"Quite old-fashioned."

"Now, I thought you liked my jokes."

And she did, as much as any daughter appreciates her father's brand of humor...But still...The concept of marrying an old friend's son seemed quite out-of-touch with today's romantic culture.

Yes, amidst the divorce, the cheating, so romantic, Rose. But then again, she was fooling herself if she negated that cheating occurred all the time back in the good ol' days.

"You should give him a chance, Aurora. Just see him for what he is."

"And what if he isn't pleasant?"

"You don't know him."

"No, but he's still a stranger." And I'm thrust into a stranger's arms by my own parents. On the one hand, the idea was less than pleasant, but on the other, what could she do about it? Running away wouldn't solve anything, and if she began lying to him, if movies or books taught her anything, is that eventually her pranks would come up to her.

Perhaps she was just being paranoid. After all, perhaps he was as decent as they claimed. And even if not, if there was no romance, she could easily find a friend in him. For her list of friends was rather lacking at the moment.

Still, the idea was less than exciting for the blonde. But she didn't know what to do with her life at this point. College would start for her in the next semester, and at the time being she couldn't do much but wait and pass the time. She could've asked for work easily, but her parents preferred for her to focus on her last studies and college applications. "You'll get work in time", her father said, but that didn't stop her from worrying.

And now, this suitor business would change it all. Normally she would've confined in her three aunts, like she always did, but they were a part of this as much as her parents were. It's normal to stop mistrusting after all.

Still, she needed to let her mind off.

"Do you mind if I take the bike today? The day's so nice and it'd be a waste to spend it away inside."

"Sure, have fun. Just remember to not stray so far from the roads."

"I reckon it's much more romantic to get lost hiking in a park, but I see what you mean, daddy."

So she took out the sky blue bike, and soon rode the streets off with it. The city was not one known for its heavy, busy life, but one could still work there and live a mostly enjoyable, comfy life. She knew other people of her age would prefer something more alike the streets of New York, or even Europe, but something quiet was better for her. Then again, European cities also have their quiet moments. She guessed she could find calm moments anywhere peaceful in the world, whether in the USA, in Italy or in Peru.

Aurora had lived most of her life in the outdoors, alongside with her three aunts, due to the fact that her partners were always on business trips and did not want their child living such a hectic life and the trips affecting school in some way or another. So the girl was left to live with her mother's (or was it father's? It wasn't very clear at this point) cousins to be cared for, and attend the nearest school. Otherwise, she'd spend the rest of the time in the house or near the small forest.

It was small, nice and comfy. And as all good things do, it had to end. Her parents came back, and with it came thoughts of settling into the city, closer to work and to civilization. Aurora would always miss her friend that was mother nature, but she guessed it was time to stop being a hermit and do something to bring bread to the table on her own.

But with all her thoughts, she didn't take notice of the passerby walking in front of her, and as it would be…

OMMF!

The bike crashed, and her forearm landed on the pavement, causing her to wince in pain. The person she bumped against had gasped too, and a soft thud was heard, probably a package of his falling to the floor.

"Sorry, I didn't see you…"

"N-no..." She muttered. "It's my fault, actually! I didn't see you, when you were right in front and-" She paused once she focused her eyes on the stranger.

He was busy at the moment rearranging the baguettes that had fallen from his bags onto the floor, the sun shining over his brown hair and making a few strands glimmer with just the slightest hint of gold. Perhaps he was not as exotic or dashing as the lion-hearted Haggard boy, who appeared oh so frequently in the news, or even that mysterious Adam, whom the magazines were crazy whispering about; but this baguette boy had his charm, too.

And Aurora found herself surprised at thinking in such a manner.

"Do you need help with that?"

"Rather, I could say the same thing about you, with your bike..." He turned towards the bike and then to her again, and he paused a second after he locked eyes with her.

"Uuuh...The bike seems in order."

"Right...In order." She snapped suddenly out of her daydream. "Oh, your baguettes!"

"No, they're fine. Bread's more resistant than I thought." He chuckled as he pat one of the baguettes. "The first time I've been hit by a biker, usually I think they're more focused on the road than drivers."

"No, it's not that, it's just..." Oh, making excuses, Rose, like that'll leave a good impression. "Today I'm busy, and well, thinking about what I have to d-"

"Ah, so not stuck in daydreams?"

"Huh?"

"I was teasing you." He smiled. He had a pleasant, welcoming smile. "It happens to me often, too."

"Well I didn't mean to hit you, I was just..."

"...And I don't mean to scare you."

Well, he was a quick-thinker. It's not that Aurora was afraid, but she was rather hesitant to talk with him. He was a stranger she just met off the street, but at the same time, he was...pleasant. Yes, I can go with that.

"You don't scare me, it's just that you're a..."
"A stranger? Well, so are you, in my eyes. So, we could always unstranger us ourselves and give each other a proper introduction."

Oh!

Well, he was rather quick, and she somewhat doubted if it was wise to act like that. But, then again, she'd be lying to herself If she didn't admit she wasn't interested.

"Well, I'd probably like to maybe and talk a little bit more with you, and the bike..."

"Oh, your bike can talk? You could send it to the fair and earn some nickels for it."

Cheeky. But at least he was laidback about stuff, she admitted.

Just as she was about to reply, her phone rang.

"Oh goodness." She took it out of her soft pink bag, and effectively, it was a small text written by Merryweather, announcing her to go back home for lunch.

"I need to go."

"Aw, right now? We were having such a good time!"

"Well, unless you're interested in dining with me and my family..."

"I'd love to, but no. These beauties need sandwiching."

"Oh, but I would've loved to talk more with you..."

"Well, we can always meet again."

That surprised her.

"Really?"

"Well, sure! Maybe, maybe we can meet again right here?"

"Here in this spot?"

She would've love to talk more, but her phone kept vibrating. Blast it.

"Sure! I'll remember this place, and pass by next Wednesday!"

"I'll be waiting, with more baguettes probably!"

And she left once again on her bike, with a new, more positive outlook on her future. Now, it didn't seem so bleak.