twenty one

Alice Jones

"You got everything?" Brian slaps a hand onto my shoulder and I just give him a glare which he notices and laughs.

"I think so, yeah." I sigh, looking around the empty room again, the room he gave me to stay in, the room that was usually his bedroom but he gave it up for me. For me to feel safe.

"You can have your room back now. Or you just move out. You're probably a pain in the ass." I nudge him slightly and he just rolls his eyes. "I liked giving you my room. As long as you felt comfy I'm not complaining." A warmth hugs my heart at his words, my lips automatically moving to smile at him.

"You ready to go?" My uncle perks his head out behind the door. It's been a week since prom. Since we talked. Since we explained. We kinda started having a strong bond in this past week.

He would've come to my prom but his flight got cancelled which is why he landed later and met me at Susen's house.

I turn around to face him, smiling and giving him a nod. "Yeah, I think I'm ready." I play with the necklace around my neck. It has a little butterfly pendant. It was a gift from my mother before she passed away.

I never really wanted to wear it, it reminded me to much of her but I wore it at prom for the first time and since then I just couldn't take it off again.

"Let me help you with your bags." Matthew took my bags from me and we made our way down stairs. It's strange moving away when I practically just came here.

My aunt pulled me into a tight hug, I'll miss her so much. Her scent which reminded me of my mother, her warm embraces she always gave me and her love towards me.

"You promise to visit us during your breaks? Spring break or some?" I nod my head against her shoulder, she pulls away slightly to look at me. "I'll miss you. Text me, call me, send me letters." I laugh softly and she joins in.

"I promise I'll come visit durning my breaks." She nods, "Okay, good. Now go or I'll miss you too much." She places a kiss onto my forehead and untangles herself from me.

I look at Brian who gives me a wink. "Don't make to much trouble, you heard me?" I nod, smiling and he mouthed a "good".

And that's when we already made our way to the airport.

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The first thing I asked myself as I landed in New York was how was Tyler doing. Weird, I know...

He had spammed my phone with messages over the past week and called me multiple times. I had to block him.

No more Tyler. New York is Tyler free zone. No more thinking about him. I shake my head and focus on my surroundings as we made our way out of the plane.

First impression? It's like I'm playing Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift as I'm stepping out of this plane. Getting that New York feeling. A small smile ghosts over my lips as I take everything in.

It's late already, the city is highlighted in thousands of lights and I would've never thought I'd find New York this beautiful.

"You like it?" I looked up at Matthew, smiling. "It's just as I imagined."

We make our way out of the airport, the cold night air giving me slight goosebumps as I take in the air, the surroundings and the new life I'm about to live. This is going to be perfect.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Alice. I'm Amelia." The absolutely stunning woman introduced herself. She had long blonde hair and grey eyes, she looked expensive, what she's wearing looked expensive. The house they're living in looked expensive.

Matthew's wife was drop dead gorgeous. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Amelia. You look beautiful." She laughed softly, thanking me for the compliment and told me to sit down.

"Matthew already told me a lot about you. He said you're a very smart girl and where the best in your year at high school." A slight blush creeped up my cheeks as she mentioned my grades.

"I worked hard for it. I'm glad to be here." I say and she smiles, her grey eyes lighting up, her white teeth smile showing. "Of course, sweetheart. We're glad to have you here. Let me show you your guest room." She took my hand into hers, her skin smooth, she smells like vanilla, expensive.

The guest room was really pretty, the design in white wood and a bit of cream colors. The bed looked comfy I just wanted to fall asleep in it. A big closet and a white door in the room which I assumed-

"Behind that door is your bathroom. Feel free to use everything you want and don't be shy to ask for something." She smiles, running a hand over my shoulder. "Thank you for letting me stay here." I smile and she gave me an appreciating nod.

I can't believe she's my aunt. Someone as beautiful and luxurious as her. "I'll leave you alone for now. Rest a little and remember, don't be shy to ask for anything." She smiled at me one last time and left my room.

I looked around the room for a little longer, taking in everything and then making my way to the bathroom, stripping my clothes off and taking a hot shower. I need this right now.

