3

|Present|

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'd skipped breakfast because I didn't want to run into my father. We hadn't spoken ever since the incident two days ago where he'd told me about his fiancé.

I walked into the coffee parlor. I didn't want to start my first day of college with an empty stomach. My father had gotten me enrolled a few weeks ago.

I sighed.

I miss you mom.

I feel so alone.

I wish you were still here with me.

I tried to swallow the growing lump in my throat.

I thanked the man behind the counter as he handed me my coffee and croissant and started to make my way out.

I hadn't been watching where I was going and the next thing I knew I bumped into someone. The steaming coffee spilled from my cup onto the person's shirt. A pair of arms wrapped around my waist to steady me.

Just perfect.

"Shit!" I cursed "I'm so sorry" I started but the words died down in my throat when I saw who it was.

Hunter Adams.

Our eyes locked and I suddenly didn't know how to breathe.

When I'd run into him two days ago I'd completely panicked and fled. I didn't have time to take in his appearance.

He was different now but at the same time he was still the same.

His features were still chiseled to perfection but his deep-set grey eyes weren't bright anymore, they seemed empty. He had grown out his hair and a slight stubble dusted along his jaw. I could see tattoos covering his arms and the ones on his chest peeping out from under his button down shirt.

"Scarlett?" He finally breathed out, breaking the silence.

My mouth suddenly felt like sandpaper.

I realized that he still had his arms around me. I was surprised at how good it felt.

I snapped out of whatever trance I was in and stepped away from him. His arms went limply to his sides.

I kept my face blank.

"Watch where you're going bitch!" A voice suddenly broke in.

My heart leapt.

It was her.

"Nichole." I gritted out through clenched teeth.

I couldn't forget her face even if I tried.

Three years ago she had made my life a living hell.

She had tormented and bullied me throughout my freshman year.

Just looking at her right now made my blood boil.

Her hands snaked around Hunters arm and I felt a pang in my chest.

This isn't supposed to hurt.

He already made his choice.

Hunter's eyes were still fixated on me, he seemed to be in shock.

Her eyes finally flashed with recognition. Her lips twisted into a sardonic smirk. "Well well, look who's back. Scarlett Hudson." She sneered, "Why don't you crawl back into the hole you'd been hiding in for the past three years."

My eyes narrowed into slits.

"Why don't you shut your mouth Nichole? It would make you look a lot smarter." I growled.

Her eyes widened in shock. "You little-" she started but I cut her off with a quick gesture of my hand.

"I'm done wasting my time listening to your crap. If you think you can mess with me then think again. I'm not the same pathetic person I was three years ago." My eyes snapped towards Hunter and I noticed that his hands were clenched and that his gaze was fixated on the ground.

I strode outside not bothering to give either of them another glance.

~~~~~~~~~

I stepped inside the daunting college building.

Students scurried around, the sound of laughter and gym room lockers slamming could be heard.

It was a lot like my first day in high-school, except then I'd had Megan and Danielle with me.

My chest constricted when I thought about the two of them.

When I'd left town three years ago I'd done everything I needed to get away from my past. The only thing I regretted was ending my friendship with Danielle and Megan.

For months the two of them had kept calling, texting and emailing me, begging me to talk to them, tell them where I'd gone so they could come and meet me but I'd ignored them. I was in too much pain. I wanted to leave everything behind and start fresh.

I took a deep breath and exhaled steadily.

It was too late for regret now.

I needed to be brave.

I was going to face it all.

"Scarlett!" A somewhat familiar voice called out.

My breath hitched.

Very slowly I turned around. My eyes met a pair of warm brown ones.

"Jace." I whispered.

I had no idea how to respond. My hands were trembling.

Jace Walker.

I was suddenly engulfed by a strong pair of arms. My cheek pressed against his chest.

My head was reeling from the shock.

I took in his tall lean frame and smiling face. He was still exactly the same. His hair was bit longer, the blonde strands flopped over his eyes attractively.

"It's been a while. How've you been?" Jace asked when he'd finally let go of me.

"Okay." I whispered.

"It's good to see you. You've grown even more beautiful." He smiled. "Your hair's shorter, it suits you."

I smiled back and nodded. Back in high-school my hair had almost reached my hips but I'd cut most of it off when I'd left. It had grown out over three years and now it reached just below my shoulders.

"How's your mom?"

My heart dropped. His voice was casual but it stabbed right through my heart.

He must have noticed the change in my expression because he suddenly looked concerned.

"She died. A month ago." I told him quietly. 

I watched his eyes as he read my lips. His expression grew solemn.

Be strong Scarlett.

His arms went around me once more. He hugged me again but it was gentler this time.

"I'm so sorry." He stepped back to look at me.

"It's okay. I'm okay." I tried to keep my voice steady.

"I'm so sorry Bambi." He said again.

Bambi.

I recognized that nickname. He used to call me that three years ago. 

Something about me reminding him of an innocent fawn the first time we met.

He had been my guardian angel back then. He'd protected me and helped me when no one else had.

I'd had a major crush on Jace back then.

A warm feeling settled in my chest.

Was it possible that I still had feeling for Jace, even after all these years?

"Today's your first day right?" His voice broke me out of my thoughts.

I nodded.

"Have you taken your schedule from the office yet?"

"Not yet." I answered.

"Come with me then, I'll take you there." He offered me his arm and I took it.

I was walking away when I felt his eyes on me.

I didn't even see him but I knew he was watching me.

My eyes involuntarily scanned the hallway until they locked with a pair of intense grey ones.

Hunter.

He was leaning against the wall, watching us.

His expression was dark.

His face stayed impassive when our eyes met.

He held my gaze for a few seconds before he pushed himself off the wall and walked away

He didn't look back.