Declan

Fresh out of a lonely high school experience, Autumn arrives at college hoping for a fresh start. But her anxiety, quirky habits, and the unexpected twists of fate—from a late-night Oreo run to a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger—are about to pull her into a world far more complex and captivating than she ever imagined. Will she find the friendship and belonging she craves, or will the hidden currents of her new life sweep her into an unexpected destiny?

The smell of freshly laundered sheets, still warm from the dryer, filled Autumn's new apartment. Moving in with her best friend, Derek, for college felt like a fresh start, a chance to finally shed the skin of her awkward high school self. She was meticulously organizing her collection of vintage baby tees when Derek's voice boomed from the kitchen, "Autumn, your package is here!"

A thrill shot through her. She squealed, a sound that always made Derek chuckle, and practically flew to the door, her fluffy bear slippers padding softly against the hardwood floor. There it was—a cardboard box, unassuming yet filled with the promise of new fashion, right outside their apartment. She scooped it up, the weight of it a comforting presence, and carried it back into the kitchen, already picturing her new additions. Derek walked in, eyeing the box with a smirk. "I see my favorite addict in her natural habitat," he teased, and Autumn rolled her eyes, a familiar comfort settling in her chest.

Declan

First Love College Mystery Anxiety New Beginnings