UNVEILING AURORA

AURORA’S POV The hallway was always the worst part of the day. A jungle filled with predators, where I was the prey. I clutched my books to my chest, keeping my head down as I navigated the crowded corridors. If I walked fast enough—if I made myself small enough—maybe they wouldn’t notice me today. I wasn’t that lucky. A shoulder rammed into mine, hard enough to make me stumble. My books slipped from my grasp, hitting the ground with a loud thud. Laughter followed. “Oops,” a sickly sweet voice cooed. I knew that voice. Madison Carter. I swallowed hard before slowly looking up. She stood above me, perfectly manicured nails twirling a strand of her platinum blonde hair, her lips curled into a smirk. Her friends stood beside her, their faces twisted with amusement, watching like this was the best entertainment of the day. “God, Aurora,” Madison sighed dramatically. “You really need to be more careful. Oh, wait—” She snickered. “I guess it must be hard when you’re carrying so much extra weight.” More laughter. Heat crawled up my neck, shame coiling in my stomach like a vice. I clenched my jaw and bent down to grab my books. Before I could reach them, a tan boot kicked one further down the hall. “Oh no,” Madison gasped, hand over her mouth in mock horror. “That was an accident, I swear!” Her friends giggled as I pressed my lips together, refusing to give them a reaction. I grabbed my books and stood up, willing my hands to stop shaking. “Whatever, Madison,” I muttered under my breath. Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?” I said nothing. She tilted her head, stepping closer. “You know, I almost feel bad for you,” she mused. “Almost. But hey, at least you have Damien.” She smirked. “For now, anyway.” A chill ran through me. I didn’t know what she meant. But something told me I wouldn’t like it. I didn’t respond. Instead, I shoved past her, ignoring the laughter that followed me all the way down the hall. I should be used to this by now. But it still hurt. At least I had Damien. He was the one good thing in my life—the only person who made me feel like I mattered. He didn’t care that I wasn’t like the other girls, that I wasn’t thin or popular. He chose me when no one else would. He was mine. Or at least, I thought he was. Until lunch. I had barely stepped into the cafeteria when I heard my name. “Hey, Aurora! Over here.” Damien. That was strange. He never called for me in public. Not like this. A hush fell over the room, whispers hissing through the air like poison as every eye turned to me. My stomach twisted. Something wasn’t right. Slowly, I made my way to his table. Madison sat beside him, her lips curling in amusement. Damien sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Listen, I’ve been thinking…” Madison snickered. His friends smirked. “I think we should break up.” Silence. Then, laughter. Laughter everywhere. Like it was all some big joke. Like I was the joke. My blood ran cold. My throat closed up. I willed myself to stay calm. To breathe. Damien smirked. “You understand, right?” No. I didn’t. I had never understood anything less. But I refused to cry. I forced a nod, turned around, and walked straight out of the cafeteria. And this time, I didn’t stop walking.