Page 138 of Redeemed

“Mmhmm. I think getting back into the swing of things is helping. You know, with school and dance classes and all that.” She’s already digging through her bag and pulling out the orange prescription bottle. “I’m still getting my refills though, just in case.”

“That’s… that’s really good, Rora. I’m glad you’re doing better.”

She grins, but it feels hollow. I believe her about her anxiety, but there’s something else going on. I can feel it.

Aurora dumps a handful of tiny white pills into the palm of my hand. “Tell her to take them every eight hours as needed. Oh, and it’s pretty easy to get a prescription from the doctor.”

“Not really sure what her health insurance situation is.”

“Oh. Right.” She bites her lip, her brows furrowing.

We didn’t grow up with all this shit, her and I. The fancy cars, the huge house, the unlimited budgets. It’s been a few years since we moved in with Greg and got all the perks that come with being his kids, but neither of us have ever gotten used to it.

No doubt, Aurora is recalling one of the many times when we couldn’t afford an urgent care visit, let alone a prescription.

“Hey.” I knock her in the shoulder gently. “Don’t go all quiet on me like that.”

It’s something she used to do a lot, back when she was struggling the most. Seeing her slip into it again brings back memories I’d like to keep buried.

“Right.” She blinks, straightening. “Sorry. She’ll be okay?”

“Who?”

“Your friend.”

“Yeah.” I kiss the top of her head. “I’ll make sure of it. Is there something bugging you?”

“What? No. I’m fine.”

“You just look tired. If you need anything—”

“I’mfine,Luc. Now get out of here. I have to practice.”

“Fine. Meet up for hot chocolate early next week?”

She hesitates for a split second before smiling and nodding. “I’d like that.”

Fake, fake, fake.

The alarms sounding in my head are almost too loud to ignore. I want to carry her up to her bathroom and place her on that damned scale of hers to see if she’s losing weight again. I want to watch her, make sure she’s eating enough, make her see herself the way everyone else does.

She’s so fucking beautiful, but she can’t believe it.

“Lucas? Are you all right?”

At the worry in Aurora’s voice, I start. There are tears in my eyes, and my chest is tight.

No,I want to tell her.I’m worried that the next time I hear from Mom, it’ll be to tell me that you’re back in the hospital. Or worse.

“Just… remember I love you, all right? A lot of people do. Just as you are, Rora.”

Disbelief flashes in her eyes, and the urge to go on a fucking rampage grips me. She loves her ballet studio, but all I see is a cage of mirrors. A constant showcase of every one of the flaws she obsesses over.

“I love you, too.” She rises onto her tiptoes and gives me a hug. “See you soon.”

With the pills in my pocket, I head back out to my bike. Something is off with her, and I’ve gotta figure out what it is. I’d ask Jeremy—her dance partner—but he’s too loyal. He’d tell Aurora I asked the second he could, and if she knows I’m going behind her back, she’ll start hiding things from me more than she already does.

Between the volunteer work she does, therapy, and Greg, Mom doesn’t pay close enough attention to Aurora, especially now that she’s an “adult.” That leaves only one person I can ask.

---