@Shewolf13 Ain't he, though?
Don't worry, he gets taken down a few notches.
@FrancescaFiori Aw, I'm sorry. Actually, Aurora took a bit of work to avoid making her dad's genetics obvious...I'm a little determined to keep that a secret, for all the story reasons. Niall appreciates your comments on his awesomeness
I might have to look for that cc overlay...I didn't know that was a thing!
@PeregrineTook Biological father, what biological father? Aurora was immaculate conception
At least, that's the story and we're sticking to it!
Chapter 12: Crisis of ConfidenceAurora: Ah, painting. Everything is at ease at moment’s like this, when I don’t have to worry about anything but the movement of the brush, of creating something from little more than a canvas and paint. I don’t have to worry about who I am here, what I’m doing, or who isn’t paying attention to me.
Niall: Betcha think I’m zipping off to school, don’t you? Well, you’re wrong. I’m heading out to meet a bunch of people, spread the awesome around town, as it were.
Niall: Sup, lady. Cool shirt you have there.
Lady Whose Name I Forget: Thanks. It’s randomized, so I can’t take credit for it.
Niall: That’s dope, in its own way. You enjoying this fine and beautiful day?
LWNIF: …it’s literally always sunny around here.
Niall: Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it, geez!
Niall: Hey, girl! You look a lot like my totally wicked awesome friend. What’s up with that?
Cassandra: Um. Who’s your friend?
Niall: Oh, her name’s Aurora Goth. She’s super cool, we grew up together.
Cassandra: Okay, well that would explain it. She’s probably my half-sister. I had no idea mom had another kid after leaving us…
Niall: Well, isn’t this just a big pile of awkward? You should come by some time and meet her!
Cassandra: Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Mom said we weren’t allowed to talk when she left, so I don’t think I should ‘come by.’
Niall: You just love to make things awkward. Bye!
Niall: Well, that was a bust. Back to fishing! No one can make fishing awkward.
Aislin: Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate you being here to help out around the house, even though we don’t pay you at all.
Shanaya: It’s all right, the agency pays me a stipend for all homes with free services, so it works out. Your son makes amazing food, too, so that’s nice.
Aislin: Oh, well that’s good.
Niall: Another excellent drink, expertly crafted by the awe inspiring Niall.
Niall: FWOOSH. I am so amazing.
Niall: So hey, I feel like I haven’t seen you a lot since we aged up. Dynasty requirements are a total pain, taking up all my time like that. How’ve you been?
Aurora: Oh, you know, I’m fine. I keep busy.
Niall: That’s dope.
Aurora: So, Niall—
Niall: Did you know you have a half-sister? I met her today. She’s kind of a pill.
Aurora: Oh, um, no, I didn’t. That’s…that’s interesting.
Niall: Yeah. You don’t wish you grew up with her instead of me, do you?
Aurora: No…I’m really glad I grew up with you…
Niall: To you, then! My super awesome best friend, who’s always there for me when I need her.
Aurora: You’re making a toast?
Niall: Yeah! The option was there, you’re just the best friend in the world, and I wanted to take advantage.
Aurora: -sigh- Yeah. Best friends. Awesome.
Niall: Right, awesome!
Diego: You kids having a good time?
Niall: Well, we’re awesome, so it’s kind of implied.
Aurora: Everything’s fine, Mr. Lobo.
Diego: You really don’t have to be so formal, Aurora.
Aurora: It…it’s just respectful, that’s all.
Diego: Okay. Do you mind if I have a word with my son?
Aurora: Of course!
Diego: You’re an idiot.
Niall: Whoa! Dad, that is so not cool. How could you say that?
Diego: Someone had to. Listen, you’re my son, and I love you no matter what, but you’re as thick as a block of wood sometimes, especially where Aurora is concerned.
Niall: What do you mean? We’re the best of friends. A friendship to last the ages. What am I doing wrong?
Diego: That girl is head over heels for you, and if you don’t get your head out of a certain dark area, she’s going to stop waiting for you to realize it and move on.
Niall: Wait, Aurora likes me? But. But she’s really awesome. And I’m pretty awesome, but I’m definitely not as awesome as Aurora. She’s a Goth, she’s like fifty shades of out of my league.
Diego: Son, you may be officially a Doran, but you are a Lobo through and through. Just look at your hair. No one is out of a Lobo’s league—and Aurora is a sweet, down to earth girl(which you desperately need to keep you grounded). She doesn’t care about leagues. She cares about you.
Niall: I don’t even know what to do with this information.
Aurora: -sniff- It’s okay, I’m fine, I can get through this. Best friends forever, I promised that. I can be okay with that. -sniff- I can really be okay with that.
Aislin: My teenage-crisis senses are tingling.
Aislin: All right, sweetheart, why don’t you tell me what’s got you crying out here in the dark, by the pool? I love you like a daughter, and I don’t want to see you hurting.
Aurora: It’s nothing, don’t worry about it. You’ve got enough on your plate with the dynasty, you don’t need my problems, too.
Aislin: Aurora, I mean it, you’re very dear to my heart, and if you have a problem, I’m going to move heaven and earth to help you with it. Ask Diego—I’m more stubborn than any sim in the world. I won’t let this go.
Aurora: Well…okay, but this is a little awkward. I like Niall. I’ve liked Niall since we were kids, but he just doesn’t seem to see me that way, and it hurts, but I know there isn’t anything I can do about it except try and quietly get over it. I wish…I really wish there could be more between us, but I don’t want to lose what friendship we do have.
Aislin: And have you told him this?
Aurora: Well…no.
Aislin: Then how are you supposed to know if he feels the same way? Listen, my son is not the brightest when it comes to this kind of thing. He needs a firm hand. You’re a good girl—I’ve always said so, and I would count myself the luckiest mom in the world to have you for a daughter-in-law. I think you owe it to yourself to try, instead of giving up.
Aurora: Thank you, Mrs. Doran. I really appreciate it. I’ll think about what you’ve said.
Aislin: Good. I don’t want to see you hurting, and if you need anything, you’d better come to me straight away.
Aurora: Okay. That was a good chat, but I’m still not feeling very confident about this at all. What if Niall is weirded out? Maybe…oh, I don’t know what to do.
Niall: Selfie time for prosperity. Maybe the last selfie I have with a decent amount of self-confidence. Capture the awesome while it still exists.
Aurora: Hey.
Niall: Hey. Wow. Um. You’re in a towel. That’s. Um.
Aurora: You’re stuttering…
Niall: That’s new, isn’t it? Whoa, bright light!
Aurora: Oh, heh, blessing of the ancients. It’s kind of continuously going around the house every time we talk to each other.
Niall: I dig it. So, uh…right, well…Listen, Aurora—
Aurora: UM I HAVE TO GO PRACTICE PIANO BYE.
Aurora: Well, that could not have gone worse.
Niall: Eheh. Hehe. Oh, crap. Awesome levels are deflating. Confidence is not doing so hot. She hates me.
Aislin: -deep breath- The kids are going to be fine. I do not need to stress about the potential fall out that could hit this house if that all goes wrong. I definitely did the right thing by getting involved. Not panicking…definitely not panicking…maybe a little panic…
Niall: Just a little boogie time to get my nerves back up. Still awesome. Still very awesome, right?
Niall: Another day of school, that’s cool, right?
Aurora: I guess…yeah…
Niall: Soooo…um…words…I wanted to talk—
Aurora: There’s the bus, let’s go!
Niall: Right. Okay, then.