Begin Again (Again #1)(9)

“I will,” Dawn said. Before she disappeared into the stairwell, she called out from the hallway, aiming at the living room: “See ya, guys!”

I heard someone mumble; it had to be Spencer, couldn’t be Kaden. Dawn threw me another “don’t let it get you down” look, then closed the door behind her, and I was alone.

I went back into my room, pulled my makeup items together and headed for the bath. For the first time, I inspected the bathroom. It was extremely bright, probably because of the tiles and the little window just over the toilet. As I turned to lock the door behind me, I stopped in my tracks.

What the hell?

I opened the door and peered into the living room. Spencer was alone on the couch, playing with something that looked like the latest Playstation.

“Kaden?” I called out. No answer.

“I think he’s in his room,” Spencer said, without looking up. He nodded toward the one closed door in the apartment.

I hesitated, but then crossed the living room and tapped at the door. No answer. I knocked again. I waited another moment, but when no answer came I pushed down the door handle.

“Hey, is there seriously no lock on the bathroom door?” I spoke into the room.

Before I could make out a single detail, Kaden was standing in front of me, blocking my view.

“It’s one thing to force me to put together your shitty furniture,” he growled. “But bursting into my room while I’m working is going too far.”

Irritated, I frowned up at him. His eyes were burning darkly.

“Sorry, I just wanted to … ”

“I got it already. It’s impossible to ignore you.” He rubbed his forehead. “Listen, my limit for today has been reached.”

“Your limit?” I asked in disbelief.

I’d spent the entire day putting furniture together and setting up my room. I was exhausted and just wanted to take a shower—behind a locked bathroom door, without the fear of Kaden busting in on me and dumping his nastiness on my head.

I put my hands on my hips. “Get real!” I chided him. “First of all, I never made you put my furniture together. You drilled three holes in the wooden frame: big deal. Dawn and I did everything else! And secondly I just wanted to ask you for the key to the bathroom, Kaden. You tell me not to bother you with female troubles, but your mood swings are worse than a woman with PMS!”

Kaden didn’t even bat an eyelid. “I don’t have mood swings, dear. I’m always a pain in the ass.” He grabbed me by the shoulders. His firm grip made the skin tingle under my shirt, and I cursed myself for feeling that way. Then Kaden pushed me from the threshold of his room.

“Now fuck off.”

And he slammed the door in my face.





Chapter 3


In the end, the shower wasn’t relaxing at all. I wish I could’ve taken a bath, but since there was no lock on the door, and Kaden was so unpredictable, I didn’t have the nerve to risk it. Instead I showered at record speed and then snuck into my room.

I leaned back on the cool wooden door and took my first deep breath since my arrival in Woodshill.

Calmness washed over me, and I opened my eyes.

It looked just as I’d always dreamed it would. Draped over the newly assembled sofa was my fleecy throw, together with pillows of various shapes and sizes. The string of lights hung over the desk and along the shelves, where all my stuff was neatly placed. Pens and notebooks were organized in their containers and boxes on the desk. On the windowsill, my face smiled out next to Dawn’s from within the white frame; to its right sat a matching white alarm clock. My curtains were parted just a crack, letting in the last bit of daylight.

As it took it all in, I couldn’t help myself.

A sob escaped my lips.

Immediately I pressed my hand to my mouth and hoped no one had heard. Tears burned in my eyes, and I wrapped my arms around my knees.

I’d made it. Here I was, in Woodshill—more than 1,500 miles between me and my parents. I’d done more for myself in this one week than in my entire life, and now everything seemed so overwhelming that I couldn’t hold back anymore. Warm tears ran down my face.

I was utterly overcome. For three long years I’d dreamed of this moment—dreamed of creating a space where I could be me.

Slowly, I lifted my head and surveyed my room again. From now on, I was in charge. Never again would anyone try to determine my life. From now on, I would write my own story. In my new home.

Beneath the tears, a smile spread across my face.

I had no idea how many “a few people” had turned out to be. But they were loud. I had no intention of letting that ruin my evening. I dressed comfortably in a spaghetti-strap top with lace—part of my favorite pajama set—and a pair of soft, gray cotton jersey shorts. As far as I was concerned, Kaden could party every night. I was just glad I didn’t have to sleep in the hostel anymore.

I pulled out the sofa bed and turned it into my cozy, pillow paradise.

Now I could catch up with the TV episodes I’d missed over the past few days. I was a series junkie and binge-watched everything I could get my hands on—or whatever I could find on Netflix.

This evening it was the superheroes’ turn. Supergirl. I turned on my laptop, and set it up on my bed. Then I dug into the last unpacked box of stuff, looking for my favorite headphones—they were huge but comfortable. Ready for the evening’s entertainment, I snuggled under the blanket and watched the world get saved.