The Next Line ( The Lineage Series #2)

Aurora

"I got in."

The words come out fast, like I've been holding my breath for hours just waiting to say them out loud.

And the second they leave my lips, the squealing starts.

"SHUT UP!" Ginny gasps, nearly knocking over her iced coffee. "Aurora, shut up right now!"

"I'm not kidding," I say, grinning so wide it hurts. "It's official. Juilliard."

Lena just shakes her head, smirking like she knew it all along.

"Told you. What did I say? Babe, please. They were lucky you even applied."

We're sitting at our usual spot—this tiny rooftop café in the middle of Manhattan, where the noise of the city feels like background music instead of chaos.

And honestly?

For the first time in forever, I feel like I can breathe.

No pressure.
No expectations.
Just me, my girls, and the best news of my life.

"Okay, details."

Ginny leans in over the table, wide-eyed.

"When did you find out? What did they say? Are you dying inside?"

"Yes, yesterday, 'Congratulations, we're thrilled to accept you,' and obviously, yes."

Lena clinks her glass against mine. "Welcome to the rest of your life, prima ballerina."

We all laugh, and for a second, I let myself soak it in.

Because this is everything I wanted.

Everything I've worked for.

But...

Then Ginny tilts her head, giving me that look.

"You've been weird all day, though. Spill. What's going on?"

I pause, biting my lip.

And before I can stop myself—

"Preston's being... Preston."

Lena groans. "Ugh. What did he say now?"

I swirl the straw in my drink. "He asked why I couldn't just go to NYU with him."

Ginny's jaw drops. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

Lena scoffs. "Girl. Dump him. Immediately."

"I know," I admit, my stomach twisting. "It just... wasn't the reaction I expected. He didn't seem excited at all. More annoyed than anything."

"Because it wasn't about him," Lena says bluntly. "And he doesn't know how to handle you succeeding without him getting credit."

"Exactly," Ginny adds, shaking her head. "You're over here living your dream, and he's pressed because you didn't pick a school based on his zip code."

I sigh, leaning back in my chair.

And then, because I can't stop myself...

"There's also... Joshuan."

Both of them freeze.

Ginny raises an eyebrow. "As in... your brother's best friend?"

"The very same," I mumble.

"What about him?" Lena asks, her smirk already forming.

"He texted me. Congratulated me on Juilliard."

"Okay, and?"

"And... I don't know. It felt... good. Like, better than it should have."