Chapter 1 – The Mysterious Boy

(Aurora’s POV)

The soft aroma of pancakes drifted through the air as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, stretching under my warm blanket. The faint sounds of my mother humming in the kitchen and the occasional rustling of a newspaper reassured me that the world was still as it had always been.

I glanced at my bedside clock—6:45 AM. Time to get ready for another day of school.

With a sigh, I pushed myself out of bed and headed downstairs. My father sat at the table, flipping through the morning news, while my mother busied herself at the stove.

“Morning, sweetheart,” she greeted, sliding a plate of pancakes onto the table.

“Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad.” I took my usual seat, picking at my food absentmindedly.

My little brother, Noah, sprinted into the room, his usual hyper self. “Aurora, are you going to spend the whole day in your books again? Maybe try making an actual friend?”

I rolled my eyes. “Books are better than people.”

Dad chuckled from behind his newspaper. “You sound just like I did at your age.”

Mom gave me a worried look. “Honey, you know we just want you to be happy. Maybe try talking to someone today?”

I gave her a small smile. “I’ll try.” It was a lie, and we both knew it.

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At School – The Same Old Story

The moment I stepped into the school hallway, I was reminded exactly why I preferred books over people.

Whispers. Stares.

The popular girls, led by Jessica Carter, threw a glance my way, smirking. I ducked my head, clutching my books tightly to my chest as I hurried to my locker.

But just as I reached it, a foot shot out, blocking my path.

“Oops.” Jessica’s sickly sweet voice rang in my ears as I stumbled. “Didn’t see you there, nerd.”

Her group of friends giggled. My stomach twisted, but I didn’t react. This had been my reality for years—I had learned to endure it.

Just keep your head down. They’ll get bored.

Jessica grabbed my book. “What’s this? More fantasy novels?” She flipped through it before dropping it to the floor. “You should read something real for once.”

I bent down to pick it up, feeling the familiar burn of humiliation. But before I could reach it—

A strong hand grabbed the book first.

A tall figure stepped into my vision, holding the book in his hands.

Damien Blackwood.

The air shifted. The hallway went eerily quiet.

He was the kind of boy that made people step aside without him even asking. Dark hair, golden eyes, an aura of something… dangerous.

He didn’t look at Jessica. He didn’t acknowledge the other girls.

His eyes were on me.

“Yours?” His voice was deep, smooth, but there was something behind it—something I couldn’t quite place.

I nodded slowly.

He handed the book to me, his fingers brushing against mine. My heart did something strange, but I ignored it.

Jessica let out a nervous laugh. “Damien, what are you—”

His golden eyes snapped to her, and she instantly shut up.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

The entire hallway was staring at me.

Damien Blackwood had just protected me from Jessica Carter.

I had no idea why.

But for the first time in years, something in my life changed.

And I had a feeling this was only the beginning.

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