Published Nov 10th, 11/10/24 6:55 pm
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(One last story before I leave, hopefully not forever, it's not finished yet but I just wanted yall to see it! It's SUPER long but oh well, enjoy!)
“Hey! Aurora, you with me?” I hear the snapping of fingers and open my eyes. My best friend, Juliet, is snapping her fingers in my face to wake me up. This is the 400th time I’ve had this happen. I’m the main character of this new book. Well, that’s my theory. We’ll get to that.
I smile and shake my head. “Sorry, I was distracted.” I know how this works, after 400 rounds of this you get used to it. Juliet clicks her tongue. “You’re always lost in space, this is why you’ll never get a boyfriend.” I could repeat this conversation in my sleep. I should probably explain what’s going on.
The first time this happened, I was confused and frustrated that no one else noticed that the world basically restarted. So one day, I told Juliet and she told me about this book about love and said “What you said sounds like something they said in my book” . So I decided to read it, as my love life felt empty. But when I touched it I saw another book.
I saw my face on the cover of a book titled ‘College-Love’ with a few other people on it. And as soon as I saw it, I woke up here. And after a few hundred rounds of trying new things, dating a lot of guys, getting Juliet to date a lot of guys, I learned a few rules.
So, I have to end up with a specific guy and so does Juliet. I know this, because I heard someone tell her they loved her and the book restarted. I’ve dated almost everyone here and none have worked. I suddenly remember that one terrible date with a guy on the basketball team, Sam.
We were at the school’s cafe nearby and we sat in silence. I played with my thumbs and he bit his nails. “So uh,” He started after 10 minutes of silence, coughing on his nails. “What do you usually get here?” Before I could answer, he waves his hands and his drink spills over the table and onto my silk blouse.
I stood up and tried to fan out the water staining my blouse and cardigan. He quickly stood up and reached for the corner of my shirt, like to pull it off, but I jumped back with a look of disgust. The local workers shook their heads in disapproval of him. He apologized repeatedly and offered to ride me home. But the workers literally coughed and glared. I told him it was fine and everything but then we both waited in front of the cafe for our parents to pick us up as his car broke down. Ugh! I hated that day.
I feel Juliet tug on my arm, snapping me to the present. “C’mon! Let’s go scoop the guys!” She pulls and we both run towards the fields. Outside, a few boys are playing basketball.
I notice a new character. Since I’ve dated a lot of these boys, the author must be trying to make things harder for me with new guys. He’s not bad looking either, he might be a main character. I got to try to set him up with Juliet. We make eye contact and suddenly, I get chills. His eyes look as cold as ice, and his straight face is terrifying.
Please don’t let him be the main character, I plead with the author in my head. There are a few signs of a main character. Like someone will say they’re cute, they’re popular, sometimes really stupid and make risky moves for some reason, and he looks obvious if he likes someone. If he isn’t like that I should be good.
“Hey, do you think the new kid is cute?” Juliet asks, that’s number one… “Uh, kinda.” I say, trying not to be rude. She sighs sadly. “I hear he's already super popular. Like flocks of girls follow him.”
I feel my pulse quickening. This guy feels like bad news, why is he a main character? And which main character did he replace? There were like 6 main characters! He looks back towards me, with his icy stare and I straighten.
“Don’t ball your fists like that! You’ll hurt your pretty nails!” I hear Juliet. But her voice feels far away. I feel panicked just looking at him.
I suddenly realized how hot I am, and realized I haven’t eaten since that bag of cheetos. “Uh, Aurora?” I hear somewhere. “Aurora! You’re pale! Have you eaten or drinken?” Someone asks. I see a few figures approaching but I can’t tell who.
And all of a sudden I fall forward towards someone and all of my knowledge slips out.
I open my eyes again, this time, I’m in the nurse's office. This is a new scene. The author usually makes it so I can’t get hurt. This new guy comes and now everything goes wrong. I knew he was going to be trouble but, passing out? This is a whole new level of ‘bad news’ even if he’s my partner, I’m not going to let the author win! I’m going to date who I want, whenever I want, and not date the new kid!
“Aurora!” I hear Juliet call out, tapping my shoulder and shaking me from my murder plans of the author. “You passed out! You had a heat stroke! Are you okay?” I nod, noticing the meal in front of me. “We all bought you lunch. To help you feel better.” She explains.
“Who is ‘we all’?” I ask, suspicion clouding my eyes.
Juliet thinks about it. “Jason, Kyle, The new kid, his name is Ben, Liam, Isaac, and Simon.”
All the main characters, of course. Jason, protector of me and Juliet. Liam, the nerdy kid but has a sweet personality. Isaac, just a normal guy but with powerful parents. Kyle, a classic jock and bully but with a flirty undertone. Simon, a professional and quiet kid but is just shy, he’s actually really loud when you get to know him. And now of course, Ben is also a main character. And the only one, I have not dated. Great. Well, Juliet hasn’t either so I have some hope!
“We should thank them.” I say, eating the beautiful feast in front of me. She smiles warmly at me. “You’re so thoughtful, Aurora! You just had a heat stroke and the first thing you want to do is pay back the favor of some kind boys.” It’s really because I need to move this scene along.
And just like that, I’m standing upright, and we’re walking to the dollar store near the school. It must have been a scene change.
