Unwritten Steps

Chapter 6: Secrets Under the Stars

Aurora leaned back against the rooftop ledge, her breath clouding the crisp night air. Finn was pacing a few feet away, hands in his jacket pockets, humming some tune she didn't recognize. He was always like this—easygoing, always moving, never staying still long enough to let her figure him out.

"Do you ever stop?" she teased, pulling her knees to her chest.

"Stopping is overrated," he shot back, grinning. "Besides, you like it."

Aurora rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She did like it—more than she was ready to admit. He made her laugh when she was sure she'd forgotten how. He made her feel like maybe the cracks in her life didn't have to be permanent.

"You're not from here, are you?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Finn shrugged, sitting down next to her. "Depends on what you mean by 'here.' This town? Yeah, I'm here now. But before this? Let's just say my family wasn't big on staying in one place."

Aurora tilted her head, studying him. "So, what are you running from?"

Finn flinched, just barely, but enough for Aurora to notice.

"I'm not running," he said quickly, his tone too light to be convincing. "I just like new places. New people. Keeps life interesting."

She wanted to push, to ask what he wasn't telling her, but something about the way he stared out at the city stopped her.

Instead, she reached out and nudged his shoulder. "Well, you found me. Interesting enough for you?"

Finn turned to her, his smirk softening into something real. "You have no idea."