The morning after the dance, I moved through my classroom on autopilot, arranging crayons and wiping down tables that didn’t really need it. Sleep had been almost nonexistent. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Cal’s frustrated face or heard Aurora’s quiet sobs against my shoulder. The weight of it all pressed on my chest like a stone I couldn’t shake off.I was still rattled when the first students started trickling in. Then Aurora appeared in the doorway, her usual bounce missing. Her eyes were a little puffy, and she clutched her backpack straps like they were a lifeline. My heart twisted.“Good morning, sweetheart,” I said softly, crouching to her level as she approached my desk.She looked up, and just like that, her face lit up. The transformation was instant. “Miss Falls!” She threw her arms around my waist in a tight hug. I hugged her back without thinking, breathing in the faint scent of strawberry shampoo.“Did you have fun after I left?” I asked gently, guiding her to her s
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