My Enigma

Chapter Twenty-Five

Auroras POV

The air outside was brisk as I walked into school, my boots clicking softly on the pavement. My steps were light for the first time in what felt like weeks. My therapy session and the day with Mom had worked wonders on my mood, leaving me with a strange yet comforting sense of clarity. I wasn't weighed down by the ache of Luke's indifference anymore.

I'd tried. I'd put myself out there, opened up, and given him the opportunity to meet me halfway. He didn't. And that was okay. I wasn't angry, and I wasn't sad. I just... let it go.

It felt oddly liberating to release the burden I'd carried. He had made his choice, and I had made mine: I was done forcing shit. I deserved peace. And today, peace was my goal.

Walking into the common area where our group usually met before class, I spotted them right away. Hanna and Gabe were sitting close together, as usual, their heads leaning toward each other as they whispered something, no doubt about their latest date plans. Connor was slouched in his chair, typing something furiously on his phone, probably arguing with someone in a gaming forum. Luke sat off the side, scrolling on his phone, his usual detached expression in place.

"Morning, losers!" I announced with a bright tone, plopping down next to Hanna.

Her head whipped toward me, her eyes wide. "Aurora?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and excitement.

"Yes, it's me, Aurora," I teased, grabbing a piece of the granola bar she was holding and popping it into my mouth. "The very same. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're... happy," Connor said, his eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. "I didn't think you knew how to do that anymore."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence."

Hanna was grinning now, her energy practically bouncing off the walls. "I love this! This is the Aurora I missed. Where have you been hiding her?"

"Under a pile of overthinking and unnecessary stress," I said with a shrug. "But she's back now, and she's not leaving anytime soon."

As we all laughed and talked, I noticed Luke glance up from his phone, his eyes darting toward me for a fraction of a second before he looked away. I didn't care. He could stay silent if he wanted to. I had better things to focus on, like this moment of feeling genuinely good.

The first class of the day was history, and we all trudged into the lecture hall together. Hanna and I shared a desk, passing notes and doodling in the margins of our notebooks. At the same time, the teacher droned on about ancient civilizations. Gabe, sitting behind us, kept poking Hanna with his pen, trying to get her attention, and Connor, to my left, was nodding off with his head propped on his hand.

"Is he asleep?" I whispered to Hanna, pointing subtly at Connor.

"Absolutely," she replied, biting back a laugh.

I grabbed my notebook and lightly tapped Connor on the head, startling him awake. He jerked upright, blinking rapidly as the rest of us stifled our giggles.

"Really?" he muttered, glaring at me.

"Really," I replied, grinning.

The morning flew by in a blur of classes and casual banter. By lunch, the tension that had hung over our group in recent weeks had all but dissipated. I wasn't trying to force anything with Luke; that simple change seemed to shift the dynamic.

Hanna leaned over as we sat under the tree outside, eating our sandwiches. "I'm proud of you, you know," she said quietly.

"For what?" I asked, taking a bite of my food.

"For not letting things get to you anymore. For focusing on yourself."

I smiled at her, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Thanks, Hanna. It feels good. Really good."

Luke was sitting a few feet away, eating silently. I thought he would join the conversation for a second, but he didn't. Fine by me. I talked to Gabe and Connor instead, laughing at their ridiculous jokes and even chiming in with a few of my own. Hanna was right—it felt good to be me again.

The afternoon classes passed in the same way, the usual mix of boredom and friendly distractions. By the time the final bell rang, signalling the end of the day, I felt accomplished, like I'd taken another step toward being the version of myself I wanted to be.

As we all headed to the parking lot, Hanna and Gabe were deep in conversation about their date plans for the evening.

"We're going to that new sushi place," Hanna said, practically bouncing with excitement.

"You're coming with us, right, Connor?" Gabe asked.

"Yeah," Connor said. "As long as you promise not to make me third-wheel too hard."

Hanna rolled her eyes. "You'll survive."

I smiled, watching the three of them banter. They all turned to me as Hanna asked, "What about you, Aurora? Need a ride?"

I shook my head. "No, my mom's picking me up."

"Alright, text me later!" Hanna said, waving as they piled into Gabe's car.

I waved back, standing in the now-quiet parking lot. Luke was still there, leaning against his car. It must have been a new car because I had never seen it before. I ignored him, walking toward a nearby tree for shade as I waited for Mom.

"Aurora," his voice called out behind me.

I stopped but didn't turn around. After a beat, I slowly turned to face him, my expression neutral. "What?"

He looked at me, his brow furrowed, like he was trying to figure out what to say. "Do you... want me to stay with you? Until your mom gets here?"

I shook my head, my voice steady. "No, I'm fine. Thanks."

His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say something else. But I didn't wait for him to. I turned and continued my walk to the tree, sitting beneath it and pulling out my journal to pass the time.

Whatever he had to say, it didn't matter anymore. I had done my part, given my effort, and let it go.

Now, it was up to him. And if he chose to stay silent, that was his choice.

I was choosing me. And that felt so damn empowering.

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Hello Lovelies!

I hope you liked this chapter:)

Happy December!