We buy a lot of stuff and start walking out. I keep my eyes looking around, just in case a main character does something while we walk back. This is also a new scene. Weird.
I bump into someone and start quickly grabbing my stuff. “I’m sorry I wasn’t looking.” I say, keeping my eyes on the stuff we bought. They start helping and I look up, hoping it’s Juliet. But no, it’s Ben. His eyes still look icy and intimidating. I straighten again and he seems to notice but doesn’t say anything. I sneak a glance and Juliet bumped into Isaac. Has she dated Isaac? Hopefully not. But that means that Ben is my romance partner?! Nope. Not doing it.
In the background I hear Juliet and Isaac flirting. Well, Juliet is young so I don’t think she knows she’s flirting. I tune my ears to try to listen in on them.
“I guess you really fell for me, huh?” He said, with a smug grin.
She laughs in an almost mocking voice. “Nope! But nice try.” She raises an eyebrow in warning and puts a hand on her hip.
“Is that a challenge?” He muses, and puts his hands in his pockets
“When is it not?” She replies, her mouth turning up in a flirty grin
“Well, princess, I’ll get you eventually.” His smirk widens and he takes off his hat and bows.
She laughs again and they continue picking up the fallen snacks. I can almost feel the sparks from here. I guess she does know how to flirt
“Are you okay?” I hear Ben ask, snapping me away from the lovey-dovey ness.
“Yeah, I’m okay. You?”
“I’m fine,” he replies. I feel the hair on my neck bristle just by being near this guy. It’s fine. This is fine. Ben’s face twists in worry. “Are you sure you're okay? You seem shaky.”
“I’m fine.” I say, keeping my eyes on the floor, I’m clearly not. He looks like he doesn’t believe me. “I’m sorry. I can carry your books for you, since you’ve been carrying all this stuff” He offers and gestures towards my bag of snacks. I can almost hear the author in my head. “This is your romance character. If you say no, you’ll just have to start over.”
So I just nod my head. “Uh, thanks.” I get out, even though I really don’t want to. I’m sure this’ll be fine.
As we walk down the halls of our school, I can see their eyes on us and hear their voices. This and the bullying is annoying and a little painful, but it is a part of college life. The author must’ve had a rough time in school.
“Ignore them.” Ben snaps me away from my wondering of the author. He has to lean down to get near my ear as he says it in a hushed tone. It’s weirdly comforting.
I give a warm smile, “I will.”
He smiles back and he looks less scary like that. He makes an exaggerated grunt and thrust the backpack higher on his back. “Why is your backpack so heavy?!”
I grin “It’s the colleges fault! They’re the ones who gave us the 20 pound textbooks!”
He grins back. “And you're not gonna thank them for giving you muscles?”
I flip my hair. “I would’ve been strong whether or not I had to carry those books.”
“I don’t disagree.” He says, his eyes scanning me in a flirty way that makes my ears turn pink.
I realize all too late that we’re flirting so I stop talking. He sees my sudden shift and his eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Did I leave you speechless?”
I give up, this author is good. I shake my head and roll my eyes, “You seem to do that to most girls.”
“But not to you?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” I say, my grin repairing
He laughs and it makes him even more attractive. Objectively. His laugh makes him shine like the sun and his smile puts puppy dogs to shame. And the way his eyes sparkle like a cool drink on a hot day… Wait, what am I thinking? Am I allowing the author to win? I hear girls gush behind me suddenly. And talk crap about me for just standing next to him, I guess.
One of the gossip girls tells her circle of friends “I can’t believe he would let his standards fall that low.” and a few girls echoed her “Yes!” “He needs you, queen!” “That girl’s so bland.”
I sigh and look back at Ben, he’s stopped laughing and now looks scary and intimidating again, I get chills. He notices and his face and demeanor changes. “Sorry, those people just annoyed me.”
I raise an eyebrow in suspicion. “They’re only talking crap about me, not you.”
“Exactly.” He says, his lips slowly going to his smile.
My face quickly turns red for a few seconds before I remind myself of his face when serious. I go from bright red to light pale. He flinches a little at my sudden coloring going crazy. “You look like you've seen a ghost.” He says, his voice still flirty but less sure.
“Because I have” I mutter, more to myself.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I reply, glaring towards some of the girls. He follows my gaze and glares right back. They look a little sad to see him glare at them, as they seem to be fond of him and his looks. But then the leader sticks out her tongue and does the ‘Call me’ sign.
“Is she in your class?”
“Yeah, and she sucks.” he grumbles and his expression is irritated
That girl is Rebbecca, the queen bee of the school. Known for her looks and mean-girl personality.
“Really? Most guys fall to her every whim.”
He shrugs. “She’s just… Really rude. All the time.”
I laugh because he’s so right. “Agreed”
We get to my locker and I take my backpack from him. As I start stuffing my locker, a loud scream echoes through the hallway and Ben and I look at each other in understanding and go running. Being on the track team has some benefits.
I can’t help but take in Ben in all his attractive hero glory. Even him running seems… Cute, in a way. Not to me personally. I stumble a little, and Ben glances down at me. I get a serious face on. Why was I thinking about that? We’re not dating Ben. Just because he’s cute and popular doesn’t mean he’s right for you! Right. Good points, me.
