Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Her footsteps echoed through the vast hallway as Brenda, with her backpack slung over her shoulder, strolled out of the last lecture of the day. The corridor walls were adorned with posters of various clubs and societies, each promising camaraderie and excitement, but to her, they were just reminders of the life she didn't have. She let out a sigh, feeling the weight of loneliness settling back into her chest like an old, unwelcome friend. "Another day of pretending to fit in, another night of pretending to be okay," she murmured to herself.
The door to Brenda's small, cluttered dorm room creaked open, revealing a space that reflected her chaotic mind. Textbooks and notes sprawled across the floor, a half-eaten sandwich lay forgotten on the desk, and a single candle flickered in the corner, casting dancing shadows on the walls. She kicks off her shoes and lets her backpack fall onto the bed with a thud. The room is filled with the faint scent of jasmine, a feeble attempt to mask the underlying aroma of stale air. She flops down onto the bed, her thoughts racing as she scrolls through her phone, searching for a distraction.
Steve's sudden and boisterous entrance into the room startles Brenda. "Surprise!" he yells, a wide grin plastered across his face. His sandy blonde hair is disheveled, a stark contrast to the meticulously organized chaos of Brenda's space. His eyes sparkle with mischief and excitement. He's wearing a t-shirt and shorts, clearly having come straight from the gym, and carries a backpack that looks ready to burst with its contents. The room feels smaller and more alive with his presence. "Guess who forgot to lock the door?" he says, panting slightly from his dramatic entrance. "I figured you could use a break from the whole 'faking it till you make it' routine," he adds, tossing a bag of chips onto the bed.
Brenda's heart races as she jumps from the bed, the phone flying out of her hand. She clutches her chest, trying to calm her racing pulse. "Steve!" she exclaims, her eyes wide with surprise. The shock quickly turns to a smile that lights up her face. "You scared the life out of me!" She opens her arms in a dramatic gesture, the soft fabric of her sweater billowing around her. The tension in her shoulders dissipates as she takes in the sight of her younger brother, a rare beacon of familiarity in her otherwise alien college environment. She's missed his unannounced visits, the way he could always make her laugh, even when she felt like she couldn't. "What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice a mix of excitement and suspicion.