Aurora’s P.O.VI stared at my reflection in horror; at the fresh bruise on my left cheek, watching the skin swell and turn a deep purple as it throbbed from within.I brought my hand up to touch a finger to my cheek, assessing the damage, but a sharp burst of pain made me yelp. With trembling lips and sweat glistening on my brows, I gripped the counter so tightly my knuckles turned white; it was all so I didn’t let out the scream trapped in my throat.Tears welled in my eyes but I knew I couldn’t scream; I couldn’t even cry.I can’t—shouldn’t—let him know…I thought desperately to myself. I shouldn’t scare him!Breathing through my mouth in short bursts, I tried to will the pain away, hoping that it would get better, but it didn’t. But I had to be strong, not for myself, but for him.I was the only one he had and if he saw me like this…no! I had to force myself to smile past my pain, so that he wouldn’t be scarred for life. After all, he was only 5, still untouched by the atrocities go
Aurora’s P.O.VI shut my eyes tight, holding my breath as I waited for the impact I knew was coming. I numbly felt myself fall to the ground, and even the sharp pain from my palms scraping against the asphalt wasn’t enough to pull me out of my dazed stupor.I was too frozen in shock to even fully comprehend what was happening. All I knew was that I was going to die…that I was going to get hit by Caleb’s car at any given moment.However, the pain never came, and even though I heard the sudden screeching of tires that sounded like nails on a chalkboard, making a shiver run down my spine…I was too afraid to open my eyes, to try and figure out what was happening around me.Why isn’t it coming? My heart thundered inside my chest, threatening to burst out of my chest. Why hasn’t it happened yet?However, I didn’t have to worry about what was happening all around me as the next second, I was being yanked up from the ground forcefully by a grip on my collar and then I opened my eyes to meet e
Aurora’s P.O.VTo say that school was boring was an understatement. I had never been the best in academics, and I haven’t exactly been enjoying my high school life. I don’t have the motivation nor the time to devote myself to my studies.I was only here because nobody would look at a high school dropout and think, “Ah, that’s the one. She’s definitely going places.”I wanted to stay in school for as long as the universe would allow, because graduating would get me a better job than a waitress working at a tiny diner for minimum wage. I was here because of duty; of the obligation to make life easier for my brother.And so, I sat at the back of the class, by the window, drifting in and out of focus as the seconds tick by ever so slowly. The class wasn’t very productive to begin with and my attention span refused to be cooperative today.I just had to survive this class. And then the next, and the next and the next…until it was finally lunch time.Because I didn’t have a lot of money and
Aurora’s P.O.VI thought I was going to be fine. I was used to things like this—people at Blue Hill Public High, especially in my grade, have never made it a secret that they didn’t like me, and I was used to being the butt of their jokes, their bullying.So I thought I wouldn’t cry despite being humiliated like that in front of the entire cafeteria.Oh, how very, very wrong I was...The moment I left the cafeteria, the very second I stepped out into the hallways, away from their whispers and giggles, my eyes started to blur with tears.I broke out into a run, making a beeline for the bathroom, where I locked myself into one of the stalls. I hadn’t been certain if the bathroom was truly devoid of people, but if my split-second scan of the area served me right, it was vacant. Still, I put a fist into my mouth as I sobbed, not wanting anyone to hear me cry.I tried my best not to make a sound, but I couldn’t help the sniffles that escaped me. I couldn’t help the violent shaking of my who
Aurora’s P.O.VI had always been set apart from my other classmates due to my circumstances. I was always the odd one out. But at this point at school, I often agreed with them on one thing: mathematics should never be set as the last class in the time table.I bit back a groan as I settled into my chair at the back of the room. This class was one of the few that I shared with Caleb and his gang, and I watched as they entered the room a couple of minutes after me, their presence loud and imposing even though they didn’t make any noise.Almost all heads turned in their direction as they entered, but they simply went on to their seats right at the front row, talking and laughing to themselves as they did.At exactly 2.15PM, our math teacher, Mr. Hemming, punctual as always, entered the room without so much as a greeting. He silently pulled out a stack of papers and began handing them out one by one—it was the test that he gave us earlier in the week.When he called my name, I quickly got
Aurora’s P.O.VI kept staring at my paper, doubt creeping into my mind as I kept turning the pages and going over the sums that had been crossed off as wrong without a second thought.Fortunately, I had some spare tape in my bag, and I had used it to put my paper back together so that I could check what mistakes I had made, but the results staring back at me were shocking.As I waited for Mr. Hemming to be done answering queries from other students on their way out, I found some problems that I had answered correctly, but were marked wrong. Was this a mistake? Or had this been intentional?I pressed my lips together, trying to figure out what to do next when I heard the door close—the last of the students had left. Now Mr. Hemming and I were alone in this classroom. At this point, he had already finished clearing his table, and leaned against it, his eyes narrowing in on me as he nodded.“Come over here, Miss Valentine,” he beckoned.Slowly, I stood, pushing my chair under the desk as
