Chapter 1

MARINA

I ducked as my mother threw her plastic bowl at me. It missed my head by a few inches. Milk and cheerios splattered all over the wall and the floor.

Great…I was already running behind and now, I’ll definitely be late for my first day.

I share a dingy little house with my mother Leslie, in this small town in Massachusetts. I’ve always dreamed of moving out and finding my own place, but I didn’t have the heart to leave my mother behind. At least, not yet.

She was sick and I was to take care of her.

No matter how she treated me and how cruel she was to me, I couldn’t abandon her because she was my mother, and I was all she had left.

“I said I wanted frosted flakes, you useless cunt! And you got me this garbage?” she sneered at me.

“The doctor said you ought to eat healthier,” I said meekly, knowing it’d anger her even more.

“Screw what the doctor said! I want my goddamn cereal. Go get it for me,” she barked.

“I can’t. I gotta get to school. I can get some after…”

“Are you trying to argue with me?” she interrupted me. “I didn’t say you could bring it after school. I said I want it now, so you better go get it. And don’t take too long. I’m starving,” she said.

I left home without saying another word. I had no plan to go back to the store and get her favorite cereal at the moment. I couldn’t miss my class. Besides, by the time I finish class and go back home, she’d be passed out drunk on the couch or in front of the toilet in the bathroom anyway.

I arrived ten minutes late. It was an art class and the teacher was a middle-aged woman wearing a white blouse paired with blue jeans. I thought blue jeans weren’t professional?

“You are exactly twelve minutes late. Since it’s the first day, I will cut you some slack, but this won’t be tolerated next time,” she said curtly.

I looked at the board where she has written her name. Ms. Antoinette Barns.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Barns. I didn’t mean to be late. I had to take care of my mom and…”

“I didn’t ask for family history. Please have a seat next to Mr. Wilson. That would be the young man wearing a blue shirt.”

I looked for the young man in a blue shirt and my eyes met with a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen.

So his name is Eddie, huh?

I sat down next to him without hesitation.

First day and I had already met a cute guy. What luck! Even though I was already nineteen and somewhat popular amongst boys in my school, I never had a real boyfriend. Maybe it was because I was too shy and quiet. But I felt confident as I looked at Eddie. His friendly smile put me at ease.

“So…first day at college and you are already in trouble. You must be a bad girl,” Eddie winked.

“No way! I was just running late, that’s all,” I giggled nervously.

“I am joking. My name is Eddie, as you heard Ms. Barns say. What’s your name?” Eddie asked me.

“Marina,” I replied.

“Marina, what a beautiful name. It suits you.” Eddie smirked.

“Tha…thanks,” I stammered. Ugh, why did I have to be so shy about everything? Eddie didn’t seem like the kind of guy who likes a mumbling idiot.

“Gosh, Marina. I’d hate for you to think I’m too forward, but I have to ask,” Eddie said.

I looked at him curiously. “Ask me what?”

“There is a showing of a new comedy movie I wanted to watch and I was wondering if you would like to go with me,” Eddie said and smiled.

I looked at him with surprise. Was Eddie asking me out?

“I mean, it doesn’t have to be a date or anything!” Eddie quickly said. “Most of my friends are older and they are too busy to hang out with me, so I get lonely sometimes. So I would love it if you could keep me company. What do you say?” he asked.

I looked into his eyes. They seemed genuine. “I would love to go to the movies with you,” I said quietly.

Eddie’s smile brightened. “That’s what’s up! I can’t wait to take you out, Marina. I promise I’ll show you a good time,” he said enthusiastically.

I nodded. I was looking forward to it too.

***

I went straight home after all my classes were over. I found my mother sprawled across her bed, drunk and passed out, just as I predicted.

Good, I didn't want to deal with her. I had a date with a cute guy and I wanted to be in my best mood tonight.

I searched my closet, trying to find some cute clothes to wear for my date. Over the years, I had been putting money aside, so I could buy some decent clothes. I kept it hidden away deep inside my closet in case my mom found out and took it away. If she had her hands on my money, she would surely blow it all on whiskey.

I had to be careful and buy only one piece of clothing every few months, so she didn't notice that I had nice clothes. For some reason, my mother couldn't stand me wearing decent clothes. She didn't want me to look good and attract the attention of boys.

I waited to make sure she was fully asleep. Then I began to get ready for my date. I put on a pair of black shorts and an off the shoulder pink top. I had my hair down, which I styled in loose curls. Then I picked up my favorite lipstick in the shade of cherry red. The only color I've ever liked and the only lipstick I've ever worn since high school.

I heard a car outside and saw headlights shining through my window. Eddie must be here already!

We exchanged phone numbers after school so I could text him my address later. I even warned him not to ring the doorbell if my mom woke up and tried to stop me from going. As I said, she didn't like me hanging out with boys.

I double checked my makeup then ran out of the door. I didn’t hear any movements upstairs, which means my mother was still asleep.

“Hey, Eddie.” I smiled as I saw him step out of the car and hold the passenger door for me. How sweet.

“Wow, you look beautiful. Not that you weren’t beautiful before,” Eddie said and looked me up and down.

“Thanks,” I said timidly, then made eye contact with him. “We should get going, or we might miss the movie!” I chirped. I was suddenly super excited about this date or hangout, as he called it. What if Eddie was the one? I could see him and me be together for a long time. “Which movie are we going to watch?” I asked.

Eddie hesitated. “Well, actually…I was hoping we could skip the movie tonight.

I looked at him with surprise. “How so? Don’t you want to go out with me anymore?” I asked. God, I hope I didn’t sound too insecure just now.

“Oh no, no. Of course, I want to go out with you. You are great. But I decided going to the movies might be too boring. How about you come to a club with me?” Eddie asked. His blue eyes twinkled under the streetlights.

A club? That wasn’t part of the plan, I thought.

Something about this change of plan didn’t feel right, but I decided to ignore the feeling. Eddie was a nice guy and he just wanted to have more fun than watching some lame ole movie.

Maybe I was being too paranoid.