Bound by Stars (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

The car rolled to a stop in front of the imposing stone building, its ivy-covered facade both welcoming and intimidating. I took a deep breath, forcing a confident smile onto my face. "Well, here we are," I said, trying to sound upbeat. "Home sweet home."

My sister, Emma, looked up at the school with wide eyes. "It looks like something out of a movie," she whispered, her fingers clutching the edge of her seat.

I reached over and squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, squirt. I'll be fine. Besides, it's not like I'm moving to another country. We'll see each other all the time."

Emma nodded, but her eyes were already glistening with unshed tears. "Promise you'll call every day?"

I chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Every single day. And I'll send you pictures of all the weirdos I meet."

She giggled, and I felt a little of the tension in my chest ease. At least one of us was convinced I could handle this. I glanced at my parents in the front seat. Mom was scrolling through her phone, probably already planning her next business trip, while Dad stared out the window, lost in thought.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the car door. The early morning sun caught my reflection in the car window, highlighting my long, dark auburn hair and the determined glint in my green eyes. I straightened my favorite leather jacket, trying to channel the confident girl I wanted to be.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road." I hopped out and grabbed my bags from the trunk, slinging my backpack over one shoulder. "Need some help with your stuff, Aurora?" Dad asked, snapping out of his reverie.

"Nah, I've got it," I said, injecting as much confidence into my voice as I could muster. "I'm a big girl now."

Dad gave me a small smile, his eyes softening. "I know you are. But it's okay to ask for help sometimes."

I shrugged off the sentimentality. "Help is for the weak," I joked, though my heart wasn't entirely in it. I turned back to Emma, who had climbed out of the car and was standing beside me, her lower lip trembling.

"Hey," I said softly, crouching down to her level. "I'm going to be just fine. And so are you. You've got Mom and Dad, and I'm just a phone call away."

She nodded, and I pulled her into a tight hug, holding on just a little longer than usual. "I love you, Em," I whispered.

"Love you too, Rory," she mumbled into my shoulder.

I straightened up and took another deep breath. "Alright, time to face the music. I'll see you guys soon."

Mom finally looked up from her phone, offering a brief, distracted smile. "Take care, Aurora. We'll miss you."

"Miss you too, Mom," I said, hoping she couldn't see the doubt in my eyes.

With one last wave, I turned and walked toward the school's entrance, my heart pounding in my chest. New beginnings, I reminded myself. This is what I've been waiting for. Time to prove I can handle it.

As I crossed the threshold into the grand foyer, I felt a mix of fear and excitement bubbling up inside me. Here goes nothing, I thought, squaring my shoulders. Welcome to your new life, Aurora Sinclair.

**

I walked up the stairs and down the hall, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors. Families and friends were everywhere, caught up in their own little worlds. Nobody quite noticed me, and that was just fine. It gave me a chance to gather myself. I could do this.

Pushing open the door to the main office, I stepped inside and approached the front desk. The man behind it looked up, adjusting his glasses as I smiled politely.

"Hi, I'm Aurora Sinclair. I need to find my room," I said.

"Ah, yes, Ms. Sinclair. There was a last-minute room change. Let me pull up your details," he replied, tapping away at his keyboard. "You'll be in Room 217."

"Thanks," I said, taking the printed room assignment slip he handed me.

Just as I turned to leave, I bumped into someone coming in. I stumbled back, my heart skipping a beat as I looked up into a pair of warm brown eyes. The guy was tall and nicely built, with sandy brown hair and light freckles sprinkled across his nose.

"Whoa there," he said with a charming smile. "You alright?"

"Yeah, sorry about that," I replied, feeling a slight flush creep up my cheeks.

"No problem. I'm Percy Sanders," he introduced himself, extending a hand. His tone held a hint of flirtation, though not overly forward.

"Aurora Sinclair," I said, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, and his smile widened.

"Nice to meet you, Aurora. Hope to see you around."

"Yeah, you too," I said, quickly excusing myself and heading down the hall, my heart beating a little faster. Was he flirting with me? I shrugged off the thought, focusing on finding my room.

Room 217 was on the second floor. The door creaked slightly as I pushed it open, revealing a cozy space with two beds, a desk, and a window overlooking the courtyard. One bed was already made up with personal items scattered on the desk, indicating I had a roommate.

I dropped my bags beside the unclaimed bed and threw myself onto the mattress, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, but now, lying here with my eyes closed, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had made it through the first day.

As I drifted off to sleep, the events of the day replayed in my mind: Emma's tearful goodbye, the imposing school building, and the unexpected encounter with Percy Sanders. A small smile tugged at my lips. Had he been flirting with me? This new beginning might just be alright after all.