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Part One
Audrey
In my memory, we must be ten years old or so, because Ash is my height. I can look directly into his pale blue eyes.
His dark brows dip low as he crouches by my side to examine my skinned knee.
“You’ll survive,” he gives his verdict. His tanned face splits into a grin. “You’ll have a cool scar.”
“Scars are ugly,” I say, staring at my knee doubtfully. Blood trickles down my leg, a red line, seeping into my white socks. “Aren’t they?”
His gaze is guarded. He stands up and gives me his grubby hand. “I don’t know. You get used to them, I guess.”
I take his hand. He’s so strong. So warm and kind. “Used to seeing them?”
He nods. “And having t
hem. They become part of you. Scars aren’t ugly, Auds.” He’s the only one who calls me that. The nickname started as a tease, then it stuck.
“It hurts.”
He glances down at my knee. “I have Band-Aids in my room. Come on, I’ll clean this up for you.”
“Thanks.”
“What are best friends for?” His eyes warm up and he tugs me along. He always makes me feel safe, protected, taken care of.
Best friends forever.
Or so I thought back then. It only took one kiss to ruin it all.
Chapter One
Audrey
As soon as the door opens, a smiling short-haired girl gestures with her beer bottle for us to enter. Music blares, a popular dance song. Behind her, I can see the apartment, spacious and airy, the living room visible through a glass door, the walls hung with drawings and posters.
Tessa tugs on my arm, her blond ponytail bouncing. Her large blue eyes shine with excitement. “Come on, Audrey.”
The short-haired girl leaves us and wanders toward the heart of the party obviously in full swing. Laughter echoes in the hall and I’m still trying to decide whether coming was a mistake. I have a headache from the move, and my muscles ache from carrying my boxes.
“You’ll see, Audrey!” Tessa manages to drag me further into the apartment. “It’s gonna be great.”
“Where’s Dylan?” He was the one who invited me, even though this isn’t his apartment or his party. I don’t even know who owns the place, much less anyone in this crowd.
“You’re still crushing on Dylan,” she says smugly.
“Of course not,” I snap. God, it’s like being back in high school all over again. “Just because I once said he looked good...”
“You said he looked hot.”
“It was a hot day. He was sweating. Besides, that was, like, five years ago.”
Tessa giggles, making me wonder if she started drinking earlier in the day, and waves a hand back and forth. “Sure, hon, whatever you say. Wait till you see him, though.”
Dylan isn’t why I’m here, though he’s probably the reason Tessa is. No, I’m not here for anyone in particular.
“We need to meet new people,” Tessa gushes. “You need to meet new people. This is what college life is all about!”
