Chapter 9 Aurora

"How about we raincheck clubbing, and you have dinner with us instead?" Ash says.

I turn to her so quickly I nearly give myself whiplash.

"What? I don't want to intrude," I frown.

"You won't be. I mean, I won't be able to kiss her or grab her boob at the dinner table, but other than that, it's great," Daniel jokes, grinning as Ashley bursts into laughter.

I smile at their ease with each other, the kind of soft, honest love that carries no weight, no darkness.

"If you're sure... I'd love to," I say.

"We're having lasagna and eggs, if you don't mind. Weird craving of mine," Ashley adds with a shrug.

"I don't mind at all."

I help set the table, laying out plates and cutlery. We fall into a quiet rhythm, working in sync. I smile as I sit and Daniel serves me.

"So, what do you do?" Daniel asks. He's seated across from Ashley, and I'm at the head of the table.

"I'm a Psychology Professor at NYU," I say, taking a bite of the food, and almost moan at how good it tastes.

"Good, huh?" He grins. "A professor? That's incredible. You must've worked your ass off to get there. Seriously, wow."

I smile, warmed by his sincerity. "Thank you. It wasn't easy, but it's been worth it. What about you?"

"I'm an artist. I sing at bars and restaurants."

"A bookshop owner and a musician... your lives are so different from mine. Simpler. And honestly, more beautiful than anything I've ever seen," I murmur, eyes on my plate.

A strange wave of emotion hits me. Longing? Grief? It doesn't make sense.

"It hasn't always been easy to live the life we want," Ashley says. "I used to work in marketing, and he worked in a law firm. It was draining. We barely had time for each other, and we hated our jobs. But we knew we couldn't lose the one good thing we had, us. So, we quit, bought a house, a bookshop, and got married. Best decision we ever made."

"That's brave. And beautiful. I'm so happy for you."

"What about you?" Daniel asks.

I wrinkle my nose. "Nothing as exciting. I live here, have a best friend, Zoe, she's a chef. A boyfriend, Cyprus, who works in his family firm. My life revolves around work, him, and her. They're my center."

"That's still beautiful. We all find love in different ways," Daniel says.

I avoid their gaze, then blurt out, "But what if it's not enough? What if what I've found... isn't it?"

They both look at me gently. Silence hangs until Daniel speaks. "What are you looking for?"

His question hits me like thunder.

"I hope you find what you're looking for."

That voice, his voice, echoes in my head.

I look between them and whisper, "I don't know. Maybe I won't... until I find it."

A thick silence settles. Only the clink of cutlery and quiet chewing fill the air. I try not to get lost in my thoughts, but it's hard. I don't know what I need love? Home? I have both... and still, I ache.

I change the subject. "How did you two meet?"

They both grin, clearly, it's their favorite story.

"We were in the same university," Ashley begins. "There was this group presentation. Our lecturer loved it,especially mine, and told me to refine it and present again. I was thrilled. But I'd always tried to be invisible in school. That day, he basically shined a spotlight on me. It was uncomfortable."

Daniel laughs. "I remember walking with my friends and seeing her return to class with a cookie in her mouth. I walked up and asked her name. That's how it started."

Ashley snorts. "That's not how it went. He walked up to me, looking all short and adorable, and asked for my name. I remember thinking, who's this cute idiot? I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed him before. That moment... it felt like I could breathe again. Like I'd been waiting to meet him all my life. It was love at first sight. And it grew stronger over time. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"Wow," I exhale, overwhelmed.

"Crazy, right? But real. I found my fairytale," she says, eyes misty.

"Dessert?" Daniel gets up, but I rise too, offering to help.

He refuses, and my phone rings. It's Zoe. I excuse myself to answer.

"Hey Zee," I smile, holding the phone to my ear.

"How's clubbing?" she asks, sounding tired.

"Change of plans. I'll text you later. Get some rest." I hang up before she can reply.

When I return, there's a bottle of wine and a bowl of ice cream on the couch.

I frown. Daniel grins.

"I hijacked your girls' night, so I thought I'd give you a version of it."

