The gentle chime of Aurora's phone woke her before her alarm even had the chance.
Blinking against the morning light filtering through her curtains, she reached out and grabbed the device from her nightstand.
The moment her eyes focused on the screen, a brilliant, uncontrollable smile broke across her face.
Felix: Morning, Rora. Just wanted to check in and see if you slept well. I'm heading to the rink early today, but I couldn't start my morning without thinking about last night. Have a great day.
Her heart did a frantic, happy flip in her chest.
She rolled onto her back, hugging her pillow tightly as the vivid memory of his lips against hers under the starlight flashed through her mind.
Taking a deep breath to steady her racing pulse, she typed out a reply.
Aurora: Morning! I slept wonderfully, thank you. All the best at the rink today, don't push yourself too hard though. Have a great morning.
She didn't want to push for a second date just yet, wanting to savor the lingering feeling of their first.
Tossing the blanket aside, Aurora felt an unusual surge of vibrant energy.
Instead of her usual slow Sunday routine, she quickly changed into a sleek pair of black running leggings and a sports top, tying her dark hair back into a high ponytail.
The morning air in Eastlane central park was refreshing.
Aurora plugged in her headphones, letting the upbeat rhythm of the music guide her pace.
As she jogged past the rows of green trees and early morning dog-walkers, her mind kept drifting back to the beach.
For the first time in months, she felt completely light as though she had no worries.
...
By the time she returned home, her skin was glowing and her mind was perfectly clear.
After a long, steaming shower, she threw on a pair of comfortable sweatpants and a loose t-shirt.
Sundays were usually her day to prep for the corporate week ahead, so she grabbed her cleaning supplies.
Channeling her leftover excitement into productivity, she got to work around the house.
Aurora started from her bedroom. She began by stripping her bed, tossing the sheets into a laundry hamper before smoothing a clean duvet over the mattress and fluffing her pillows into neat rows.
Next, she tackled her desk and dresser, sorting through stray papers, returning books to their shelves, and wiping away a fine layer of dust until the wooden surfaces gleamed.
After a quick sweep of the floor, she stood back to admire the open space, feeling an instant wave of calm wash over her now tranquil room.
Moving into the living room, She fluffed the couch cushions, folded the discarded throw blankets, and neatly arranged the magazines on the coffee table.
She went on to wipe down the television screen and dust the windowsills, letting the morning sunlight flood the room.
Finally, she ran the vacuum over the rug, watching the satisfying lines appear in the plush fabric as she cleared away every trace of dust and lint.
Her final stop was the kitchen, which was a much greater hassle.
She loaded the scattered mugs and plates into the dishwasher, wiped down the countertops with a fresh lemon-scented cleaner, and scrubbed the sink until the stainless steel shone.
After sweeping up a few crumbs near the toaster, she mopped her way out of the room, leaving the tile floor spotless and smelling bright.
Stepping back, she took a deep breath, feeling fulfilled from a long day of cleaning, entirely satisfied with the sparkling, refreshed home surrounding her.
Once the house was spotless, she grabbed her keys and stepped out.