and quick tempered on the phone.  As soon as Aurora mentioned what she was contemplating Nina started in on her.  She told her absolutely do not call about that house.  Nina reminded her that she was doing well and on a positive note right now and that she didn't need something like this derailing Aurora and sending her another depressed dream searching journey or whatever.  Even when Aurora told her that it might be fate and isn't a coincidence that after winning the lotto this property is once again available, Nina cut her right off.  She told her that's all it was and that she could kick Yvette for slightly implying to Aurora anything about this being in the cards for something for her.  Aurora was rather ticked off by that since Yvette didn't actually say that her, rather just implied that it was strange that in her dreams she didn't know how she was rich but she was.  Whatever though, Nina thinks what she thinks and that's it.

The only thing that did get to Aurora was when Nina said, What if this is the house, then what?  Are you just going to sit there and wait for the next part of your life to just fall into place?  What do you think that dream man of yours is going to fall down the chimney on Christmas?  Are you going to scour everywhere looking for him?  Like what happens next?

Nina was right about that.  Aurora hadn't forgotten that she didn't live there alone.  That in fact she was married with a happy family there.  Aurora remembered all this and that was the main reason she was hesitant to even call in the first place.  Once her conversation with Nina ended Aurora found herself exactly as she was before.  Totally confused as to what she should do.  All she knew was she needed to get out of the house and get some air.  Hopefully that would trigger a decision.

Happy Easter!

Aurora is just a kid at heart and still loves a good Easter Egg hunt!

Where to go...

Winning the lotto was a lot more stressful than Aurora anticipated.  So lately Aurora has spent a lot of time just lying and contemplating things.  It's not just getting the money and then living happily ever after.  It's now that I have it's making sure it's kept safe, dealing with taxes, financial advisers, who to tell, etc.  Aurora decided the less people that knew the better, so she only told her parents, Nina, her brother Tony, Gina, Shirley, Danny, and Yvette whom she expected might have known this was going to happen.  However she hasn't asked her and probably wont.  She didn't want to make Yvette mad or hear her go on about how it doesn't work like that or she doesn't read her friends etc.  Besides Yvette and Danny have been so happy lately why bring something stupid like her weird dream/images up.  Things are moving forward and positive.
Although she wants to keep this recent windfall quiet a lot of Riverview was already buzzing about who the winner was.  She knew eventually the residents would realize it was her.   But whatever when that comes along Aurora figures she'll just handle it.  Right now she needed to decide what to do first.  Either way she does have to find a place to live.  Her time at this house is almost up.  Aurora could go anywhere she wanted yet she still has no clue what to do.

Since Aurora had no clue what she wanted, she figured why not start by researching real estate on the internet.  She didn't know if she wanted to build a house or move into one already up.  It was so overwhelming to her.  She guessed that she will most likely end up in a hotel until she decides.  Aurora didn't hate this idea, the city has some really amazing places.  Plus now she could afford the best and pamper herself while she waits for her dream house to hit her. 

However that hit was about to come sooner rather than later.  As Aurora was looking through websites she saw something rather interesting.  There was an article about the couple that bought the property that Aurora always dreamed about on Riverblossom Hills Road.  Apparently they already moved and the house they built is up for sale.  The Riverview paper is saying no one else has ever built and then moved in and out of a house faster in Riverview before.  The paper is also stating that the family decided they didn't like it here and immediately wanted to move.  The house is for sale privately and it says to only call if you are interested and able to buy.  Aurora thought ,"yeah nice way of saying you don't want the trash coming for a tour of your house."  Yet the number was listed in the paper.  Aurora thought the whole thing was weird but she had this feeling that she has to call and see.  This is the property she dreamed about.  The one Aurora thought she never could afford, yet here she is a millionaire and it's available once again.  This couldn't be just a coincidence, it was almost like fate.  So Aurora wrote down the number and decided she would sleep on it.  If she still felt this was meant to be in the morning, she was going to call.

Oh My...

Aurora didn't know if was mind over matter or her wish actually worked, but she woke up the next day feeling really good.  She actually didn't even care why she was just happy, she hadn't felt this good in a long time and she didn't want to start to question it.  Aurora wasn't going to let this good streak go away.

