Chapter 2

Aurora’s POV

The sharp scrape of my chair against the floor echoed through the classroom as I jolted upright.

Laughter erupted around me.

Some students pointed while others struggled to hide their amusement. My breathing came in uneven gasps as memories of the hospital flooded back… the curse, the unbearable pain, the heart monitor flatlining, and Sebastian’s face appearing far too late.

Slowly, the classroom came into focus.

The rows of desks and green chalkboard, the afternoon sunlight spilling through the windows.

Then my eyes landed on the teacher staring at me with concern.

Reality hit me all at once.

I was back..

Back in my eighteen-year-old body.

But… how?

Before I could process another thought, the teacher was standing beside my desk.

“Aurora, are you okay?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Was I okay?

I had just died. It felt so real…

“Aurora?” she called again. “Can you hear me?”

I slowly shook my head.

She frowned before pulling a hallway pass from her desk.

“Go to the clinic. You don’t look well.”

I took the pass, grabbed my school bag and hurried out of the classroom without another word.

I didn’t stop until I reached the girls’ restroom.

The moment I stepped inside, I locked the door behind me.

Click.

Leaning against it, I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing.

“What is happening…?”

The question slipped out before I realised I’d spoken.

I forced myself toward the sink and stared into the mirror.

Could everything have been a dream?

No.

It felt too real.

I remembered every second of the curse devouring my body, that dark feeling of death.

“So…” I whispered, gripping the basin tightly. “How am I here?”

“You have been given a second chance, Aurora.”

I spun around so quickly my hip struck the sink.

Floating in the middle of the restroom was a breathtaking woman wrapped in silver light.

Long white hair drifted around her. Her sapphire eyes glowed with impossible warmth.

Moonlight seemed to pour from her despite the afternoon sun outside.

I instinctively stepped back until I had nowhere left to go.

She smiled gently.

“Do not be afraid, child.”

My throat tightened.

“The wish you made before your soul left your body reached me.”

My heart skipped.

“You wished for another chance. And I have granted it.”

Tears burned my eyes.

“So… I’m really alive again?”

“You are.”

She floated a little closer.

“But this life comes with a choice.”

I listened without daring to interrupt.

“The road you walked before still exists. Follow it, and your fate will remain unchanged.”

A chill crept down my spine.

“But another path now lies before you. It is unfamiliar. It is uncertain. But it is yours to choose.”

I swallowed hard.

“What should I…”

Before I could finish, the silver light surrounding her began to fade.

“Wait! I still have so many questions!”

She smiled one last time.

“The future… is yours to decide.”

Then she disappeared.

Silence settled over the restroom once again.

I stared at my reflection as her words echoed through my mind.

A second chance. I really had been reborn.

My father was alive and I could save him.

Then another memory surfaced.

One with Lexi and Sebastian, The betrayal and agony of the curse.

My jaw tightened.

“No.”

I met my own gaze in the mirror.

“I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

If staying away from Sebastian meant saving my life and my father’s… Then that was exactly what I would do.

Only then did I truly notice my reflection.

The oversized black glasses. The loose, shapeless uniform and my messy ponytail.

I stared at myself.

“Seriously…?”

Had I really walked around looking like this?

I’d spent my entire life caring about only two things.

My studies and Sebastian.

Looking presentable had never mattered.

Now it did.

I removed my glasses and leaned over the sink before splashing cold water across my face.

When I looked up again, though blury my features looked softer without the thick lenses hiding them.

An idea struck me.

I hurried to my bag and searched through it until my fingers found a small contact lens case.

“There you are.”

I returned to the mirror.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped the lenses into my eyes.

After blinking a few times, my vision cleared.

I looked back at the mirror.

The girl staring back at me looked… different.

My eyes looked brighter and more expressive.

Without thinking, I reached behind my head and removed the elastic holding my ponytail.

My long dark hair cascaded over my shoulders. I ran my fingers through it until it settled naturally around my face.

I froze.

I’d never worn my hair down before. A smile spread across my lips. Maybe I could still be the top student without hiding myself from the world.

Ring!

The school bell echoed through the hallway.

Gym class!

I took a slow breath, then smiled at my reflection.

“Here’s to a new life.”

I slipped my glasses into my bag, straightened my uniform and headed for the gymnasium.

By the time I reached the double doors, my heartbeat had steadied. I wrapped my hand around the handle and pushed.

The chatter inside died instantly.

Every head turned, whispers spread through the gym.

“Is that Aurora?”

“No way…”

“She actually looks pretty.”

“What happened to her?”

I ignored them because for once, I wasn’t trying to disappear.

I lifted my chin and walked forward. I hadn’t taken more than a few steps when some boys blocked my path.

Harry, Lourdes and Stefan!

He looked me up and down before grinning.

“Well, look who finally decided to stop looking like a dweeb.”

Laughter rippled through the boys. Stefan elbowed Sebastian with a smirk.

“Your little sheepie cleaned up pretty well.”

I simply looked at them without saying a word.

Lourdes reached into his pocket and pulled out a few notes. He held them toward me.

“Since you’re here, grab us four cans of Coke from the vending machine.”

He flashed a mocking grin.

“Maybe if you’re fast enough, we’ll even let you sit with us at lunch.”

More laughter followed.

In my previous life, I would’ve taken the money without hesitation. I mean, spending a few minutes beside Sebastian would’ve made my entire day.

Not anymore.

I lowered my eyes to the notes now resting in my palm. A reminder of the girl I’d once been. The girl who had died chasing a man who never loved her.

“Come on,” Stefan urged. “Get going.”

Almost against my will, my gaze drifted to Sebastian. Some foolish part of me still hoped he’d stop them.

But he didn’t. He simply stood there with his hands in his pockets, watching quietly.

Perhaps, to him, this was how things should always be.

But not anymore.

Slowly, I opened my fingers. The notes slipped free and fluttered onto the polished gym floor.

The laughter stopped and gasps echoed around the gymnasium.

I looked straight at Lourdes.

“If you want a drink…”

I paused just long enough for the silence to settle.

“…buy it yourself.”