Aurora’s P.O.VEvery day, I would fetch my brother from school and drop him off at home, or with our next door neighbors, depending on how long my shift for the day was, before I headed to work.But today, thanks to that whole situation with Mr. Hemming, I wasn’t able to pick Riley up on time, and so the only option that had been available to me…hadn't been the most favorable one.“Sorry I’m late buddy,” I huffed, breathless after running toward the gate, where he was waiting patiently for me patiently, his big blue eyes wide with curiosity.“It’s okay,” Riley smiled, peering up at me. “Did something happen?”There was no way I was going to tell him about my math teacher, so I shook my head and gave him my best smile. “Nah,” I said, patting his head lightly. “I just had to finish some schoolwork, that’s all.”“Oh,” Riley nodded, grabbing the straps of his back as he walked beside me slowly.But when I glanced at the time on my phone, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to drop him off b
Aurora’s P.O.VNo…this can’t be happening! Not now…not today.As panic begin to rise in my chest, I couldn’t believe that Caleb and his gang, the elites of our school, hell, the elite families of the entire town, would even think about dining in such a cheap diner that was way below their standards!Why were they here? Oh god, I couldn’t let them see me! I was sure that they would pick on me as soon as they realized that I worked here as a waitress and from now on they would try to make my life living hell!It was alright when their bullying was limited to the school alone, but this was supposed to be my secret place, my only solace in this desolate town that was slowly eating away at my sanity!I let my instincts take over me and tried to hide behind the counter, but my co-worker manning the register elbowed me, snapping at me angrily. “What on earth are you doing? You’re on waiting duty! Get over there and help customers! Why on earth are you even in here?”“Sorry…I’ll move out of y
Aurora’s P.O.VI wake up with a sharp gasp, my body jolting upright as the sting in my arm hits me like a freight train. My eyes snap open, but the world around me is spinning, and I can barely make sense of it. My heart races in my chest, and the first thing I notice is the restraint on my arm—my own doing. The ropes are tight around my wrist, tying me to the bed. It worked. I wasn't sleepwalking. But how the hell did I end up on the floor?I groan, shifting my weight, feeling the intense ache in my arms from sleeping at such a strange angle. Every muscle screams in protest as I push myself up, the roughness of the floor against my skin grounding me back into reality. I glance around the room, the faint light from the early morning creeping in through the window. Nothing looks out of place, but something feels... off.I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of the dream that still lingers in the back of my mind. I close my eyes for a second, and then it floods back to me. My mother’
Aurora’s P.O.VOnce again, I found myself in that dark room, lying on the same bed as last time. My chest tightened as the familiar suffocating air pressed down on me, and I immediately knew—I was dreaming. Or rather, trapped in the same nightmare that had plagued me for the last few days.My fingers clenched the edge of the bed, the old, scratchy sheets burning against my palms. It was always this room. My mother’s room.Every detail was the same—her vanity table cluttered with forgotten trinkets, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air, her framed picture on the nightstand staring back at me like it knew all my secrets. I sat up, trembling, as anger surged through me. "Why are you doing this to me, Mom?" My voice cracked, and I barely recognized the rawness in it. My throat burned as I shouted again, louder this time."Why can't you just leave me alone? Why can't anyone leave me alone? Haven't you done enough?" The darkness pressed closer, swallowing my words like it alwa
Caleb’s P.O.VLater that night, the three of us — Aurora, Caroline, and I — were huddled around the dining table, books sprawled out and pens scratching against paper as we worked on our homework. The weekly class tests loomed over us, and the tension in the air made the silence heavier than usual. Aurora rubbed her eyes for the third time in the past minute, and I noticed how her shoulders slumped with exhaustion."I'm tired," she finally said, breaking the quiet with a soft yawn. Her voice was laced with weariness. "I think I’m going to head to bed now. We’ve been at this for hours, and I need some sleep before my brain is completely fried."I glanced up from my notes and nodded, trying not to show how her leaving would make the room feel emptier."Yes, of course. You should rest up," I said, setting my pen down for a moment. "Caroline and I will finish this up and head to bed soon too. Don't worry about it."Aurora smiled faintly, her gratitude evident in the way her eyes softened.
