Chapter 13. Sudden Changes

Aurora’s POV

The moment he stepped into the school, I felt it—the air shifting, the once-lively bleachers now thick with an almost tangible tension. Conversations dropped into hushed whispers, students who had been laughing and chatting just moments ago suddenly quieted, their gazes drawn toward the entrance like moths to a flame.

I turned to Caroline, intending to ask her who he was, but the words never left my lips. She was frozen, her entire body rigid, her eyes locked onto the new guy with an expression I couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t just a surprise. It wasn’t just recognition. It was something deeper—something unsettling. Her fingers curled around the edge of her seat, knuckles turning white, and for the first time since I had known her, Caroline looked… afraid.

“Caroline?” I whispered, nudging her shoulder gently. No response. She was trapped in whatever trance had taken hold of her, eyes wide, unblinking. A cold shiver ran down my spine.

I tu