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ELENAThe class ended late, the professor's voice fading into static as I refreshed the tab and set the laptop aside. Arya began crying in her crib, her little face all red and scrunched up, her tiny fists waving in the air. I stood up with a sigh and rushed to scoop her up. I went back to grab the laptop andsettled into the rocking chair, unbuttoning my shirt to feed her. She latched on and after a few seconds quieted, her body relaxing against mine, and her breathing evening out.I leaned back and let out a long breath. My head was still pounding from last night, I had to take a couple more soup to clear the alcohol from my system according to Mrs Bayer and it was safe to feed Arya now. I reached for the laptop to check the next class and add it to my calendar when it buzzed with a notification.A couple, actually. I navigated to the notification center to see some articles, one from an upcoming event and one about a Vale.I was the only Vale previously socially active left on eart

AURORAI woke up to a ceiling I didn't recognize.White. Plain. A small crack running from the corner to the light fixture. I blinked, my eyes heavy, my head pounding with a dull ache that seemed to pulse behind my eyes. I turned my head slowly and saw the window, the curtains drawn, a sliver of pale morning light filtering through. The room was small and unfamiliar, the walls covered in floral wallpaper that looked like it belonged in a different decade.Where was I?I sat up slowly, the movement making the pounding in my head worse. I pressed my palm against my forehead and tried to remember.The cold, the walk. I remember getting a drink and sitting at the bench…I think. The vodka, the kids playing in the snow.How did I get here?I remember someone helping me i

AURORA Christmas eve came and went, the fire burning down to embers and the music long since turned off. Mrs. Bayer had gone to bed an hour ago, and Arya was asleep in the guest room, her little body curled up under a blanket. I sat on the couch with my phone in my hand, staring at the screen, watching the clock tick past twelve.I immediately dialed Lydia.She picked up on the second ring. "Merry Christmas babe!""Merry Merry Merry Christmas, I got so many decors and now I'm regretting it. I have no one to help me decorate."I chuckled. "Did you eat too much before setting them up?""Always.""We still even have leftovers. Mrs. Bayer kind of made too much. I just know it'll get us to the new year.""Of course she did." I heard her move, the sound of a door closing. "How's Arya?""Asleep. She fought it for a while, but she's out now.""Like mother, like daughter."I smiled. "How's aunty doing?""The usual. They won't stop talking about how old I'm getting and my dad has set me up wit

AURORA It was almost impossible to see a house without a blanket of fresh snow on its roof.The streets were quiet, and most of the shops closed early for the celebration preparation, the only sounds were the crunch of boots on fresh powder and the distant jingle of bells from somewhere down the block. I walked to the corner store to buy batteries for Arya's new toy, a little singing elephant that I was sure would drive me crazy by New Year's, and the lights for the Christmas tree.The store was almost empty. A few people stood in line, their arms full of last-minute gifts. I grabbed a pack of batteries, some cookies and was about heading to the register when I saw a familiar face.Jeremiah was standing by the display of wrapping paper, holding a roll of red and gold foil. He looked up as I approached, his face breaking into a warm smile."Ms Vale," he said. "What a pleasant surprise."I blinked. "Mr. Webb. I didn't expect to see you here.""Please, call me Jeremiah." He set down the

AURORA I left Arya with Mrs. Bayer and Maria.It was the first time I'd left her with anyone other than Lydia, and my hands were shaking as I strapped her into the car seat. I already kissed her five times. Maybe six. Maria was watching me with an amused smile."Go," she said. "She'll be fine. We've got this."I looked at her one more time, strapped in, chewing on her teething ring. She was growing so fast I could barely keep up. She looked back at me with her big dark eyes, like she was wondering why I was hovering."I'll be back in a few hours," I said."She'll still be here," Mrs. Bayer said from the doorway. "We're not going anywhere."I nodded and finally forced myself to walk away.I stopped a taxi at the front and got in.We soon arrived at the venue. It was a building owned by the school too, and as I've heard, they've got many in different states and cities. It was cold, the hallways echoing with the sound of footsteps and distant voices. I found the classroom and slipped i

FEW MONTHS LATERAURORA"So," Daniel said, smiling. "Lydia told me you're a single mom.”Lydia and Theo have become a problem.Not a bad problem, but a problem nonetheless. They decided, somewhere between my healing body and Arya's first birthday, that I needed to get back out there.Whatever that means.At first I thought, well, it's Lydia. What is she without jokes like these. But then started texting me screenshots of men from dating apps, asking which ones I thought were cute.I ignored her, of course, thinking she'd get bored but she didn't. And then she roped Theo in even though they barely know each other, and both started sending me links to local events and coffee shops, anything he thought might help me meet new people.Although I told them both