Chapter 1
Skylar
There issomething very profound about taking the next step in your life. Fear and excitement are expected emotions when the unknown presents itself. But the bone searing terror that I feel at this exact moment, as I stare at Baker Hall East, my home for the next four years, is not something they warn you about in the welcome letter.
The bag in my hand holds all of my precious valuables, everything I’ve accumulated in my eighteen years that means something to me. They may not be worth a damn, but to me they mean everything. The deep breath I inhale should have calmed me somewhat, but all I feel is tightness in my chest.
“Don’t worry. Everyone feels scared shitless on their first day.” My brother Alex grins at me. He moves past me, a bag in each hand. I am at least thankful that I have him to help me through this transition.
My parents follow toward the wide stone steps of my dorm, and together we are about to make this an experience, a new memory.
“Seriously, Skylar. No worries.”
I glare at my brother. “Easy for you to say.” My grumble falls on deaf ears as Alex stops right before the entrance and flirts with a girl. Oblivious as parents are, my mom and dad walk right by him and inside to bring the last few items that I own to my room. The leash I hold tightly in my hand starts to vibrate. When I glance down, Frank's tail is wagging from side to side, and his long, stubby body is bouncing around. I adjust the bag in my hand and make my way toward Alex.
The girl he’s still talking to turns her stare to me and then drops it down to Frank. The look of disgust is evident on her perfectly painted face and I can feel myself bristle. My dog might not be the most attractive thoroughbred around, but he’s mine and I love him. She opens her mouth and I know what she's going to say.
“There are no—” She wrinkles her nose at Frank and slices her arctic stare back up to me. “—dogs allowedin the dorms.”
As if my furry companion can tell what a bitch this girl is, he growls. Frank got the short end of the stick when it came it looks. True, a pure Dachshund, he is shorter and plumper than any other of his kind. He is loyal and sweet, unless you are the arctic queen standing before us. Before I can even make a rebuttal in Frank's defense, Alex speaks.
“Mandy, this is my younger sister, Skylar.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and I can't help but smile at the protectiveness in him. To anyone else, Alex probably seems like a hard ass, but I know the real him.
Mandy looks into my brother’s face, a smile covering her expression. It is one I’ve seen a dozen times before from girls.
“I didn't know you had a sister, Alex.” And just like that I'm forgotten. “Really, though, dogs aren't allowed inside. She can tie him up out here though.” She lifts her arm and points a manicured finger toward the tree.
“I'm not leaving him out here alone. This is a new place for him and I'm sure he will get freaked out.” I speak to Alex because this Mandy girl has already pissed me off. When Alex doesn't say anything, just continues to stare at his next conquest, I'm sure, I huff and shove the leash in his hand. “Here, watch him while I take this stuff inside.” I snatch a bag out of his hand and make my way inside.
Aside from the few bags I brought today, all of my stuff has been moved in beforehand. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have Alex or my parents to help me through all of this.
Especially having Alex here. I smile as I think about my brother.
He’s been attending OSU for three years, knows the place like the back of his hand, and can be my personal tour guide. He also lives only five minutes from my dorm, so that eases a hell of a lot of stress.
Students pack the halls of Baker Hall East, and I have to continuously excuse myself as they loiter around. Already I feel out of place, but I know that with time things will become more comfortable. At least that is what I keep telling myself.
Once I make it to my room my parents are already unpacking my clothes and putting them away. I might have felt annoyed by this on any other day, but today I’m thankful.
I drop my bags to the floor, and stand there for a full minute looking around. The room is definitely small, even with two twin beds and a couple of dressers. I almost wish I had gotten one of those rooms with a private bathroom.
“Oh, look, honey, Sky brought Thelma.” My mother holds up the raggedy doll my grandmother knitted for me when I was born. Mom’s smile is big and I can almost see the memories running through her mind. My dad looks at her over the rim of his tortoise shell glasses and I can see him trying to hide his smile. When he drags his gaze over to me, the grin he tries so hard to hide breaks into full gear. It takes everything inside of me not to roll my eyes and groan.
“Please, Mom.” I don't bother keeping the exasperated tone out of my voice. I may have brought the damn thing with me, but I am still embarrassed by it. It isn't my mortification that the doll is brown with age, riddled with holes, and missing an eye. No, it’s the fact that I am eighteen and still have to sleep with it. My mother knows it, my father knows it, and if I don't get it out of my mom’s hands, the whole damn floor will know about it.
Once the doll is safely in my possession, I put it back in my bag. “I need to get back out there. Alex has Frank but I have a feeling his attention is elsewhere right now.”
My father shakes his head and my mother sighs. None of this is unusual, of course.
My parents follow me outside, and as soon as I see Alex I can’t help but shake my head. Three years at OSU haven't changed him in the slightest; in fact, I think it’s made him worse. He leans against the building, one arm propped above the girl named Mandy's head, his upper body bent close to hers. I can almost imagine what he is saying, but his voice is low, too low for me to pick anything up.
When I’m close enough to hear the sickening pickup lines this poor girl is no doubt buying, I snatch Frank’s leash out of Alex’s hold. It takes him a moment to realize I am standing beside him, but when he does he pushes off the wall and all focus on Mandy is gone.
“Mom and Dad brought in the last of my things.”
Mandy grabs his arm and whispers something that makes him grin.
“Are you sure you'll be alright, honey?” Mom has me in a death hug before the words are out of her mouth. Tears are thick in her voice, and I wrap my arms around her. I’m glad to be getting out on my own, but I’d be lying if I didn't say I'll miss being at home. When she finally releases me, my dad pulls me into his arms.