A Day Like Any Other
1168 Words
The morning sun poured through Aurora’s window, casting golden streaks across her room. She stretched, a satisfied sigh escaping her lips as she realized something unusual—she had slept soundly. No nightmares. No strange feelings. Just a deep, uninterrupted rest.
Her fingers ran through her tangled hair as she sat up, glancing at the clock on her nightstand. She still had time before work, enough for a slow morning. As she moved through her routine—showering, dressing, and fixing a simple breakfast—there was a nagging sense of something she should remember, but it never quite materialized.
“Oh well,” she muttered, dismissing the thought as she sipped her coffee.
By the time she stepped into the bookstore where she worked, she felt entirely at ease. The scent of paper and coffee from the small café corner welcomed her like an old friend. Customers trickled in and out, some lost in the pages of their favorite books while others browsed new titles.
“Morning, Aurora!” Lisa, her coworker, called out from behind the counter.
Aurora smiled. “Morning! Busy day?”
“Not really,” Lisa replied, stacking a pile of newly arrived books. “But a guy came in earlier asking for a book on folklore. Said he was interested in legends about creatures in the city.”
Aurora raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a conspiracy theorist.”
Lisa chuckled. “That’s what I thought. But he seemed normal. Kind of intense, though.”
Aurora hummed in response, her mind briefly flickering to her strange feeling from last night. But she brushed it off and got to work, helping customers and organizing shelves. The hours passed in peaceful monotony, and for the first time in a while, she felt like everything was perfectly normal.
Killian, meanwhile, was far from idle. After ensuring that Aurora’s memories were successfully suppressed, he had returned to his usual routine—handling pack affairs, settling disputes, and keeping an eye on rogue activities. It was a responsibility that weighed heavily on him, but he was used to the burden.
He sat in the dimly lit office of one of the pack’s safe houses, scanning reports Jaxon had compiled.
“The rogue hasn’t resurfaced,” Jaxon remarked, leaning against the desk. “No unusual movements.”
Killian didn’t look up. “Good. That means the issue is handled.”
Jaxon studied him for a moment before speaking again. “So, are you just going to pretend she doesn’t exist now?”
Killian’s jaw tightened. “She’s not our concern anymore.”
Jaxon smirked. “You wiped her memory twice already. You know the third time is dangerous, right?”
Killian exhaled sharply, setting the report down. “I know.”
“I mean, it worked this time. She doesn’t remember a thing. But if she ever does…” Jaxon trailed off, letting the words hang in the air. “Just be careful.”
Killian didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the reports, pushing aside thoughts he had no business entertaining.
Aurora’s day at work passed quickly. By the time she clocked out, the sky had already begun to darken. The streets were alive with the hum of traffic and the chatter of people heading home.
She stopped by a nearby convenience store to grab a few things before heading home. As she walked toward the refrigerators in the back, her eyes immediately landed on the last bottle of her favorite iced coffee drink sitting on the shelf. Just as she reached for it, another hand grabbed it at the same time.
Startled, she turned her head, her gaze locking onto a tall man dressed in dark clothing. His face was sharp, cold, and annoyingly handsome.
“I saw it first,” she said, gripping the bottle tightly.
Killian, who had been absentmindedly reaching for the drink, glanced down at her. The moment he saw her face, something in his chest tightened. He knew those eyes, that voice.
Aurora.
But she didn’t recognize him. Not even a flicker of familiarity in her expression.
He should have let go of the drink, walked away, and left things as they were. But for some reason, he didn’t.
“I think we both reached for it at the same time,” Killian said smoothly, his voice calm but firm.
Aurora narrowed her eyes. “Then be a gentleman and let it go.”
He smirked slightly, as if amused. “What if I was here first?”
“You weren’t,” she shot back, not backing down. “And even if you were, I work a long shift and I need this more.”
Killian arched a brow. “And you assume I don’t?”
Aurora scowled. This was ridiculous. It was just a drink. But now, it was about principle.
“Look,” she huffed. “You seem… decent enough. Maybe even tolerable. But I am exhausted, and this is the only thing keeping me from collapsing the second I get home. So, let it go.”
Killian’s fingers loosened around the bottle for a second before he sighed, relenting. “Fine. Have it.”
Aurora yanked the drink away with a triumphant smirk. “Thank you.”
Killian watched as she walked away toward the counter, completely oblivious to who he was. He should be relieved. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it?
Then why did it feel so damn strange watching her walk away like they were strangers?
Aurora sipped her drink as she walked home, feeling victorious over her small battle.
She scrolled through her phone, responding to messages from Zoe.
Zoe: Hey, how’s your day?
Aurora: Good! Work was quiet, nothing weird.
Zoe: No strange feelings? No paranoia?
Aurora frowned slightly at the message. Aurora: Nope, just a normal day.
Zoe responded with a series of skeptical emojis. Zoe: If you say so. Just don’t dismiss your instincts. You were really freaked out that night.
Aurora hesitated before replying. Aurora: I probably overreacted. It was dark, my mind played tricks on me.
Zoe sent a sighing emoji. Zoe: Fine, fine. But if you ever feel weird again, tell me, okay?
Aurora smiled. Aurora: Promise.
With that, she finished her drink and headed home. The city lights glowed softly around her, the night air crisp but peaceful.
It really was just another normal day.
As she unlocked her apartment door and stepped inside, a single thought flickered in her mind before she dismissed it completely.
Why did she feel like she had forgotten something?
Killian stood on the rooftop of a nearby building, watching as Aurora disappeared inside.
“She’s back to normal,” Jaxon noted beside him. “Exactly what you wanted.”
Killian didn’t reply. His eyes remained fixed on the closed door.
Jaxon sighed. “Just don’t let yourself get involved again.”
Killian finally turned away. “I won’t.”
But the uneasy feeling in his chest told him otherwise.
- Writer
