Three years later

"You're gonna be fine Rory, EJ's not that bad anymore," Ricky reassured me for what felt like the millionth time since my parents announced they were offered their dream job, all the way in South Carolina... Last-minute, my parents were given the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to return to the university they met and teach an exclusive literature course. For the most part, I was ecstatic for them; this was a full-circle moment for them; the two of them met at Duke, where they wrote their first joint novel during their senior year, and now they were going back, where they hope to, "inspire young minds like someone had once inspired them." Or something like that; they talk about Duke a lot; it's all kind of a blur at this point.

When they first told me about the job, I imagined it instantly; me, the new girl in South Carolina, sure, I'd have to make new friends and start off at a new school, which would suck, but it was warm there and the idea of "reinventing" myself sounding exhilarating, I could be anyone I want.

My fantasies of the new me were cut short though when my parents informed me that me and younger sister would be staying here, my parents claimed there was no use in moving the two of us for just six months; so they were shipping us off to the house next door, under the watchful eye of their closest friends, the Caswells.

"Not that bad?" I asked, pacing my room slightly, holding my cellphone up to my ear, "what EJ do you know? Because the one I know is self-absorbed and only cares about himself... you do remember that he stole your girlfriends' phone last semester, right?"

"She's got a point man, EJ was kind of the worst last semester," Big Red, our other friend, pointed out, "but if Ashlyn asks, I didn't say that." He added on quickly; he had a major crush on EJ's cousin and one of our friends Ashlyn.

"It wasn't just last semester," I reminded them both; EJ and I haven't had a proper conversation since he started high school. I mean, sure, I tried the first few months to keep our friendship alive, but he got busy; he was constantly with the water polo guys, rehearsing for the musical or on dates with some girl.

And it wasn't even like we had some big fight or something to break us apart; it just happened, one day EJ Caswell was my best friend, and the next, he was a total stranger.

I'd gotten good at ignoring him and pretending what happened didn't faze me though, so much so that I joined the theatre department too, after a lot of convincing from Ricky and Big Red. I love theatre, and I wasn't about to let EJ ruin that for me.

So, I became the best stage manager East High has ever seen; EJ and I didn't speak unless I was giving him instructions, and I was fine, I had new friends, I didn't need EJ Caswell, just like he so clearly didn't need me back in the ninth grade.

"People change Aurora," Ricky reminded me; everyone had been telling me this, that EJ was growing and trying to be a better person, but I didn't believe them. There was no way EJ Caswell was going to become a less crappy person overnight; he'd put too many years into perfecting his image of the self-absorbed jock. "Look," Ricky sighed, "if it gets really bad, you can spend as many nights as you need at my place."

"Mine too," Big Red chimed in; I smiled at that; at least one good thing had come out of EJ ditching me, I made new best friends, and they were pretty great.

"Thanks, guys,"

Before any of us could say anything else, a gentle knock sounds through my room, "Aurora," My mom's voice follows it, "you almost ready, sweetie?"

"I gotta go," I tell the two boys, "see you at the party."

"Bye Ro," Both boys sang in unison before hanging up.

I grabbed my suitcases before opening the door to my mom; despite our house and all of my things being next door, mom and dad only wanted us to come here if it was an emergency and we needed something, "You've got everything you need?" Mom asked, extending her hand out to take a big from me.

I hum in response, glancing back at my room one last time, "Yup." I force a smile onto my face; before walking past my mom, the last thing I want is for her and dad to give up their dream for me, so if that means sucking it up and spending the next six months living with the Caswells, that's exactly what I'll do.

When I get to the bottom of the steps, dad is waiting for me; with my little sister, Bella, by his side; he hugs the two of us goodbye; I hold on tighter than usual, prolonging having to leave our home until finally, dad lets go, kissing the top of our heads on our way out.

Mom walks with us to the Caswells, "are you sure you can't leave after midnight?" Bella asks, glancing up at my mom; she was already taking the whole moving thing pretty bad, which isn't surprising for a seven-year-old, but the fact that they were leaving on a holiday made it even harder for her.

Mom nodded, ruffling her hair, "Yes, baby," She frowned, guilt washing over her face, "I would have booked a flight tomorrow if it had been up to me."

Duke had booked their flights and paid for their living; having my parents was just as big of a deal for them as teaching at Duke was for my parents, "Mrs. Caswell said she has something planned for you," I reassure my little sister, and mainly my mom.

