Obsessing with my Enemy

Aurora’s fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, her heartbeat matching the soft rhythm of the music flowing from the speakers of her black Jeep Cherokee. The early Monday morning sun cast warm rays on the windshield, a reminder that it was the first day of her junior year at Sunset Shore Academy.

"I can't believe we're back," she mumbled to herself, taking a deep breath. School wasn’t necessarily something Aurora dreaded. In fact, she enjoyed most of her classes, her friends, and even the occasional school events. But this year felt different. Uncertainty hung in the air.

As Aurora pulled into the student parking lot, she scanned the sea of familiar cars and faces. The school's sprawling campus stood in front of her like an old friend, full of memories. But something felt off, something new. The year stretched ahead like an open book with too many blank pages waiting to be written.

Aurora shook off the nagging feeling, reminding herself that it was just another year.

She caught sight of her best friend, Aria, waiting by her car, looking effortlessly chic as always. Aria waved energetically, her perfectly manicured nails gleaming under the sun.

“Aurora! You’ll never guess what I heard!” Aria practically skipped over as Aurora parked.

Aurora grinned and jumped out of the car, smoothing down her simple black top and skinny jeans. “Spill it. I know you’ve got some gossip stored up for me,” she teased.

Aria’s eyes gleamed mischievously as they hugged. “I always do, don’t I? But this… oh my God, you won’t believe it. Axel Thorne is hosting a party this Friday at his house!”

Aurora froze, the smile on her face faltering just for a second. “Axel Thorne? Like... the Thorne family?”

"Yes! The Thornes." Aria rolled her eyes dramatically. "You know, the mega-rich family with that whole mysterious, dark history? Hotels, businesses, all the secrecy... The ones that live in that gigantic mansion at the edge of town. Axel’s throwing a huge party. I overheard some seniors talking about it earlier."

Aurora frowned; her curiosity piqued. "But Axel Thorne doesn't even go to our school. How is he hosting a party for people he's never met?"

“That’s the thing," Aria replied, lowering her voice like she was about to reveal a secret. "He starts next week. His dad’s been keeping him away all these years, sending him to some elite school abroad. But word is, Axel’s supposed to start here on Monday to get ready to take over the family business."

Aurora raised her eyebrows. “So, he’s hosting a party before he’s even shown his face here?”

Aria nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! I mean, who does that? But that’s what makes it exciting. Plus, the whole mystery surrounding the Thorne family makes it even juicier. You must come with me.”

“I don’t know, Aria,” Aurora hesitated, her mind drifting. The Thorne family was a name she’d heard often enough in her household—but never in a positive light. Her parents always spoke in hushed tones about them, especially her father. The Thornes and the Lorentz-Torres family had a long, complicated history, one that Aurora had never fully understood but was always present, looming like a shadow.

Aria’s expression softened as she noticed Aurora’s hesitation. “Come on, it’ll be fun. It’s just a party, and we need to go shopping for outfits anyway. You’re not bailing on me, are you?”

Aurora sighed, feeling the weight of her family’s unspoken rule about staying far away from the Thornes. But then again, it was just a party. It wasn’t like they’d even meet Axel or talk to him, right? She could keep a low profile and enjoy herself.

“Fine,” Aurora finally said, forcing a smile. “But only if you promise to help me pick out something amazing to wear.”

Aria squealed, grabbing Aurora’s arm. “Yes! We’re going shopping after school, no arguments. I need to look perfect for this party.”

 ---

The school day was blurred by a haze of classes, old friends, and the usual first-day-of-school chaos. Aurora found herself distracted, her mind constantly drifting back to Aria’s gossip about Axel Thorne. A party at his mansion—of all places—seemed surreal, especially given the mysterious aura surrounding the family.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Aurora grabbed her backpack and headed to the parking lot where Aria was already waiting, her excitement palpable.

“Ready for our shopping trip?” Aria grinned.

“Let’s do this,” Aurora replied, determined to put her earlier concerns to rest. Maybe this was exactly what she needed to shake off the weird tension she’d been feeling all day.

They drove to the city’s biggest shopping mall, a sprawling, multi-level complex where all the best boutiques were. As they wandered from store to store, trying on countless dresses and outfits, Aurora’s mood began to lighten. Aria’s infectious energy always had a way of lifting her spirits.

“How about this?” Aria asked, holding up a sleek, emerald-green dress against herself. The satin shimmered under the store’s lighting.

“You look stunning in anything, Aria,” Aurora said, laughing. “But that’s perfect. Go try it on!”

While Aria disappeared into the dressing room, Aurora absentmindedly browsed through the racks. Her fingers brushed over a simple yet elegant black dress with a low back and delicate lace details. It was the kind of dress she wouldn’t usually wear, but something about it caught her attention.

Curiosity got the best of her, and she grabbed the dress, slipping into one of the dressing rooms to try it on. As she looked at herself in the mirror, Aurora was surprised by how much she liked the way it hugged her figure. The dress was elegant yet bold, understated yet daring. Maybe this could work, she thought to herself.

Aria emerged from her dressing room, her green dress fitting perfectly. “Aurora! That dress! You must get it.”

Aurora twirled in front of the mirror, a small smile playing on her lips. “You think so?”

“I know so. You’ll knock ‘em dead at Axel’s party,” Aria winked, nudging her.

Aurora chuckled but felt a strange pang in her chest at the mention of Axel Thorne. She couldn’t quite explain why, but the thought of him—this mysterious boy she had never met but had always heard whispers about—stirred something in her. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was the allure of the unknown. Or maybe it was the quiet thrill of crossing a line that had been drawn long ago between their families.

Whatever it was, Aurora knew one thing for sure: she was going to that party, and nothing could stop her.

Friday arrived faster than Aurora expected, and the anticipation grew with each passing hour. The day was a blur of last-minute details, school gossip, and constant texts from Aria, who was more than ready for the night ahead.

By the time evening rolled around, Aurora was standing in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the straps of the black dress she had bought earlier that week. She felt both excited and nervous, her mind racing with thoughts of what the night would hold.

It’s just a party, she told herself, trying to calm her racing heart. Nothing more.

The night felt electric as Aurora and Aria stepped out of the taxi in front of the Thorne mansion, the dark grandeur of the estate casting long shadows under the moonlight. Aria was bubbling with excitement, practically bouncing in her heels, while Aurora took in the sheer size of the estate with wide eyes. They had successfully convinced Aurora’s parents that the night would be nothing more than a sleepover and movie marathon at Aria’s place, with no mention of the infamous Thorne party. The girls had even gone as far as arranging for a taxi instead of driving themselves, to keep Aurora’s parents at ease.

As the grand gates closed behind them, Aurora felt a strange mixture of exhilaration and nerves bubble up inside her. This was the first time she’d ever been this close to the Thorne family’s territory. Sure, the Lorentz-Torres family lived in luxury, but the Thorne mansion stood in a class of its own. With its vintage Old English architecture, sprawling grounds, and