Chapter 1: The Slap That Changed Everything

When I got into an argument with the boy I grew up with, he lost his temper. He slapped me right across the face in front of everyone.

That very day, I wiped every trace of him from my phone. Blocked his number. Deleted his socials.

Everyone thought I had lost my mind. Cole and I grew up together. I had been in love with him since we were kids, tailing behind him for nine long years.

"Why, Aurora? Over one slap?"

He looked at me, completely lost.

"Yeah. Over one slap."

I enunciated every single syllable. Dead serious.

***

When Cole's hand connected with my face, my brain completely short-circuited.

A sickening smack echoed through the room. I stumbled back. My head spun, a loud ringing filling my ears.

My left cheek flared with heat. Then, it burned like absolute fire.

I brought a hand up to my face. I stared at him, entirely numb.

Cole, the boy I had known my whole life, had just slapped me in front of the entire class because I argued with the new girl.

Reality hit him a second later. His expression froze. But the guilt vanished almost instantly, replaced by sheer irritation and anger.

"Can you stop making a scene? Go back to your seat, Aurora."

Someone in the classroom let out a low snicker. Most people stayed dead silent, eagerly watching the drama unfold.

Amber stood right beside Cole. She twirled a strand of her perfectly curled chestnut hair and let out a dramatic sigh.

"Oh my, Cole, what did you do? Can't you see your little princess is about to cry?"

Cole's voice dropped. Ice cold.

"If you're going to cry, Aurora, do it at home. This is a school. Not a stage for you to throw your little princess tantrums."

Shame, injustice, and a deep, burning resentment clawed at my throat. Heavy tears immediately spilled over my lashes.

The guys in the back started jeering. I turned on my heel and bolted out of the classroom.

I didn't know where to go. I just knew I couldn't sit through another class. I couldn't stay in that room with those people for one more second.

Cole had never been the patient type with me. But hitting me? That was a first.

Actually, it was more than that. In my entire life, no one had ever laid a hand on me. Until today.