جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

Aurora’s P.O.VThe air is thick with the scent of fresh grass and the distant tang of sweat, the usual atmosphere of a high school football game. The roar of the small crowd gathered at the field to watch the team is almost deafening, yet it fades into a dull hum in my ears as I sit at the back of the bleachers, my legs tucked up, arms wrapped loosely around my knees.I shouldn’t be here. I know that. And yet, here I am, watching him. Caleb. The golden boy. The one who knows exactly how to command a game, his presence undeniable as he barks out plays, his eyes scanning the field with the sharpness of a predator.Even from this distance, I can see the way he moves—so sure, so unshaken, as if nothing in the world could touch him. He throws a perfect pass to the receiver, and the crowd erupts in cheers. Mia and the others are at the front with their pompoms, chanting in unison, their synchronized movements a blur of red and white. I know I should look somewhere else, anywhere else, but I

Aurora’s P.O.VThe moment he stepped into the school, I felt it—the air shifting, the once-lively bleachers now thick with an almost tangible tension. Conversations dropped into hushed whispers, students who had been laughing and chatting just moments ago suddenly quieted, their gazes drawn toward the entrance like moths to a flame.I turned to Caroline, intending to ask her who he was, but the words never left my lips. She was frozen, her entire body rigid, her eyes locked onto the new guy with an expression I couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t just a surprise. It wasn’t just recognition. It was something deeper—something unsettling. Her fingers curled around the edge of her seat, knuckles turning white, and for the first time since I had known her, Caroline looked… afraid."Caroline?" I whispered, nudging her shoulder gently. No response. She was trapped in whatever trance had taken hold of her, eyes wide, unblinking. A cold shiver ran down my spine.I turned my head to follow her gaze,

Aurora’s P.O.VEvery day, I would fetch my brother from school and drop him off at home, or with our next door neighbors, depending on how long my shift for the day was, before I headed to work.But today, I wasn’t able to pick Riley up on time, and so the only option that had been available to me…hadn't been the most favorable one.“Sorry I’m late buddy,” I huffed, breathless after running toward the gate, where he was waiting for me patiently, his big blue eyes wide with curiosity.“It’s okay,” Riley smiled, peering up at me. “Did something happen?”There was no way I was going to tell him about everything in my life, so I shook my head and gave him my best smile. “Nah,” I said, patting his head lightly. “I just had to finish some schoolwork, that’s all.”“Oh,” Riley nodded, grabbing the straps of his back as he walked beside me slowly.But when I glanced at the time on my phone, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to drop him off before I went to work.“Riley,” I said, a bit hesitant

Caleb’s P.O.VSitting at the table, I tapped my fingers against the wooden surface, watching as Mia and Shane exchanged playful smiles and teasing remarks. Mia laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder as Shane leaned in just a little too close, whispering something that made her roll her eyes with a grin. The air around them practically crackled with their flirtation, and I couldn’t decide if it was amusing or exhausting.Across from me, Jade was glued to his phone, his fingers scrolling mindlessly while he sat completely detached from the conversation, probably checking some sports scores or texting someone far more interesting than us.I barely paid attention to any of them, my focus elsewhere, but I wasn’t surprised when Caroline suddenly turned towards me, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Caleb,” she started, her tone laced with something suspicious, “why did you pick this place?”I looked at her, feigning innocence. “What do you mean?” I asked, though I already knew exactly what she

Aurora’s P.O.VI stood there, frozen, my breath hitching in my throat as their laughter echoed around me. It was like time had stopped, and yet, the world kept moving, leaving me stranded in my own humiliation. My skin burned—not from pain, but from sheer mortification. I couldn't even fully comprehend what had just happened. My mind was still playing catch-up, replaying the moment in slow motion, making it worse with each replay. Mia’s voice sliced through the ringing in my ears. “Did you feel them?” she asked Shane, her voice dripping with amusement. Shane, still grinning like this was the funniest thing to ever happen, snorted. “There was nothing to feel.” Their laughter grew louder, and something inside me snapped. My body moved before my brain could catch up, my hand flying up with a force I didn’t know I had. The sharp crack of my palm meeting Shane’s face was like a gunshot in the air, silencing everything. Shane’s head snapped to the side, his laughter dying instantly. A st