The Veil of Glass

Growing Connections

Liora sat at her usual spot in the far corner of the school library, her fingers mindlessly tracing the edge of her notebook. The noise around her seemed distant, muffled by the whirlpool of thoughts replaying Nathaniel's voice from the party.

Everything had gone exactly as planned.

She had expected Nathaniel to follow her. The glance she gave him, the way she walked toward the door, her hair falling just right to create that air of mystery—each move was deliberate, designed to make him curious.

"Hey, I never caught your name..."

His voice had been soft, as if he didn't want anyone else to hear, like it was just between them.

At the party, she was someone else. Someone bold, confident, untouchable.

Liora recalled how her mouth had curved into a small smile, her hair falling just enough to hide her face. Without thinking, she gave a name that slipped from her lips like it had always been hers.

"Aurelia."

Aurelia Carter.

The name wasn't random. It had never been random. It was a tribute to her mother, Aurelia Carter, who had been a beacon of strength and warmth in her life. Liora's mother had passed away when she was young, but her memory was a constant source of comfort and inspiration.

Liora recalled how her mother used to read her stories, her voice soft and soothing. On quiet evenings, Aurelia would let Liora curl up beside her, whispering words of encouragement and love. The memory of her mother's protective embrace was vivid, and Liora had chosen the name Aurelia for her new persona as a way to honor that lost piece of her life. It was her way of reconnecting with a part of herself that had been taken too soon.

As she considered her mother's memory, her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. A new message from Nathaniel appeared on the screen.

Hey, it's been a while. Everything okay?

Liora glanced at the clock. It had been hours since his last message. She had deliberately delayed her response to maintain the air of mystery that Aurelia embodied. She tapped a few keys on her keyboard, then turned her attention back to her phone.

Sorry for the late reply. Got caught up with some things. Everything's fine, just needed some time to myself.

She set her phone down again, forcing herself to focus on her assignment. The silence in her room was a sharp contrast to the buzzing activity in her mind. She needed to stay vigilant—her interactions with Nathaniel had to be carefully managed. She was also due to hang out with Clarissa soon, and she had to be cautious not to let her dual lives collide.

At the party, Liora had been keenly aware of Nathaniel and Azazel. From a distance, she noticed Nathaniel glued to his phone, texting away, while Azazel stood beside him, seemingly unbothered. Their interaction had been casual, and Nathaniel's attention had been completely absorbed by his device. Liora had taken this as a chance to slip away unnoticed.

As she made her way towards the exit, she heard Nathaniel's voice calling out softly, "Hey, I never caught your name..."

The brief encounter had been significant. Liora had chosen to keep her true identity a secret, using the name Aurelia to maintain the mystery. The name was carefully selected, adding an extra layer to her plan.

Back at school, Liora was in the library, her usual spot for studying and staying out of the spotlight. Her phone buzzed with a new message from Nathaniel. She checked it discreetly.

Hey, did you get home safe last night? Who did you come with?

Liora's smile widened. She had managed to maintain the intrigue and keep their interactions steady. She crafted her reply carefully.

Yes, I got home safe. Thanks for asking. I came with a few friends from school. How about you? Are you okay? You seemed upset on your own birthday.

She sent the message and closed her phone, turning her attention back to her studies. Her interactions with Nathaniel were progressing well, and she was maintaining her cover. She needed to keep Aurelia's persona intriguing and enigmatic while continuing her dual life.

Her phone buzzed again.

I'm glad to hear that. I am better too. Just checking in, you know. What school do you go to?

Liora considered her response, making sure to keep it casual and friendly.

I'm at St. Mary's . It's pretty normal, just trying to get through the year.

She sent the message and felt a sense of satisfaction. The conversation was flowing well, and she was managing to keep her secret identity intact.

As Clarissa approached her at lunch, Liora's heart raced slightly, but she kept her composure. Clarissa's curiosity about her recent changes was something Liora had to handle carefully. She needed to keep her interactions with Nathaniel separate from her life with Clarissa to avoid any slip-ups.

"Hey, Liora!" Clarissa greeted her brightly. "You won't BELIEVE what I just heard!!!"

"Hey, Clarissa," Liora replied with a friendly smile, ready for the gossip she had, "Everything's good?"

They chatted as they ate lunch, and Liora remained attentive, careful not to reveal anything about her other life. As the day continued, she reflected on the balance she had to maintain and the careful planning required to keep her dual existence intact.

As the day wore on, Liora kept a careful watch on Nathaniel and Azazel. Her curiosity was piqued, and she couldn't help but observe their interactions from a distance. Nathaniel was often absorbed in his phone, while Azazel seemed to have an almost magnetic presence that drew Liora's attention.

During lunch, as she passed by their table, she couldn't resist leaning in slightly, wanting to catch a whiff of Azazel's magnetic cologne. It was a scent that seemed to linger in the air, and she found herself momentarily lost in its allure. The close proximity was intoxicating, and she almost forgot to be cautious.

Just as she walked by, her phone chimed, breaking the silence and grabbing both Nathaniel's and Azazel's attention. Liora's heart skipped a beat as she realized her mistake. Her phone buzzed again, louder this time, and she felt a surge of panic. She quickly glanced at her phone, noticing Nathaniel's text message that had just come through.

Desperately trying to appear nonchalant, she hurried her pace, but her phone buzzed again. This time, Azazel's gaze flicked toward her, a fleeting but intense look that sent a shiver down her spine. She felt exposed, her heart pounding as she tried to act as if the sound was nothing significant.

As she passed, Nathaniel said, "Weird coincidence," with a chuckle, while Azazel's eyes followed her intently. Liora felt a cold sweat forming on her brow. She could feel the weight of Azazel's gaze on her, and it made her stomach churn. The sensation of being scrutinized made her panic, but she forced herself to maintain a composed exterior.

Once she was out of their immediate sight, Liora let out a silent sigh of relief. Her heart raced, and her hands trembled slightly as she took a moment to steady herself. The close call had been nerve-wracking, and the intensity of Azazel's gaze made her realize just how precarious her situation was. She needed to be more careful in the future, or the risk of exposure might become too great.

She took a deep breath and resumed her walk, trying to calm her racing heart. The thrill of the close encounter was matched by the unease it left behind. Liora knew she had to stay vigilant, ensuring that her dual lives remained separate and her secret safe.

Author's Note:
Aurelia Carter is Liora's mother's name before she married Liora's father. I'll give a character introduction in the next chapter