Waking Rory

by Elizabeth Jeannel

  “You really should go to bed soon,” I heard Nash call from the other side of the door.

  He was right. It was inching on midnight. I started gathering up my stuff, and I heard another knock at the door.

  “I’m going to bed, Nash,” I groaned.

  Rory poked in her head.

  “Oh, hey, come in.” I paused, ushering her quickly before Nash heard anything. “Everything okay?”

  She nodded, stepping into the room and eyeing my guitar, the notebooks, my sketchbook. It was almost like the whole closet incident hadn’t even happened.

  “This is beautiful,” she said, picking up my sketchbook.

  I felt myself tense up. She knew what it was now.

  “That’s umm…” I breathed.

  “I’m sorry,” she stammered, quickly handing it back to me. “I didn’t mean—"

  “It’s okay. It’s just… showing people my art is like showing them my soul.”

  “I like that.” She smiled. "You play the strings?”

  “It’s a guitar.” I smiled. “But, yeah.”

  “Will you play for me sometime?”

  I held onto the way she said sometime. Like she hadn’t asked me to take her to stay somewhere else. Like I hadn’t found a place. Like she wouldn’t be gone tomorrow.

  I nodded, swallowing hard. “Did you need anything? I thought you went to bed a while ago.”

  “I’m just… nervous.” She looked down. “About tomorrow.”

  “You’d probably be crazy if you weren’t.”

  She let out a soft sigh and sat down on my bed. “Do you think I’ll ever feel… at home?”

  I swallowed hard. I don’t even know what home is anymore. “Of course.”

  She nodded, not satisfied. “What if I fail?”

  “Fail what? Being a teenager? Building a life?”

  She nodded again, looking rather serious.

  “I don’t…” I sighed. I hated lying. “I don’t think it’s as simple as try and fail. I think we just do our best, and life does the rest.”

  “Do you?”

  “Do I—”

  “Do you do your best?” she asked.

  “I—no, I guess I really don’t most of the time.”

  She put a hand on top of mine, and my stomach tied in knots. I wished there was a way to tell it to stop that.

  “Maybe one day, you will.”

  She stood, her touch fading from my skin as she slipped out of the room.

  Chapter 10

  There was a slice of pie for me in the fridge the next morning, and I waited until Nash had left to share it with Aurora. She was in a much better mood.

  “You still nervous?” I asked, surprised that she didn’t mind eating out of the same container as I was.

  “Not anymore. Should I be?” she asked. Her back was rigid, though.

  “I don’t know.”

  “I cannot sit and do nothing every day, so I must find my place. If this is how I do it, so be it.”

  I swallowed hard. Suddenly the pie tasted like ash.

  “If you’re not ready—”

  “I am. I was ready to rule a kingdom after all.”

  “I guess that’s true.” I sighed. What I wouldn’t give for half your drive.

  Henry didn’t say much on the ride to work, which made me miss Gordon again. He was always such a chatterbox when it was just the two of us. I was ignored as I walked into the doors of the office, my boss not even caring I was there. Until I reached my desk, I didn’t know what I’d be doing all day, but there was a list. In French.

  A soft laugh escaped my lips. Joke was on them. Reading French was easier than understanding spoken French. At least reading meant I could take my time. So I pulled out my book for the words that weren’t familiar and got to work.

  When I checked my social media account, Molly had finally messaged back. She was doing a cleanse. She said something about trying to stay away from social media. ‘Sucks to suck on the dream summer vacation, and sure I miss you, but I’m too busy for your crap right now.’

  ‘Miss you too.’ I sent back. I considered sending more. Instead, I just went back to the list my boss had given me.

  At lunch, I looked up the halfway house again and called their office number. I needed to double check they were accepting new people before I just showed up with Aurora.

  “Bonjour.” A woman’s voice chimed after the fourth ring.

  “Hi, do you speak English?” I asked.

  “Uh, yes? How can I help you?”

