Lucas, still holding her, nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. His arm stayed around her, a silent promise that he wouldn't let her fall.
"I know," he said quietly. "But you stood your ground. That's what matters."
Aurora swallowed hard, trying to push down the tidal wave of emotions threatening to crash over her. She wasn't used to standing up for herself. Not like that. Ethan had always been the one to call the shots. To decide how things would go. But now?
Now, things were different.
"Thank you," she whispered, glancing up at Lucas. "For, uh…. for stepping in."
Lucas's eyes softened. "I told you, you're not alone in this."
She felt a gentle wind rustle the leaves around them, carrying with it the faint scent of rain which hit her face.
Aurora realized just how close they were standing. She could feel the heat radiating off his body, and her pulse quickened, though she couldn't tell if it was from the lingering tension or the undeniable connection she felt with him. There was something there, something she couldn't quite place.
"I should probably get going," she said, stepping back a little to break the spell, feeling awkward suddenly. "Thanks for walking me back."
Lucas didn't move immediately, his gaze locked on hers as if he was deciding something.
"I could stay with you," he offered, his voice steady. "Until you're inside safely."
Aurora hesitated, her thoughts swirling. She knew she didn't need a babysitter. She'd been through worse than Ethan's tantrums. But there was something comforting about Lucas's presence. Something... grounding.
"Alright," she said, giving in to the unspoken invitation. "I'd appreciate that."
They walked together, the silence between them stretching comfortably as the campus grew quieter. The evening sky above them darkened, the stars beginning to twinkle through the thinning clouds.
For a brief moment, Aurora forgot about Ethan, about the confusion that had ruled her life for so long. With Lucas walking beside her, the weight on her shoulders seemed just a little lighter.
"So... you're really not going to tell me what he said that upset you?" Lucas asked suddenly, breaking the quiet.
Aurora stiffened, then glanced over at him, surprised by his tone.
"I... I'm fine. Really," she said, though the words felt hollow even to her. "It's just the same thing over and over with him. I'm tired of the lies."
Lucas's brow furrowed slightly. "I know it's not easy. But you're doing the right thing. And you shouldn't feel guilty for putting yourself first."
Aurora stopped walking for a moment, glancing at him. There was something in the way he said it that made her chest tighten.
"You don't understand," she said, her voice quiet but sharp. "It's not that simple. I've been with Ethan for so long. It's not just the cheating. It's the... the history. The promises. The time I wasted thinking he would change."
Lucas was quiet for a long time, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets as they resumed walking.
"I get it," he said at last, his voice softer now. "It's hard to let go of someone when they've been a part of your life for so long. But sometimes, the hardest part is realizing you deserve more than what they can give."
Aurora turned her head, her gaze flicking to him, her heart hammering in her chest. The sincerity in his voice disarmed her. It was like he could see into her, see the cracks she'd tried so hard to hide.
"Thank you," she whispered again, though it felt like it wasn't enough.
Lucas gave her a faint smile, his eyes glinting in the low light. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just telling you the truth."
They reached her dorm building soon enough, the silence between them now laced with an unspoken understanding. Aurora hesitated at the door, her hand resting on the handle. Lucas was still standing beside her, waiting.
"I guess this is goodnight," she said, her voice quieter than she expected.
Lucas's smile faded, his expression thoughtful. "You sure you're okay?"
Aurora nodded quickly, though there was a gnawing uncertainty deep within her. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be alright."
"Alright," he said. His gaze lingered on her for a beat longer than necessary.
He went closer to her, gesturing for her to give him her phone , which she did and he inputted his phone number into it.
"Call me if you need anything. I mean it."
She offered him a small smile, her heart skipping a beat again. "I will."
And with that, he turned and walked away, his hot figure disappearing into the shadows of the campus.
Aurora stood at the door for a few moments longer, her thoughts spiraling into a whirlwind of everything that had happened.
She should have felt relief, right? .
She had stood up to Ethan.
She was finally breaking free…but her heart still hurt in ways she couldn't explain.
Was she really ready for all this change?
Later that night, after dinner and a half-hearted attempt at her homework, Aurora sat on her bed, staring at her phone. She had received a few texts from Mia, asking how she was doing, and a couple from Ethan. But no matter how many times she read his messages, she couldn't bring herself to respond.
He was sorry, he said.
He was a fool, he said.
He missed her, he said.
Aurora squeezed her eyes shut. She wasn't going to fall for it. Not again.
But why did it still hurt so much?
But then—
A single vibration against the table.
Aurora glanced down.
Her phone lit up.
Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a notification from a social media app. A post. A picture. Ethan, with his arm draped around another girl.
Aurora felt her stomach churn and twist.
It was a sickening reminder of why she had to let him go. But seeing it was different than imagining it. It stung more than she had anticipated.
The next day, when she arrived at the library again, she wasn't expecting to see Lucas. But there he was, sitting in the same spot by the window, a book open in front of him.
Aurora's heart skipped a beat when their eyes met. She was startled by how good it felt to see him, how comforting it was. But at the same time, a little part of her felt guilty. What was she doing? Was she rushing into something new just because Ethan had hurt her?
As if sensing her hesitation, Lucas smiled up at her, his eyes soft.
"Didn't expect to see you here so soon," he said, his voice warm.
Aurora paused, her hand gripping the door handle. She could still feel the lingering weight of her doubts, the nagging voice in her head warning her not to repeat her past mistakes.
But she took a step forward anyway.
"I guess I just needed a distraction," she said, giving him a half-smile.
Lucas closed his book and stood, his expression thoughtful. "Well, if you're looking for a distraction, I think I can help with that."
Aurora sat down next to him, her hands trembling slightly as they opened a book on the table.