We make it in the classroom as we run into the chemistry lab, a lone student is standing in front of a fire. Ben grabs a fire extinguisher and puts most of it out. I lay a pan over the small fire to put it completely. Ben and I high five before I realize I don’t want to. I feel unsettled, this is another new scene. What is going on?
Ben notices my sudden worry and his face shines with concern. “We should get someone. Are you guys okay?” I nod and so does the student, they looked bewildered. But why was Ben asking if I was okay? I didn’t set a fire in the school grounds. “Why were you making a fire on school property?”
“I was trying the new formula the teacher gave us and it got out of hand and-”
I sigh and put a hand on their shoulder. “It’s okay. Just try to be a little more careful next time.” She calms down and nods, her posture less stiff. Ben is looking at me with appreciation. “Aurora, let’s go get the teacher.”
We leave the student there and go to find the teacher, bring them to the classroom, and then promptly leave. We walk back in silence, I’m stressing about if I can handle all these things the author is adding, then I notice Ben isn’t saying anything. And now I feel awkward for not saying anything.
I know nothing of Ben, but he flirted suddenly, and didn’t even reveal anything about him, maybe he’s a playboy. That makes me hate him even more. He knows nothing about me, and I know nothing of him, other than his name. If he was a better person, he’d have told me something about himself… Right?
He waves goodbye and heads to his locker and I go to mine. We go into different classrooms and start our very boring day. Sadly.
As I leave my classroom, I see Juliet. I quickly run over and hug her. “Juliet! How was class! Did you talk to Isaac?”
She laughs. “A little…” I squeal and she looks at me with a questioning expression. “Why do you want to know? You’ve never been interested in boys!” Before I can answer, she gasps. “No! Is it because of Ben?!” She jumps up and down with big puppy dog eyes. I roll my eyes and place a hand on my hip.
“No… Well-”
“NO WAY!” I hear her scream in my ear and jump around me
“Juliet! Calm down, I haven't even said anything!” I say, putting my hands on her shoulder to stop her jumping
“You’ve said everything with your eyes!”
I roll my eyes and she laughs as we go outside to eat our lunches. I scan the room and see the two main characters. Ben and Isaac are sitting near a few popular girls. No matter how many times I’ve done this, I’ve never really been popular.
I try to walk further away from the group but Juliet pulls me towards the group. I give a confused look. “Where are you going? We know two people there.”
She tugs me harder. Pulling me closer and almost making me fall. “...And they’re cute boys.” She says with a happy-go-lucky voice.
I roll my eyes but walk beside her towards the group. Isaac beams and Ben looks surprised. The girls all stare at us and the two boys. Rebecca checks her newly painted nails. “Are these the girls you mentioned?” with a raised eyebrow. She was sitting next to Ben, who gave her his signature death look and she turns away.
I ignore her and sit next to Juliet who is sitting next to Isaac. I get out my normal lunch, a PB&J sandwich and peacefully start eating it while listening to the conversation. Ben keeps an eye on Rebecca and me. And Rebecca keeps her scowled expression to me.
The conversation goes swiftly around me, as everyone talks about their future jobs and majors. A girl with thick glasses and black hair notices me, silent. “What about you?” She asked, and Ben and Rebecca were now paying full attention.
“Oh uh,” I feel a little nervous under the spotlight of the whole table. “I want to be an author, I’m majoring in English and communication.” I explain simply. Rebecca bursts out a laugh which makes everyone look at her confused.
“Sorry, sorry. But like, girl. You know you won’t be able to live off of just writing right? Like, we all know we used to want to be authors as kids, too bad you’re still too immature to get a real major and a real job.”
A few people nod or shake their heads. Ben’s plastic fork snaps in half and we all stare at the broken pieces on the grass. I clear my throat.
“And what is your major, sweetheart?” I say in my most mocking tone. She looks from smug to cautious. “Uh, I’m going to be a chef. I’m majoring in Culinary arts.”
“Well, maybe if you focused on your major and your goals you wouldn’t burn your food and get a ‘real’ job. Many people become successful authors and many chefs are incompetent including you. And maybe I’ll also have to get a job at an editing company as I write my future novel but I will still probably be as or maybe even more successful than you.” I say quickly. My voice level is calm even though my blood is boiling.
Ben gives me a nod of appreciation and when Rebecca opens her mouth to speak, he leans forward and covers her view of me with his death glare. Never before has that stare made my day, but now it has. Because he’s using it on Rebecca, the queen bee, the blonde mean girl, the leader. And I hate her and now, with Ben on my side, the whole school could change towards her.
The bell rings, saving all of us from awkward tension and we all hurry to get to our classes. Which, just so happens, to be math. And Ben and I have the same math.
I sigh aggressively at the realization that Ben and I have the same class. How could I not have known that he’d be in at least one of my classes? Have I forgotten what world I live in? I glance at Ben, his eyes reflecting worry and panic. I walk in without saying anything to him. But I know he will sit next to me, as he is my main character.
He sits next to me and his eyes still shine in a slight panic behind worried eyes. In my many rounds, I’ve learned what eyes mean in a book world. When I dated Kyle he was always showing his feelings through eyes. I remember the first time he tried to date me.
