Recap:
The university campus becomes a vibrant stage for interactions filled with intrigue and dynamic characters. Ace, Jace, and Aiden captivate their peers, while Amber and Flare draw whispers of curiosity due to their striking presence. Amid the routine, a mysterious new figure—Aurora—steals the spotlight with her unshaken composure and commanding aura. Aiden is tasked with giving her a campus tour, sparking more layers of interaction.
Their tour takes an unexpected turn at the basketball court, where Aurora's enthusiasm transforms into a playful, energetic game with Aiden. The moment deepens their dynamic, showcasing Aurora's spirited and carefree side, while Aiden remains guarded, concealed behind his mask. Despite the playful tone, subtle tension arises when Aurora begins to sense a familiarity in Aiden's eyes—a recognition she can't quite pin down.
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After ending the call with Ace, Aiden returned to Aurora, slipping his phone into his pocket. Without a word, they began walking out of the court, their footsteps echoing softly in the now-quiet space. The campus was nearly deserted, the golden hues of the setting sun painting the corridors with long, warm shadows. A gentle breeze swept through the open hallway, adding a tranquil touch to the peaceful silence between them.
Just as they neared the exit, Aiden broke the calm with a casual smirk. "I'm starving. Let's grab something to eat."
Aurora glanced at him, a playful grin curling her lips. "Wait a second," she teased. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
Aiden stopped mid-step, turning to face her with an unshaken expression. "Would it be so bad if I was?" he shot back, his tone playful yet confident.
Aurora blinked in surprise before bursting out laughing, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Chill, dude," she said, her teasing softening into a smile. "I'm just messing with you. Let's go—I'm starving too."
After stepping out of the campus gate, Aiden gestured toward a nearby restaurant. Aurora raised an eyebrow. "You do realize you're still wearing a mask, right? How exactly do you plan on eating?"
Without missing a beat, Aiden chuckled. "Good point," he said, a sly glint in his eye. "Let's leave it and grab something to drink instead."
At a small café nearby, they found a quiet corner to sit. As they sipped their drinks, Aiden excused himself under the pretense of taking a call. Aurora watched him go, amused by the lengths he seemed to go to keep his face concealed. He returned a few minutes later, his mask still in place and a small, satisfied smile lingering on his lips.
"You're really committed to this whole mask thing, huh?" Aurora teased, swirling her drink as she spoke.
"Committed enough," Aiden replied with a slight shrug, his cryptic tone only adding to the intrigue. Aurora's curiosity deepened, but she decided to let it go—for now.
As they finished their drinks, the evening air greeted them once again. Their conversation carried a mix of playful banter and quiet intrigue, the city lights casting a warm glow over their path. Whatever mystery Aiden held, Aurora couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen those eyes before—and she wasn't one to leave questions unanswered.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the campus in a warm amber glow, Aurora and Aiden reached the grand oak doors that marked the exit. Aiden, ever the gentleman, turned to her with a casual nod. "Let me drop you to your dorm. It's getting late."
Aurora hesitated for a brief moment before shaking her head, her expression resolute yet polite. "Thanks, but I'll be fine. It's just a short walk," she replied with a small smile, trying not to meet his gaze too long. There was something about those eyes of his—something familiar she couldn't quite place.
"Alright," Aiden said, his voice smooth and unwavering. "Take care, then." With that, he turned and headed toward his sleek black car, his confident stride never faltering. Aurora watched as his car roared to life and disappeared into the distance, the sound of the engine fading into the quiet evening.
As the silence settled, Aurora pulled out her phone and dialed Adrien. The call was brief. "Hey, can you pick me up? I'm a little tired," Aurora said, a hint of weariness in her voice.
"Sorry," Adrien replied hurriedly. "I'm on my way somewhere."
Aurora sighed, her tone neutral. "Fine," she muttered before cutting the call. She shook her head, putting her phone back in her pocket, and started walking toward her dorm. The cool evening breeze accompanied her, but her thoughts were far from the path ahead.
Once inside her dorm room, Aurora dropped her bag onto the bed and sank into her chair. The day's events replayed in her mind, but one detail stuck out—Aiden. She unlocked her phone, opening the chat with Adrien. Her message was direct: "I need you to find out more about Aiden."
A few moments later, Adrien's reply popped up. "What? Are you interested in him now?" Even through the text, she could sense his familiar teasing tone.
Aurora rolled her eyes, typing back quickly: "No, it's not like that. There's something about him—his eyes feel familiar."
Adrien's next message was unusually rushed. "Alright, I'll see what I can find. But I've got something to handle right now. I'll let you know later."
Aurora stared at the screen for a moment after his reply, her brows furrowing slightly. She turned her gaze to the window, watching as the city lights blinked in the distance. Aiden's presence lingered in her thoughts—the subtle confidence in his tone, the mystery behind his demeanor, and most of all, those piercing eyes that felt both strange and familiar. The intrigue gnawed at her, and she knew she wouldn't rest until she uncovered the truth.
Meanwhile, Aiden barely had time to settle back at his place before Ace and Jace arrived unannounced, their energy bursting into the room. "So, how's it going with Aurora?" Ace asked, his grin sharp with mischief.
Jace leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed. "Yeah, heard you've been spending time with her," he added with a smirk. "The professor made you her guide, right?"
