The boy sat down and started typing on the computer in front of him. “Driver’s license, please.”

Andy pulled it from his wallet and handed it to the guy. After a few minutes of typing, he returned the driver’s license and handed over a set of keys to Andy.

“You’re all set. My name is Josh, and if you need any help getting settled in, just let me know.”

“Thanks, I will,” Andy said.

We turned and walked back toward the rear doors. After locating the elevator, I pushed the button to take us up. The doors slid open instantly, and we shot up to the second floor. Andy’s apartment was right past the elevators. When he opened the door, I was shocked at how nice it was. It was even better than the website had described. I’d selected this place because it was one of the few where I could afford to pay rent until Andy saved up some cash. I couldn’t spend too much money, or my dad would know that something was up.

The apartment was the perfect size for one person. When we walked in, we were standing in the living room. The apartment came fully furnished, so there was already a blue couch and chair along with a coffee table and end table. A medium-sized plasma television was mounted to the wall directly across from the couch. To the left was the kitchen with the standard white appliances. There wasn’t a ton of counter space or cabinets, but it was enough for a single guy to work with. Across the living room, a door led to the bathroom that included a single sink, a toilet, and a small shower. Next to the bathroom was Andy’s bedroom with a full-sized bed beside the window and a dresser.

“This place is awesome. Thanks, Emma,” Andy said as we finished checking the place out.

“No problem. I’m not going to lie. I’m slightly jealous here. I felt bad for putting you here because I thought it would be a dump, but it definitely isn’t. I feel like I should move in here, and you can live in my dorm.”

“It’s nicer than anyplace I’ve lived in before, and I doubt your school would want me in a dorm full of college girls.”

“You’re right. I’d get kicked out of school if I left you there alone. Well, enjoy it here.”

“I will. I should have moved to West Virginia years ago. Compared to California, this place is cheap.”

I laughed. “You can stay here for as long as you want. I might not even go back to California once I finish school. I’ll just go wherever feels right.”

“I don’t blame you. I know enough about your mom to understand why you’d want to stay far away.”

I frowned as I thought about my mom. Even though she had known where I was, she hadn’t tried to contact me once since she kicked me out. It was like she didn’t even care.

“I didn’t mean to make you sad. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I need to get back to my dorm and unpack though. I have freshman orientation tomorrow morning. I don’t want to miss that. Maybe…maybe I’ll see him there.”

“Just don’t get your hopes up, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

“I won’t, I promise,” I said.

He didn’t need to know that my hopes were already up.

I didn’t see Jesse at orientation or anywhere around campus during the next week. Andy was hell-bent on finding a job as soon as possible, so I walked around campus by myself while he was off job-hunting.

It was strange to be on my own, but I kind of liked it. After Jesse had left, nothing had changed at school. I had still been the perfect princess who everyone crowded around, so being alone now was refreshing.

I spent the entire week exploring campus to find my classes, and I also checked out downtown Morgantown. One thing was for sure—this was definitely a party town. Bars were everywhere. It was too bad that I didn’t have a fake I.D. to get into any of them.

West Virginia was very different from California. Back home, you didn’t talk to strangers. You went about your business and avoided eye contact with anyone you didn’t know. Here, it was the complete opposite. People would start a conversation with you while you were in line at Starbucks or while you were waiting for the light to change to cross the street. It was cool to hear the Southern accents coming from everyone’s mouths. Most of their accents weren’t strong, but a few had a serious twang.

It was a complete culture shock, and I loved it. I’d been here for less than a week, and I already felt at home.

I’d made a few friends at the dorm, too. While we weren’t painting each other’s nails and talking boys, it was nice to have a conversation with another human being besides Andy. The girls across the hall from me weren’t very friendly, but everyone else seemed to be. They all asked where I’d moved from and were shocked when I told them. They couldn’t imagine wanting to move to West Virginia from California. I didn’t agree though. There was just something about the down-to-earth nature of these people that made me feel ten times more welcome than I’d ever felt at home.

I was nervous as I got ready for my first official day of classes. I straightened my hair until my natural waves were completely gone. After making sure that my makeup was perfect, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

I texted Andy to let him know I’d meet him for lunch after I finished my second class. We’d stumbled upon a cute little family-owned restaurant one evening, and we had decided to meet there for lunch today.

Nervous butterflies made my stomach churn as I walked to my first class. I hated the fact that I didn’t have Andy with me, but he wasn’t enrolled as a student. I had to suck it up and do this on my own. I was a big girl. I could do this.

My mouth fell open when I walked into my first class. It was huge, seating probably close to two-hundred students. It wasn’t even a classroom. It was a small auditorium. I should have expected as much since it was English 101, and all freshmen were required to take an English class.

All of the seats in the back rows were already filled. I slowly made my way down the steps, my eyes searching for an empty spot. Almost halfway down, I found one on the end. I darted down the steps and fell down into it, relieved that I wouldn’t be stuck up front. Even after all this time, I still hated to sit in the front row.

“Hi, I’m Abby,” the girl beside me said.

I turned to look at her and smiled. “I’m Emma. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she said as she returned my smile.

Even sitting down, I could tell that Abby was a tiny girl. She was stick thin but not in a way that looked unhealthy. Her skin was porcelain white and went perfectly with her bright red hair and the freckles across her nose.

“So, where are you from?” she asked.

“California. And you?”

“Tennessee.”

“Your accent is one of the strongest I’ve heard so far.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that, too. You have a bit of an accent, too…or maybe it’s a lack of an accent. It’s strange hearing all of these different dialects after growing up in Tennessee and then coming here.”

“I’m still trying to adjust to the dialect here, too. I’m the odd one out.”

“Not at all. I’ve heard a few different accents around here. You’ll fit right in, except you’re a bit more tan than most of the people I’ve seen.”

“My friend Andy and I pretty much lived on the beach all summer. We both like to surf.”

“That’s so cool. I’ve only been to the ocean one time, but I loved it. I hope I can go back sometime.”

This girl was so sweet. Between her personality and her tiny appearance, I wanted to pick her up and hug her.

Preparing for class, I pulled my book and a notebook from my bag. Once I had everything out, I turned in my seat and searched the sea of faces behind me. After a week with no sign of Jesse, I didn’t expect to see him, so I wasn’t disappointed when I didn’t. I sighed in defeat as I turned back to face the front, and I slouched down into my seat.