Chapter 8 Aurora

Ayra Starr's Cast blares from my boombox as I run on the treadmill.

I've been at it for almost an hour, burning off the fat I've accumulated over time. Life's been hectic work, work, and more work. No self-care, no time for me. But I need this. With school on spring break, I finally have the time to focus on myself. I'm thinking spa day. Or maybe I'll invite Zoe over and we'll drown in ice cream while watching a Marvel series, preferably Moon Knight.

The song shuffles to Bebe Rexha's Girl in the Mirror. I stop the treadmill and towel off my sweat. Standing in front of the mirror in my gym, I take a long look at myself.

I'm not exactly tall, but not short either, almost as tall as Cyp. I've never thought of myself as beautiful. I'm blonde, with hair that falls all the way to my waist. My eyes are a deep brown, someone once called them whiskey-colored. My favorite feature is my nose, which most people find weird, but I love it. The shape, the way it fits my face, it's cute. People say I have an hourglass figure. I'm not sure about that, but I do love my body. Most days. Sometimes, I hate it.

As NF's Happy plays, I start squatting. Twenty squats later, I switch to stretches. I keep going until my legs are shaking and I'm sore. Heaving, I collapse to the floor and take deep breaths, certain this day is going to be great.

I FaceTime Zoe. It rings for a while before she picks up. Her face is sweaty, and I smile.

Zoe is one of my favorite people in the world. I'd take a bullet for her, no hesitation.

"Hey, baby," I smile, then frown at her sweaty face and the black hair tied into a messy bun.

"Working out?" I ask.

She laughs. "No, cooking. You know how stressful it gets. How are you?"

"I'm good. Want to go to the spa later?" I grin. "The one on Crosby Street. Foot massages, mani-pedis, then maybe lunch at a restaurant and clubbing later?"

She frowns. "I can't, Adaline. I have to work. There's this big event, and since I'm one of the biggest chefs in New York - " she adds dramatically, "- a politician is coming and we're catering. You understand, right?"

I nod, smiling, proud of her. "I do. Go kill it, love."

She smiles, relieved. "Tell me how it all goes."

"Alright, have fu-" I pause, narrowing my eyes. "Wait... that shirt. It looks familiar."

"Oh, this?" she glances down. "Got it at some old, thatched-up store. I can grab you one if you like it."

I nod slowly, still trying to place where I've seen it before. We say our goodbyes, and I end the call.

__

Later, I walk into the bookstore wearing a blue sundress, my hair braided into a bun, glasses perched on my nose, a nude bag slung over my shoulder. The place is aesthetic, Pinterest-y, soft music playing. I recognize the tune. Halsey's Clementine.

"Hello," I say, smiling at the woman behind the counter. She's reading a book I silently approve of.

"Hi! Looking for anything in particular?" she asks.

"I'm Ashley," she adds.

"I need something beautiful. Romance, soft love... a good escape."

She laughs knowingly. "I've got just the thing. I get the need to disappear sometimes. Come with me."

I hesitate, glancing at the empty counter.

She notices. "Don't worry. My sister's watching it."

I follow her through rows of books.

"Heard of Taylor Jenkins Reid?" she asks.

I shake my head.

"She's brilliant. This one, One True Loves, is about a woman torn between two loves. Her husband is presumed dead, and after three years, she's engaged again, only for her husband to return. Now she has to choose. One of the best lines in there is: 'You can't keep love in a bottle.' It's beautiful."

She hands me the book.

"This one's In Another Life. Dual realities, a woman living two versions of her life. It's for people like me, who wonder if there's another universe where we're different, maybe better."

She gives me a third book. "After I Do, a masterpiece. Shows the real side of marriage. No happily-ever-after, just hard work. I've read it five times."

"I like your vibe," I say sincerely.

"Thank you," she beams. "Didn't catch your name."

"I didn't throw it," I grin.

She bursts into laughter. "You're funny."

"I'm Aurora. I work at NYU, but I've never been more jealous of someone else's job. Being surrounded by stories all day? Must be ethereal."

"You look like a professor," she teases. I nod, laughing.

"It's not easy, but it's beautiful. You could do it, though. You seem like someone who can do anything."

I blush. "Not sure I have the time. But I could always come here, watch you work, drown in books."

"My door is always open," she says warmly.

Biting my lip, I go for it. "Wanna go clubbing with me tonight?"

Her eyes widen. "Wasn't expecting that. But what the hell, yeah. I need to socialize more."

"I live in SoHo. We could meet at the club, or -"

"I'm in Little Italy. Meet me there, and we'll go to Green Lady in Chinatown. Sound good?"

"It sounds fabulous." I grin.

"It's a date."

I grab two more books to make it an even five, pay, and leave, buzzing with the excitement of a new friend.

__

I finish One True Loves and stare at the wall. It's even more beautiful than she described. The kind of love that burns, aches, stays. It's 6:05. I need to leave soon.

I call Zoe. She picks up on the second ring.

"Hey, Zee."

"Hi, Aurora," she says, visibly exhausted.

"I wish you were free," I say softly.

"So do I. Spa day was great?"

"I didn't go. I met someone, Ashley. We're going clubbing at Green Lady tonight."

Zoe frowns. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Be careful."

I smile at her concern. "How dangerous can a bookshop owner be?"

She doesn't look reassured. "Still. Text me when you leave and when you get home. Please."

"I will. Promise." I end the call and dial Cyp. He's been busy lately, and we haven't talked much.

He picks up immediately. "Hey, babe."

"Hi, Cyp."

"You okay?" he asks, concern in his beautiful eyes.

"Yeah. A little stressed. But I'm going clubbing tonight."

"Clubbing? Alone? Is that safe?"

My voice sharpens unintentionally. "How do you know Zoe's busy?"

His face tightens. "She's not just your friend, Aurora. She's mine too. Don't treat her like a possession, like something you own."

His words hit me hard. He's right. I sigh. "I'm sorry. Just... stressed."

"Get some rest. I don't want a repeat of what happened at the restaurant."

His words still me. That night, I've been trying to forget.

"I have to go, Cyp. Love you." I hang up, heart heavy.

I stare down at myself. I'm wearing a red satin gown, sexy, elegant, hugging my frame in all the right places. I knock on the door, holding my breath.

Ashley lives in a house, unlike me in my penthouse. It's a cozy little bungalow with a white picket fence.

She opens the door, grinning as she looks me over.

"You look amazing! But... you're early."

I nod. "Better early than late. And I thought we could stroll to the club, get some evening air or something."

She laughs. "Sure, come in."

I step inside, glancing around. Her house feels warm, lived-in. Homely. And here it comes, the little pinch of jealousy.

I spot a man in the kitchen chopping tomatoes, and I frown. "Hi," I say, a bit confused. Maybe he's her brother?

"Hi, Aurora. You're stealing my best girl from me, and I made dinner," he says with mock annoyance.

I smile, unsure of what to say.

"Don't scare her, babe," Ashley says, appearing in a blue dress, fully ready.

"That was fast," I say, and she grins.

"Aurora, this is my husband, Daniel. Don't mind his goofiness, he's always like this."

He flips the eggs, flashing me a smile.

My shock must be obvious, because Ashley laughs.

"I didn't know you were married."

"Well, we did just meet today," she says with a shrug.

"Touche," I murmur, smiling faintly.

She nods and glances at her husband. I look away, eyes wandering around the living room and kitchen. There are pictures on the wall, family, I suppose.

God. What is this ache?