First Day
Aurora apparated outside of Pansy's house with a soft, crackling pop, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The cool evening air did nothing to soothe her. As she stood on the doorstep, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, blurring her vision and mingling with the faint traces of the sunset still visible on the horizon.
Her heart ached as she pounded on the door with a desperate urgency, the sound echoing through the quiet street. “Pansy, are you home? It’s Aurora!” she shouted, her voice trembling with raw emotion. She hoped fervently that Pansy was still at home and that the house wasn’t empty.
After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing Pansy in her luxurious silk pajamas, which contrasted sharply with Aurora's distress. Pansy’s eyes widened in surprise and concern as she took in Aurora's state.
Without waiting for an invitation or explanation, Aurora pushed past Pansy, almost stumbling into the foyer. She didn't care about propriety or the state of the house; she just needed comfort and understanding. The moment she was inside, Aurora wrapped her arms around Pansy in a tight, desperate hug, her sobs escaping in muffled bursts against Pansy’s shoulder.
The expensive fabric of Pansy’s pajamas began to absorb Aurora's tears, but Pansy didn’t flinch. Instead, she gently guided Aurora further into the house, leading her to the plush, comfortable living room. She held Aurora close, her own confusion turning into concern as she realized the depth of her friend’s distress.
“It’s alright, Rory,” Pansy whispered soothingly, her voice soft and steady. “Just take your time. I’m here.”
Aurora clung to Pansy, her emotions pouring out in waves. Each sob seemed to unravel a bit more of the tension and hurt she’d been holding inside, and the warm, comforting presence of her friend offered a small respite from the chaos she felt. As the minutes ticked by, Pansy stroked Aurora's back gently, offering what solace she could in the face of such vulnerability.
Eventually, the sobs subsided into quieter, more hiccuping breaths, and Aurora pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face red and puffy but slightly more composed. She looked up at Pansy, her eyes filled with gratitude and a lingering pain that spoke of an evening that had not gone as she had hoped.
Pansy, still holding her with a supportive arm around her shoulders, guided her to the plush couch.
As Aurora settled onto the plush couch, she let out a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping with the weight of her emotions. Pansy sat beside her, her demeanor calm and attentive.
Aurora took a few moments to compose herself, taking comfort in the familiar, soothing presence of her friend.
“I’m sorry for barging in like this,” Aurora began, her voice still shaky. “I just— I needed someone to talk to.”
Pansy gave her a reassuring nod. “It’s alright, Aurora. You’re my friend. Whatever it is, we’ll work through it together.”
Aurora took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. “I... I had this incredible day with Oliver, and everything felt so normal, so nice. ”
She paused, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “We had such a good time, talking and laughing. He suggested we have another round of pumpkin juice, and I agreed. It was like... we were just enjoying each other’s company, no stress, no expectations.”
Pansy listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. “And then?”
Aurora swallowed hard, tears welling up again. “As we were leaving, he... he suggested we do something a bit more relaxed, just the two of us. I thought it was sweet. But then, when we were standing by the pub’s entrance, he leaned in to kiss me. And I— I panicked.”
Pansy’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why did you panic? Was there something wrong?”
Aurora shook her head, her voice trembling. “No, it wasn’t about him. It was more about me. I... I’ve been so focused on starting my new job and everything that’s been happening lately. I wasn’t ready for that, for a... for a moment like that with him. And I couldn’t handle it.”
She looked up at Pansy, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and self-reproach. “I pulled away, and I know I hurt him. I could see it in his eyes. I just didn’t know what to do, and I ended up leaving him there, feeling like a fool.”
Pansy reached out, placing a comforting hand on Aurora’s. “It sounds like you were overwhelmed. It’s okay to not be ready for something like that.”
After a few more minutes of Pansy comforting her, she knew she had to head home. Tomorrow was her first day on the Cannons team, and she could not mess it up.
She headed towards Pansy’s fireplace, took a handful of floor powder, and headed back home.
She crawled into her bed, hoping that she could just erase the last 3 hours of her life.