Unfortunately, our conversation gets cut short when we get to the large house next door, the door opening to reveal Kirsten Caswell, "Camila," She greets my mother first, pulling her into a tight hug.

Mom and Kirsten were the definition of best friend goals; they grew up together, went to High School together, and then went on to university together... where they ended up meeting my dad and EJ's dad.

Despite me and EJ not being friends anymore, the four of them still met up on a weekly basis, "And Bella," she sang, kneeling down, so she was my little sister's height, "look how tall you've gotten, you look just like your sister when she was your age." Bella smiled proudly at the compliment, "And Aurora," Mrs. Caswell stood up, taking me in, "you're so beautiful; I remember when you and EJ were kids, and now look at you, so grown up."

"Thank you," I nodded awkwardly, forcing a smile onto my face; it was obvious Mrs. Caswell was very excited to have us here, "um, these bags are heavy, do you mind if I...." I dragged off, nodding towards the stairs.

"Second door on the left," She nodded, stepping aside; before walking up the stairs, I pulled my mom into a hug, allowing her to squeeze me as tight as they desired... which for her was extremely tight.

"Take care of your sister," She mumbled into my hair before pulling away, "I love you, Mija."

"I love you too, and I will," I reply, nodding my head reassuringly, "Bye, mom," I call out once more before walking up the stairs and leaving her to say goodbye to my younger sister, who I know will be more emotional than me.

Once I'm up the stairs, I follow the directions given to me by Mrs. Caswell, finding my room for the next six months. It was nice; there's no denying that, with a large queen-sized bed and desk against the far wall near the on-suite bathroom. Still, the neutral color pallet of the room made it feel bland and like it belonged in a chain hotel where all the rooms look the same; maybe I could convince them to let me into my room sometime so I could at least grab some things to make the room feel homier.

I was so busy observing the room and mentally planning ways I could make it less dull; I didn't hear someone coming up behind me, "Hey Rory," I flinched slightly at EJ's voice, "what do you think of the room?"

I stepped forward, trying to create as much space between the two of us as possible, "It's Aurora," I corrected him, not bothering to answer the question he asked.

I got called Rory more often than my actual name, but it felt wrong to hear it come from someone who'd given up on me so long ago; EJ wasn't my friend anymore, and I don't plan on forgiving him all of the sudden because everyone else is.

EJ nodded, his brows knitting together in confusion; How was any of this confusing to him though? he was the reason we weren't friends anymore in the place. "Oh," was all he said, leaning against the door frame; I guess he wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon, "Do you need any help unpacking?"

What was with the sudden change of personality? If I had moved in last year, EJ would have probably pretended I didn't exist, "why? So, you can steal something?"

EJ's friendly smile falters, if I had taken it too far, I didn't really care, "I just thought-"

"We could be friends again?" I cut him off, keeping my focus on unzipping my suitcase and not EJ Caswell's green eyes, "I'm good. Thanks, though."

"Rory," He mumbled, stepping closer to me; I don't bother correcting him again, though I do shoot him a glare, "I'm really sorry about everything; I was kind of hoping this whole thing could be a fresh start for us."

"So, you just expect me to forget about the past three years?" I ask him, my eyes finally connecting with his; His face is vulnerable and genuine as if he means every word he just said; I match it with a glare. "I know you're used to everyone fawning over you and forgiving you immediately, but that's not me. Just cause I'm living here doesn't mean we're friends or even that you have to talk to me; you've done a pretty good job ignoring me these last three years; I'm pretty sure you can keep it up for six more months... now if you'll excuse me, I have to unpack."

This is the most I've said to him in a long time, and I can tell EJ's taken aback by how harsh it was, "Okay," He finally says, stepping back, a mischievous glimmer in his eye, a look I, unfortunately, knew all too well, he was planning something. "I don't plan on giving up though, despite what you think, I'm not a quitter Aurora Garcia."

He glances at me one last time before leaving my room for good; even though we weren't friends anymore, and a lot had changed since we were, EJ was still just as determined now as he was then, and right now, his goal is for us to be friends again... this is going to be a long six months.

Im so excited for this story, you have no idea!
Comment you thoughts and theories, I love hearing from y'all ❤️❤️❤️❤️