AURORA'S POV

Coming back to Crescent Vale wasn’t just a mistake—it was proof that monsters don’t always stay buried. Not the kind with fangs and claws, like the boogeyman haunting children’s dreams, but the demons we chain up inside ourselves and lie about.

“Honey, promise me you’ll be okay?” I heard my mom’s voice behind me, snapping me back to reality.

The hot sun baked my skin. Students bustled around me, their chatter pressing in until I felt everything all at once.

“Rory.”

I flinched when her hand brushed my shoulder.

My face stayed locked in a tight frown as I pulled away. “I’ll be fine. You don’t get to play the doting, caring mom after divorcing Dad and forcing me back here.”

Her eyes softened, her shoulders sagging. “Sweetie…”

But before she could finish, I was already walking through the gates of Crescent Vale High—or CV High, as everyone called it.

Whatever. I hated the stench of this place.

In case you’re wondering why I didn’t talk to my mom, it’s because I’ve heard that excuse a thousand times.

“People don’t work out, honey. It’s just life.” That’s what she always said whenever I asked about what happened between her and Dad.

Neither of them ever gave me a real explanation—just that bullshit.

Tears pricked my eyes. I clenched my bag strap, staring at Ethan’s Carter's perfect photo.

My boyfriend.

If guys like him didn’t exist, maybe after what happened with my parents I’d have stopped believing in love altogether. But Ethan was the sweetest.

Despite everything, I figured I could make the most of this—especially since I’d get to spend more time with Ethan and Jessica, my best friend.

But as I stood there staring at the unsent message, my heart thudded.

“Ethan doesn't take so long to reply to messages. I hope he’s okay.” I exhaled.

Lockers rattled as students shoved them closed, the floor littered with wadded flyers.

“Oh my goddess—Rory?!”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and my eyes lit up when I saw Jessica at the entrance of the hallway.

“Jess.” I let out a deep breath.

She squealed, jumping at me so hard I staggered. I could feel the students watching us like we were insane.

She wrapped her legs around my waist and peppered my face with kisses. “Muah! Muah!!”

“Um, Jess. You’re crushing me.” I grit my teeth, feeling her weight squashing me.

She dropped to her feet and immediately punched me in the arm.

“Ouch! Why did you do that for?” I groaned.

Jessica grabbed my ears and twisted, ignoring my yelp.

“Aurora Hayes! How dare you not tell your best friend you were back in Crescent Vale? Do you have a death wish?”

Despite the pain, I slapped my hand over her mouth. “Shhh! Don’t ruin the surprise. Ethan doesn’t know I’m here.”

Jessica’s eyes widened as she pulled my hand away. “What?! Why?”

My face flushed red as I leaned in. “I wanted to surprise him. And I was thinking… maybe we can finally…”

“Have sex?” Jessica cocked her brow with a teasing grin.

I cleared my throat, my cheeks burning. “Why do you have to be so raw?”

Jessica chuckled and winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll buy you sexy lingerie. All this hotness needs to be feasted on…”

“Shut up.” I hissed.

She smiled. “Well, if you need anything, call me. I have to take care of some stuff. Or just wait here. Once I’m done, we can go find Ethan.”

I nodded, watching her hurry off. I didn’t even ask where she was going.

As I turned the corner, I spotted Ethan walking with some guys. My heart leaped in my chest.

“Babe!” I called out, taking a step forward.

He looked at me and stopped. A cold sensation spread through my blood when I saw there wasn’t a trace of warmth in his eyes.

“Ethan, do you know this pretty little thing? Why is she calling you ‘babe’?” one of his friends teased, nudging him as the others laughed.

I forced a smile. “I know you must be surprised I didn’t tell you I was coming, but—”

“Sorry, who are you again?” Ethan snickered, his eyes lazily flicking over me.

I blinked. I didn’t understand. My hand brushed my face as if checking that I hadn’t turned into someone else.

“Ethan, it’s me. Aurora. Your girlfriend. We’ve been dating for three years?”

One of his friends let out a mocking click of his tongue. “I’ve seen a lot of girls throw themselves at Ethan, but I’ve never seen one this delusional.”

His hand brushed my cheek and I recoiled in disgust.

“Despite your physical shortcomings, I can help you get off since you’re so desperate to bang a hockey player,” he sneered.

They all laughed—but nothing hurt more than seeing Ethan, my boyfriend, trying to hide a smile.

My throat closed. He really was going to pretend I was nothing.

I slapped the guy’s hand away. “Not even in your dreams.”

“Feisty. Just how I like them…” One of them winked. My chest heaved.

“You—”

“Enough.” Ethan’s voice cut through the noise. They all went silent.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and loomed over me. My heart pounded as he leaned down.

“Get lost. Stop embarrassing yourself,” he whispered.

A blade of pain sliced through my chest. My fingers curled into fists as I tried to force words out.

Ethan smirked, straightening up. “I don’t know who you are, but dress nicely if you want my attention.”

He winked.

I was too stunned to move or speak.

Ethan slung an arm over one of his friend’s shoulders and walked away.

I could already feel the eyes on me, hear the whispers.

“She’s so shameless.”

“She’s just a new student trying to seduce one of CV High’s most popular guys. That’s so low.”

My body trembled. I dug crescent-shaped marks into my palms as tears filled my eyes.

I squeezed my eyes shut, desperate to block out the noise before it cracked me wide open right there in the hallway.

But I didn’t get far. My forehead slammed into something solid, sending a jolt through me. I stumbled back, arms flailing, fingers clawing at the air for anything to stop my fall—until I caught something.

There was a harsh rip of fabric, then a violent shift. I pitched forward and hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from my lungs. Before I could even process the pain, a heavy presence loomed over me, swallowing the light.

He caught himself with one hand braced near my face, muscles tensed, his shadow swallowing mine.

Long, messy dark hair fell forward like a curtain, framing eyes that made me forget how to breathe. They were the most arresting gray I’d ever seen.

My pulse thundered in my ears, heat pooling embarrassingly low in my belly.

His gaze flicked down, darkening as it settled on my hand.

I followed his stare. My fingers were tangled in the shredded remains of his shirt.

His jaw tightened.

“Get your hands off my shirt,” he growled, voice low and biting. “And your knee off my crotch!”