Chapter 27 - Aurora

"Happy birthday." My mum's grinning face greets me as soon as I come downstairs. The table is filled with butter and a dozen different jams, cheeses, hams, essentially a buffet that could feed the two of us ten times over. She pulls a tray of croissants from the oven, placing one on my plate and the rest in the middle of the table. Sliding into my chair, I resign myself to the fact I'm going to be late for school again and try not to let the stress of it show on my face. 

My friends are grinning at me when I walk in, waiting until I sit down before sliding a little present towards me. A small square box, wrapped in red paper and a white bow. This has to be from Priya and even by her standards the wrapping is beautiful. They usually give me my gifts after school, so this must be something extra special. 

"It was already on the desk whe