“Yo, Aurora!” He called, which made me turn around and Juliet chuckle. “The Juniors are having a party, wanna come?” I shaked my head and continued walking. He called again. And when I saw his eyes, panicked, his friend behind him smirking at his failure. I felt so bad and agreed. Then he under-aged drank and almost fainted on top of me and I had to drive him home while he made comments at my expense. I was sure I was gonna get a bruise but nothing happened, I didn’t even feel pain when he basically fell on me. I was more sure there was some kind of protection for me from the author.
Shaking my head trying to rid the memory, Ben mummers something. “Hm?” I ask, I feel my gaze harden in suspicion before I can filter it. He looks even more panicked. “Nothing.” What did he say? And why can’t I hear it?
I drum my pencil on the desk, listening to other gossip and mummers. I hear a couple making flirty remarks and twins arguing but nothing important. Has nothing changed? I sigh again, my leg bouncing. Ben mummers again and this time I hear him.
“Kyle… What was it with him again? He-” He notices me staring and he panics and looks away, his hand nearly snapping the pen in his grasp. I flinch at his white knuckles and look of murder on his face. Why did the author make him so scary?
The bell rings and I practically run out, racing to my locker. As I unload my stuff and allow myself to breathe. He walks up and starts filling in the locker next to mine. Of course his locker is next to mine. I roll my eyes at both myself and the author, real smooth there, author! While I stare down Ben, trying to possess some of his death glare, I see a hand woven journal. With a pen title in cursive. College Love, A book review. Wait… What?
Without thinking, I reach for the book. Ben grabs my wrist with unnerving calmness and says in the most creepy tone I’ve ever heard. “What are you doing?” I feel my whole body tense, well, except my knees, which have lost all power and are quaking hard, so hard I can barely stand. “I-I…” I close my eyes and breathe a little. “I was just i-interested in that book. I thought I-I’ve seen it.” I get out but I truly want to tuck my tail and run.
Suddenly he lets go and I’m in darkness. I hear pages ripping and cursing before opening my eyes. Ben nudges me. “Uh, Aurora?” I’m back in math class. I glare at Ben but he stares blankly. “The teacher asked a question.” I look up at her glaring and tense, Ben snorts.
I answer but keep my distance. Even sliding a little bit away. I hear Ben curse but I also saw him doing math… I sigh loudly and Ben glances at me. “You good?” He whispers, a paper airplane flies over his head.
“As good as math can be.” I say half-heartedly, I don’t have the time to be sarcastic! I need to focus. Before he can reply I ask “Have you ever heard of College Love?”
He pales at the name and his eyes panic and he twiddles his thumbs. This is all I need. He knows we’re in a book. But won’t share it with me. Why? Oh gross, does he want me to be his romance partner? I slide a little bit away. And he flinches, and hurt flashes his eyes.
I feel a wave of new emotions that I try to shove for later, at home. If I can even go there! Ugh! I feel the emotions I have in check slip a little, my eyes glossing with all the stress and worry.
Ben slides a note towards me, with suspicion and shaky hands, I read it. I’m sorry, for earlier when I was glaring at you at basketball, I was worried you were just a gossip girl, like Rebecca. Does he mean when we first met and he was doing that glare? I just thought that was his resting face.
I’ve only known him for a few days, I think. With the quick paced book, I don’t have a good time understanding. But he wouldn’t change his mood so quickly, so why doesn’t he want me to know?
I walk down the dark hallways of my school. Weird whispering, weird figures, disfigured areas, all normal to me in this dream. Ever since I realized I was in a book, I’ve been able to lucid dream about the school. The only time I feel free.
I’ve learned that it mirrors certain parts of the book world. People’s backpacks are the same, the contents are the same, the rooms -excluding the outside- are the same, the lockers are the same. I run to my locker and open Ben’s with an old school paddle in the principal's office.
I grab the report and read it. A red pen at the top writes an F+, saying ‘All of this is false, good creativity, but false. I recommend seeing a therapist please tell your parents’ that’s what people said to me when I talked about the book world.
The report states that we live in a book realm, where someone is granted a chance to write what they want, it’s passed down through generations and past lives. And that it started when a man’s wife was killed by her sister. The sister was cursed by the husband to relive her life as his wife’s. She transformed into his wife’s diary. And after she died 401 times, she finally realized her mistake and felt guilt for the first time. She was freed but it is said to continue down her own bloodline as a curse. The rest is ripped clean off.
I am shocked at this. This sounds like a superstition other than real life. And who ripped it? Was it Ben? Is Ben insane? Or… Is this how the book works? Am I related to a girl who killed her sister? Am I cursed to live in this romance purgatory all for her mistakes?
“No. You are not related to her.” I hear a voice. My eyes close whether I want them to or not. “You are here for another reason, Aurora.” Then the voice says something in an unknown language and I feel like I’m falling deep in the abyss. I hear my name a few times from some people. Am I dying? I suddenly hear my voice very clearly from Ben and I wake up in a cold sweat. Not at my home. Not at Juliet's when we had sleepovers. I was in a new, silent place.
I quickly jump up from the bed and run to the door. Just as I’m about to leave the room, Ben walks by and I crash into him, knocking us both on the floor. I grunt and he groans and we’re both sitting across from each other. He is in a gray t-shirt with flannel pajamas and I’m in what I was wearing at school.
And what the heck is going on?!
