Chapter One
CURIOSITY, LIT
His grip was brutal, punishing, yet my body craved it. The shadows of the wedding coatroom swallowed us whole, hiding the crime of our desire. Each thrust cut deeper, dragging me past fear into a hunger I shouldn't want. I whispered for more, even as I knew he would ruin in me.
Mila
The morning was bright, the air crisp with that fresh, clean scent only a new day can carry. Around the dining table, smiles bloomed like flowers in spring. Family, relatives, laughter, all woven into a soft golden haze of joy.
The reason? I had been admitted into Marionridge University, nestled in Briarhaven, Ontario. A quiet town brushing the edges of the Canadian Shield, where pine forests whisper secrets to the lakes and time seems to slow in reverence to nature and knowledge.
I was leaving tomorrow.
To celebrate, my family prepared a feast, rich, warm, and full of love. Plates clinked. Laughter echoed. Eyes sparkled. Everyone was excited for me, overflowing with pride.
Except me.
I sat among the joy, untouched by it. Not sad. not thrilled. Just still. Emotionless. Like I was watching my own story unfold from somewhere far away.
A new chapter was beginning. And I couldn't feel a thing.
My mum and younger sister helped me pack my things that night, their hands moving quickly while their hearts tried to hide what their eyes couldn't. Morning came too fast. By 11 a.m., we were on the road. My dad behind the wheel, the radio low, the silence thick with unspoken goodbyes.
Thirty quiet minutes later, we pulled into the airport. My flight was set for 1:15 p.m. Time felt like it was racing against me.
At the departure gate, they hugged me tightly, like they could hold back time. My mum whispered blessings, my sister blinked back tears, and then I turned and walked away. Step by step, through the cold hands of airport security, until I disappeared into the line, alone.
Hours later, I landed in a city that smelled unfamiliar. The air felt different. New, open, a little heavy. My roommates were cute but annoying. Whether I'd vibe with them or not was still uncertain.
The trip had been smooth. As I stared out of the dorm window that night, bags barely unpacked, it hit me. This wasn't just a new place. It was the beginning of everything.
---
It was a new morning. I quickly loosened up my remaining stuff and put them neatly in their places. Then, the RA (Resident Assistant) called for a brief meeting. He addressed us calmly, and we all felt comfortable around him. He was a nice guy, two years older than us at the university.
I settled in quickly, adapting to this new chapter of my life.
I didn't even know what course I'd be taking, and honestly, I didn't care much about studying. After class, I was always glued to my phone or chilling in my room. The good girl from high school was gone. no parents or guardians to nag or push me to read. Freedom tasted sweet, and I dove headfirst into endless Netflix marathons after every class. I never missed a lecture, but paying attention? That was another story.
---
It was two months and some days into the semester, and I still hadn't figured out my desired course. Honestly, I didn't give a damn. I didn't really care about my coursemates either. I was just living carefree, with no one in my picture except my family, who were 400 miles away.
That night was cool and chill. A new release popped up on Netflix, and I screamed to myself, "Who's not gonna watch this? Not me!" After a quick bath, I climbed up to my bunk, grabbed my popcorn, and settled in to Netflix and chill.
Every moan from the movie made me scream inside. The strong desire stirring in my body was unusual. I hadn't felt this way since I was a teenager. I was confused, but at the same time, strangely focused.
---
Holy cow, I whispered to myself that night after watching the movie, feeling heat still lingering as I settled into bed and drifted off.
Morning came, and it was time to prepare for class. Today was Business Ethics with Mr. Eddison, a lecturer I knew well. I always stayed focused in his class because I knew he'd call on me if I didn't.
Six minutes into the lecture, my eyes caught an enchanting, dark shining skinned boy sitting three seats away. Damn. He looked like he had stepped right out of the movie I watched last night. The way he stared at me sent shivers down my spine, stirring the same fire I'd felt while watching that film. Without even thinking, I promised myself, I was definitely going to explore this chemistry.