Aurora’s POVThe weeks after Theo’s last visit stretched into a painful rhythm that tested every ounce of my strength. Mornings started with hurried texts from him—possessive good morning messages that made my heart flutter and ache at the same time. Classes at Ridgewood dragged on with their usual intensity. Advanced literature discussions, history essays, and endless group projects filled my schedule until I barely had time to breathe. Lila remained my constant, teasing me about my “secret glow” while covering for me during late-night calls. But even she could see the toll the distance was taking.Jaden’s presence in my life had settled into a careful, polite silence. We still shared classes, still exchanged the occasional necessary word during group work, but the warmth was gone. He sat farther away now. His smiles were brief and guarded. The easy conversations about family dinners and sibling chaos that once brightened my days had vanished, replaced by awkward professionalism. I m
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