Chapter One: 401
“Hey! Aurora, you with me?” I hear the snapping of fingers and open my eyes. My best friend, Juliet, is snapping her fingers in my face to wake me up. This is the 400th time I’ve had this happen. I’m the main character of this new book. Well, that’s my theory. We’ll get to that.
I smile and shake my head. “Sorry, I was distracted.” I know how this works, after 400 rounds of this you get used to it. Juliet clicks her tongue. “You’re always lost in space, this is why you’ll never get a boyfriend.” I could repeat this conversation in my sleep. I should probably explain what’s going on.
The first time this happened, I was confused and frustrated that no one else noticed that the world basically restarted. So one day, I told Juliet and she told me about this book about love and said “What you said sounds like something they said in my book” . So I decided to read it, as my love life felt empty. But when I touched it I saw another book.
I saw my face on the cover of a book titled ‘College-Love’ with a few other people on it. And as soon as I saw it, I woke up here. And after a few hundred rounds of trying new things, dating a lot of guys, getting Juliet to date a lot of guys, I learned a few rules.
So, I have to end up with a specific guy and so does Juliet. I know this, because I heard someone tell her they loved her and the book restarted. I’ve dated almost everyone here and none have worked. I suddenly remember that one terrible date with a guy on the basketball team, Sam.
We were at the school’s cafe nearby and we sat in silence. I played with my thumbs and he bit his nails. “So uh,” He started after 10 minutes of silence, coughing on his nails. “What do you usually get here?” Before I could answer, he waves his hands and his drink spills over the table and onto my silk blouse.
I stood up and tried to fan out the water staining my blouse and cardigan. He quickly stood up and reached for the corner of my shirt, like to pull it off, but I jumped back with a look of disgust. The local workers shook their heads in disapproval of him. He apologized repeatedly and offered to ride me home. But the workers literally coughed and glared. I told him it was fine and everything but then we both waited in front of the cafe for our parents to pick us up as his car broke down. Ugh! I hated that day.
I feel Juliet tug on my arm, snapping me to the present. “C’mon! Let’s go scoop the guys!” She pulls and we both run towards the fields. Outside, a few boys are playing basketball.
I notice a new character. Since I’ve dated a lot of these boys, the author must be trying to make things harder for me with new guys. He’s not bad looking either, he might be a main character. I got to try to set him up with Juliet. We make eye contact and suddenly, I get chills. His eyes look as cold as ice, and his straight face is terrifying.
Please don’t let him be the main character, I plead with the author in my head. There are a few signs of a main character. Like someone will say they’re cute, they’re popular, sometimes really stupid and make risky moves for some reason, and he looks obvious if he likes someone. If he isn’t like that I should be good.
“Hey, do you think the new kid is cute?” Juliet asks, that’s number one… “Uh, kinda.” I say, trying not to be rude. She sighs sadly. “I hear he's already super popular. Like flocks of girls follow him.”
I feel my pulse quickening. This guy feels like bad news, why is he a main character? And which main character did he replace? There were like 6 main characters! He looks back towards me, with his icy stare and I straighten.
“Don’t ball your fists like that! You’ll hurt your pretty nails!” I hear Juliet. But her voice feels far away. I feel panicked just looking at him.
I suddenly realized how hot I am, and realized I haven’t eaten since that bag of cheetos. “Uh, Aurora?” I hear somewhere. “Aurora! You’re pale! Have you eaten or drinken?” Someone asks. I see a few figures approaching but I can’t tell who.
And all of a sudden I fall forward towards someone and all of my knowledge slips out.
Chapter Two: Cliche
I open my eyes again, this time, I’m in the nurse's office. This is a new scene. The author usually makes it so I can’t get hurt. This new guy comes and now everything goes wrong. I knew he was going to be trouble but, passing out? This is a whole new level of ‘bad news’ even if he’s my partner, I’m not going to let the author win! I’m going to date who I want, whenever I want, and not date the new kid!
“Aurora!” I hear Juliet call out, tapping my shoulder and shaking me from my murder plans of the author. “You passed out! You had a heat stroke! Are you okay?” I nod, noticing the meal in front of me. “We all bought you lunch. To help you feel better.” She explains.
“Who is ‘we all’?” I ask, suspicion clouding my eyes.
Juliet thinks about it. “Jason, Kyle, The new kid, his name is Ben, Liam, Isaac, and Simon.”
All the main characters, of course. Jason, protector of me and Juliet. Liam, the nerdy kid but has a sweet personality. Isaac, just a normal guy but with powerful parents. Kyle, a classic jock and bully but with a flirty undertone. Simon, a professional and quiet kid but is just shy, he’s actually really loud when you get to know him. And now of course, Ben is also a main character. And the only one, I have not dated. Great. Well, Juliet hasn’t either so I have some hope!
“We should thank them.” I say, eating the beautiful feast in front of me. She smiles warmly at me. “You’re so thoughtful, Aurora! You just had a heat stroke and the first thing you want to do is pay back the favor of some kind boys.” It’s really because I need to move this scene along.
And just like that, I’m standing upright, and we’re walking to the dollar store near the school. It must have been a scene change.
We buy a lot of stuff and start walking out. I keep my eyes looking around, just in case a main character does something while we walk back. This is also a new scene. Weird.
