Page 10 of Starstruck

“Now,” Mum announced. “All your stuff should be in your dorm, andfrom what Janie told me,” Mum’s assistant, who’d unpacked my things whilst we were prepping for the show yesterday. “The boy she ran into was nice. I think she said his name was Finn.”

I nodded at her, not knowing what else to do.

“Just remember mate, keep to yourself,” Dad’s voice sounded, andfrom the husk of his voice alone, I knew the exact words that were about to fall out of his mouth. “And no—”

No attachments.

“I know, Dad.” I nodded, cupping my fist. “I’ll try.”

I’ll keep to the edges, where the light doesn’t quite reach. Funny,considering this was supposed to be the place where I’d finally meet the kind of friends who wouldn’t destroy me like the last ones almost did.

Before the sadness of that took over and glued to me the inside ofthis car forever, I looked over at Mum. “Am I still okay to come back for Christmas?”

Her head tilts, the chopped edges of her hair skimming hershoulders. “The key is always under the mat for you, Trist.”

I smiled up at her, before dad cleared his throat as he shucked hiswatch out of his sleeve and into the light. “Right, well, we best be off, mate. Jet leaves in forty.”

The way my stomach dropped didn’t fill me with hope; it didn’t makeme feel confident that I could leave this car and be okay on my own. And I hated that whatever was drained from my system that night seemed to steal away what little confidence I had.

But maybe being here would change that.

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m gonna miss ya,” Mum’s pained voice rang in myears as she stretched out her arms and pulled me towards her.

My dad’s stare drew my attention as I hung over mum's shoulders,holding it still and telling me without uttering a word that he was only a phone call away. Whatever hour, in the middle of the night, crack of dawn... whenever.

I mirrored his smile as mum unwrapped her arms from me, draggingher warm palms down my arms until they were back in her lap.

I nodded at both of them. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“And you can call us anytime—”

“I know, mum.” I smiled at her, before looking at Dad. “Anytime.”

I dragged myself out of the car soon enough, the door creaking shutbehind me. In front of me, the massive stone steps of Liberty loomed, stretching up toward the main building. My legs felt heavy, but I stood there for a moment, staring up at it all, and tried not to let the weight of the place throw me off balance.

Swarms of people buzzed across the courtyard, the slight drizzle ofrain making them speed walk their way across it, whilst trying to take in as much as they could. I was doing the same as I stood here, coming to terms with the fact that this was my life now.

I wasn’t kidding myself—I knew I’d be safe here. As long as I keptmy head down, focused on finding my lyrics again, no one would ever find out why I was here.

That secret was mine, buried deep where it belonged.

I wanted to make friends, really. But I couldn't forget—getting tooclose to the wrong people was exactly how I ended up here in the first place. That lesson was still fresh, still burned into my brain–

“Welcome Liberty Grove freshmen! If you haven’t already, comecollect your student IDs, campus maps and tickets to tonight’s freshmen-exclusive event at the Soho Observatory! See you new Lions there!”

I scanned the entrance, my gaze catching on the person with themegaphone and a single green, white, and gold pompom. I couldn’t help but chuckle, watching the Lion mascot dance around beside them. Guess I’d forgotten how over-the-top they did things on days like this.

I couldn’t tell if the shiver down my spine was from the Septemberbreeze or the weight of what today—and the year ahead—would bring.

I shook the thoughts out of my head, sucking in a breath like I wasabout to step onto a stage—naked, in front of a sold-out crowd. Honestly, that seemed easier. I’d have preferred it. I’d have rather done anything other than walk toward the Liberty Grove welcome sign, muttering words that made the Englishman in me want to belt our national anthem.

“Go Lions.”

chapter four

i'm hot, i'm lost, but hey! at least i don't smell like coffee

I’m going to be late.

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