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“Shall we go in?”
We file into the diner, taking a booth near the back. I sit rigidly, hyper-aware of every movement around me. The server approaches, and I feel my chest tighten.
“Shall we get the burger? It’s so good here,” Aurora says, squeezing my hand under the table.
I nod in response. “Sounds good.”
“So,” Dan says, his voice tight. “Aurora tells us you two are... together?”
I look at Aurora, unsure how to respond. She smiles encouragingly.
“Yeah,” I mumble, my voice rough from disuse. “We are.”
Charlotte leans forward, her eyes narrowed. “And you’re taking her away with the carnival?”
I nod, unable to meet her gaze. The woman who I attacked as part of my game with Aurora. I’m not used to speaking to my victims; normally, they’re dead in a ditch.
“It’s what I want,” Aurora interjects. “Gage makes me happy.”
I sit in silence, my eyes darting between Aurora’s friends. Their concern is palpable, hanging thick in the air between us. Dan leans forward, his brow furrowed.
“Aurora, don’t you think this is all moving too fast? You’ve only known Gage for a week.”
“I know it seems sudden, but when you know, you know.” Aurora squeezes my hand again.
Charlotte scoffs, her eyes never leaving my face. “And what exactly do you know about him? Where’s he from? What’s his family like?”
I tense, memories of my past threatening to surface at the mention of my family. Aurora senses my discomfort and jumps in.
“That’s not important. What matters is how we feel about each other.”
Dan shakes his head. “It is important, Aurora. We’re just worried about you. This isn’t like you, running off with someone you barely know.”
I clear my throat, forcing myself to speak. “I understand your concern.”
All eyes turn to me, and I fight the urge to shrink back.
“I care for Aurora,” I continue, my voice low. “I won’t hurt her.”
Charlotte’s eyes narrow. “That’s not very reassuring coming from the guy who I’m going to assume assaulted me.”
The table falls silent. I can feel the weight of their stares, judging me, seeing the monster beneath my skin. Aurora’s grip on my hand tightens.
Aurora draws in a deep breath. “We already discussed this. That wasn’t Gage.”She lies easily, but we agreed that if her friends knew, they’d not let her go with me.
Charlotte’s eyes narrow. “How can you be so sure?”
“Why would he assault you if he wanted to be in a relationship with me? It makes no sense,” Aurora reasons.
Dan sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Aurora, please. Just think about this. You have a life here, friends, a job. Are you really ready to give all that up?”
Aurora’s voice is steady when she replies. “I’m not giving anything up. I’m starting a new chapter of my life with Gage.”
The conversation continues, but I retreat, letting Aurora’s words wash over me. Her unwavering support should comfort me, but I feel a gnawing guilt. These people care about her, and I’m taking her away from them.
Charlotte claps her hands. “Enough. Aurora has decided, so it is what it is.” She gives Dan a pointed look. “Let’s enjoy this meal together since it’ll be the last one we share for a while.”
I sit silently, watching as the tension slowly ebbs from the table. Aurora’s hand remains firmly clasped in mine, a lifeline in this unfamiliar situation.
