“Aubrey? Are you almost ready, Kiddo?" My dad called up the stairs. I stood in the room with my suitcase beside me, looking around at the now bare space that I'd called my haven for eighteen years. I’d really miss this place. I let out a low sigh as I took one last look at my bedroom. With my hand on the doorframe, I shouted, "Yeah Dad, I'm coming." I picked up my suitcase and mentally said goodbye to my old room, life, and Aubrey. I then strutted out of the door, more than ready to start my new chapter. I decided to leave my old existence behind me and start again as a new and improved version of myself. The college I'd chosen was out of state, and I couldn’t be happier that my best friend Payton would be the only one there who knew me. Which meant I could be whoever I wanted to be. I could finally leave the mess that had become my life behind me, and I was determined to never let anyone hurt me again. My plan was to study hard and play hard. I refused to let stupid feelings get

“Are you going to help me unpack your stuff? Or are you just gonna lay there all day like a sack of potatoes?" Payton asked sarcastically while opening my suitcase."I would help, but we both know that you’ve already mapped out where all my stuff is going, and if I put it in the wrong place, or don't fold it the right way, you'll lose your shit." I rolled over on the bed, staring at the ceiling like it had all the answers."Ugh, fine. But at least tell me what happened to make you so flustered earlier. I'm bored of the silence," she whined while unfolding and then refolding my pajamas. I sat up on the bed and crossed my legs as I prepared to tell her what had happened. Taking in a deep breath, I held it for a minute before I began. "Well, I ran to try and catch up with you and my dad, but as I turned the corner, I smashed right into some guy that lives in the room next door.""Wait. Which direction was the room? Up or down?" she asked wh

“Um, excuse me, but what are you doing in here?" I asked, my voice shrill even with the water running.I held the shower curtain to my chest and then poked my head out. I glared at him waiting for an answer, but he just stared back, his face flushed an interesting pink color. The shampoo on my head ran down my temple onto my cheek, and my bright idea was to blow at it, hoping it went away. Of course, it didn’t, and my gesture blew the bubbles right into my eye."Well?" I snapped, the instant burning in my eyes making me close them in hopes the pain would stop, but more bubbles fell and made it even worse. "God damn it! Hand me that towel, would ya?"I couldn't let go of the shower curtain, so I thought I'd wipe my eyes, put the towel around me, and confront him, which should make him leave. Then, I could finish my shower in peace.He handed me the towel. "Well, you're in the men's showers," he replied in a gentle voice, but I swore I heard hum

Chase took out a blue shirt from his closet, threw it on, grabbed his keys and wallet off the table, and then buttoned his shirt, all in the time it took me to stroll from the bed to the door. The guy was super-fast and extremely excited.On my way to the door, he ran in front of me to open it first, then held his hand out for me to exit before him. I gave him a sweet smile and stepped into the hall. My eyes drifted to my door, and a twinge of guilt and worry hit me for what might have happened to Kyle. "Don't worry, he's fine. The boys and I just roughed him up a little." Chase placed his hands on my shoulders, spinning me around to face him. "Trust me, he will be fine. He's stronger than he looks. I had one of my boys drive him home, so don't worry. Just forget about him and enjoy tonight." I couldn’t stop it when my eyes drifted to my room again. I didn’t know why I was so worried, especially after what Kyle had done to me, but I could

Knock, knock, knock.I began to stir, as the tapping on the door got louder and louder."Come in," I called out, not even bothering to open my eyes. My head was killing me, my mouth dry and tasted like cigarettes and beer. I heard the door open and someone came into what I guessed was a room. I could feel a duvet over me, and a pillow beneath my head, but I didn't know whose room I was in."How are you feeling?" Chase called out in a quiet voice."Not good. My head is killing me. What happened last night?" I asked as I sat up in the bed and tried to peel my eyes open. I winced at the light as it attempted to blind me. Chase reached over my head and pulled the curtains shut. "Is that better?" Backing up, he sat on the bed across the room."Yeah, thank you," I replied as I opened my eyes after a few hard blinks.I couldn't remember anything from last night, so I grew suspicious of his behavior. I just assumed I'd drank too muc