I stood under the flimsy canopy Lisa had set up, handing out animal cruelty campaign fliers. It was a sweet little setup—messy, mismatched, but hers. I liked that about her. And in a town like Hawkshire, where boredom wrapped around you like a heavy coat, helping her felt like a lifeline.

Cainebrielle University wasn’t my choice—it was my uncle’s dream, not mine. I was just playing along, stuck in a place that felt too polished, too fake, and miles away from anything that felt like home. My old life—my friends, my city, the pulse of it all—was behind me now. All I had was this quiet town and a school filled with kids who had never had to fight for anything.

Lisa was the one good surprise. We met during orientation—two misfits orbiting the same chaos. She didn’t care about Greek life or social clout. She just wanted to laugh and talk about weird documentaries and help animals. That was enough for me.