1 Chapter 1

The idea of moving away from your parents and into a new city, especially alone, will differ on how good your relationship really is. Arguably, mine had been described as a nuisance by just about everyone else in my life.

My mother and I unpacked the last of my boxes into what would be my new home for the year. I couldn't help but embrace the excitement of starting somewhere so fresh and so far away from my old town where in an old house, old memories had been stored.

It was amazing to think that the only thing that had mattered to me since I was twelve was now becoming a reality.

"I'm going to miss you so much!" My mother sniffled into my shoulder as she hugged me one last time. "You better call me!"

"I will," I tell her and smile into her hair.

She held me tighter as any mother would when saying goodbye to her only child. I could tell she was more scared than I was when it came to college, and I didn't blame her. I knew that after my dad left, I was the only constant in her life, and now I would be in a new city, five hours away.

"Mom, I'll be fine... I promise." I stretched a smile across my face and pulled an arms length away from her, assuring her that it would all be fine.

"I know you will... I'm just going to miss having you around..." She let out a shaky breath and hugged me again. "Are you sure you have everything?" She asked for the fourth time since we left home.

"Yes." I giggle.

Knowing my mother, she'd probably move in with me if I didn't already have a roommate.

"Okay... I better get going before the traffic gets bad." She sniffled and picked up her second-hand purse.

We walked down the stairs of the building down to the cold, early morning air. I stood on the sidewalk as she climbed into her car, giving me one of her prouder smiles.

"I'll come visit you soon!" She shouted and closed the door, flipping on the engine right after.

"Be safe!" I called out to her, and she slowly began to pull out of the street with glassy eyes.

When I reached the apartment again, I shut the door behind me and took a large breath. I was nervous to be in a city all on my own. I didn't know anyone here besides my new roommate, and I had only met her a few days ago. She, like me, attended UC, though it was now her second year here. She was nice enough to help me bring my moving boxes up to the apartment when I first arrived, and she was friendlier than I ever expected her to be.

I took one last look in the small bathroom mirror before walking into the kitchen. My dark brown hair was sprawled on my shoulders and my blue eyes were darker than usual. I attempted to give my reflection a hopeful smile but failed when my nerves stomped all over me.

I looked around the small space of the apartment, wishing my mother hadn't spent so much money on something like this, even though the expenses were shared with my roommate. I didn't need it and I would have been just as comfortable in a normal college dorm.

All my life my mother couldn't give me the things I needed like other wealthy families. She didn't have a dream job like everyone else. She worked in a company that mistreated their employees and paid her a minimum wage, all while raising me on her own. So I understood why she insisted on the apartment. It was her way of proving that for once, she could give me better, and I knew that I couldn't argue with that. Not when it meant so much to her.

I sat down on the small table across from the kitchen and pulled out my school notes. I had everything planned out for my first day of college, as much as one could plan; from my first class, to the layout of the college map, to near places for coffee. I had made sure that nothing could go wrong and so now, I was finishing up the details.

Then, as I flicked through my planner and textbook list, Myra walked in. Though she wasn't alone.

"Hey!" She called out with glee.

"Hey," I greet her back with a smile, not yet acknowledging the man behind her.

"This is my boyfriend, Lars." She paints a decorative smile on her lips. "We're usually just at his place so we won't be too much of a bother for you."

"It's nice to meet you, Lars. I'm Emma." I introduce myself to the light haired boy with neckline tattoos.

"It's nice to meet you too. I'm glad Myra finally found a roommate. She's been looking to fill the vacancy for a while now." He gave me a kind smile before focusing his attention back on Myra.

"Are you staying?" She asked him with a hopeful tone.

"I can't, but was thinking, maybe you could come to the party down at the frat house tonight? It would be like a celebration before college starts up again."

"That sounds great." She grinned and turned to me. "Will you be coming, Emma?"

"I'm not really one for parties." I say shyly. "But thank you anyways."

"That's too bad, it could have been fun." Lars said before looking at the new notification on his phone. He looked down at Myra's small stature and almost pouted. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Aiden is outside waiting for me already. I'll see you tonight."