After my shower I find myself sitting on the bed, scrolling through Tyler's messages. I've been ignoring everyone since prom, Tyler, Cassie, Chris and Daniel.

I'm not good in anything except for ignoring everyone and being a total bitch.

I sometimes wonder why Tyler even wanted to- right, it wasn't real. I forgot for a split second.

Alice, let me explain.

Can we talk?

Gorgeous, please. I need you.

I didn't mean to.

I sigh, sliding Tyler's contact into the trash can, deleting it. I then turn off my phone. Falling back into the soft pillows.

I didn't even notice my uncle coming in as he suddenly sit down on the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. "How are you doing?" He asks softly and my lips let another sigh escape.

"Should I be honest?" I ask as I sit up, running a hand through my hair. He nods. "I don't know. I feel... Confused?" I stare at the sheets, not really looking at him.

"I can understand. You'll get used to everything. I'll be by your side to support you, Susen is there to support you and my wife is there too, of course." I hug him, tight and meaningful.

"Thanks again. Really..." He smiles, pulling away from our hug, studying my face with his brown eyes. "Of course. I'll be here if you need me."

As the door closes again behind me I finally feel like I can sleep in peace now. My breathing becomes soft and I feel my body melting into the comfortable sheets as I fall asleep.

______________________

A NAKED man opened me the door as I knocked on the door of the dorm I'm supposed to stay. Welcome to my first day at campus, I guess...

"Oh-" I didn't get any other words out as he just stood there and studied me.

He had boxers on at least. Nothing too dramatic. He has black hair, buzz cut, his chest is covered in tattoos and he's tall. I gulped as I looked at him.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." A girl appeared behind him, shoving him away a little. She is dressed at least.

She has dark blonde hair and soft green eyes, her face round. She seemed so familiar. As I locked eyes with her she just stared at me.

"Hey, I know you..." She eyed me up and down, her eyes traveling over me. The man sighed, turning around and left into some room, probably to get dressed.

"Your boyfriend?" I ask bluntly. Her cheeks turn a soft tone of pink. "No, we uh, we just... He slept over." I nod, where do I know her from...

"Aren't you the girl Stacy introduced at that party that one time? Do you remember me? I'm Luna." And suddenly her face got a name to it. Of course I remember her. Med student.

"Oh, of course. Luna, seems like you're my roommate now." She still seemed a little like the last time I met her. She didn't really met my gaze and just nodded.

That guy got dressed, now standing next to her in clothes, black t-shirt, black cargo and converse. He didn't say anything, just pressed a kiss to her temple and left.

"He seems to like you." I close the door behind me, placing my bags onto the couch. "I don't know... You think so?" She played with her hair, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she bit her lip.

"You should try confessing to him." I made myself comfortable on the couch without really asking. "What about you and Adam? You guys still together? What are you doing here anyway?" Luna suddenly switched the topic.

Me and... Adam? No. Ew. She thought were dating? "I uh, moved here to attend this college, me and Adam never were a couple..." She finally looked at me, eyes wide. She opened her mouth but immediately closed it again.

"What are you here for? Like what program do you plan on doing?" She sat down beside me, I could smell her perfume, she smells like lavender.

"I uh, chemistry." She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Chemistry?" I nod, "It's interesting to me. Has to do with mathematics a little." She snorts, leaning back.

"Oh yeah, you're a freak like Nora, into mathematics and stuff. Weird. Don't know what y'all like so much about mathematics and stuff. ." Nora, Nora, Who's Nora again-

Oh the girl with the short brown hair, brown eyes, pretty smile, my age. Didn't know she's going here too. "What did she pick?"

"Mathematics and I didn't quite get the other stuff." She waves a hand into the air, looks like she melted a little around me, I like that. "Sounds interesting." She laughs again, her laugh bringing a smile to my lips.

"For you, maybe. It's nothing for me." She clapped her hands onto her thighs and got up. "Come on, roomie. I'll show you your room." This is going to be fun. I already know. Freshman year, here I come.