A/N: Hey guys! Listen, I hope this isn't too much to ask but, if you've faved this story, could you please review? I mean. . .It's really encouraging, and I'd like to give a big thanks to Penguini, she reviews every chapter I post. So, if you're not too busy, it would be greatly appreciated. And don't forget to check the links in my pro!

Chapter 11

Seven days. An entire week had passed since Aurora had received that God-awful note.

Dear Aurora,

Please don't look for me.

I've thought really hard

about this. It seems like

everything that happens to

you is because of me. And

if you're home reading this

PLEASE don't stay there.

Get out. Don't ever go back

there. Make something out

of yourself. I know you can.

Don't worry about me, either.

I'll be fine. I'll say this again,

and as my sister, I expect you to

trust me on this one: DON'T

come looking for me.

You're loving brother,

Evangelos

She remembered reading it and nearly collapsing in Matt's arms. If he wasn't there, I don't know what I would've done. . .

He had walked her to her room and stayed with her until she calmed down. Usually, it was a big deal for a guy and a girl to stay in the same room for a long period of time, with the door shut. However, Roger saw it fit to make an exception. In his attempts to console the girl, Matt had never let go of her. He did things like stroking her hair and telling funny stories about when he was a child at the Wammy House.

Aurora was grateful that he was able to calm her. She'd never had anyone care about her this much before. . . Well, except her brother. . . No. . . She loved her brother, but she didn't care about him the way she did Ma-- Oh God. I love him. Flopping down on one of the booths, she put her head in her hands.

". . . Break not going so well?" Maria's concerned voice shook Aurora from her thoughts. (Yes, despite the issues going on, she still went to work.) The twenty-three year old didn't need to ask. Her and Aurora had become fast friends within the past week. "Well, hey. . ." She started, smiling at the blonde, "You've still got Matt's daily visit to look forward to!"

Nodding, Aurora smiled back at her. Since she began her job, the redhead had come to visit everyday for her lunch break. (Although she wouldn't admit it, these visits were the highlights of each day for her.) Speaking of. . . She looked at the clock on the wall. He should be here pretty soon. . .

"Hey guys!" As if on cue, Matt burst into the restaurant, chipper as ever. His happy-go-lucky attitude made her smile brighten. He strutted over to the blonde, wrapping his arm around her, and kissing her forehead playfully. "Hey there! How's today goin', my little flapper?"

Aurora put on an exasperated, work-face and grinned. "Slowly." She glanced at Maria, who waggled her eyebrows at the two. (Despite Aurora's best efforts, Maria considered the two a couple.) Not taking any notice, the boy took his seat across from "Sapphira."

After almost half an hour of chewing the fat, Matt got up to leave. He finished up the burger he had ordered (He ordered one everyday, and tipped Aurora each time.) and smiled at the girl, helping her out of her seat. "Alright, Saph," he pulled out a cigarette and stuck it in his mouth. "I'll see ya when ya get back!" After he lit his smoke, he pulled his Gameboy Advanced SP out of his pocket and walked to his car.

"Look, girlie," Maria had her hands placed firmly on her hips, trying to look annoyed. "It's so incredibly obvious that he likes you!" Trying to talk some sense into the teen, she added, "Ya know. . .I've got a younger sister who would just love to get her hands on--"

"Okay, okay!" Aurora laughed.

She got back to work, and the next five hours passed. After taking off her skates and cleaning up a bit, she was ready to leave. She'd just gotten one foot out the door when Esther's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"'Old on, dearie!" God, she loved that accent. "You forgotch your paycheck, love." She smiled, handing the small slip of paper to the girl. "Now," she winked, "don't go spending it all in one place." Aurora chuckled and nodded, thanking the woman. She looked at the amount on the check and decided where she was going next.

Thank God she'd found a nearby bus stop. Walking would've been murder with that heavy box. . . I know he's gonna love this. Excitedly, she made her way to Matt's room.

She knocked on the door and awaited the answer. It came very quickly, and Matt stood there grinning at her. His gaze shifted from her eyes to the box in her arms. "What's with the box?"

"Oh yeah, the rest of my day went great! Thanks for asking" Aurora walked into the room, sticking her tongue out at the boy. His only response was a chuckle, and he followed her towards the TV. The blonde grinned mischievously at Matt's confusion. She made sure to unwrap the box slowly, watching with amusement as his facial expressions changed. Wide-eyed, Matt went up to the box and pulled out the sleek, white. . .

"HOLY SHIT!" Matt thought he would die. "You got me a Wii?!" She loved the look on his face. Relishing in her success, Aurora was taken even more by surprise when Matt's lips landed excitedly on hers. Before she could kiss him back however, he was rushing over to the TV, hooking up the necessary cables. When he was finished, he turned everything on, then turned to Aurora with lost-puppy-dog eyes. She laughed and pulled Super Smash Brothers Brawl out from behind her back. Kissing her again, he hurried to put the disk in the console.

"Glad you like it so much!" She smiled, "You're like a little kid at Christmas, you dork!" She picked up the two controllers and tossed him one. He caught it with ease, still entranced by the opening sequence of the game.

The two played for hours; brawling, unlocking characters and arenas. Occasionally, they got into an argument over who was fighting cheaply or which characters had cool moves and which didn't. Most of which consisted of a couple of playful pushes, Matt falling off the bed, Aurora picking on him and sticking her tongue out, Matt grabbing it and shoving it back into her mouth. . . Obviously, there was never really a winner.

Finally, (unfortunately) it was time for Aurora to head to her room. Hesitantly, she put down the Wii remote and got up from where she was sitting. After giving Matt a hug good night, she started towards her room. Everything that happened after she left his room ws sort of like a blur. She felt numb. Next thing she knew, she was lying awake in bed, waiting to go to sleep. She tried counting sheep, but her thoughts subconsciously drifted to Matt, who had probably long been asleep by now. Matt. . .Sweet dreams. . .

Matt layed in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Since Sapphira had gone to bed, he hadn't been able to think of anything else. He couldn't believe how great she was. . .Hell, she'd even gotten him a Wii! Damnit. . . Mello was right. . . He did love her.