Shine Of The Sunset

4

TW #2: Depression-induced actions (if that's a good way to phrase it). Don't read if you don't feel comfortable.

Unbeknownst to her, she had started crying.

Lost in her thoughts of that abysmal day, she had begun to weep right in the middle of her class. Thankfully, by the time Aurora came to, only a few heads were turned her way.

She quickly reassured the others nearby that she was okay with a curt nod, before wiping the tears away with her hand. She needed to pay attention.

But...who left her those clothes?

Such an odd choice of attire to just be able to give away...and why the tweed jacket...?

Her thoughts fixated, she finally stumbled upon a seemingly obvious answer.

Saul.

He wore that exact same tweed jacket the previous day.

She shook her head and let Saul leave her mind.

It couldn't have been him. He didn't seem heroic enough to do such a thing for a stranger.

But who else would wear something like that?

As her mind churned like butter, the hours seemed to fly by. It was the first time she was actually thinking about that day instead of reliving it. Re-experiencing it in her mind.

Jack's hands. The string untightening. The piercing stares of spectators. The mystery savior.

She couldn't believe she got out of it with her dignity intact, let alone alive and able to function.

As she stumbled out of her last period Math class, once again learning nothing, her legs dragged her to the library.

She was reluctant to continue the lessons after that morning's events.

Saul, to her surprise and slight dread, was waiting for her at the same table they were at yesterday.

'Hey, Aurora. Shall we get started?', Saul said rather professionally, a twinge of hurt in his voice.

'Uh...yeah. Listen, I-'

'I understand. We can talk about that later, right now you have work to do. It's Friday today. Once we're done you can go home for the weekend.'

Aurora nodded slightly and the pair instantly got to work. As if by magic, Aurora felt herself understanding a good amount more of the math concepts she was learning and studying. She was also actually doing her homework, which was a first for any math class she had taken. It was like the boy in front of her was giving her superpowers.

By the time the hour and a half had passed of them silently working and conversing over math topics, Aurora found herself to be much more confident in the subject, as well as much more levelheaded, considering the days' events.

Saul looked as though he was ready to leave.

'Saul, wait, I...'

'What is it, Aurora?', Saul asked her calmly, a slight essence of hurt still present.

'I...I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have been so forceful with you, it was so rude of me, and I-'

'No...don't apologize. I get it.', Saul said before chuckling a little. 'I get it.', he repeated with more inflection, seeing her skeptical expression.