🔥 FLAMING ATTRACTION 🔥
(From fiery clashes to burning passion)
Aurora Thompson hated mornings.
Not because she was lazy, but because mornings reminded her that every new day meant facing a life that had never been the same since that one terrible birthday.
Her alarm exploded beside her pillow at exactly six a.m.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
With a groan, she rolled over and slapped it silent, burying her face in the pillow for a few seconds before finally forcing herself to sit up.
Today wasn't just any day.
It was her first day at a new academy.
She swung her legs off the bed and stared at the faint sunlight sneaking through her curtains. Her room was simple — cream walls, a small study desk, shelves filled with old novels she barely had time to read anymore.
Her eyes drifted to the small framed photo on her bedside table.
Her father was smiling in it, one arm wrapped around her shoulders, the other around her mother.
That picture had been taken two days before her fifteenth birthday.
Two days before everything shattered.
Her chest tightened slightly, but she inhaled slowly, pushing the familiar ache away. She had promised herself she wouldn't start crying on the first day of a new chapter of her life.
"Get it together, Rory," she whispered to herself.
She stood up, walked to the mirror, and studied her reflection. Long dark hair, tired eyes, and a nervous expression she tried hard to hide.
Today had to be different.
After a quick shower, she dressed carefully — simple jeans, a soft blouse, and her favorite sneakers. Nothing too flashy. Nothing too dull either. Just… her.
As she packed her bag, her thoughts drifted back to memories she rarely allowed herself to touch.
The last birthday she had ever celebrated.
The sound of laughter in the house.
Her father promising to take her out for dinner that evening.
And then…
The knock on the door.
Two strangers.
Her mother collapsing to the floor.
Her father never coming back.
Her fingers tightened around her bag strap.
No one ever told her exactly what had happened that night.
All she knew was that it had been "an accident," and that her father had died while "working."
Working where?
Doing what?
Whenever she asked, her mother would change the subject or say it was too painful to talk about.
So Aurora stopped asking.
But the questions never stopped living inside her.
A soft clinking sound pulled her out of her thoughts.
She realized it was coming from downstairs — the sound of a cup touching a saucer.
Her mom was already awake.
Aurora took one last look at the photo, then gently placed it face-down on the table, like she always did before leaving her room.
It hurt less that way.
She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs.
The smell of coffee filled the kitchen.
Vivian Thompson stood by the counter, stirring her cup absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular.
"Morning, Mom," Aurora said softly.
Vivian startled slightly before forcing a smile. "Oh— good morning, sweetie."
Aurora studied her carefully. There were dark circles under her eyes, and the smile didn't quite reach them.
"You didn't sleep again, did you?" Aurora asked gently.
"I did," her mother lied quickly. "Just… work stuff."
Aurora didn't argue. Lately, everything was always about work.
She took a seat at the small dining table while her mom placed a plate of toast and eggs in front of her.
"Eat well, okay? First day at a new place can be stressful," Vivian said, sitting across from her.
Aurora nodded. "I will."
They ate in silence for a moment.
Then Aurora finally spoke. "Mom… are you sure Ravencent Elite Academy is the right place for me?"
Vivian paused, her hand tightening slightly around her cup.
"It's one of the best academies in the city," she replied carefully. "You'll have more opportunities there."
"That's not what I meant," Aurora said quietly.
"It's full of rich kids… powerful families. I don't really fit in that world."
Vivian's eyes darkened for just a second.
"Sometimes," she said slowly, "we don't get to choose the world we enter. But we choose how we survive in it."
Aurora frowned. "That sounded… serious."
Vivian quickly shook her head and smiled. "I just mean, be careful and focus on your studies."
Aurora didn't miss the tension in her voice.
There was something her mother wasn't telling her.
Again.
But she chose not to push.
Not today.
After finishing breakfast, Aurora stood and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"I should go. I don't want to miss the bus."
Vivian stood as well and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Call me if anything feels wrong," she whispered. "Anything at all."
Aurora blinked in surprise. "Mom… you're scaring me."
Vivian pulled back quickly. "Sorry. I'm just being dramatic."
Aurora smiled faintly, though unease settled in her chest.
As she stepped out of the house, the cool morning air brushed against her face.
Her neighborhood was quiet, simple, nothing like the glamorous parts of Ravencent City she had seen on TV.
She waited at the bus stop, watching luxury cars pass by, wondering what kind of people she would meet today.
People from families with influence.
People with secrets.
People nothing like her.
When the bus finally arrived, she took a deep breath and stepped inside.
This was it.
A new academy.
A new environment.
A new chapter of her life.
The bus ride felt longer than it actually was.
Aurora sat by the window, watching the scenery change slowly as they moved deeper into Ravencent City.
Small shops and quiet streets faded away, replaced by tall buildings, luxury stores, and shining billboards advertising things she could never afford.
This part of the city felt… different.