Aurora went downstairs to make breakfast and turned on the morning news like usual.  The news started off normally with the late breaking stuff, then the weather, and then something that made Aurora stop dead in her tracks.  "As most you know there was only one winner two weeks ago in that 210 million dollar multi state lottery drawing from two weeks, although multiple have tried to claim it was them.  They were all proven to be false.  Surprisingly the actual winner still hasn't come forward.  The only information released is the winning ticket was bought in a local supermarket in Riverview.  So whomever you are, you are one very
lucky person."

Aurora couldn't believe what she just heard.  Her thoughts went crazy for a second because she remembered something that she couldn't believe she had forgotten all about.  Aurora had bought a ticket about two weeks ago for that lottery at the supermarket and never checked it.  "Could she actually be the winner", Aurora thought.  No there is just no way.  She doesn't have that kind of luck, but then a memory of something Yvette said went through her head.  It was from the day they first met. 

"In all that you said you had money, but you never said how you became so rich.  Do you know?"

"Honestly.  I don't know.  Is that bad?"  asked Aurora slightly uneasy again.

"No.  Just interesting.  It's such a big part of it yet it's a mystery.  Don't obsess over it or delve into why this is so.  I can see that look forming, you are thinking it.  Actually maybe you won the money or something?  Do you play the lotto?"

"Um not often." replied Aurora.

"Huh, well maybe you should.  Like they say you never know." 

That conversation flashed through her head so vividly.  Aurora actually played the lotto a lot after that but when her biggest winning was 5 bucks she stopped and figured that's what Yvette meant if she was even hinting at something she saw.  Yvette still claims that with all the time they spend together as friends she avoids reading her.  She never does readings for friends unless she has to.  She says sometimes you see things you don't want to have to tell someone.  So Aurora didn't know what to think other than stop being stupid and just check your ticket, that will answer your own question.

After checking her ticket Aurora just got up and then stood there in a daze.  Her numbers matched the winning numbers listed in the paper and on the lottery website.  She was the sole winner that hadn't claimed her prize yet.  Aurora was in such disbelief she didn't know what to do.

All she could do was manage a weird smile.  Her whole body was in shock, Aurora could not comprehend that in a few minutes she was going to head over to the lottery headquarters and claim her 210 million dollar winning ticket.

Just a little wish....

Aurora has been doing pretty well with everything.  Actually things were looking up for her.  She had definitely narrowed her search for a new home down to some pretty nice options that were still located in Riverview.  Aurora also managed to get some more freelance writing work, although not steady it was still some extra cash in her pocket and more stuff for her resume so she was happy with that.  She also has really been handling the whole vivid images well still.  Aurora really has convinced herself that they were just strong fantasies that she longer for and now when they creep up (and they still unfortunately) she was getting better and moving herself away from them.  Plus she still believed that they were to help match up Danny and Yvette, well at least she kept telling herself that.  Her plan to be matchmaker for them actually was going pretty well without much interference from herself at all.  Aurora threw her last bash pool party and invited both Danny and Yvette.  All Aurora did was introduce them and they actually did the rest.  She was shocked they got along really well and had a lot in common. She's even managed to get out of Danny that he has been talking to Yvette a bit since the party.
Another great distraction for Aurora has been Nina.  Having her sister in Riverview has been great.  Since Nina's actual life now differed very much from the one Aurora saw in her dreams it was a great way for her to keep herself moving forward and positive in this reality verses what she was doing months ago.

Having Nina just casually stopping by and seeing her around town has been wonderful for Aurora.  Nina's relationship with George was becoming very serious.  In fact Aurora got great news when speaking with Nina the other day on the phone.  Nina told her that she and George were expecting their first child together.  