Aurora’s P.O.VI walked into the dining hall, the low hum of conversations filling the room as sunlight streamed in through the tall windows. My eyes scanned the space, searching for Caroline, and I spotted her at the far corner, sitting with Jade. Both were busy talking, their heads leaned slightly toward each other, forks in hand as they worked on their plates of food. Not wanting to interrupt, I made my way to the buffet. The aroma of fresh eggs, bacon, and waffles wafted up, and I grabbed a plate, quickly surveying my options.My stomach grumbled loudly, and I felt my mouth water as I filled up my plate with all the goodies. Lots of bacon and eggs, even some strawberries and blueberries for desserts.I was almost done with my selection, waiting for Caleb to join the table as well. But just as I reached for a slice of toast, someone bumped into me. “Sorry,” I muttered, looking up—and froze. The woman in front of me was striking, to say the least. White, almost silver hair framed
Aurora’s P.O.VWhen I opened my eyes, the sunlight filtering through the curtains seemed impossibly bright. My heart skipped a beat when I turned my head slightly and saw him there, still asleep. Caleb’s dark hair was a tousled mess, and his chest rose and fell with the kind of calm that made me think he was far too peaceful for someone who’d—well, for someone who’d been involved in what we’d done last night.My cheeks burned just remembering it, and I buried my face in my hands. What had I been thinking? How had I let myself get so swept up in him?But even though I wasn’t even eighteen yet, Caleb and I were only a few months apart and after a few days, the age won’t even matter anymore. But still, facing him in the light of day after what we did made my cheeks heat with embarrassment and my stomach tighten with an emotion I couldn’t quite name.I couldn’t stay here. Not like this. Not when the memories of last night were so fresh and raw, and he could wake up at any moment. The thou
Aurora’s P.O.VMy heart was pounding in my chest, each beat echoing louder than the last as Caleb’s lips met mine. It started soft, almost hesitant, but quickly turned into something more intense, more consuming. I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more. His hands, strong and steady, gripped my waist, then slid up my back, leaving a trail of warmth wherever he touched.Every nerve in my body felt like it was buzzing, my skin tingling and burning under his touch. The kiss deepened, his tongue teasing mine, and I could barely think beyond the rush of sensations flooding me.A soft moan escaped my lips as I pressed myself against him, feeling his warmth and strength. My hands roamed over his shoulders, down his chest, unable to get enough. I was drowning in the taste of him, the feel of him. It was overwhelming, addictive. I’d never felt so alive, so on fire. Caleb’s hand slid under the robe, his fingers grazing my skin, and I shivered, arching into his touch. M
Caleb’s P.O.VI had no idea what else to do, so I led Aurora back to my room instead of hers. It felt safer this way, like keeping her close would keep her out of harm's reach, at least for the moment. "Here," I said, handing her a towel."You should dry your hair off." I tried to keep my voice steady, though everything felt off, like I was walking a razor-thin line. Aurora took the towel from me without a word and started dabbing at her damp hair."You can head to the bathroom while I find you something to change into," I added, feeling like I had to keep busy, to keep my mind off the fact that I had her in my room. I turned to leave, but just as I opened the door to head out, I heard her voice."Caleb?"I paused, glancing over my shoulder at her. Her eyes locked with mine, the vulnerability in them almost too much to bear."Yeah?" I asked, trying to sound calm."I... I need you," she said, her voice low, but desperate, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. "Please... help me forget
Aurora’s P.O.VI opened my eyes, gasping for air, but all I could feel was the pressure in my chest, the burning sensation in my lungs as the water surrounded me. I tried to flail my arms, desperate to push myself up, but it was like the water was pulling me deeper. Panic surged through me. I can't breathe, I can't breathe, my mind screamed, the darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision. I didn't know where I was, or if anyone could hear me, or if anyone would find me in time.I could barely make sense of anything, but just as I thought I was about to slip under for good, I felt something—a hand, warm and firm, grabbing mine. Who...? Before I could make sense of it, I was being yanked up, and the water rushed off of my face as my head broke the surface. My body was pulled upward, and with a sharp inhale, I was suddenly hoisted onto the side of the pool. I coughed, sputtering, my body shaking as I tried to steady myself, gasping for air like it was the first time I’d ever had it.
Aurora’s P.O.VI woke up with a jolt, my body drenched in cold sweat. My heart hammered in my chest, and I was gasping for breath, the dark, suffocating feeling of my nightmare still lingering around me. My eyes darted around, but all I could see was blackness. No light, no sounds—just that endless void. Panic flooded through me, and I fought against the overwhelming sense of being trapped. I couldn’t let it take me again. I couldn’t stay in that place, that dark abyss.I tried to stand, but something was different. My feet met solid ground. Soft, familiar ground. Slowly, I blinked, trying to make sense of it all. I wasn't standing in the dark anymore. I wasn't in the place I had been before. I was... lying down? My hands brushed over the fabric beneath me, and the realization hit me like a punch to the gut.This wasn’t my room.I sat up, confusion clouding my mind. The room around me came into focus, a slow, creeping clarity. It was small, cozy, and had a certain warmth to it, someth