*****
When Aurora woke up, she felt a bubbling sense of hope and excitement for the day ahead. She had been eagerly anticipating her new role, and contagious happiness lingered from the moment she opened her eyes. However, that elation quickly faltered when she spotted Oliver's note on her kitchen counter. The sight of it brought back the events of the previous night, and the warmth she had felt vanished almost immediately.
She replayed the night’s events in her mind repeatedly before going to bed, trying to understand why she had pulled away. Oliver was not only charming and attractive but also someone who seemed genuinely interested in her. She had been living out Pansy’s dreams, and the fear of fumbling everything made her feel like a disappointment.
Aurora had managed to convince herself before falling asleep that her decision to pull away was for the best. They were coworkers now, and she hadn’t yet reviewed the policies regarding relationships with players. She made a mental note to read up on it later.
Determined not to let the previous night’s events spoil her day, she pushed the thoughts aside. She opened her fridge, finding nothing but orange juice. She poured herself a generous glass before inspecting her bare cabinets, which offered no more than the basics. Aurora could barely cook, so she settled for her usual—simple toasted bread.
After a quick shower, she dressed in what she hoped was appropriate for the relaxed dress code. She opted for black leggings and a white tank top, remembering that the team would provide her with Cannon's shirts. She brushed her teeth, pulled her hair into a neat claw clip, applied a touch of makeup, and slipped on her gym shoes. With one last look in the mirror, she headed out to start her new day.
Aurora Apparated on the outskirts of the stadium, her anticipation building. Dr. Alistair Rowe, the head of the medical department, was there to greet her.
“Welcome aboard, Aurora,” Dr. Rowe said warmly. “We’re glad to have you with us.”
“Thank you, Dr. Rowe. I’m looking forward to getting started,” Aurora replied, trying to maintain a steady voice.
Dr. Rowe handed her a red Cannons shirt with the team’s emblem. She slipped it on, feeling a mix of pride and slight discomfort at its oversized fit—something she planned to adjust later.
Dr. Rowe then gave her a brief tour of the clinic area, showcasing the state-of-the-art equipment and treatment rooms. Aurora’s heart raced with awe and apprehension as she took in the impressive facilities.
As the day began, she was introduced to the team. The players, dressed in their Cannons’ jerseys, were a friendly and lively bunch. Aurora couldn’t help but notice Oliver Wood among them. He greeted her with a nod, his usual confidence now tinged with a hint of awkwardness. The brief eye contact between them was charged with an undercurrent of unresolved tension.
She couldn’t help but think a few of the other players were cute, remembering a promise she made to Pansy that allowed her to come and take a peak herself.
Her first team meeting was a whirlwind of information, with Dr. Rowe outlining her responsibilities and introducing her to the various aspects of her role. Aurora was eager to get started but felt a bit out of place amidst the seasoned professionals.
As the team began to practice, Aurora waited for her assistance to be needed.
Her first patient, Liam, was a young player recovering from a minor muscle strain. As she worked with him, Aurora focused intently on applying her skills, determined to make a positive impression. She began chatting with him. The two had shared a few jokes before he had left.
She could feel Oliver’s eyes on her as he occasionally glanced at the bench where she was helping Liam. His presence was both reassuring and disconcerting. Just as she looked up, however, his eyes darted away. She had heard the coach tell him, ‘Get it together, Wood, ’ which made her feel a pang of sympathy.
Throughout the day, Aurora managed various patient appointments, each presenting its own set of challenges. She was determined to prove her worth and make a good impression.
When the day finally came to an end, Aurora felt a mix of relief and lingering uncertainty. She had navigated her role successfully but had avoided any real interactions with Oliver, which she considered a small victory.
Before leaving, she asked if it would be possible to use the stadium’s gym. She was given permission, though she was informed that some players might still be around. As she entered the expansive gym, she was relieved to find only a few players present, and thankfully, Oliver wasn’t among them.
Aurora quickly lost herself in the gym’s vast array of equipment, eager to explore and try out every machine. She was so engrossed in her workout that she lost track of time. Nearly an hour had passed when the gym finally began to clear out, leaving her completely alone with the equipment.
What Aurora didn’t realize was that Oliver had arrived at the gym some time ago. He had been quietly observing her from the edge of the room, his eyes following her every move. His presence was almost imperceptible, blending into the background as he watched her with a mixture of curiosity and something more intense.