I bump into someone and start quickly grabbing my stuff. “I’m sorry I wasn’t looking.” I say, keeping my eyes on the stuff we bought. They start helping and I look up, hoping it’s Juliet. But no, it’s Ben. His eyes still look icy and intimidating. I straighten again and he seems to notice but doesn’t say anything. I sneak a glance and Juliet bumped into Isaac. Has she dated Isaac? Hopefully not. But that means that Ben is my romance partner?! Nope. Not doing it.
In the background I hear Juliet and Isaac flirting. Well, Juliet is young so I don’t think she knows she’s flirting. I tune my ears to try to listen in on them.
“I guess you really fell for me, huh?” He said, with a smug grin.
She laughs in an almost mocking voice. “Nope! But nice try.” She raises an eyebrow in warning and puts a hand on her hip.
“Is that a challenge?” He muses, and puts his hands in his pockets
“When is it not?” She replies, her mouth turning up in a flirty grin
“Well, princess, I’ll get you eventually.” His smirk widens and he takes off his hat and bows.
She laughs again and they continue picking up the fallen snacks. I can almost feel the sparks from here. I guess she does know how to flirt
“Are you okay?” I hear Ben ask, snapping me away from the lovey-dovey ness.
“Yeah, I’m okay. You?”
“I’m fine,” he replies. I feel the hair on my neck bristle just by being near this guy. It’s fine. This is fine. Ben’s face twists in worry. “Are you sure you're okay? You seem shaky.”
“I’m fine.” I say, keeping my eyes on the floor, I’m clearly not. He looks like he doesn’t believe me. “I’m sorry. I can carry your books for you, since you’ve been carrying all this stuff” He offers and gestures towards my bag of snacks. I can almost hear the author in my head. “This is your romance character. If you say no, you’ll just have to start over.”
So I just nod my head. “Uh, thanks.” I get out, even though I really don’t want to. I’m sure this’ll be fine.
Chapter Three: Spark and a Fire
As we walk down the halls of our school, I can see their eyes on us and hear their voices. This and the bullying is annoying and a little painful, but it is a part of college life. The author must’ve had a rough time in school.
“Ignore them.” Ben snaps me away from my wondering of the author. He has to lean down to get near my ear as he says it in a hushed tone. It’s weirdly comforting.
I give a warm smile, “I will.”
He smiles back and he looks less scary like that. He makes an exaggerated grunt and thrust the backpack higher on his back. “Why is your backpack so heavy?!”
I grin “It’s the colleges fault! They’re the ones who gave us the 20 pound textbooks!”
He grins back. “And you're not gonna thank them for giving you muscles?”
I flip my hair. “I would’ve been strong whether or not I had to carry those books.”
“I don’t disagree.” He says, his eyes scanning me in a flirty way that makes my ears turn pink.
I realize all too late that we’re flirting so I stop talking. He sees my sudden shift and his eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Did I leave you speechless?”
I give up, this author is good. I shake my head and roll my eyes, “You seem to do that to most girls.”
“But not to you?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” I say, my grin repairing
He laughs and it makes him even more attractive. Objectively. His laugh makes him shine like the sun and his smile puts puppy dogs to shame. And the way his eyes sparkle like a cool drink on a hot day… Wait, what am I thinking? Am I allowing the author to win? I hear girls gush behind me suddenly. And talk crap about me for just standing next to him, I guess.
One of the gossip girls tells her circle of friends “I can’t believe he would let his standards fall that low.” and a few girls echoed her “Yes!” “He needs you, queen!” “That girl’s so bland.”
I sigh and look back at Ben, he’s stopped laughing and now looks scary and intimidating again, I get chills. He notices and his face and demeanor changes. “Sorry, those people just annoyed me.”
I raise an eyebrow in suspicion. “They’re only talking crap about me, not you.”
“Exactly.” He says, his lips slowly going to his smile.
My face quickly turns red for a few seconds before I remind myself of his face when serious. I go from bright red to light pale. He flinches a little at my sudden coloring going crazy. “You look like you've seen a ghost.” He says, his voice still flirty but less sure.
“Because I have” I mutter, more to myself.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I reply, glaring towards some of the girls. He follows my gaze and glares right back. They look a little sad to see him glare at them, as they seem to be fond of him and his looks. But then the leader sticks out her tongue and does the ‘Call me’ sign.
“Is she in your class?”
“Yeah, and she sucks.” he grumbles and his expression is irritated
That girl is Rebbecca, the queen bee of the school. Known for her looks and mean-girl personality.
“Really? Most guys fall to her every whim.”
He shrugs. “She’s just… Really rude. All the time.”
I laugh because he’s so right. “Agreed”
We get to my locker and I take my backpack from him. As I start stuffing my locker, a loud scream echoes through the hallway and Ben and I look at each other in understanding and go running. Being on the track team has some benefits.
I can’t help but take in Ben in all his attractive hero glory. Even him running seems… Cute, in a way. Not to me personally. I stumble a little, and Ben glances down at me. I get a serious face on. Why was I thinking about that? We’re not dating Ben. Just because he’s cute and popular doesn’t mean he’s right for you! Right. Good points, me.
