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| ❛ C H A P T E R S I X ❜ |
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The next morning, I woke up feeling a mix of emotions. The events of the previous night played over in my mind as I got ready for school. James had filled me in on everything that had gone down in Mr. Lexington's office after the incident at the party.

To be honest, James deserved the 'punishment' he was getting. He had crossed a line, and now he had to face the consequences.

As I walked through the school gates, I spotted James leaning against a wall, a brooding expression on his face. I took a deep breath and approached him, determined to have a serious conversation about his actions.

"Hey," I said, leaning against the locker next to him. "How are you holding up?"

James looked up, his expression softening when he saw me. "I've been better. Got a week's worth of detention and some community service. Guess I deserve it, though."

I nodded, appreciating his honesty. "Yeah, you kind of do. But I'm glad you understand that. What were you thinking, James?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just... I didn't want Ruby to spill everything. I panicked and did something stupid. I didn't think it would get so out of hand."

"You have to be more careful," I said, my tone gentler. "There's a lot at stake, and these actions have consequences. We're all dealing with enough as it is."

James looked down, clearly feeling the weight of my words. "You're right. I'm sorry, Rory. I'll do better."

"Good," I replied, giving him a small smile. "Now, let's get through today and try to keep things as normal as possible."

˙ . ꒷ 🌊 . 𖦹˙—

The day passed in a blur of classes and whispered conversations about the party. I kept my head down, focusing on my work, but my thoughts kept drifting to Kieran. His shy smile, the way he had looked at me during the party – it all played on a loop in my mind.

After school, I decided to find Kieran and see how he was doing after everything that had happened. I found him in the library, tucked away in a quiet corner with a book in hand.

"Hey," I said, sliding into the seat across from him.

Kieran looked up, a smile spreading across his face. "Hey, Aurora."

"I wanted to check in on you," I said, my voice soft. "After last night... are you okay?"

Kieran nodded, setting his book aside. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks for pulling me out of that mess. I don't know what I would have done without you."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words. "I'm just glad you're alright. That whole scene was out of control."

"It really was," Kieran agreed, his expression serious. "But I think it brought some things to light. About James, about Ruby, and about... us."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Us?"

Kieran's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Yeah, I mean... I feel like we've gotten closer because of all this. And I... I like spending time with you, Aurora."

My heart skipped a beat at his confession. "I like spending time with you too, Kieran."

We sat there for a moment, the silence between us filled with unspoken feelings. Finally, Kieran broke the silence.

"W-Would you maybe want to hang out sometime? Outside of school, I mean."

I hesitated for a moment, then felt a spark of spontaneity. "Actually, how about we grab a drink right now? There's a café just down the street."

Kieran's eyes widened in surprise, then brightened with enthusiasm. "Yeah, that sounds great. I'd like that."

We gathered our things and left the library together, chatting easily as we walked to the café. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the city, making everything feel a bit more magical.

Inside the café, we found a cozy corner table and ordered our drinks. The café was quiet, with soft jazz playing in the background. We settled into a cozy corner of the café, with soft armchairs and a low wooden table between us. 

The café was a haven of warmth, with its rich brown tones, flickering candles on the tables, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries in the air. 

As Kieran and I waited for our drinks, I noticed how relaxed he seemed now compared to the tension of last night. His eyes were softer, and his shyness seemed to melt away in the casual setting. 

"So, I want to know more about you," I said, leaning back in my chair and giving him a warm smile. "I remember you said you liked hiking?"

Kieran took a moment, looking thoughtful. "Y-yes, I'm also really into photography. I like capturing moments and landscapes."

"That's awesome," I replied, genuinely interested. "What kind of photos do you like taking the most?"

"Nature mostly," Kieran said, his eyes lighting up. "I love going out on hikes and taking pictures of the scenery. Sometimes I'll get up really early just to catch the sunrise."

"That sounds beautiful," I said, imagining the serene landscapes he must capture. "I've always wanted to get into photography, but I never really had the time to learn."

"If you ever want to try it out, I could show you some basics," Kieran offered, his shy smile returning. "It's a lot of fun, and you don't need fancy equipment to start."

"I'd love that," I said enthusiastically. "It sounds like a great way to spend time and be creative."

Our conversation continued to flow effortlessly as we waited for our drinks. We talked about our favorite movies and books, discovering we shared a love for classic literature and indie films. It was refreshing to find someone with similar tastes, and the more we talked, the more comfortable we became with each other.

Our drinks arrived, and we paused to take a sip. The rich, velvety mocha I'd ordered was perfect, and Kieran's caramel latte looked equally tempting. We continued chatting about random topics—everything from our funniest childhood memories to the most bizarre food we've ever tried.

"Have you ever tried durian?" Kieran asked with a curious expression. "It's supposed to be the smelliest fruit in the world."

I wrinkled my nose in mock disgust. "No, but I've heard horror stories about it. I think I'll stick to less... aromatic fruits."

Kieran laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, it's definitely an acquired taste. I tried it once, and let's just say it wasn't love at first bite."

Our laughter filled the space between us, and I felt a warm connection growing. The initial awkwardness from our first meeting was now completely gone.

˙ . ꒷ 🌊 . 𖦹˙—

As we reached the door of my house, Kieran hesitated for a moment before turning to me with a thoughtful expression.

"H-Hey, Aurora," he said, a bit nervously. "I was w-wondering...if you might be interested in joining me on a hike sometime. I know a few great spots where the scenery is amazing, and I think y-you'd really enjoy it."

I looked at him, surprised but pleasantly so. The idea of hiking with Kieran sounded like a perfect way to spend more time together and explore his passion for photography.

"That sounds wonderful," I said, smiling warmly. "I'd love to go on a hike with you. When were you thinking of going?"

Kieran's face lit up with a relieved and excited smile. "How about this weekend? I've been wanting to check out this new trail I found. It's supposed to have some incredible views, and I think it'd be perfect for taking pictures."

"That sounds perfect," I agreed. "I'll definitely be there. Just let me know the details, and I'll be ready."

Kieran nodded enthusiastically. "Great! I'll text you the details tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it."

𖦹 !! ꒰ 06 ꒱ ᯓ 🌤️