As Aurora struggled with a machine she couldn’t quite figure out, Oliver decided to intervene. He approached her without saying a word, his movements deliberate and calm. He gently placed his hand over hers and guided her through the proper use of the machine. The touch of his hand against hers was electric, sending an unexpected shiver up her spine.
Aurora looked up at him, her confusion evident. “Oliver?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
“I saw you talking with Liam,” Oliver said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I saw you two laughing, and I hated it.”
The intensity in his voice surprised Aurora. She had not anticipated such a reaction, and the weight of the unresolved tension between them made the atmosphere feel thick and charged. His words, though softly spoken, carried a deep sense of frustration and vulnerability that caught Aurora off guard.
Aurora stared at him, her mind racing to process his unexpected confession. The weight of his words hung in the air, mingling with the lingering tension from the previous night. She took a step back, trying to find the right words to respond, but they seemed to elude her.
“I—” she started, but her voice faltered. “I didn’t think... I mean, it was just a friendly conversation. I didn’t mean to—”
Oliver’s gaze was steady, his eyes betraying a mixture of frustration and something softer. “It’s not just about Liam. It’s about how everything between us. I didn’t want to confront you like this, but I couldn’t help it.”
Aurora’s heart raced. She had hoped to avoid any complications at work, especially with someone like Oliver, who seemed to have a way of throwing her off balance. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the tumult of emotions inside her.
“I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable last night,” Oliver began, now sitting on the workout machine next to the one she sat at. "I missed reading the signs, Aurora. I'm really sorry. I just do not want to make things weird between us forever.”
Aurora’s eyes fell to the floor, unable to meet his gaze. “You didn’t misread anything,” she admitted softly, her voice filled with a mixture of regret and embarrassment. “When it came down to it, Oliver, I just couldn’t go through with it.”
Oliver’s face fell, showing an almost palpable look of heartbreak. The silence between them seemed to stretch, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions filling the space.
“Not like that,” Aurora quickly clarified, her voice trembling slightly. “If you and I had been in a different situation, there would have been no hesitation. The reality is that we’re coworkers now, and I... I just didn’t want to complicate things.”
Oliver’s expression was a blend of disappointment and understanding. “I get it,” he said quietly. “Is it possible that we can still be friends?”
Aurora nodded, though internally, she was conflicted. “That would be lovely,” she replied, trying to sound sincere. The truth was, she had wanted more than just friendship with Oliver. She had been intrigued by the possibility of seeing where things could go between them. But now, with their professional boundaries and the complexities of their new roles, she wasn’t sure if pursuing anything further was the right choice for either of them.
As Oliver stood up, a somber smile on his face, Aurora couldn’t shake the feeling of what could have been. She watched him walk away, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken possibilities and the challenges that lay ahead in both her personal and professional life. The silence in the gym seemed to amplify her inner turmoil, a stark reminder of the unresolved tension between them.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of courage. She shot up from the machine, her voice calling out, “Oliver!” He turned around quickly, a spark of hope in his eyes.
“Can you keep a secret?” Aurora’s voice was urgent, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.
Oliver’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he stepped closer, his gaze fixed on her with anticipation. Aurora ran to bridge the gap between them, her emotions swirling in a storm of longing and resolve. She searched his face for a moment, her heart aching with the complexity of their situation.
Without fully understanding why or waiting for his response, she gently cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his in a tender, lingering kiss. The contact was electric, a spark that seemed to ignite the very air around them. Oliver's eyes widened in surprise, but he responded with a gentle fervor, his hands finding their way to her waist. The kiss was filled with a mixture of longing, regret, and hope—an unspoken acknowledgment of the feelings they both harbored despite the complications of their situation.
As they finally pulled apart, Oliver looked at her with a mix of awe and warmth. “I can,” he said softly, his voice tinged with emotion.
Aurora looked momentarily confused, her breath still coming in shallow bursts.
“Keep a secret,” Oliver clarified, the words barely leaving his lips before he leaned in and kissed her again. This kiss was more intense, charged with the promise of something more, a deeper connection that they both yearned for despite the complexities surrounding them.