Powerful.
She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, suddenly feeling very small in a very big world.
Students around her chatted excitedly, talking about parties, new cars, and family connections. Some were already wearing expensive watches and designer shoes, completely relaxed, like they had grown up owning the world.
Aurora kept quiet, listening without speaking.
She had always known Ravencent Elite Academy was for the rich and influential, but seeing it up close made it feel real in a way she wasn't prepared for.
The bus finally slowed down.
A few students leaned forward eagerly.
"We're here," someone whispered excitedly.
Aurora pressed her face closer to the glass.
Tall black gates stood ahead, stretching wide across the road. Beyond them rose massive glass-and-stone buildings, shining under the sunlight like something out of a movie.
At the top of the gate, written in bold silver letters, were the words:
RAVENPORT ELITE ACADEMY
Her heart skipped.
So this was it.
The place that would decide her future.
The gates slowly opened, and the bus rolled inside.
As they passed through, Aurora felt a strange chill brush over her skin, as though she had just crossed an invisible line — from a normal life into something far more dangerous.
The bus parked near the main building, and students began filing out excitedly.
Aurora stepped down last, standing still for a moment as she took in the sight before her.
Fountains sprayed crystal-clear water into the air. Wide paths led in different directions, lined with palm trees and neatly trimmed flowers. Groups of students laughed and hugged, reuniting after the break.
Everything looked beautiful.
Perfect.
But something about the place felt… heavy.
Like secrets were buried beneath all that luxury.
She shook her head lightly.
Stop overthinking, Rory.
This was just an academy.
Not a battlefield.
She joined the crowd heading toward the main entrance, clutching her timetable and orientation map tightly in her hand.
Inside, the building was even more impressive.
High ceilings. Marble floors. Grand staircases splitting in different directions. Digital screens displayed class schedules and announcements for the new term.
Aurora stood near the entrance, suddenly unsure of where to go first.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
A message from her mom.
Mom: Did you arrive safely?
Aurora: Yes, I just got here. It's… huge.
Mom: I know. Just stay close to people and don't get into trouble, okay?
Aurora: I'll be fine, Mom. I promise.
She slipped her phone back into her pocket, taking a deep breath.
Okay, Rory. You can do this.
She checked her timetable again and started walking down the corridor marked Locker Section C.
As she moved through the hallways, she noticed how some students were surrounded by others, laughing loudly, clearly popular and respected. Others walked quietly, keeping to themselves.
And then there were the ones everyone seemed to avoid.
Students would lower their voices, step aside, or glance nervously whenever certain people passed.
Aurora noticed it, but she didn't understand it.
Yet.
She finally found the locker area and began searching for her number, weaving between students.
Her mind was still racing with thoughts about classes, finding her way around, and whether she would make any friends at all…
She had no idea she was only seconds away from meeting someone who would change everything.
She stopped walking.
Her locker was just a few steps ahead.
She moved forward—
And suddenly—
Her shoulder slammed into something solid.
Her books slipped from her arms and scattered across the floor.
"Oh— I'm so sorry—" she started quickly, dropping to her knees to gather them.
"Watch where you're going."
The voice was calm… but sharp.
Aurora froze for half a second before slowly lifting her head.
And that was when she saw him.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Sharp jawline. Dark eyes that seemed to look straight through her.
Something about him screamed danger.
"I— I didn't mean to," she said, standing up carefully. "But I wasn't the only one walking."
The hallway had gone quiet.
Students nearby had stopped pretending not to watch.
The boy's gaze lingered on her face, studying her like she was something unfamiliar.
"You're new," he said.
"Yes," Aurora replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Do you know who you just ran into?"
She hesitated. "No… but I don't think that changes the fact that it was an accident."
A few shocked murmurs rose around them.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, slowly, his lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Interesting."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"Be careful who you speak to in this academy."
Before she could ask what he meant, he turned and walked away, students parting instantly to let him pass.
Whispers exploded around her.
"Is she crazy?"
"That's Julian Blackwood…"
"She just talked back to him…"
Aurora stood there, her heart pounding.
Julian Blackwood…
So that was who he was
She bent down and picked up the last of her books, trying to calm herself.
What kind of place had she come to?
She turned to leave—
And felt it.
That strange feeling again.
Like someone was watching her.
She glanced around.
At first, she saw nothing.
Then her eyes met another pair.
A boy leaned casually against the lockers across the hallway, watching her with calm, unreadable eyes. Unlike Julian, he didn't look threatening.
He looked… curious.
Their gazes locked for a brief moment.
Then he smiled.
Not warmly.
Not coldly.
Just… strangely.
Aurora's stomach tightened.
She quickly looked away and walked off, telling herself she was imagining things.
But the boy continued watching her retreating figure.
Alexander Gray's smile widened slightly.
So… this was the girl.
The one who had just caught Julian Blackwood's attention.
And now…
She had caught his too.