CHAPTER ONE
GOLDEN GROVE — JULIA’S HOSTEL | EVENING
The red lipstick was the final touch.
Julia leaned closer to the mirror, blending the color with her fingers until it melted perfectly into her full, pouty lips. Her reflection almost stunned even her—a striking oval face, big doe eyes, a softly carved nose, and freckles sprinkled like tiny stars across her cheeks. Her long wavy brown hair fell down her back effortlessly.
If beauty were a language, Julia Summers spoke it fluently.
Dressed in a dark green sleeveless gown with warm glittering sprinkles and silver heels to match, she gave herself one last approving smile.
“Julia, you look absolutely gorgeous.”
Aime stood in the bathroom doorway in pajamas and a beauty mask, staring like she’d just walked in on a goddess.
Aime was not only Julia’s roommate but her partner-in-chaos and best friend.
“But I’m confused,” Aime continued dramatically. “Are you going on a date… or breaking up with someone? Because you’re dating Kelvin, and you’ve been obsessed with that boy for months. You only started dating him last week. I refuse to believe you’re dumping him so soon.”
Julia kept her attention on her reflection. “You know that saying—‘you never know someone unless you date them.’”
“No one says that,” Aime deadpanned.
Julia groaned. “Fine. Look… yes, I’ve always wanted Kelvin. I imagined the cuddles, the kisses, the whole romance package.” She paused, smiling dreamily before the smile deflated. “But something feels… off. Something’s missing. And I’d rather break it off now than string him along.”
Aime folded her arms. “Okay, so what’s wrong with handsome Kelvin this time?”
Julia pouted. “He’s too soft. I thought he was the tough type—he looks it!—but I’m starting to think he might be a mummy’s boy.”
“Julia. You say this about every guy you dump. Too good, too bad, too mean… At this point, I expect them to form a queue to either beg you to marry them or rip your heart out in revenge.”
“Hey!” Julia frowned. “You talk like I’m the villain when my ex literally cheated on me with Amanda!”
Aime rolled her eyes. “How can I forget Amanda—the girl who lives for your leftovers.”
Julia burst into laughter.
Aime sighed. “Just go and break up with Kelvin. But please, I won’t listen to another story of a full-grown man crying and begging you to stay.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Julia muttered, grabbing her purse and stepping out.
The plane had barely stopped when the passengers began filing out, dragging their luggage behind them. Among them was a woman in her mid-thirties who looked far too excited for a simple landing.
“New York, finally!” she squealed, removing her dark glasses as she inhaled the air dramatically.
“Mom,” a deep voice warned behind her, “please stop. You’re not the only one here.”
Martha turned, smiling proudly at her son.
Jake Connor drew attention without trying. Tall, sharp-featured, with thick hair and a sculpted face that belonged in a magazine, he radiated a quiet intensity. Wrapped in a black long coat and brown scarf, he looked every bit the mysterious heartthrob.
If Martha weren’t his mother, she’d be drooling like everyone else.
“Jake!” She pulled him into a quick hug. “Come on, smile a little! This is New York. You’ve wanted this since you were a kid!”
We probably won’t last here, Jake thought dryly.
“Our ride will be here any minute. And wait till you see the house I bought!” Martha squealed again.
You've told me this like nine times, Jake muttered inwardly, face blank.
A sleek black car pulled up, and Martha clapped her hands like a child. “That’s us!”
Jake rolled his eyes but followed anyway.
❥❥❥❥❥
Julia parked and spotted Kelvin leaning against his car, looking like a model from a sports campaign—tall, well–built, dressed in a black suit jacket with his shirt slightly undone.
“Sunshine,” he greeted, walking toward her.
Before she could speak, he kissed her—unexpectedly and too tender for the storm she was about to bring.
“You look beautiful,” he said, eyes warming. “Let me send a picture to my mom—she loves you already.”
Before she could protest, he snapped the picture.
“You’re welcome,” Julia said with a stiff smile.
Inside, the restaurant was luxurious—too luxurious. Couples looked perfect, tables sparkled, and the atmosphere felt like pressure wrapped in elegance.
They took their seats, and Kelvin ordered happily.
“Just sparkling water,” Julia said.
“That’s all?” Kelvin blinked.
“Yep.” She forced a smile.
Halfway through watching him eat, Julia inhaled and dropped the bomb.
“I want to break up.”
Kelvin’s fork clattered loudly. “What?”
“I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything. It’s just not working. And I… I need to end it now before it gets unfair.”
She grabbed her purse, ready to leave.
“Julia, wait,” he said, standing quickly and grabbing her hand. “What did I do wrong?”
His face carried pure confusion and hurt—so much that guilt stabbed her.
“I’m sorry, Kelvin,” she whispered. “F**k me.”
She pulled her hand away and walked out, leaving Kelvin standing there, shattered.
❥❥❥❥❥
The next morning, the campus headline page exploded:
JULIA SUMMERS AND KELVIN HALL BREAK UP AFTER ONE WEEK
Views: 689k | Comments: 50k
Comments flooded the page:
Crying, I was rooting for them!
Not surprised tbh.
How do you break up with Kelvin??
Julia is such a slt.*
Poor Kelvin.
Julia do me next pls I like her 😭
She’s a bitchy slut.
Still don’t know what guys see in her.
Aime strutted beside Julia, reading them aloud. “Girl, you’re trending. Captain Fish’s fan club wants you dead.”
“At least I did them a favor,” Julia scoffed, opening her locker.
“If I got roasted like this, I’d be dead. Finished. Buried. G—”
“Okay, I get it!” Julia laughed.
As they walked to class, the campus doors opened—and a tall guy stepped in.
Dressed in a college jacket and fitted jeans, he walked like someone who didn’t care about attention but got it anyway.
“Who is that?” Julia breathed.
Aime followed her gaze. “I don’t know, but damn.”
Julia’s eyes stayed glued until he disappeared from sight.
Aime snapped her fingers. “Hello? Earth to Julia!”
“What?” Julia blinked.
“Stop staring.”
“I wasn’t staring!”
“Sure,” Aime smirked, walking away.
Julia huffed but still glanced back toward the hallway he vanished into.
Who is he?
❥❥❥❥❥
“Jake Connor,” Mr. Donald beamed, handing him a handbook. “You’ve chosen one of the best schools in New York. You’ll love it here.”
Jake nodded silently.
“You get a spacious hostel with just one roommate!” Donald added proudly. “Plenty of personal space. And the students here are very welcoming.”
Jake raised a brow. “I only care about the personal space part.”
“Not very social, huh? Don’t worry, GGC will change you.”
Did he just wink? Jake blinked.
He took the keys, mumbled thanks, and stepped out of the office, staring at the tall buildings and busy students.
“I hope I love it here,” he muttered.
❥❥❥❥❥
A driver helped him carry his final bag to his hostel. Jake thanked him and knocked on the door.
It took a moment, then the door creaked open to reveal a guy in a towel with red, swollen eyes—clearly someone who had cried all night.
Jake stared.
The guy stared back.
I already hate it here, Jake thought.
Written by Rhema J.
Edited by Ini Crown
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ReplyDeleteI love this
ReplyDeleteI love this. It’s so interesting tbvh.
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