Fated To Save You- By: Tina Marie

Chapter 8 - Shadows on Campus

Last Updated on 2024-10-10 19:17:18

The crisp morning air at the college campus was filled with the sounds of students bustling between classes. Wren walked beside Stormi, the familiar surroundings providing little comfort. The weight of the past week pressed heavily on her shoulders, and her steps felt unusually heavy.

Riley spotted them from a distance and came running, his face lighting up with an exuberant smile. “Wren, you’re back!” He exclaimed as he wrapped her in a warm hug.

Wren forced a smile, but it barely reached her eyes. “Hey, Riley.”

Riley immediately noticed the lack of enthusiasm and the sadness that seemed to cling to Wren’s voice. His smile faltered as concern etched itself into his features. “I missed you.”

Wren’s response was almost robotic. “Did you?”

Riley’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with you? You’re acting strange.”

“I’m fine,” Wren replied, her tone devoid of its usual warmth.

Riley wasn’t convinced. “No, you aren’t. Does this have to do with Trevor?”

Wren’s heart skipped a beat. The mention of Trevor brought a fresh wave of anxiety. “What do you mean? Did you hear something?” She feared that word of Trevor’s actions had spread beyond her close circle.

Riley looked troubled. “Connor told me he saw Trevor kissing some girl on campus last Friday.”

Stormi, standing slightly apart, clenched her jaw. “That bastard should burn in hell.”

Riley’s anger flared. “Is that why you're sad and missed school?”

Wren took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “Yes, I found out he was cheating on me, so we broke up.”

Stormi, catching Wren’s cue, added, “Yeah, and that bastard is still trying to bother Wren. So, you need to help protect her.”

Riley’s face turned stormy with rage. “What a jerk! You can count on me, Wren. I won’t let him near you.”

Wren managed a grateful nod. “Thank you.”

Stormi interjected, “Wren, we need to get to class.”

Wren nodded, “Okay, let’s go.”

Stormi glanced at Riley. “Can you meet us after and walk with Wren to your class?”

“No problem,” Riley said, still fuming. “See you guys in a little bit.”

“Bye,” Wren and Stormi said in unison as they headed to their classroom.

As they entered the classroom, Wren noticed a few girls casting furtive glances in her direction. Their whispered conversations were sharp, invasive. Her stomach churned with unease. She pulled her hoodie over her head and sank into a seat at the back of the room, trying to become invisible.

Stormi, sensing her friend’s discomfort, leaned in. “Don’t you dare hide and let them win.”

Wren’s voice trembled. “They are talking about me. I don’t know what they know.”

Stormi shook her head reassuringly. “Just ignore them. They don’t know anything. They probably just saw Trevor all over campus with his new fling.”

Wren hoped Stormi was right. The thought of anyone knowing the horrible truth made her feel like she was suffocating. The idea of her trauma being fodder for campus gossip was unbearable. She would rather retreat into the shadows than have her darkest moments exposed.

The class seemed to drag on endlessly. When the bell finally rang, Riley was waiting outside the door. His expression softened when he saw Wren. “Let’s go. Cheer up and smile.”

Wren shook her head, her gaze cast downward. “I don’t feel like smiling.”

Riley’s frustration was palpable. “Please… this sad Wren makes me angry. I want to beat Trevor for making you feel this way.”

“Just let it go,” Wren murmured. “I’ll be better after a while.”

Riley’s concern didn’t wane. “Okay, if you say so.”

As they walked together, Wren couldn’t shake the feeling that she was living a life half-shrouded in secrecy, the pain of her recent experiences hidden behind a fragile veneer of normalcy. Riley’s presence was comforting, but the shadows of her past lingered, casting a long and unsettling shadow over her steps.

The campus, once a place of freedom and joy, now felt like a battleground where Wren fought to reclaim her sense of self and move forward, one cautious step at a time.

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Other Chapters

Characters

Wren Andrews

Vibrant, Outgoing, and Lovable Has become depressed, quiet, and suicidal Daughter of Jeremy and Vanessa Andrews 19 years old College Student and Future CEO of JVW Enterprises
Conner Wilson

Popular, Warm, Outgoing, and Top of Class Has had a crush on Wren for 5 years Oldest son of William and Sarah Wilson 22 years old College Student (Business) and Future CEO of WinX Inc
Riley Wilson

Funny, Likes to party, and is super flirty Conner’s little brother and best friend 19 years old BFF with Wren and Riley College student/Slacker Future Vice President of WinX Inc
Stormi Collins

Lovable, Kind, Studies a lot, and super cute personality Wren’s best friend and cousin 19 years old College Student living with Wren’s family Future Vice President of JVW Enterprises
Rex Smith

Handsome, Popular, and Good at sports Conner’s best friend 21 years old Son of Ryan and Becca Smith College Student (Business)
Trevor Wilkins

Wren’s boyfriend/Ex Secretive, Badboy, and Jerk 22 years old Son of Matthew and Leslie Wilkins College Student (Computer Science)