Chapter 17: Boarding School Bound

Aurora's eyes fluttered open, and she was met with the familiar sight of her bedroom ceiling. But today was different. Today, she was leaving for Ashwood Boarding School.

She sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her heart raced with excitement and a hint of nervousness. She had been preparing for this moment for what felt like forever.

Aurora swung her legs over the side of the bed and planted her feet firmly on the ground. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of this new chapter settle upon her.

With a determined smile, she threw off the covers and got out of bed. Her bathroom beckoned, and she knew she had to start getting ready for the big day ahead.

Aurora padded softly into her bathroom, the cool tiles beneath her feet a gentle wake-up call. She flipped on the light switch, and the room was bathed in a warm glow. She approached the sink, gazing at her reflection in the mirror.

With a quiet efficiency, she began her morning routine. She brushed her teeth, the minty flavor a refreshing start to the day. Next, she washed her face, the cool water invigorating her skin.

After towel-drying her face, Aurora stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading down her body like a soothing balm. She closed her eyes, letting the water wash away any remaining sleepiness.

As she emerged from the shower, Aurora wrapped herself in a plush towel, feeling cozy and comfortable. She styled her hair simply, pulling it back into a low ponytail. A quick application of mascara and lip balm, and she was ready to face the day.

Aurora slipped into a pair of comfortable jeans and a soft white t-shirt, her favorite outfit for a new beginning. She laced up her white and black sneakers, feeling a sense of readiness wash over her.

With one last glance in the mirror, she nodded in approval. She looked confident, capable, and ready to take on whatever Ashwood Boarding School had in store for her.

Aurora took a deep breath, her heart filled with a mix of emotions. Excitement for the unknown, nervousness about leaving home, and a hint of sadness at saying goodbye to the only life she had ever known.

With a quiet resolve, she picked up her backpack and headed downstairs to meet her family for breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes wafted up from the kitchen, making her stomach growl with hunger.

As she entered the kitchen, her mom and Alex looked up from their seats at the table, smiling warmly at her. "Ready for the big day, Rory?" her mom asked, her eyes shining with pride.

Aurora nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Yeah, I'm ready."

Her mom got up from her seat and gave Aurora a warm hug. "We're going to miss you so much, sweetie. But we're also so proud of you for taking this step."

Aurora hugged her back, feeling a sense of gratitude for her family's support. "Thanks, Mom. I'll miss you guys too, but I'll stay in touch and keep you updated on everything."

Alex, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up. "Yeah, and don't forget to send us lots of pictures and stories about your adventures at Ashwood!"

Aurora smiled, feeling a sense of excitement at the thought of all the new experiences she would have. "I will, Alex. I promise."

As they sat down to eat breakfast together, Aurora felt a sense of appreciation for this special moment with her family. She knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, and she was ready to embrace it with open arms.

As they arrived at Ashwood School, Aurora could see other students and their families bustling about, carrying luggage and bags. Some were saying goodbye to their families, while others were already unloading their bags from various cars. Aurora remembered that this week was for students to move in and settle down, which explained why some students had arrived yesterday.

Aurora and her family headed to the administrative office to find out her assigned dorm. The headmistress greeted them warmly and handed Aurora a few papers containing her dorm location and the new updated rules. Aurora's eyes widened as she read through the rules - no phones allowed on campus, curfew and lights out at 10:00pm, and classes starting at 8:00am sharp.

Alex helped Aurora with her bags as they located her room. When they arrived, Aurora was thrilled to find Mia already there, unpacking her own bags. They were roommates! Aurora introduced Alex to Mia, and Mia blushed sweetly. Alex didn't seem to notice, too busy helping Aurora with her luggage.

Mia shyly told Alex not to stress himself, that she'd help Rory unpack later. As they chatted, Aurora's mom took photos of them together - a family photo, then a few of Alex, Rory, and Mia, and finally some of just Rory and Mia.