We make it in the classroom as we run into the chemistry lab, a lone student is standing in front of a fire. Ben grabs a fire extinguisher and puts most of it out. I lay a pan over the small fire to put it completely. Ben and I high five before I realize I don’t want to. I feel unsettled, this is another new scene. What is going on?
Ben notices my sudden worry and his face shines with concern. “We should get someone. Are you guys okay?” I nod and so does the student, they looked bewildered. But why was Ben asking if I was okay? I didn’t set a fire in the school grounds. “Why were you making a fire on school property?”
“I was trying the new formula the teacher gave us and it got out of hand and-”
I sigh and put a hand on their shoulder. “It’s okay. Just try to be a little more careful next time.” She calms down and nods, her posture less stiff. Ben is looking at me with appreciation. “Aurora, let’s go get the teacher.”
We leave the student there and go to find the teacher, bring them to the classroom, and then promptly leave. We walk back in silence, I’m stressing about if I can handle all these things the author is adding, then I notice Ben isn’t saying anything. And now I feel awkward for not saying anything.
I know nothing of Ben, but he flirted suddenly, and didn’t even reveal anything about him, maybe he’s a playboy. That makes me hate him even more. He knows nothing about me, and I know nothing of him, other than his name. If he was a better person, he’d have told me something about himself… Right?
He waves goodbye and heads to his locker and I go to mine. We go into different classrooms and start our very boring day. Sadly.
Chapter Four: The Queen
As I leave my classroom, I see Juliet. I quickly run over and hug her. “Juliet! How was class! Did you talk to Isaac?”
She laughs. “A little…” I squeal and she looks at me with a questioning expression. “Why do you want to know? You’ve never been interested in boys!” Before I can answer, she gasps. “No! Is it because of Ben?!” She jumps up and down with big puppy dog eyes. I roll my eyes and place a hand on my hip.
“No… Well-”
“NO WAY!” I hear her scream in my ear and jump around me
“Juliet! Calm down, I haven't even said anything!” I say, putting my hands on her shoulder to stop her jumping
“You’ve said everything with your eyes!”
I roll my eyes and she laughs as we go outside to eat our lunches. I scan the room and see the two main characters. Ben and Isaac are sitting near a few popular girls. No matter how many times I’ve done this, I’ve never really been popular.
I try to walk further away from the group but Juliet pulls me towards the group. I give a confused look. “Where are you going? We know two people there.”
She tugs me harder. Pulling me closer and almost making me fall. “...And they’re cute boys.” She says with a happy-go-lucky voice.
I roll my eyes but walk beside her towards the group. Isaac beams and Ben looks surprised. The girls all stare at us and the two boys. Rebecca checks her newly painted nails. “Are these the girls you mentioned?” with a raised eyebrow. She was sitting next to Ben, who gave her his signature death look and she turns away.
I ignore her and sit next to Juliet who is sitting next to Isaac. I get out my normal lunch, a PB&J sandwich and peacefully start eating it while listening to the conversation. Ben keeps an eye on Rebecca and me. And Rebecca keeps her scowled expression to me.
The conversation goes swiftly around me, as everyone talks about their future jobs and majors. A girl with thick glasses and black hair notices me, silent. “What about you?” She asked, and Ben and Rebecca were now paying full attention.
“Oh uh,” I feel a little nervous under the spotlight of the whole table. “I want to be an author, I’m majoring in English and communication.” I explain simply. Rebecca bursts out a laugh which makes everyone look at her confused.
“Sorry, sorry. But like, girl. You know you won’t be able to live off of just writing right? Like, we all know we used to want to be authors as kids, too bad you’re still too immature to get a real major and a real job.”
A few people nod or shake their heads. Ben’s plastic fork snaps in half and we all stare at the broken pieces on the grass. I clear my throat.
“And what is your major, sweetheart?” I say in my most mocking tone. She looks from smug to cautious. “Uh, I’m going to be a chef. I’m majoring in Culinary arts.”
“Well, maybe if you focused on your major and your goals you wouldn’t burn your food and get a ‘real’ job. Many people become successful authors and many chefs are incompetent including you. And maybe I’ll also have to get a job at an editing company as I write my future novel but I will still probably be as or maybe even more successful than you.” I say quickly. My voice level is calm even though my blood is boiling.
Ben gives me a nod of appreciation and when Rebecca opens her mouth to speak, he leans forward and covers her view of me with his death glare. Never before has that stare made my day, but now it has. Because he’s using it on Rebecca, the queen bee, the blonde mean girl, the leader. And I hate her and now, with Ben on my side, the whole school could change towards her.
The bell rings, saving all of us from awkward tension and we all hurry to get to our classes. Which, just so happens, to be math. And Ben and I have the same math.
Chapter Five: The Book
I sigh aggressively at the realization that Ben and I have the same class. How could I not have known that he’d be in at least one of my classes? Have I forgotten what world I live in? I glance at Ben, his eyes reflecting worry and panic. I walk in without saying anything to him. But I know he will sit next to me, as he is my main character.
He sits next to me and his eyes still shine in a slight panic behind worried eyes. In my many rounds, I’ve learned what eyes mean in a book world. When I dated Kyle he was always showing his feelings through eyes. I remember the first time he tried to date me.