  “Perfect, I’m looking for a place for a friend to stay until she can get back on her feet. She’s not in trouble or anything, but she needs help finding work and getting settled.”

  “We do take non-criminals from time to time.” She sighed like she was already tired of the conversation. “Under special circumstance. You can bring her by and my manager could speak to you.”

  “Great, yeah, we can come by today, if that’s okay?”

  “Yes, he will be here all day.”

  “Thank you!” I said, barely getting it out before I heard a click. “Have a good day,” I mumbled to myself.

  Most of the day was spent shredding documents, getting lunch for others in the office, or running errands for Elaine while Madam Caron was busy. I had a feeling I’d be doing a lot more work with her in the weeks to come, regardless of what Madam Caron said. I guess I didn’t mind that so much. I was good at planning parties.

  By the time I got off, I was so ready to get out of there. I had to get Aurora settled, and I knew it would take us forever to find the place, even with me looking at the maps the night before.

  Aurora was waiting on the couch for me when I got home just after 5. Her back was straight, her legs crossed at the ankles, and her hands were in her lap, a confident stance, but she was shaking. She was also still wearing pajamas.

  The thought hadn’t occurred to me to suggest she raid my closet while she was being shoved in it.

  “Let’s get you changed,” I sighed, leading her to my room.

  I decided to change, too. I didn’t feel like walking through the city in my business wear.

  Autumn had insisted on my buying three dresses for work, for a change of pace from black slacks and blazers. I was not a dress kind of girl—hadn’t been in years. The last time I’d worn a dress was the night my parents… anyway. There was no harm in giving them to Aurora. I had a feeling she’d be much more comfortable in them than a pair of my jeans.

  “Here,” I said as I stepped into the hall where Rory was standing, holding all three of them by the hangers. “You can wear whichever one you want.”

  She nodded, and I slipped into the spare room.

  A part of me didn’t want to do this—find her a different place to stay. I woke her, which meant in some freaky magical way that I had to be her true love or some nonsense, right? I didn’t even believe in magic or true love. I should have just left her at the train station, handed her some cash, and wished her good luck. Someone would have helped her.

  Or hurt her.

  Damn it. I was only 17. I was not ready for a secret like this. I didn’t like to lie. I hated to lie. But I had a feeling no one wouldn’t listen. Not to the truth anyway. Without the truth, she was just a 16-year-old girl with no parents, no home, and nowhere to go. Sounded familiar.

  I heard the door open and turned, my breath caught in my throat. I got that queasy feeling in my stomach that means you’ve probably eaten too much cheese, or seen the most beautiful human being on the planet eyeing you while wearing a red dress. Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled. I felt my heart pound a little and swallowed hard.

  I was screwed.

  “Even?” she asked. Say it again. Or ten thousand times on loop.

  “Uh-huh?” I choked out.

  “Can you help me? I don’t know how to—” She turned around, her back exposed in the gap that a zipper should have closed.

  Good God. I was not ready for this—this feeling as I closed the
distance between us. The immediate knots that tied in my stomach as I brushed my hand against her skin. The shaking in my hands as I zipped the back of the dress, and the way she held her hair back with her hands as she looked over her shoulder.

  Time was slow for a second as she turned back around letting her golden hair cascade to just below her chest. She was so close to me that I could almost feel her breath against my cheeks. She smiled again. I wished she’d stop doing that, but at the same time I wished she’d never stop.

  “How do I look?”

  “Won—per…um.” I stammered and let out a deep breath. “Great, you look great.”

  She smiled again, this time a little more nervous, and looked down at her tiny feet where she’d slipped back on the same shoes I’d found her in. They were worn leather, just wrapped around her tiny feet. They’d have to do, though, because there was no way she could wear mine.

  “You ready?” I asked.

  She nodded, but her face didn’t sell it. And I didn’t know how to convince myself that I was doing the right thing.