Aurora was ecstatic to find out she would be an Aunt.  Aurora loves children.  She already began planning on all the fun things she could do with her new niece or nephew.  All this positive energy was really getting Aurora motivated and she decided to start jogging again.  So after her conversation with Nina she headed for a run around town.  She ended up running to the Gazebo.  Aurora liked that park because it was always busy yet quiet.  After her run she sat down and just relaxed before she headed home.  In Gazebo Park there was this fountain.  Everyone in Riverview claimed it was like a wishing well.  Some claimed that a lot of people who threw a coin and made a wish got what they wished for.  Aurora never really cared about it before, she thought it was pretty but never wished for anything from it.  But for some reason today she just got the urge to.  She didn't know why, but something nagged at her to do it.  So Aurora walked over to it and pulled a penny out of her pocket.  The fountain was covered in money mainly pennies so Aurora didn't feel like a cheapskate only throwing one in.  She didn't immediately know what she wanted to wish for.  Did she wish for love, money, luck, her dream life?  Then she thought about, all she really wanted from her dream life was to feel as happy as she did here as she did there.  So with that she threw her coin in and wished for happiness.  

She figured what is the harm in that?  If it backfired so what she would feel sad?  Aurora already felt sad and lonely so how much worse could it be?  So Aurora made her wish and left her happiness up to chance once again.

Maybe it wasn't all about me...

Aurora had been so busy lately with apartment hunting and bartending that she hadn't had time to indulge herself in any of her weird dreams or memories.  In fact ever since she came to the conclusion that they most likely weren't real they had become a lot less frequent, which she liked.  Aurora knew she had to get out of that funk she was in and focus on the future, which she has been doing.  Aurora was even trying to avoid Danny less which was manageable since he was out of town a lot lately, so her main contact with him was via text or email.  She was just still slightly nervous about him for some reason.  It was those extreme images she would get whenever he was around that Aurora was afraid would pop up again when they were face to face.    She felt she has made so much progress with moving on that she was afraid if she saw him and the images came back that she would revert back to holding on to something that wasn't real.  However she knew this couldn't be avoided forever since Danny told her things were getting all in order and he was coming home soon to start getting things together for production in the city.
Aurora planned on sending Danny a message saying they should get together when he came home so this way she could prepare to see him, however one night right before her shift was over she got a surprise when Danny walked into the bar.  He walked in with a big smile on his face and sat down right in front of Aurora.
Aurora was taken back for a second because last she heard he wasn't coming home for a few days.

"Hey stranger."  said Danny as she sat down.
"Hi.  What are you doing here?" asked Aurora.
"I was able to come home a few days earlier than I expected.  Which is good now I get some stuff done before my partners and everyone come out.  What you don't want to see me?" questioned Danny with a smirk.
"No.  I'm glad, I just thought you were coming home later this week.  Anyway how did you know I was here?"  Aurora felt a little uneasy, she didn't get flashes but she felt like Danny knew she felt weird.  Which just made their normal friendly interactions a little bit awkward and she hated that.
"C'mon really Aurora?  I've been out of town for weeks and I get how did you know I was here?  Well since I feel like being forthcoming I'll tell you.  I asked Shirley and she told me."
"Oh yeah.  No it wasn't a big deal.  I just um, since I'm working do you want a drink?"  Aurora said hastily trying to move the conversation along to something else.
"No, not now.  When are you off?  I'll have one with you then and we can talk."
"I'm off in thirty minu..."
"No she's off now" said Patrice as she walked out and came behind the counter.  "It's slow tonight and your friend is here.  Just relax and I'll take over."  said Patrice.
"What no it's fine."  said Aurora slightly confused.
"No, I insist.  You've been working a lot and it's only thirty minutes.  So scram."  insisted Patrice with a laugh.
"Great so Aurora sit down.  Oh and Patrice I'll have two beers."  said Danny.

"So Aurora I'm just going to ask, what's been going on with you lately?"

"What?  Nothing.  I'm fine."  answered Aurora nervously.

"C'mon.  I'm not dumb, I know you've been avoiding me a little." said Danny.

Aurora didn't know what to say.  She knew he knew something was up just by the way he looked at her when he came in but now she was being ask flat out what the deal was.  Aurora contemplated telling him all about the dreams etc., but instead she just told him about having to move, losing her column, and being stressed about that.