“Yo, Aurora!” He called, which made me turn around and Juliet chuckle. “The Juniors are having a party, wanna come?” I shaked my head and continued walking. He called again. And when I saw his eyes, panicked, his friend behind him smirking at his failure. I felt so bad and agreed. Then he under-aged drank and almost fainted on top of me and I had to drive him home while he made comments at my expense. I was sure I was gonna get a bruise but nothing happened, I didn’t even feel pain when he basically fell on me. I was more sure there was some kind of protection for me from the author.
Shaking my head trying to rid the memory, Ben mummers something. “Hm?” I ask, I feel my gaze harden in suspicion before I can filter it. He looks even more panicked. “Nothing.” What did he say? And why can’t I hear it?
I drum my pencil on the desk, listening to other gossip and mummers. I hear a couple making flirty remarks and twins arguing but nothing important. Has nothing changed? I sigh again, my leg bouncing. Ben mummers again and this time I hear him.
“Kyle… What was it with him again? He-” He notices me staring and he panics and looks away, his hand nearly snapping the pen in his grasp. I flinch at his white knuckles and look of murder on his face. Why did the author make him so scary?
The bell rings and I practically run out, racing to my locker. As I unload my stuff and allow myself to breathe. He walks up and starts filling in the locker next to mine. Of course his locker is next to mine. I roll my eyes at both myself and the author, real smooth there, author! While I stare down Ben, trying to possess some of his death glare, I see a hand woven journal. With a pen title in cursive. College Love, A book review. Wait… What?
Without thinking, I reach for the book. Ben grabs my wrist with unnerving calmness and says in the most creepy tone I’ve ever heard. “What are you doing?” I feel my whole body tense, well, except my knees, which have lost all power and are quaking hard, so hard I can barely stand. “I-I…” I close my eyes and breathe a little. “I was just i-interested in that book. I thought I-I’ve seen it.” I get out but I truly want to tuck my tail and run.
Suddenly he lets go and I’m in darkness. I hear pages ripping and cursing before opening my eyes. Ben nudges me. “Uh, Aurora?” I’m back in math class. I glare at Ben but he stares blankly. “The teacher asked a question.” I look up at her glaring and tense, Ben snorts.
I answer but keep my distance. Even sliding a little bit away. I hear Ben curse but I also saw him doing math… I sigh loudly and Ben glances at me. “You good?” He whispers, a paper airplane flies over his head.
“As good as math can be.” I say half-heartedly, I don’t have the time to be sarcastic! I need to focus. Before he can reply I ask “Have you ever heard of College Love?”
He pales at the name and his eyes panic and he twiddles his thumbs. This is all I need. He knows we’re in a book. But won’t share it with me. Why? Oh gross, does he want me to be his romance partner? I slide a little bit away. And he flinches, and hurt flashes his eyes.
I feel a wave of new emotions that I try to shove for later, at home. If I can even go there! Ugh! I feel the emotions I have in check slip a little, my eyes glossing with all the stress and worry.
Ben slides a note towards me, with suspicion and shaky hands, I read it. I’m sorry, for earlier when I was glaring at you at basketball, I was worried you were just a gossip girl, like Rebecca. Does he mean when we first met and he was doing that glare? I just thought that was his resting face.
I’ve only known him for a few days, I think. With the quick paced book, I don’t have a good time understanding. But he wouldn’t change his mood so quickly, so why doesn’t he want me to know?
Chapter Six: The Dream
I walk down the dark hallways of my school. Weird whispering, weird figures, disfigured areas, all normal to me in this dream. Ever since I realized I was in a book, I’ve been able to lucid dream about the school. The only time I feel free.
I’ve learned that it mirrors certain parts of the book world. People’s backpacks are the same, the contents are the same, the rooms -excluding the outside- are the same, the lockers are the same. I run to my locker and open Ben’s with an old school paddle in the principal's office.
I grab the report and read it. A red pen at the top writes an F+, saying ‘All of this is false, good creativity, but false. I recommend seeing a therapist please tell your parents’ that’s what people said to me when I talked about the book world.
The report states that we live in a book realm, where someone is granted a chance to write what they want, it’s passed down through generations and past lives. And that it started when a man’s wife was killed by her sister. The sister was cursed by the husband to relive her life as his wife’s. She transformed into his wife’s diary. And after she died 401 times, she finally realized her mistake and felt guilt for the first time. She was freed but it is said to continue down her own bloodline as a curse. The rest is ripped clean off.
I am shocked at this. This sounds like a superstition other than real life. And who ripped it? Was it Ben? Is Ben insane? Or… Is this how the book works? Am I related to a girl who killed her sister? Am I cursed to live in this romance purgatory all for her mistakes?
“No. You are not related to her.” I hear a voice. My eyes close whether I want them to or not. “You are here for another reason, Aurora.” Then the voice says something in an unknown language and I feel like I’m falling deep in the abyss. I hear my name a few times from some people. Am I dying? I suddenly hear my voice very clearly from Ben and I wake up in a cold sweat. Not at my home. Not at Juliet's when we had sleepovers. I was in a new, silent place.
I quickly jump up from the bed and run to the door. Just as I’m about to leave the room, Ben walks by and I crash into him, knocking us both on the floor. I grunt and he groans and we’re both sitting across from each other. He is in a gray t-shirt with flannel pajamas and I’m in what I was wearing at school.
And what the heck is going on?!
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