Meet Aurora River, the newest member of the prestigious Law and Order SVU team. Despite her youth, Aurora possesses an exceptional intellect and a keen understanding of human nature. Dive into her journey as she confronts the harsh realities of crim...
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The following day started like any other, with the sun spilling through the precinct windows, casting warm light across my desk. I was knee-deep in case files when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen, frowning as I saw Chris's name flash across it.
"Not today," I muttered to myself, hesitating to pick up the call. Chris and I had parted on less than amicable terms, and I wasn't sure I was ready to deal with him again. But the buzzing continued, persistent and annoying. With a sigh, I answered.
"Aurora? It's Chris," his voice came through, a mixture of apprehension and urgency.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
"Can we talk? I really need your help."
I felt my heart sink. "What kind of help?"
"I... I lost my job, and I can't afford my place anymore. I was wondering if I could stay with you for a bit."
The request hit me like a ton of bricks. Chris and I hadn't ended things on good terms; his inability to handle responsibility had been one of the major reasons we broke up. Yet, as his words sank in, a wave of empathy washed over me.
"You want to stay with me?" I repeated, incredulous. "After everything that happened?"
"I know I messed up, Aurora. But I have nowhere else to go. I just need a little time to get back on my feet."
I glanced around the precinct, the weight of the moment pressing on me. Part of me wanted to say no, to remind him of how he had hurt me and how I had moved on. But another part of me felt sorry for him, a feeling I couldn't shake.
"Fine," I relented, taking a deep breath. "But it's just temporary. I can't have this turn into something messy."
"Thank you! I promise I'll be out of your hair as soon as I can."
As I hung up, a mix of anxiety and frustration coursed through me. I didn't want to invite chaos back into my life, but I couldn't ignore the fact that Chris needed help.
Later that afternoon, I stood outside my apartment door, heart racing. I had made the decision to let him stay, but now that the moment was here, I was having second thoughts.
The door swung open, revealing Chris. He looked worn and stressed, the last remnants of his former charm buried beneath the weight of his struggles.
"Hey," he said, his voice softening. "Thanks for letting me crash here."
"Yeah, well, it's only temporary," I replied, trying to keep my tone firm.
He nodded, his expression earnest. "I understand. I just need a little time to get back on my feet."
As we settled in, I tried to maintain a sense of normalcy. I cooked dinner, hoping that keeping things casual would help ease the tension. Chris made small talk, but I felt the air between us heavy with unspoken words and unresolved issues.
"You're still working at the precinct?" he asked, glancing around the small apartment. "I always knew you'd make it."
"Yeah, I'm part of the Special Victims Unit now," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's been... challenging, but rewarding."
He looked impressed, and for a moment, I could see a flicker of the guy I once knew. "I'm really proud of you, Aurora."
But then the memories of our past crept back in, and the conversation grew strained. I busied myself in the kitchen, avoiding eye contact, until Chris spoke again.
"I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry for that. I just didn't handle things well."
His honesty caught me off guard. "It's not just that, Chris. You made choices that affected us both. I can't just forget those things."
"I get it. But I'm trying to do better now."
Just then, my phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. It was Joe.
"Hey, everything alright?" he asked, his voice steady and reassuring.
"Yeah, just settling in with... an old friend," I replied, the weight of my words heavy on my shoulders.
"Friend, huh?" Joe said, his tone turning more serious. "Do you need me to come by?"
I hesitated, torn between wanting to keep Joe out of this situation and needing his support. "No, it's fine. I'll let you know if anything changes."
As I hung up, Chris looked at me, confusion mingling with concern. "Who was that?"
"Just a colleague," I replied, feeling the walls closing in.
The rest of the evening passed in an awkward silence. Chris helped me with the dishes, but the familiarity of the task felt foreign now.
I watched as he moved around my kitchen, memories flooding back—moments of laughter, shared meals, and the warmth we once had. But all of that felt like a distant memory, a reminder of a past I had fought hard to leave behind.
Finally, we settled onto the couch, the weight of the day settling around us.
"Thanks for letting me stay, Aurora," Chris said quietly, his expression sincere.
"Just remember this is temporary," I reminded him, the reminder slipping out more harshly than intended.
He nodded, and for a moment, the air shifted.
"I'll do my best to make it easy on you," he replied, and I could sense a vulnerability in his voice that made me uneasy.
As I lay in bed that night, my thoughts drifted between Chris's struggles and the warmth I felt with Joe. My heart ached with confusion, torn between wanting to help someone I once cared for and the budding connection I was developing with Joe.
I closed my eyes, hoping that whatever was unfolding in my life would eventually find its place, no matter how tangled the threads seemed right now.
