Unspoken Wounds That Never Healed

Chapter 2: Secret Admirer

The scent of pancakes and coffee lingered in the air as soft jazz played softly in the background. Sunlight poured through the large kitchen windows, casting golden rays across the marble dining table.

I sat quietly, stirring my tea in slow circles while Dad scrolled through the news on his tablet.

“You’ve got no classes today, right?” he asked, not looking up.

“Yeah. None till tomorrow,” I replied.

“Good.” He finally looked up and smiled. “Then spend the day doing something fun. Meet with your friends. Relax a little.”

I nodded slowly, pushing my eggs around the plate with my fork.

“And if you'd like,” he added gently, “Mr. Williams can drive you to Roselee’s place. Just let him know.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said with a small smile. “But I think I’ll just take my bike.”

He gave me that look — the one that said he didn’t understand but respected my choice anyway.

“Alright, sweetheart.” He leaned in slightly as I stood, and I kissed him on the cheek.

“Love you,” I said softly.

“Love you more.”

As I climbed the stairs to my room, I muttered under my breath, “Why would he suggest a car when I have my super bicycle?”

That bike was more than just a bike. It was my freedom... and my excuse.

I crashed onto my bed, face first, letting the silence wrap around me. After a while, I rolled over and grabbed my phone.

Aurora: You guys wanna hang out today?

Matthew: I’m down

Roselee: I have class. But I’ll come after! Don’t start the fun without me!!

I smiled and tossed my phone aside. A part of me missed this—laughing, pretending everything was normal.

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By noon, Matthew and I were seated in a cozy booth at a small restaurant just off campus. The place had a warm vibe—wooden walls, hanging lights, and handwritten chalkboard quotes scattered around.

He was playing with the rim of his glass, looking thoughtful.

“I was kind of a jerk yesterday,” he said, avoiding my eyes.

I raised an eyebrow. “Kind of?”

He chuckled. “Okay, fine. A big one.”

I sipped my drink, keeping my voice light. “It’s fine.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not. I didn’t mean to embarrass you in class. I just… wanted to talk to you. But I went about it the wrong way.”

I looked at him, surprised by how sincere he sounded. “I know. You didn’t mean harm.”

He gave me a small smile, and for a moment, things felt... okay again.

A few minutes later, Roselee walked in, a little breathless, her curls bouncing as she scanned the room.

“Y’all didn’t start ordering without me, right?” she asked dramatically.

“We thought about it,” Matthew said, grinning.

I slid over to make space as she plopped down beside me, dropping her bag onto the seat.

“My class was hell,” she groaned. “Professor Langley went on and on about quantum computing like we’re all cyborgs.”

She paused, then looked at me. “Aurora? Are you even listening?”

I blinked. “Huh?”

She narrowed her eyes. “You spaced out. What’s going on?”

I hesitated, then leaned in a little. “There was this guy… yesterday, after we split up.”

Matthew leaned forward. “What kind of guy?”

“I didn’t see his face. He stood behind me and said something like, I should’ve followed you guys instead of riding my bike. Then he drove off in a black SUV before I could even turn around.”

Matthew shrugged. “Sounds like some creepy flirt.”

Roselee reached over and slapped her hand over his mouth. “Let her finish.”

I shook my head. “That’s it. He was gone before I even processed it.”

“That’s lowkey creepy,” Roselee muttered. “Or maybe he knows something…”

I laughed. “Please, not your murder theories again.”

We eased into lighter conversation after that. Roselee teased Matthew about his weird coffee order, and I kept stealing his fries just to annoy him. It felt like things were normal again—for a moment.

Just as we were about to leave, a waitress came to our table carrying a small white box wrapped with a red ribbon.

“This is for you,” she said, handing it to me.

I frowned. “Me?”

She nodded with a polite smile. “Compliments of the house.”

I exchanged a confused look with Roselee and Matthew, then slowly opened the box.

Inside was a perfectly cut slice of red velvet cake.

And tucked to the side… a tiny folded note.

I opened it, my fingers suddenly cold.

“You should really stop riding that

bike. – A stranger”

My heart sank.

I looked around the restaurant. No one was watching me. No one stood out.

But the room didn’t feel so warm anymore.