"That sucks Aurora.  Why didn't you tell me sooner?  I could help or something."  said Danny sympathetically.

"No.  It's fine.  I didn't want to bring you down.  You are just so excited about the show and stuff.  I didn't want be that friend that has to ruin your excitement with my issues."

"That's ridiculous.  So anyway do you need a place to stay, I mean I could make room for you?"

"Really?  Danny you own a one bedroom?" said Aurora.

"I have a pullout couch and a garage."  answered Danny laughing.

Aurora smiled.   "Thanks.  But I'll be fine.  There are actually some really cute apartments in my price range. There is also the town and pool and the park available for free so I can swim and get sun still.  Um yeah it's okay."  

They both laughed about the prospect of living together and how that would probably end destructively.  Once past the hurdle of seeing him again, Aurora was actually really glad he came in.  Their friendship actually meant a lot to her and she was glad it was getting back to normal.

"So it is really dead in here tonight." Danny said.

"Um yeah.  It's a Tuesday night during the school year.  So what did you expect?" answered Aurora sarcastically.

"Shut up.  It was just an observation to keep the conversation moving.  Anyway are you going to Gina's wedding?" asked Danny.

"Obviously considering i'm in it."  Aurora just looked at Danny like he was stupid.

"Okay. Yeah that was a dumb question.  Are you going with anyone?"

Aurora almost spit out her drink laughing.  "Oh my God Danny.  Are you kidding?  Seriously who are you right now?  You know me, I barely go on any dates. So how could I manage to get one for Gina's wedding?"

"Hey, well I was thinking that if you didn't have a date we could go together.  As friends obviously, but since you seem to have an attitude right now.  I'm not so sure."  Danny said with a smirk.

"No that would be cool actually."  said Aurora and she meant it.  She hated the thought of going alone and she forgot Danny had become pretty friendly with Gina so of course he was also invited.  Danny was always fun to go out with.  Aside from the fact that he didn't care about making a fool of himself he was great about keeping creepy guys away from Aurora, and she knew a few of Riverview's finest creeps and players would be there since Jebidiah was friendly with a lot of people.

The two of them spent the rest of night reminiscing about their past times out and ended up dancing pretty much all alone since the club was so dead.  So they could act as stupid as they wanted to be, which is was their favorite way to dance and be.

"Seriously Danny what are those moves?"  Aurora asked laughing.

"What you don't like them? They're very cool.  Clearly you know nothing about dancing."  Danny answered while barely being able to keep a straight face.

While they danced Aurora kept thinking about how he could be the perfect guy for her if she just felt that way about him.  This wasn't the first time she's thought about it.  She even one time wished she could but she just doesn't.  It's not even that he is unattractive he's actually pretty nice looking Aurora thought, but she just doesn't feel that way about him.  Which is good considering he doesn't like her like that either.  Aurora knew this because there were plenty of times they were alone that would have opportune for Danny if he wanted to make a move and he never did.  Aurora just thought it would be so much easier if they just hit it off on their date, but then again she liked things the way they are so why really.  Things worked out for the best.  She just didn't understand why Danny couldn't find someone nice?  She knew why she couldn't but why not him? He has like everything going for him and then it hit her.  Yvette!  Yvette would be perfect for him.  Aurora and her have become rather friendly, so she knows Yvette and Danny are the same age both three years older than Aurora.  It was perfect thought Aurora.  Danny was attractive and smart, Yvette was attractive and smart so why not be that way together.  The rest of the time they were dancing all Aurora thought about was how to get them to meet without them realizing she was trying to set them up.  Especially if they didn't like each other, I mean she knows all about that.  So Aurora decided that she would just have to throw one last bash at her house and of course they would both be invited.  Aurora felt really good about this, in fact she thought maybe all that image drama maybe wasn't even about her at all.  Maybe since Danny seemed to trigger something, it was in fact about him.  It was because of all this that Aurora even ended up talking with Yvette so yes, Aurora convinced herself that this was it.  Maybe if all that crazy stuff she went through wouldn't give her a happy ending, it would at least give a happy ending for someone else.