PRESENT DAY

Coleen

“Coleen freaking Miane? Are you ready yet?”

I turned back to find my Mark standing at the doorway. His floppy blonde hair flattered him, making him look like the golden retriever that he was. Right now though, he had a frown of annoyance on his face that seemed almost humorous.

An exasperated sigh left me as I turned to my packed bag.

“I'm almost done,” I said, even though my heart still felt heavy.

I heard him move closer before his arms wrapped around me

“Don't think too much about it.” he murmured against my neck, “all those bad days are over. This is a fresh start for both of us,”

“Easy for you to say, Mr music prodigy,?” I nudged him teasingly, but I couldn't deny that what he said was true.

Not long after getting the news of our scholarship we moved into the city, getting an apartment and setting up everything else in advance. We'd spent the entire summer break here, preparing for its resumption whether it was going to prep classes, touring the college or exploring the city.

Everything felt new and refreshing here, far away from the town I'd grown up in. Away from the hellish memories of high school. Of Chase and… Hayden.

I was now starting anew, moving past those days, and today was going to be the official start of my new life.

Smiling at him, I immediately stood up, handing him my bag.

“I'll race you out of the building,” I said before moving past him, rushing out my room.

After the fun moment we arrived at the college. Despite being here several times already my heart still leapt anytime I saw the name.

Domino's college's. One of the most prestigious private colleges. All my hard work has been to get here and I finally was.

Due to our separate majors. I took my classes separately from Mark. It didn't matter much though as I threw myself fully into college life. It felt completely like a dream to be there.

Midway through one of my classes, I made a new acquaintance in the form of Lisa.

“There's a freshers party happening tonight. I'd love it if you came with me and had fun.” she smiled.

Hesitation gripped me at their thought. I was never one for parties or extravagance, yet in the face of her enthusiastic smile I stopped myself.

This was the new me. I had to let loose.

“Okay,” I said, receiving her hug in response.

After the classes, I took a detour to change into the closest thing to party clothes that I had, a little black dress. Meeting up with Lisa at the college gates, she quickly led me towards the party.

It was as I expected. Loud but somehow with her by my side it didn't feel bad. As she presented me with a cup full of some unknown alcoholic concoction I couldn't even bring myself to care as I downed it.

Shortly after, the buzz hit me And I truly began to enjoy the party.

I giggled as I stumbled and danced against the sweaty crowd, the strobe lights hypnotizing. I could have sworn I'd lost Lisa in the mix as I traversed through the party but what did it matter?

If this was what college was about, I loved it.

Stepping out of the crowd, I stumbled into a hard warm frame I vaguely recognized as a person and felt arms wrap around my waist.

“Hello.” His deep voice made me shiver . Looking up at him a string of attraction filled me. He looked handsome.

“Hello stranger,” I giggled against him. Somehow he seemed familiar…

The thought slipped away as his arms tightened. Slowly I was pulled into a dance, words leaving me. Before suddenly, his lips fell on mine.

“Wanna go upstairs?” He murmured and I found myself nodding.

Everything else became a blur. I found myself taken out of the crowd, led through the throng of people before being alone in a room. Kissing him , I pulled him closer, savoring him. I wanted more… more…

And then…darkness.

….

I groaned against the lights as I opened my eyes. My head was pounding but I could recognize the rays of sunlight that told me it was morning. The events of last night slowly slipped in and I stiffened.

The party…the kissing and then-

Looking down at my naked frame covered with a blanket, I could already guess what happened with growing panic. A groan beside me however made me stiffen.

That voice. I remembered it.

The blurry memory of his face reached my mind, filling me with horror.

No, it couldn't be him. Anybody but him.

I turned to the side and my heart sank instantly.

A sleeping, naked Hayden Michaels was right beside me.

I'd had a one night stand with Hayden. The one I thought I'd left in town miles away.

“Oh god,” I whispered to myself before rushing out of the bed. Through my panic, I had a clear goal.

I had to go.

I put in my scattered clothes frantically, rushing out of the room before he could wake up and leaving the building. As I rushed into the streets towards my apartment, thoughts barraged me.

I had slept with Hayden. The same Hayden who made my life hell. He wasn't supposed to be here.

I stopped in place on the sidewalk as the thought pierced my mind.

