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"Shannon like the river." Johnny smiled warmly as the tiny brunette came walking over, her expression tight with worry. Her small frame seemed almost swallowed by the oversized school blazer, her steps quick but hesitant as she approached.
"Little Shannon, everything okay?" I asked, my voice laced with concern, but I kept my smile soft, hoping to ease whatever was bothering her.
"Not really..." she started, biting her lip nervously. "It's Aurora—"
The mention of her name sent a pang of anxiety through me. My chest tightened, the worry rising like a tide. "Where is she?" I interrupted, trying to keep the urgency from overtaking my voice.
Shannon fidgeted, her eyes darting around as if she wasn't sure how to phrase it. "She's in the toilets. She's just... a little off at the minute, it's about her bruises." Her voice was almost a whisper, like she was afraid of giving too much away.
Bruises. My heart sank. Today was Aurora's first day back after a few days out, and I had hoped she'd ease back into things, that maybe she'd smile again.
"Right," I muttered, my mind already racing ahead. "I'll see you two later, okay?"
Before either of them could respond, I was already moving, my feet carrying me quickly toward the girls' toilets. I didn't stop to think or to breathe until I reached the door. The sound of sniffling hit me the moment I stepped inside.
I knocked softly on the first cubicle door. "Aurora?"
There was no response, just the quiet, uneven breathing that told me all I needed to know. I didn't wait for an invitation; I slipped inside the cubicle, my heart breaking at the sight of her huddled on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees.
Without hesitation, I sat down beside her, the cold tile pressing through my trousers. I didn't say anything at first, just gently pulled her into my side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Her body trembled against mine, and I could feel the effort it was taking for her to hold herself together.
The bell rang faintly in the distance, signaling the start of the next class, but neither of us moved. We stayed like that until her shaky breaths started to even out, until finally, she spoke.
"Shan got you, didn't she?" Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
"Something like that..." I replied, giving her a gentle squeeze. I tilted my head to look at her, trying to catch her eyes. "She knew you'd need me."
Aurora swallowed, her fingers tugging at the sleeves of her jumper, pulling them down to cover her hands. Her bruises. I could see the faint purple marks peeking out from the edge of her sleeve, and it made my heart ache.
"You don't need to cover anything, Aurora. You look beautiful just the way you are," I said softly but firmly, my eyes never leaving hers. She blinked, and for a second, I wasn't sure she'd believe me. But then her shoulders relaxed just a fraction.
