Never Not You

Finished the album, wanna hear?

As they settled into the group, the topic of Katie being the one to bring Aurora over arose. Curious glances and playful teasing ensued, with Aurora jokingly attributing Katie's company to an alleged obsession.

Katie, unfazed by the banter, fired back with a playful retort. "Oh, I think it's the other way around," she quipped, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Aurora's been telling everyone I'm the hot one."

Aurora chuckled at Katie's jest, sending her a wink stating "Did I lie though?". Yet, Alex's subtle concern did not escape her notice, prompting a fleeting pang of guilt.

However, the unspoken understanding among the group prevented any mention of Leah, their shared history serving as a silent barrier to the topic. Instead, they focused on the present moment, revelling in each other's company and the vibrant energy of the night.

As Aurora turned to leave, a sudden jolt of disbelief surged through her as she beheld an unexpected sight. There, amidst the pulsating crowd, was Leah, speaking with and dancing intimately with another girl. Aurora's heart plummeted as she watched in stunned silence, her mind struggling to comprehend the scene unfolding before her.

Her breath caught in her throat as Leah and the girl leaned in for a kiss, the sight sending a wave of anguish crashing over Aurora. Unable to bear the sight any longer, she turned away, her footsteps faltering as she made her way through the throngs of people.

The bathroom offered a momentary refuge from the chaos outside, and Aurora gratefully sank onto one of the empty stalls, her mind reeling from the shock of what she had just witnessed.

A soft knock echoed through the cramped space, and Aurora's heart clenched with apprehension as Katie's voice filtered through the door. "Aurora? Are you okay?"

With a trembling breath, Aurora composed herself enough to respond. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just... needed a moment."

The door creaked open, and Katie stepped inside, her concerned gaze meeting Aurora's troubled expression. "I saw," she said quietly, her voice tinged with sympathy. "Are you... okay?"

Aurora shook her head, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice cracking with the weight of her turmoil.

Katie's heart ached with empathy for her friend's pain. She reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from Aurora's tear-streaked face. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, her voice laced with sincerity.

Aurora let out a frustrated sigh, her emotions roiling beneath the surface. "I spent so long getting my makeup right," she confessed, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. "And now it's all ruined."

Katie's brow furrowed with concern, her gaze filled with compassion. "That's not what I want to know," she said gently, her voice a soothing balm to Aurora's wounded spirit.

Aurora closed her eyes, a heavy sigh escaping her lips as she struggled to find the right words to express the turmoil raging within her. "I still love her," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "And seeing her... it hurts. I never thought I'd see her again, and now... now she's dancing with someone else, the way we used to." Aurora sighed softly, her gaze drifting back to the memory of Leah dancing with someone else. "It just hurts," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "... it feels like a punch in the gut."

Katie's expression softened with empathy as she reached out to gently squeeze Aurora's hand. "She doesn't know what she's missing," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. "She's an idiot for letting go of you."

Aurora blinked back tears, grateful for Katie's unwavering support. "Really?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.

Katie nodded firmly, her eyes meeting Aurora's with unwavering conviction. "Yeah," she said with a gentle smile. "The biggest idiot in the world."