  The walk to the halfway house was long. I was glad I’d taken the photo of the map, or we would have gotten lost. Actually, I thought we were lost when we arrived.

  It was less of a house and more of an apartment complex. There were two men standing outside writing down people’s names as they came in, almost like a check-in. That was probably good for accountability. The two men looked up as we approached them.

  “Hi, um,” I let out a shaky breath. “Do you speak English?”

  “Yes, we do.” The taller of the two spoke up. He was the one holding the clip-board, taking down names. His friend didn’t say anything.

  “Awesome. I called earlier. Is your manager still here?”

  “If there’s something you need, we can help.”

  “Well, my friend,” I pointed to Aurora, “She’s needing a place to stay so she can get back on her feet. Somewhere she can start work, that sort of thing. I spoke to someone earlier and she said—”

  “Does she have identification?” He sighed in that same way the girl on the phone had. Like he was tired of the conversation.

  “Oh, um. No, she doesn’t.”

  “I don’t think we can help you.”

  “Listen, I was told to ask for the manager,” I insisted. Let me speak to your manager. Ugh I hated the sound of that.

  He let out another long sigh. “Name?”

  “Aurora.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Date of birth?”

  I looked at Aurora who had been quiet the whole time.

  “Le 29 juin,” Aurora said softly.

  “She’s 16,” I added before they could ask.

  Clipboard guy met my eyes.

  “16?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  He shook his head and turned away, mumbling as he ducked inside. His friend stayed out, still quiet, which made me incredibly uncomfortable. Especially with the way he was eyeing Aurora. I was ready to leave. We should have just left right then.

  “I thought you said they would let me stay,” Aurora whispered with a shaky breath.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought, too,” I sighed.

  Clip-board guy was gone for a long time. Aurora was getting impatient, and so was I. Finally, I heard his voice again from the doorway, calling to his friend. I groaned internally.

  They talked in hushed tones for a minute before the word police rang in my ears, and I felt my blood run cold.

  “Shit,” I whispered, grabbing Aurora’s hand. “We gotta go.”

  I pulled her around the corner where we’d come from, hearing a yell behind us. We’d only just rounded the corner, when I caught a glimpse of flashing lights, a sight I knew far too well for my own good.

  “No, no, no, no, no,” I called as I came sliding to a halt. Aurora crashed into me.

  “Why are we running?” she asked, as I tugged her down an alley.

  I heard a shout from the direction the lights had come, which made it clear they hadn’t exactly missed us. The shouts grew louder, and suddenly they had flashlights on our back. I was regretting letting her wear a bright red dress now. They were hot on our tail, and Aurora was not the fastest runner. I was practically dragging her.

  We ducked down every alley I could find. Left, right, left, right. It felt like we’d never get away from them. Until I yanked Aurora into a doorway, and we waited.

  “What—” she started.

  “Shhhhh, shh, shh, shh,” I sputtered as I slammed a hand over her mouth. I wasn’t rough about it, but it was firm.

  The footsteps raced past the alley we’d ducked into growing distant by the second.

  “Okay,” I breathed, taking my hand off her mouth as I leaned ever so slightly out to look. I couldn’t see any lights. “I think they’re gone.”

  Aurora’s hands grabbed my waist, pulling me back to her. I gasped, meeting her gaze.

  “We should wait… a little longer.” she whispered. “Just in case they come back.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  I was suddenly aware of just how tiny this doorway was, how close my face was to hers. I could feel her breath on my chest. But I was more aware of the fact that she still hadn’t taken her hands off my waist. There was enough angsty energy in that tiny hole in the wall, I could have cut it with a knife.

  The urge to kiss her washed over me. I wanted to, and by the look in her eyes, I wasn’t convinced she’d stop me, but I knew better. I pulled away.

  The walk back home felt longer than before. Maybe it was all the backtracking. Maybe it was that we kept ducking behind corners at every voice we heard. Or maybe it was just the disappointment, the nervousness, the feeling of the unknown pressing down on us both.

