Page 10

Chapter 3

In the end, the shower wasn’t relaxing at all. I wish I could’ve taken a bath, but since there was no lock on the door, and Kaden was so unpredictable, I didn’t have the nerve to risk it. Instead I showered at record speed and then snuck into my room.

I leaned back on the cool wooden door and took my first deep breath since my arrival in Woodshill.

Calmness washed over me, and I opened my eyes.

It looked just as I’d always dreamed it would. Draped over the newly assembled sofa was my fleecy throw, together with pillows of various shapes and sizes. The string of lights hung over the desk and along the shelves, where all my stuff was neatly placed. Pens and notebooks were organized in their containers and boxes on the desk. On the windowsill, my face smiled out next to Dawn’s from within the white frame; to its right sat a matching white alarm clock. My curtains were parted just a crack, letting in the last bit of daylight.

As it took it all in, I couldn’t help myself.

A sob escaped my lips.

Immediately I pressed my hand to my mouth and hoped no one had heard. Tears burned in my eyes, and I wrapped my arms around my knees.

I’d made it. Here I was, in Woodshill—more than 1,500 miles between me and my parents. I’d done more for myself in this one week than in my entire life, and now everything seemed so overwhelming that I couldn’t hold back anymore. Warm tears ran down my face.

I was utterly overcome. For three long years I’d dreamed of this moment—dreamed of creating a space where I could be me.

Slowly, I lifted my head and surveyed my room again. From now on, I was in charge. Never again would anyone try to determine my life. From now on, I would write my own story. In my new home.

Beneath the tears, a smile spread across my face.

I had no idea how many “a few people” had turned out to be. But they were loud. I had no intention of letting that ruin my evening. I dressed comfortably in a spaghetti-strap top with lace—part of my favorite pajama set—and a pair of soft, gray cotton jersey shorts. As far as I was concerned, Kaden could party every night. I was just glad I didn’t have to sleep in the hostel anymore.

I pulled out the sofa bed and turned it into my cozy, pillow paradise.

Now I could catch up with the TV episodes I’d missed over the past few days. I was a series junkie and binge-watched everything I could get my hands on—or whatever I could find on Netflix.

This evening it was the superheroes’ turn.Supergirl.I turned on my laptop, and set it up on my bed. Then I dug into the last unpacked box of stuff, looking for my favorite headphones—they were huge but comfortable. Ready for the evening’s entertainment, I snuggled under the blanket and watched the world get saved.

Who knows how many episodes I had gone through, but at some point I nodded off. No wonder, I’d been on my feet all day.

Headphones still on, I was awakened by a muffled bang. A beam of light crossed my face, and I blinked sleepily. Someone had pushed open my door and knocked it into the shelf behind it.

“Sorry,” said whoever it was, shutting the door again.

Disoriented, I pulled off the headphones.

“Kaden, man! There’s a knockout broad in my room!” I heard the voice calling straight across the apartment. The guy was slurring his speech. Suddenly my door opened again. I drew the blanket up to my chin and stared at the guy who was now standing in the middle of the room, grinning at me. He looked like a surfer boy.

“Hi, I’m Ethan. This used to be my room, and it used to be a girl-free zone. Until I met my girlfriend, I mean. That’s exactly where my bed was, that’s where Monica and I used to—”

“Baby,” came a cautious voice from behind him, “I don’t think she cares what we used to do in this room. Leave the poor girl alone.” A young woman appeared in the doorway. She grabbed Ethan by the arm, pulled him out of the room, and gave him a gentle shove toward the living room.

Then she turned back to me. She was wearing a lot of makeup, there were colorful streaks in her hair. “Sorry. I’m Monica, and that was Ethan. We just wanted to say hello.”

“Um… hello.” I rubbed my eyes. Good God, how late was it anyway?

“Hello,” repeated Monica, staring at the glowing stars above my desk. “Hey, it’s really cute in here.”

“Thanks.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“And you’re a girl?” Monica blurted out, astonished.

I stared at her confused.

“Yes, I think so,” I said, letting the blanket slip down a few inches. Monica couldn’t miss it. She squinted and regarded my lacey top. “Oh, yes, clearly.” A grin spread across her face. “Wow, Kaden must think you’re okay if he let you stay here.”