Chapter Seventeen: Aurora

Aurora resolves to move on from Russ, but when Russ returns to camp looking exhausted, she impulsively invites him on the planned hike. He insists on carrying her backpack—and briefly carries her—before they reach Aurora’s secluded warm-water spot.

They strip to swimwear, race to the rocks, and plunge into the water. Aurora cautiously offers space for Russ to talk; he initially deflects, but her steady presence keeps the mood gentle. After drying off, she invites Russ to rest with his head on her stomach, and the quiet encourages him to open up.

Russ shares that his father was hit by a drunk driver and will recover, but he and his father are estranged due to years of escalating meanness. He admits he didn’t want to go home but did after his brother Ethan threatened to drag him back. He feels anger toward his father and frustration with Ethan, and complicated love for his enabling mother.

Aurora reciprocates: her father, a powerful F1 team owner, prioritizes work and makes her feel expendable, prompting her to act out for attention—shoplifting, fake IDs, rival merch posts, and reckless choices. She mentions his girlfriend Norah and Norah’s daughter Isobel, who are showcased publicly while Aurora remains sidelined.

They recognize their shared “dad issues,” debating hatred versus hating how they’re made to feel. Russ says opening up felt good; Aurora calls him brave, and Russ praises Aurora’s unfiltered honesty for helping him be himself. Comfortable and reassured, they settle together and drift to sleep.