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Chapter 9 - CHAPTER 9: The Confession

After the showcase, students surged backstage with congratulations. Aurora was swept into hugs and praise.

 

Elias slipped away.

Too many people.

Too many emotions.

 

Aurora found him outside the back door of the auditorium, sitting alone under the soft yellow glow of the streetlamp.

 

She walked up quietly.

 

"You were amazing," she whispered.

 

Elias shook his head. "You forced me out there."

 

"No," she said gently. "I gave you a chance. And you took it."

 

He looked at her, eyes shimmering. "Why do you care so much?"

 

Aurora took a breath.

 

Then she stepped in front of him, heart pounding.

 

"Elias," she said softly, "I care because I'm in love with you."

 

He stared.

 

The world seemed to stop.

 

"I've tried to ignore it," Aurora whispered. "I tried to tell myself it was just admiration or curiosity, but it's not. I feel something when I'm with you. Something real. Something I can't pretend away."

 

Elias's breath broke.

 

"Aurora…"

He shook his head, overwhelmed.

"You can't— I'm not—"

 

She placed her hands gently on his cheeks.

 

"Elias Verdan," she whispered, "I'm in love with you."

 

Tears spilled from his eyes.

 

His voice cracked.

"I love you too. I always have."

 

Aurora leaned closer.

Their foreheads touched.

Their breaths mingled.

 

And finally—

 

Finally—

 

He kissed her.

 

It was soft.

Shaky.

Full of every unspoken word between them.

 

The kiss deepened slowly, gently, as if neither of them wanted the moment to end.

 

When they parted, their foreheads stayed pressed together, smiles trembling on their lips.

 

They weren't afraid anymore.

 

Not of rumors.

Not of Adrian.

Not of each other.

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