The moment was filled with raw honesty, a brief escape from the constraints of their roles and the tangled emotions they faced. For now, amidst the lingering sweetness of their kiss and the promise in Oliver’s words, there was a glimmer of hope that they might navigate their way through the challenges together.
Aurora and Oliver pulled away from their kiss, both breathless and wide-eyed. The gym, now quieter than before, seemed to hold its breath as if acknowledging the significance of the moment they had shared. Aurora's heart was racing, her emotions in a whirl of excitement and trepidation.
Oliver’s gaze was soft yet resolute. “I’m willing to keep a secret if it means we get a chance to figure this out,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a note of resolve. “But we need to be careful, especially with our new roles.”
Aurora nodded, her eyes locked on his. “I agree. We have to navigate this carefully, but I can’t deny how I feel.”
Oliver reached out, his hand gently brushing against hers. “We’ll take it one step at a time. We’ll keep this between us for now, and we’ll figure things out.”
Aurora smiled, a mixture of relief and anticipation in her eyes. “One step at a time,” she echoed, feeling a glimmer of hope for what the future might hold.
They stood there for a few moments, the silence between them now filled with a new understanding and an unspoken agreement. The weight of their shared emotions had not entirely disappeared, but it felt lighter and more manageable with the prospect of facing it together.
As they left the gym, they made their way back to the main area of the stadium, exchanging glances that spoke of newfound connection and shared determination. The complexities of their professional lives and the challenges of their budding relationship seemed daunting, but for the first time, there was a sense of possibility.
Aurora took a deep breath, ready to face the rest of her day. She knew that their secret would add another layer of complexity to their lives, but the promise of exploring their feelings for each other gave her a renewed sense of purpose.
When she finally arrived at her apartment, she was greeted by a comforting silence. The quiet was a welcome contrast to the bustling stadium and the whirlwind of emotions she had experienced. She took a moment to unwind, changing out of her work clothes and into something more comfortable—a pair of soft sweatpants and a cozy sweatshirt.
As she sank into her couch, the stress of the day began to lift. She was about to send Pansy an owl to update her on her first day when there was a knock at the door. Aurora rose, puzzled but curious, and opened it to find Pansy standing there with an eager grin and a basket of freshly baked goods.
“I couldn’t wait to hear all about your first day!” Pansy said cheerfully as she stepped inside and set the basket on the table. The aroma of warm muffins and cookies filled the room, adding a touch of homeliness to the evening.
Aurora led Pansy to the sofa and sank back down with one of the muffins from the basket. “Alright, Pansy. What exactly do you want to know?” she asked, taking a bite of the delicious pastry. She and Oliver had agreed not to share the details of their kiss with anyone, Pansy included. Aurora had never lied to Pansy, but if Pansy didn’t ask directly about Oliver, Aurora felt she could avoid that particular topic without deceit.
Pansy settled next to her, grabbing a cookie from the basket. “I want to know everything! What did you do from the moment you got there to the moment you left? You can’t just leave me hanging.”
Aurora chuckled, shaking her head as she thought back on her day. “Well, it started with Dr. Rowe giving me a tour of the facilities. The clinic area is impressive—state-of-the-art equipment and all. Then, I was introduced to the team. Everyone was friendly, and the players were full of energy.”
Pansy’s eyes widened. “Did you meet any of the players? Tell me all the juicy details!”
Aurora hesitated, carefully choosing her words. “Yes, I met several of them. They were all quite lively and welcoming. We spent some time in the gym, and I had a few patient appointments. The day was busy, but I managed to get through it without any major hiccups.”
Pansy’s curiosity was unabated. “And did you have any interesting interactions with them? Any standouts?”
Aurora gave a noncommittal shrug, carefully avoiding any specifics about Oliver. “A few interesting moments, but nothing out of the ordinary. Just getting a feel for the job and the team.”
As they chatted, Pansy continued to ask about various aspects of Aurora’s day, and Aurora did her best to provide engaging answers without delving into the more complicated parts of her experience. The warmth and laughter they shared made the evening feel lighter, and despite the complexities of her first day, Aurora felt a renewed sense of optimism as she spent time with her friend.