Chapter 33. Worried About Her

Caleb’s POV

I sat in my usual seat, tapping my fingers against the desk as the morning announcements droned on. It was ridiculous that I even noticed, but the empty seat two rows behind me felt like a gaping hole in the room. Aurora wasn’t here. I didn’t know why that bothered me. It shouldn’t. But for some reason, it did.

I slouched further in my chair, running a hand through my hair and forcing my gaze to the front of the classroom. It wasn’t my problem. She wasn’t my problem. Maybe she was sick. Maybe she just didn’t feel like showing up. Either way, it had nothing to do with me.

But Caroline had other ideas.

“Do you know why she’s not here today?” she asked, her voice light but probing, like she already knew the answer. “It’s been a week already…”

I didn’t look at her. “Don’t kno