Lars placed a quick kiss on Myra's lips and walked out into the street where a black car was waiting for him. The loud and strong purr of the engine caught my attention, bringing me over to the window that looked down on the street.

I wedged a glimpse of the man with black hair driving the car. He ignored his friend as he talked, not caring for what Lars had to say even though he seemed quite happy and excited. The man revved the engine twice before actually leaving the street, annoying every other tenant in the building including myself.

Myra and I both watched as the obnoxious machine drove off. She shut the door once it was no longer in view and sunk into the wood, wreathed in smiles.

"Lars seems nice." I said to her with a faint smile after I had seen the reaction she had.

"He is so sweet, Emma. You have no idea." She coloured her cheeks in a pink tint.

"Have you mentioned him before?" I fold over the papers on the table and pay my attention to her.

Myra shakes her head and sits down across from me. "No I haven't. I thought introducing you to each other would be a better idea since you'll be seeing him quite often. I didn't want it to be weird." She tells me.

"I'm sure it wouldn't have been." I ensure her. "May I ask how long you've been together?" As soon as I asked her, I saw the wide grin return to her face, and she went on to explain that their two-year relationship was going strong.

"So what classes are you taking this year?" She looked over the table to where my schedule sheet was and stole a glance at it.

"Well. My major is English so basically any classes around that." I tell her.

"Oh, so you're smart!" She chuckles. "I like that." Before I could say anything else, she was already talking on the subject of something some party happening tonight. "About tonight, do you think you could drive me? I don't have a car and I would ask Aiden but he won't take me." When I didn't say anything she quickly added, "Come on, you owe me for being so nice to you." She giggled, making it clear it was a joke.

"Sure," I laugh a little, thinking it was the least I could do after she helped me out in the last couple of days. "Is that Aiden guy the one that picked Lars up just now? The one with the loud obnoxious car?"

"So you think it's obnoxious too!" She clapped her hands. "See, I've been telling him that for a while now but he's always been an ass about it. He's going to curse me through the door when I tell him about you." She laughs, throwing her head back in amusement. "Anyways, yeah he's a friend of Lars's, why do you ask?"

"I was only curious." I say in a quieter voice.

She took a minute before saying anything again. Her eyes looked cryptic, as if they were trying to figure something out, or rather, trying to analyse something. Her brows, like her brown eyes, complimented her already intent observation. Then suddenly, she almost looked at me in pity, which only confused me more than I already was.

When she finally spoke, I was clearly smothered in surprise. Immediately I knew how it must have looked from her point of view for me to be asking about a guy, and I flushed red in embarrassment and the fact.

"Emma, trust me, don't get involved with him." I opened my mouth to protest but she cut me off almost instantly. "He isn't someone you want to get attached to." I tried to object but when I thought about it, I stayed quiet instead.

***

After I had organised all of my things for tomorrow and Myra got out of the shower, she dragged me to help her decide her outfit. Myra was someone who was constantly friendly and cheery and I appreciated her for that. It felt almost natural to talk with her. She was fun and goofy which were all things I had been told many times I lacked in. Although I didn't know why she needed my help when choosing what to wear, when clearly, she looked flawless in anything anyways.

She hopped in and out of outfits, complaining it didn't have enough 'bedazzle' as she put it. Or that it was far too plain. She spent around an hour trying to find the right one until she finally decided on a white sweater that she tucked into a pair of blue ripped jeans. She took out her jewellery and put on a golden necklace around her flawless skin and topped the outfit with a pair of white converse shoes; the outfit went well with her flawless dark skin, pointing out her chocolate eyes and loose, thick black hair.

We got in my little car and once we clicked in our seatbelts, Myra had given me the directions over to a frat house where the party was supposed to be at. It wasn't too long of a drive, easy to find since it was so big. When I pulled up to the large place, Myra turned to me, placing her phone on the seat.

"Please come with me?" She begged.

I looked down at my outfit that was made up of sweats and then looked up to watch the house filled with partying strangers. It seemed like a whole ocean of college students were there, dancing on the lawn with red cups in hand. Some boys were shirtless and some girls were playing some kind of beer pong half naked. They were all drinking and shouting. Their version of the word fun, while books, music and a quiet room surrounded mine.