  What was I supposed to do now? Tell Nash I’d woken Sleeping Beauty? Surprise! I found my soulmate in the woods! No way. And it wasn’t like I could just send her packing either.

  Nash sent a text when we were halfway home. Late meeting tonight. I’ll have something brought around for dinner.

  I wondered if his late meeting was with more people than Autumn, but I didn’t ask.

  Henry was waiting when we got back. He was on the phone. I felt my blood run cold. Please don’t rat me out. Please don’t rat me out.

  “Oh, she’s here,” Henry said cheerily as he turned to me. “Some girl with her.”

  “Want me to talk to him?” I asked, hoping he’d say no.

  “He asked where you’ve been.”

  “Just… sightseeing a little. It’s France, after all.”

  “She said—yeah. Alright.” Henry sighed. I got the feeling he hated this middle man nonsense. “He asked who your friend is.”

  “Prin—” Aurora began.

  “Rory.” I finished for her. “She’s Rory. She’s another intern.”

  Aurora looked at me questioningly, and I shook my head slowly.

  “Thank you, Henry. Tell him to call me if he has anymore questions. I’m safe. I’m not in trouble. I didn’t get arrested or hurt. I just listened to some street performers and got a coffee.”

  Henry nodded, still listening to Nash as he reached out a bag of food for me.

  “Have a good night.” I forced a smile.

  I was dead. I was so, so dead. Nash was totally going to kill me.

  “You can’t just go running off without saying anything.” Nash wasn’t yelling. I could give him credit for that. “A text, Ev. That’s all it takes. ‘Hey me and another intern are going to get coffee.’ Would that have been so hard?”

  I swallowed hard. Yes. “No, I just… didn’t think about it.”

  “Yeah, you didn’t think. You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for. You have got to start using that head of yours for more than mischief.”

  I let out a soft laugh.

  “Oh, you think this is funny?” Nash asked, but he was smiling.

  “Kind of.” I grinned.

  “It’s not. I was worried about you. Just—” He let out
a sigh. “It’s my job to make sure you’re safe, okay? And bad things happen to pretty girls in foreign countries, so don’t go running off like that.”

  I nodded. All the humor had died from his voice. It was weird seeing him seem scared. It gave me chills.

  “Can, um.” I let out a breath. “Can Ar—Rory stay over?”

  “Are you out of your—” He let out a breath. “You know what? Yeah, it’s the weekend. I don’t care.”

  “Really?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “She seems like a nice kid.” He rubbed his hands over his eyes. “Not the usual riff raff you bring around. Maybe she’ll rub off on you.”

  I think she already had, but I wasn’t about to tell Nash that.

  “Thanks, Nash.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He sighed, waving me off. I heard him mumbling, “God, I need a drink,” as I headed back to my room.

  Aurora—Rory was sitting on my bed with her little book in her hands when I walked in. She looked up and smiled, closing it.

  “He doesn’t seem so mad.”

  “Yeah, that’s because he doesn’t know the truth.” I laughed. “Whatcha working on?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing.” She shook her head. “So, he said I could stay?”

  “For tonight, I guess we will figure out the rest as we go.”

  She nodded slowly. “There’s nowhere for me to go, is there?”

  “Afraid not.” I let out a long sigh as I sat down next to her. “Not unless I tell him the truth, or some variation of it. And I’m just not sure how to do that yet.”

  “I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

  “It’s not your fault. I’ll figure it out, okay?”

  “Maybe,” she breathed, wringing her hands. “Maybe we can figure it out together.”

  “Yeah.” I smiled. “Maybe.”

  Chapter 11

  It was my first official weekend in France. Which meant McCoy Enterprises was closed for two whole days, following the flow of all its other branches. It also meant that Nash had no reason not to sleep in. And because I was a special kind of chaotic good, I slipped into his room and shut his phone off.