When it was time to say goodbye, Mia escorted Alex and Natalie, along with Rory, to the gates of the school. Natalie took one last photo of them all together before Alex and Natalie and Alex headed back home, leaving Aurora to start her new life at Ashwood School.

The second Rory turned to head back to her dorm with Mia, she crashed into the sturdy chest of someone. When she looked up, she found Liam grinning at her. "Hello, Little Wolf," and Rory blushed at hearing her nickname while tingles erupted on her skin from where her bare skin touched his.

"Ah, sorry about that!" Aurora exclaimed, her cheeks flushing as she gazed up at Liam's grinning face.

"No worries, Little Wolf," Liam replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm just glad I could break your fall."

Aurora's blush deepened as she realized her hands were still on his chest, and his hands were on her shoulders. She quickly stepped back, her heart racing.

Mia, who had been watching the exchange with interest, spoke up. "Hey, Liam! Welcome back! We were just getting settled in."

Liam's gaze shifted to Mia, and he smiled. "Hey, Mia! Good to see you too. I see you're rooming with the infamous Aurora now."

Aurora rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Hey, I'm not that infamous!"

Liam chuckled. "Oh, I don't know about that. You've certainly made an impression on me."

Aurora's cheeks grew even hotter as she glanced away, trying to hide her smile. Mia, however, just laughed and playfully pushed Liam's shoulder.

"Come on, Liam, don't tease her on her first day back! Let's get your stuff settled, and then we can catch up properly."

Liam grinned and nodded, following Mia and Aurora back to their dorm room. As they walked, Aurora couldn't help but steal glances at Liam, her heart skipping beats whenever their eyes met.

"Come on in, Liam!" Aurora said with a smile, stepping aside to let him enter.

Liam walked in, looking around the room with interest. "Nice digs you guys have here. I'm glad I got to see it before I got banished to the boys' dorm."

Mia laughed. "Yeah, we're pretty comfortable here. Make yourself at home, Liam."

The three of them spent the next hour chatting, laughing, and getting caught up. Aurora was thrilled to have Liam and Mia as friends, and she felt grateful to have them by her side as she navigated this new chapter in her life.

As they talked, Aurora realized that she was feeling more and more at home here at Ashwood. And with Liam and Mia by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges came her way.

As they chatted, Aurora gazed around the room, taking in the cozy atmosphere. The walls were painted a soft, creamy yellow, and the floors were made of dark wood. The room was furnished with two single beds, one against each wall, with a bedside table between them. The beds were covered in crisp white sheets and comfortable-looking blankets in a warm, golden brown color.

The wardrobes were divided into two sections, one for each girl, with a set of drawers in between. The wardrobes were made of the same dark wood as the floors, and had ornate carvings on the doors. The drawers were painted white, with delicate golden handles.

The room was decorated with a few framed posters and some colorful rugs, adding a pop of color to the space. The bathroom was small but functional, with a shower, sink, and toilet, all in sparkling white.

As they talked, Liam leaned against the windowsill, gazing out at the beautiful view of the school grounds. Mia sat on her bed, with her back against the wall, while Aurora sat on her own bed, facing her friend.

After a while, Liam glanced at his watch and stood up. "Well, I should probably get going. I don't want to get in trouble for being in the girls' dorm after curfew!"

Aurora and Mia laughed, and Aurora walked him to the door. "Thanks for coming over, Liam. It was great to catch up with you."

Liam smiled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. "Anytime, Little Wolf. Sweet dreams, you two!"

With that, he turned and headed out into the hallway, leaving the girls to freshen up and get ready for bed.

As they brushed their teeth and changed into comfortable pajamas, Aurora felt grateful for this new chapter in her life. She was excited to see what the future held, and she knew that with friends like Liam and Mia by her side, she could face anything that came her way.

With a contented sigh, she climbed into bed and snuggled under the covers, feeling happy and at peace. The last thing she saw before closing her eyes was Mia's smiling face, and she knew that this was going to be an amazing year.