Aiden leaned back on the couch, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "Exactly. It's just the professor's orders. Nothing more," he said, his voice steady.
Ace exchanged a look with Jace, his grin widening. "Sure, nothing more," he teased, though the glint in his eyes suggested he didn't quite believe it.
Whatever curiosity Aurora felt toward him, it was matched by the thoughts swirling in Aiden's mind. Ace and Jace's teasing lingered longer than he cared to admit, but he dismissed their remarks with practiced composure. Aiden couldn't deny the day's events had left an impression on him, though he kept his thoughts buried, unwilling to dwell on the connection that had sparked between them.
The next day unfolded like any other, blending seamlessly into the rhythm of their usual routine. Aurora and Aiden attended their classes, and today, she found herself seated beside him. While they exchanged only a few words, the proximity added a quiet layer of familiarity between them.
During lunch, Jace approached Aurora with his typical mischievous grin. "Why don't you join us for lunch?" he offered, gesturing toward their usual spot.
Aurora politely declined with a shake of her head. There were two reasons for her refusal. First, she noticed that Amber and Flare often joined the boys at their table, and she wasn't keen on drawing attention to herself amidst their group. Second, she knew Aiden would struggle to eat properly with his mask on, and she didn't want to make things harder for him.
After classes, Aiden approached Aurora with a casual invitation. "Want to join me for the match?" he asked. Aurora agreed, and soon they found themselves sitting side by side at the basketball court, watching the teams battle it out. Ace, Jace, Amber, and Flare were aware of Aurora's dislike for Amber's and Flare's presence, and decided to head to a nearby restaurant instead, giving her space.
Aurora was thoroughly engrossed in the game, her eyes tracking every pass and play, until Aiden's voice broke her concentration.
"Aurora?" he called softly.
"Hmm?" she replied without tearing her gaze away from the court.
"Why don't you forgive your friends?" he asked, his tone careful but direct.
Aurora snapped her head toward him, shooting him a sharp glare. "Hey, don't look at me like that," Aiden said quickly, holding up his hands in defense. "Besides, she was forced to say all those things—she didn't want to."
Aurora's expression shifted, the hostility replaced by confusion. "Forced? By who?" she asked, her brows furrowing as she tried to make sense of his words.
Aiden met her gaze steadily. "By one of your enemies in school," he said simply.
"Why should I trust you?" Aurora asked, her tone skeptical as she crossed her arms.
"You don't trust me?" Aiden gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart like he'd been deeply wounded. "I'm hurt."
"Stop it, drama queen," Aurora snapped, rolling her eyes at his theatrics.
Aiden smirked but quickly shifted his demeanor, becoming serious. "Okay, wait—let me show you the chats. Flare sent me screenshots of her conversation with your enemy. She was forced to say those things," he explained, pulling out his phone.
Aurora leaned closer as Aiden handed her the phone. Her eyes scanned the screen, taking in the damning messages.
"Oh... I see," she murmured, her expression softening as understanding dawned.
"So, you forgive her?" Aiden asked, watching her reaction carefully.
Aurora handed the phone back with a small sigh. "This isn't her fault. She was forced into it—so why stay angry with her?"
"Let's go now so you both can patch things up," Aiden suggested, his tone light but firm.
"Not today," Aurora replied, brushing off the suggestion. "Tomorrow after classes—I have some things to take care of."
"Hmm," he murmured, nodding in reluctant agreement.
After the match ended, they began walking toward the exit. Aurora walked ahead, her thoughts consumed by the question of who could have dared to use Flare against her. She was so deep in thought that she failed to notice the stairs right in front of her.
"Aurora, watch out!" Aiden called out sharply.
Before she realized what was happening, she missed the step in front of her and stumbled. Just as she was about to fall, Aiden's arms shot out, catching her by the waist. For a moment, they froze, the quiet of the corridor enveloping them, the world narrowing to just the two of them.
Then, without a word, Aiden leaned in slightly, the world seeming to still around them. Aurora's eyes widened, and just before their faces could get any closer, she pushed him back, her cheeks flushed as she straightened herself.
"Looks like you forget every time that you wear a mask everywhere," Aurora teased, breaking the tension with a mischievous smirk.
Aiden's ears turned red in embarrassment, but he didn't respond. Aurora had already started walking again when she noticed he wasn't following.
"Come on! Let's go now. Or are you planning to stand there like a statue your whole life?" she called back, her teasing tone snapping him out of his daze.
Without a word, he quickly followed behind her, his usual composure slightly rattled.
The corridor was eerily quiet as they walked, but neither of them noticed the figure lurking in the shadows behind a wall, watching their every move.
"She's mine. I won't let anyone steal her," the figure muttered under his breath before turning and walking away, disappearing into the darkness.
Preview of Next Chapter:
The next day, Aurora found Amber and Flare waiting for her after class. With quiet resolve, she approached them. The conversation was tense but heartfelt, and by the end, they patched things up with a silent promise to move forward together.
During lunch, Aurora was heading to the library when she paused mid-step. At a table with Ace, Jace, Amber, and Flare sat an unexpected figure. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched them laughing easily with her friends. Saying nothing, she turned and walked away, her mind racing.