"No, I don't belong in parties." I put on a smile to make my words sound as kind as possible. "Besides, have you seen what I'm wearing?"

"Your outfit doesn't matter! Come on it'll be fun, I promise!" At this point she was pleading at me with both hands. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad? I look around again giving the outsiders a chance to convince me into joining the large crowds. But when I saw a guy passed out on the lawn and people drawing obscenities on his forehead, I decided staying home was probably best.

I turned to her, a weak smile drawn on my lips. "I'll pass, but thank you for the offer. Have a fun night and call me if you need anything okay?" I know I should go inside with her, to get to know my roommate better but after my last party, (That being a birthday party) I ended up with puke all over my top... the worst part being that the puke didn't even belong to me – consequentially, I swore of large crowds with alcohol and didn't plan on going to any more parties.

"You are such an old lady." She informs me, humorously.

I chuckled as she opened the door, letting the noise leak into my car. She hopped out the car and ran inside, her hair swaying from side to side while she entered the unrelenting whilst also grim-like house.

I began to pull out of the driveway, away from all the partygoers, when I nearly ran into a guy that came tumbling down the pathway and halted at my car. I stepped hard on the break and watched as he leant on my car, bending down with a pale face. It didn't take long for the vomit to spurt from his mouth and onto the concrete in a split second, wearing the man dizzy and causing him to stumble.

I didn't think twice and quickly got out of the car to help him sit down on the curb, grabbing a few tissues from the glove compartment so he could clean himself with.

"Are you okay?" My voice came out a little panicked. Clearly after almost running him over with your car you have reason to be. My subconscious thought.

"Yes, thank-you..." He hiccupped and took the tissues with a guilty frown, wiping at the corners of his mouth. "You didn't have to help me out like that..." He looked at me and I noticed the lines and dark circles that ran under his eyes. "I'm so sorry for getting it on your car."

I look over to my old Mini Mark 1 and see a little vomit just below the left headlight.

"It's fine, nothing I can't clean. As long as you're okay..." I give him a reassuring smile and he must have thought I was going to leave because he spoke again.

"Please don't go... I owe you at least an introduction and one hell of an apology." He smiled timidly.

"I think I should be the one apologising," I laughed. "I almost ran over you with my car." He smiled at my comment, even let out a chuckle of his own.

"Believe me, it was my fault." He went on but I argued with him again, trying to explain how it was my fault, yet he would only argue back and laugh at how silly this situation was.

"How about we agree that we're both to blame in your almost-death so we can stop debating it on the side of the road?" I grin.

"Well. If you put it like that... then it was definitely your fault that I almost died." And as soon as he finished his sentence he broke into laughter. "I'm William by the way," He poked out a hand.

"I'm Emma." I replied back and gave his hand a firm shake.

A conversation soon began after we introduced ourselves. Somehow, he made it easy and I would even say it was normal to talk with him, considering that we were on the side of the road. Everything about William just seemed interesting, even the part where he told me that he had a love for math. Despite his currently harsh and rugged appearance, his personality was the complete opposite.

"I don't usually drink, you know." Will muttered, almost sounding ashamed. "This was a one time thing." I nod, not giving him a hint of judgment. "My girlfriend..." He began and his voice pitched lower. "She... broke up with me after three years of being together, so you can imagine I was a little upset." He let out a defeated chuckle.

"I'm so sorry," I responded in a similar tone. "Can I ask what happened?"

"She decided I wasn't good enough for her." He sniffled but there were no tears. "I guess sleeping with another guy suited her better." He hung his head between his bent knees and avoided my gaze. I could tell he was more hurt than he let on, but I didn't ask more about it due to respect. "Tell me, what are you doing here with me? Shouldn't you be inside partying?" He returned to me with his smile as if he wasn't frowning a second earlier.

I shake my head at his question.

"I'm not much of a party girl. I haven't even been drunk before." I look around at the people behind us, drinking and still going hard on the alcohol. "I only came to drop off my roommate."

