When Aaron drove her home, Laurel asked the man to drop her off at the end of the street. She was unprepared for Aunt Sarah's later questions when she saw her man, her boss, escorted her in a state she hadn't been home all night. Laurel had never stayed at anyone's house before, let alone stay without saying goodbye. Aunt Sarah must have been waiting for her frantically and worrying about her all night. The thought made her feel guilty. How was she going to explain this incident to Aunt Sarah? Does she have to lie for lies again?

Aaron's car stopped at the end of the road, he looked at Laurel gently. “You really don't want to be driven home?”

Laurel immediately shook her head. “No, thank you. I will try to explain myself to my house-mother.”

“You live in a dorm?” Aaron is of course acting, he just has to ask that, otherwise it would seem weird to Laurel. “Where is your family?”

There was silence for a moment. The silence was bitter for Laurel, but seeped into Aaron's mind, filled him with guilt.

“There is no one. I am alone in this world,” Laurel answered softly, then opened the car door. “Thank you for taking me home,” she muttered before closing the door and walking away.

Aaron was still staring at Laurel stepping away until she disappeared around the corner, before waking up and dialing a number on his cell phone.

Aunt Sarah's anxious voice immediately rang out on the other side. “Aaron, thank goodness. Laurel hasn't been home all night, I can't call her cell phone, and yours isn't answered either—”

“Aunty ... Laurel was with me last night.”

It's quiet. Then a voice on the other side said carefully, “Are you doing something that you shouldn't?”

Aaron sighed. “No, Aunt Sarah, believe me. I didn't spoil Laurel if that's what you mean. I just made Laurel believe I did it.”

“Oh.” Aunt Sarah took a deep breath on the other side. “I get it.”

_______________

Thank goodness Aunt Sarah could understand Laurel's explanation, even though she stammeredly lied that she was staying over at a friend's house last night. Laurel was not used to lying before, so her lies must be obvious in her panicked eyes. But apparently Aunt Sarah didn't realize it, the woman was apparently happy enough that Laurel had come home safely. Laurel walked into her room and glanced at her watch. Today is Sunday and it's three o'clock in the afternoon. The journey from Mr White's house to her dorm was quite far and had to get through the traffic jam. Usually on Sundays Laurel would accompany Aunt Sarah shopping for the kids' boarding dinner. But with a heavy heart she did not come today and let Aunt Sarah be accompanied by other boarders.

Laurel lay on the bed with her eyes staring at the ceiling. She had changed into home clothes, her party dress draped over the back of the chair as if to accuse her.

How could things have changed so quickly? Last night she was still convinced that she and Brian would become lovers. Laurel plans to say "yes" to Brian after the party. But later reality said another. Brian turned out to be a man who could not contain his lust with such free association, which Laurel could not accept.

But she also did it with Mr White himself —although she was not sure, and they were drunk—still it could not be justified. Laurel felt that she was betraying all the norms she had always held fast. Without realizing it, her tears dripped again, tears of confusion and didn't know who to tell it to.

Her cell phone rings continuously, making her wake up. Laurel apparently had fallen asleep unconsciously while crying in her room earlier. With sore eyes she looked at her cellphone, which was still blinking with a ringing tone that grew louder, as if she didn't want to give up before Laurel picked it up. Laurel reached out and grabbed the cell phone. Brian's name is on it. Instantly made her heart beat, hurts. She held the cellphone without the intention of picking it up. The cellphone rang for a long time as if Brian didn't want to give up on the other side. Until then the ringing died, making Laurel sigh with relief.

But then her cellphone beeped softly, as a sign of an incoming message. Laurel peeked at it. From Brian. She read the message.

I'll be arriving at the dorms in a moment. We have to talk directly.

Brian

Laurel sighed, she really wasn't ready to meet Brian right now, but he was really pushy. Laurel knows Brian is very persistent, he will not give up until she sees him.