Why the was he here?

Coleen

I slammed the door to the apartment as soon as I arrived. Heavy breaths left me. It felt like I had just run a marathon.

But nothing, absolutely nothing could get rid of the image in my head.

How on earth did Hayden Michaels in the same college.

That wasn't hard to find an answer to. This was a private prestigious college his family could afford after all. In some twisted coincidence, he had also chosen the same college.

This was my Dream college, my hope out of those memories and he was here with them.

“I can see you had some fun,” I flinched as a voice came out of nowhere.

Looking up, I tensed as I found Mark staring at me from his doorway, a knowing smirk on his face.

“How was the party?” I asked

“It wasn't anything.” I said, trying to keep my expression from giving anything away.

“Sure, I believe you. Coleen, all grown up,” he teased,

To my relief, he didn't push the matter further, moving towards our living room as he rambled about his day in college. As he told me how he met up with a girl in his classes he was interested in I couldn't help but smile, genuinely happy for him.

I was going to forget about that night. Whatever Hayden was doing in the same damn college wasn't my business. I was never going to cross paths with him ever again. Not if I could help it.

…

After recovering from the leftover hangover, I went to college for my current classes, set on moving forward with the day. In the midst of the classes and the familiar feeling of work, everything else faded from my mind.

I was fine. Great, even.

By the end of my final class for the day I stepped out only to be called by the Lecturer to see him. Anxiety filled me as soon as I was alone with him.

Why was he calling me? Had something happened?

“I'm sorry for the inconvenience Miss Miane. This should have been addressed earlier, but because you received a scholarship in this college due to your high grades, you have the offer if joining in an after school study group alongside other full scholarship students. Not everyone is present but they are actually having a meeting now if you'd like to join in.” Mr Morrison said.

In an instant, the anxiety was replaced with pure excitement.

“Thank you for this opportunity sir ,” I smiled, heart racing as he nodded.

It took everything in me to not jump as he led me towards the ‘Scholarship study group’. Less than a minute after learning of it I was already excited to meet them and make new friends.

I stepped inside and my smile froze in place, a chill filling me.

A group of people were sitting in a group and among them…

Hayden sat on one of the tables, eyes trailing towards me.

“Ah, I suppose you've met Hayden Michaels, he was in the same highschool as you, I believe?” Mr Morrison smiled, seemingly noticing my stare.

“He's also here on a full sports scholarship if I'm correct. He's also in several of your classes. Since you two are familiar I'm sure you'll get along,” he patted my shoulder before leaving me.

How wrong he was.

My heart sank into pure dread as I met the faces of the other people waiting for me. Their stares bored into me, expecting me to move but I couldn't, frozen in place.

This had to be some sort of mistake.

The Michaels family owned one of the biggest companies in the whole damn city. Everyone knew his name. How could he of all people need a scholarship?

There were others, more deserving people who needed it. Not him.

Bitterness filled my insides. No matter how unfair it felt , I couldn't find the words. It didn't change the fact that I was face to face with him once again.

The one who I hated most, who for some twisted reasons I had slept with last night.

Did he recognize it was me? Had he done it on purpose? Was he mocking me?

Panic filled me, and I felt my belly roil when I met his gaze. His sea green eyes seemed to taunt me from here.

And slowly, s smirk grew on his lips m

I recognized that smirk. The same look he had given me after that day of our graduation. It brought me back to the humiliating prank after graduation.

Bile filled my throat. I couldn't stay here anymore.

I spun around, rushing out the door and ignoring Mr Morrisson’s calls.

Blinking back tears, I ran out of the hallway and entered the nearest bathroom. Thankfully I realized it was empty just as the first sob crawled up my throat.

“You can't cry now Coleen. You're stronger than this” I told myself, forcing the choked tears down.

The entire day had been a rollercoaster of emotions by itself. First the one night stand and now this? What kind of sick joke was this?

He was the last person

“You're overthinking it,” I shook my head frantically.

This was just a mistake. One that could easily be resolved. Thinking back to that signature smile of his anger welled up inside me. How could I let him singlehandedly intimidate me with only a single gesture?

I was stronger than before, but I knew how to pick my battles, and he wasn't worth it.

The place was big enough for both of us, and I would make sure that I never saw him. Ever.