"So if you don't like parties, what do you do for fun?"

"I like to read." I smile with proud features.

"Ah, you're a book girl." He nods at me as if somehow, it made me more interesting. "Your parents must have raised you better than mine."

"I don't think so." My smile vaporized into a slight grimace at the thought.

I'm sure Will noticed my frown because he adjusted on the concrete and let out a sigh.

"My parents hate each other, you know." He nudges me softly. "Everyday they are so close to ripping each other's head off, yet they stay together anyways. You know why?" He smiled down at me, and I shook my head. "They believe that staying together will benefit their only child. But what they don't know is that I hate it when they're in the same room together. Them staying together is an excuse for a perfect family. Honestly, they aren't really doing it for me as much as they do it for themselves."

I looked up at Will who looked more unreadable than he had since I met him. His expression was a mixture of sadness, and that happiness you get from nostalgia, remembering a good memory as if it was yesterday.

"Now it's your turn."

This time when he smiled, his teeth showed. Their pearl white colour was identical to those you saw in those dental brochures you got when you visited the dentist or something you saw from a commercial on TV. His slightly messy hair told me that previous to his night's events, it once was neatly placed with an expensive gel.

"My father left when I was about nine. His excuse was telling me he was going for milk and never returning." I half scoff half chuckle at how stupid it sounds now. But it was believable to a small girl like I was. "My mother had a really rough time getting through it, and it took several years for things to finally get a little better." I didn't want to mention what had happened to my mother after my father left, it wasn't something I was sure I could tell someone about it just yet.

"Yours definitely takes the cake." He chuckles but doesn't laugh, probably out of pity or respect, but either way it made me smile and almost laugh. "In all seriousness though, I'm really sorry that happened to you."

"I guess we don't choose our parents." I shrug.

"That we certainly don't." He answers and picks up a small stone in his hand. "How about college? What's your major?" HE changes the subject.

"English." This time he does laugh, though not in a mocking way.

"Hence the books." He grins.

"Hence the books." I replied back. "And you?"

"What you have next to you right now is an aspiring lawyer, Emma." He throws the stone up and catches it in his hand again. "Here's to mom and dad." He rolls his eyes.

"You don't want to be a lawyer?" I crease my brows and watch his features twist.

"Not at all. But unfortunately, I don't have much choice. My parents are like that."

Even though his smile disappeared temporarily, he didn't let it go for long.

"Do you think we could hang out sometime?" I look at Will and pause. "As friends!" He holds up his hands in defence. "Trust me, I don't plan asking another girl out on a date for at least a decade." I giggle and help him up from the concrete to stand. I only notice now in the bleak lights of the streets that he has brown coloured hair, almost in a blonde colour.

Will looked like any other college student with his red flannel shirt tugging at the wind and his grey shirt layered underneath it. His shoes were a pair of navy blue and white converse which put his outfit to appear more party-like.

I looked at his eyes and couldn't help but beam with smiles.

"So when could we-" He began, but a loud ringtone sounded from the inside of my car where the door was still open from when I got the tissues.

I walk over to the phone and realise that the phone isn't mine. It was Myra's. She must have left it here by accident. I thought.

Just as I go to press the answer button, the call ends.

"Everything okay?" Will leans against the car and throws the stone back on the grass where he found it.

"I think so... this isn't my phone it's actually my roommate's."

"The one you dropped off?"

"Yeah, she's inside the frat house with her boyfriend. Maybe you know him? Lars?"

"Oh, yeah, everybody knows his group of friends. They're known for throwing big parties like these." Will lets out a small breath and mutters, "Especially Aiden."

I wasn't sure why this Aiden person was being mentioned so many times or why he was so popular, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little curious about him.

I closed the car door and went to stand in front of Will, but when I saw his gaze fixed on something else, I was a little confused.

"Will?" I called out to him, but his blue eyes were cemented behind my left shoulder.

"Speak of the devil..." He murmured under his breath.

I turned around, following his eyes to see what had gotten him so irritated all of a sudden.

For a moment I only saw the road's partial darkness, but as my eyes scanned through the street, they met his.