Aurora had looked at the day that had taken place in front of her. The day of her 21st birthday and already she was busy with work. She could never imagine that things would have changed so much in such a short amount of time. She was now officially 21 but her life had felt like everything was different. Although she knew things would change.
"Aurora, hey," Daniel said as he and Birdie had came into the classroom.
"Hey guys. How are you two?" Aurora asked.
"Can't complain. Happy birthday," Daniel said as he had given Aurora a hug.
"Thank you, Daniel. I actually nearly or I did forget about that," Aurora said.
"Well congrats then. How old are you anyway now? 20?" Birdie asked.
"21 actually. Hi, Caden," Aurora said.
Caden Saltzman. One of the new business students who had joined the crew as well as the cousin of Daniel. Aurora had quite a bit to do with Caden on a daily base but ever since she had came to campus more often she saw Caden a lot more.
"Hey, Aurora. Happy birthday. 21 is a huge deal," Caden said as Aurora had smiled.
"Thank you. Somethings are just..." Aurora said as she saw Logan coming into the classroom.
"Logan, hi," Aurora said as Daniel looked at the man.
"I won't bother for long. I just wanted to wish you happy birthday and give you this," Logan said as he gave her a bag containing a notebook and colorful pens.
"Internal exams are coming up soon so you'll probably make summaries and I know you tend to make them colorful," Logan said as Aurora had smiled.
"Thank you," Aurora said as he left the classroom.
"How am I getting over this? Okay! I need a huge distraction tonight. Are we going out to do something?" Aurora asked.
"Well you're legal now so let me gather a few people then I'll let you know. Cade, you are coming as well. At least we'll have 2 people who are above the drinking age," Daniel said.
Aurora had shaken her head smiling while Caden had looked at her. When they had met earlier in the year, he thought of the girl as someone who had carried a lot of sadness in her. But now as time had gone past, he saw her as a strong girl who carries a lot on her shoulders.
"Yeah why not? Will be nice to get to know you outside of the college. I have class and you two probably as well. So I'll see you guys later," Aurora said as both of the guys had left for class.
~
Aurora had looked around her apartment while she was looking at the outfit she had chosen for the night. She definitely wasn't big on bars nor night outs with a huge group of people keen on getting drunk. But it had seemed like she was ready to explore a bit more of a mature group. She was now 21 years old. Legal to drive. Legal to drink. Legal to party. Yet she was still afraid of what could happen surrounding all of that. She had shaken her head while she had went out of her apartment and into her car.
The place where her 21st birthday was held was nothing like she thought it would be. It was a small place and it was quite intimate. Only Aurora's college friends (and Logan) had came to the party. Aurora had smiled as she saw how Caden had stood talking to Daniel as he came forward the moment he saw her eyes.
"Hey birthday girl. What do you think?" Caden asked as Aurora had smiled.
"I think it's absolutely beautiful. And amazing how you barely know me yet you treat me like a friend you've known for decades," Aurora said.
"I got you something," Caden said handing Aurora a box as she opened it.
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"Caden. I love it. Thank you," Aurora said.
"In the Saltzman family, the age of 21 symbolizes freedom," Caden said as he had went behind Aurora and put the necklace on.
"But also adulthood and with that the responsibility of the whole world," Caden said as Aurora turned around, looking into his brown eyes.
"I wanted you to have this so you know that now is your time to be free and young. But also that it doesn't mean you have to face the world alone. I know about your father. About your brother, Logan. But also about Logan Goldman and how that situation has escalated over the last year. And you don't deserve that. Nobody does," Caden said.
"Guess so," Aurora said.
"Dance with me," Caden said as he laid out his hand.
Aurora had smiled as she had accepted his offer and he guided her to the dance floor. Aurora saw how Logan was watching over her, but it didn't bother her. Not at that moment. She felt Caden against her, as they were slowly dancing to a song called Temptation. She smiled as she placed her chin on how shoulder while she felt a kind of chemistry she's never felt before. Nor did she think it was possible to feel that kind of chemistry.
She smiled as she looked into his eyes and he turned her around in circles. With her smiling growing bigger and bigger, Aurora couldn't help but think that this was the way that her life was supposed to be. Carefree and the freedom rushing through her veins. As if it was alcohol she had just consumed. Yet it wasn't. She was completely and utterly sober. Yet her whole life changed.