"Ash, I'll be in the library," he adds, leaving.

I sit beside Ashley. "You hit the jackpot."

She smiles. "I'm sure your Cyprus is amazing too."

I nod. "He is. Oh, and I read the books you gave me. The trilogy? I was a crying mess. They were beautiful."

She laughs. "I've got more for you."

I lean back on her soft couch, eyes on the ceiling. For the first time in a while, I feel... calm.

"You okay?" she asks.

I nearly break down, but I nod.

"I just need to rest. Maybe sleep in."

"You can sleep over."

I blink at her. Her kindness is overwhelming. I'm not used to it.

"I've imposed enough. I think I just need to sleep until tomorrow afternoon."

She laughs. "You probably do. Let me pack you some leftovers, and your ice cream."

Before I can stop her, she's gone.

I wrap my arms around myself, taking in the cozy beauty of their home.

"Aurora!" she calls. "Dan, get her my brown coat!"

He returns with a beautiful brown coat, which I put on. I thank them again.

"Can I leave my car here and come for it tomorrow?" I ask.

Their eyes widen.

"Absolutely not. It's too late,you could get mugged," Daniel says.

"I'll be fine. I need the walk. It's barely thirty minutes."

Ashley frowns. "Okay, but put your number in my phone. And your exact address. If we don't hear from you in thirty-one minutes, I'm calling 911. Deal?"

"Deal." I hug them both before heading out.

__

I grin as I walk, tucking my hands into the coat's pockets. I try not to think too hard about Ashley and Daniel and their happy ending. Their love is strong, and full of faith. It's... beautiful.

I plug in one earbud and play Flowers by Miley Cyrus. I bop my head, smiling, until the song shuffles to Escapism by Raye.

And then I feel it.

I'm being followed.

I glance back. A man in black.

Big. Cliché, but terrifying.

My heart races. I slowly remove my earpiece, trying not to alert him. I quicken my pace, hands trembling.

This is New York. There are people everywhere. I'll be fine... right?

I look again. Now there are three of them. All looking at me. My stomach twists. I don't look like a rich professor, I look like a drunk girl.

I dive into a crowd. Safety in numbers. Maybe they'll move on to someone else.

I keep smiling, pretending everything is fine. A girl catches my eye. I nod at her.

My phone rings. Cyprus. I switch from FaceTime to a regular call.

"Hey, babe," I say, voice steady.

"Where are you? It sounds loud."

"Taking a walk," I say, tugging the coat closer.

"At this hour?"

"I have to go." I hang up, slipping out of the crowd.

I need to get home. Ashley will call 911 if I'm late.

The hair on my neck rises again.

They're still following me.

I'm actually pissed now.

Clutching my bag tightly, I spin around and yell, "Stop following me!"

I don't wait for a response. I just run. I don't stop until I reach my place. Before going inside, I glance over my shoulder. No one's there.

Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe I just yelled at a random stranger out for a stroll.

I laugh at how ridiculous I must've looked, then head inside.

Zoe calls, but I ignore it. I don't feel like talking to anyone-not even Cyp.

I do call Ashley, though, just to let her know I'm home. She sounds relieved. Naturally, I leave out the part about the men who followed me.

I shrug off my coat and let it fall to the floor. My dress follows, both forming a puddle of fabric.

Still in my lingerie, I sink onto the couch, grab the leftover lasagna, and dish it onto a plate.

I turn on the TV and start watching Avengers: Age of Ultron.

When I'm done with the lasagna, I grab the ice cream, scoop a spoonful into my mouth, and sigh.

This, this is one of the perks of living alone.

I'm not a roommate-y kind of girl. I value my personal space more than anything.

Back in college, before Zoe, I shared an apartment with two other girls. It was a huge place, more like a dorm, but the rent fit my budget, so I took it.

Our room was big enough for three beds and our things, and for a while, I was genuinely grateful.

Then the parties started.

I'd come home from class to frat boys lounging on my bed, smoking, making out on my sheets.

Things started going missing. My stuff. My peace. All thanks to their dumb parties and the constant stream of strangers.

Living alone isn't just a preference. It's my fortress.