KIRAN Aurora laid down on the blanket with an exhale after dancing to her heart's desire and I decided to go to the opposite side of the blanket and lay down so that our heads were side by side. Aurora chuckled. “What are you laughing at?” “You,” she giggled, “You’re so close to me.” “Do you want me to move?” I could hear her smile as she responded after thinking about it, “No.” I nuzzled myself more into the blanket and got comfortable before we laid there in silence watching the clouds pass by in the sky, the crashing of waves filling the void of conversation. After a while, I broke the silence by asking her, "Why are you so nice?" Aurora chuckled, "What?" "Well, I mean... you're always smiling, happy, and kind... why?" She laughed some more about it but I remained silent as I awaited her answer.

AURORA Tuesday came, and I opted to sit next to Kiran at the back of the classroom instead of with Jen and Dani in English. I was going to do as Kiran said and not forgive them yet. I would try letting the dark side of me take over and decide afterward what to do. Jen and Dani gave me a look throughout the class and I did my best to ignore them, clinging to Kiran as if he were some kind of lifejacket while I'm threatening to drown at sea. I was able to dodge everyone up until lunch. Kiran and I walked into the cafeteria together and grabbed our food before sitting at his usual table together near the doors. I faced my back to the table that occupied Gabe, Jen, and Dani in the center of the room. Not a minute after we took our seats, I noticed Kiran's face showed the slightest bit of anger, and he whispered to me from across the table, "Prepare yourself." My eyebrows furrowed for only a second before a large, callused hand was placed on my shou

KIRAN I ran faster than I had ever run before to the door and into the hallway outside the gym when I heard Aurora scream for me again, "KIRAN!" The sound echoed in my ears and I followed where her screams came from until I came to a janitor's closet where I heard sobbing. I didn't bother looking through the window in the door before reaching for the handle, only to find it locked. I stepped back against the wall opposite the door and got enough momentum to successfully knock the door open. The sight before me was gut-wrenching: Aurora was on the ground with her pants slightly pulled down and her top was torn, she was crying hysterically with her eyes tightly shut. Gabe was hovering over her with his jeans unbuttoned, looking like he was just positioning himself between her legs. I didn't stop and stare, but I rushed behind Gabe and got him in a chokehold, pulling him off of her as I tightened my arm around his neck. His ar

AURORAI had tossed and turned all night after taking a hot bath and scrubbing the hell out of my skin. Between my legs stung from Gabe's fingers and I was hoping the bath would help soothe my muscles, but it didn't work. The moment kept replaying in my mind every time I shut my eyes to the point where I was scared to close them. The fire of anger in Gabe's eyes as he hurt me would haunt me forever, I'm sure of it. I wore Kiran's shirt to bed, it was the only thing that could calm me down. My parents listened to what the principal said and they have forbidden me to see Kiran again. I tried to explain to them that Kiran was the good guy, but they agreed that if he got himself expelled, it just means he's a delinquent and I shouldn't be friends with him. I called them crazy and refused before heading back to my room and closing the door. I refuse to never see him again. End of discussion. Finally, after some hours, the memory of kis

AURORA I rested my head back on the seat of my car and enjoyed the lingering feeling on my lips after kissing Kiran like my life depended on it. I laughed at myself for how bold I was with him, going so far as to straddle him on the couch. I giggled and hid my face in my hands, even though I was alone in my car. I drove home and went to my room to lay on the bed while listening to some music, eventually closing my eyes and drifting into a peaceful sleep to make up for last night's tossing and turning. When I woke up, I noticed the color of the sky beginning to turn orange and I shot up from my bed and headed downstairs and to my car. The only thing that would make this day better would be to run in the field towards the setting sun and get my exercise for the day. Checking my phone, I was slightly surprised to not have any messages from Kiran. I frowned then turned on the engine, heading to his place to see if he wanted to join me for my run like he u