Chapter 2 : Destiny at Alderwell

SARA POV

I never realized going to college would come with so many chores.

"Have you packed everything, sweetheart?" my mom asked as she prepared breakfast.

I nodded while munching on toast. "I just need to pick a good date to move into the dorm and get things set up."

"Time flies fast. Your college starts in just a few weeks," my dad said, flipping through the newspaper. "Let your brother drive you there this week."

"What? Seriously?" my older brother, Samuel, complained as he sat beside me.

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Okay, fine," he sighed, digging into his eggs.

"Dad, I'm going grocery shopping with Mom. Do you need anything?" I asked.

"No, just get something you like," he said, smiling.

That made me smile too. We left for the nearest grocery store, and I pushed the cart as my mom browsed the aisles.

It was all calm until I saw her.

Austin's mom.

My stomach dropped. I immediately ducked behind a display. I forgot how close we lived. I confessed to Austin just four months ago! If his mom was here... he might be too.

"Oh? Isn’t that Austin’s mom?" my mom said, spotting her.

"Mom! Didn’t we get everything already? Let’s head to the counter," I rushed, trying to steer her away.

"Tch! Don’t be rude. We should say hello," she insisted and walked right over.

Panic.

I scanned the store, but it was too late. Austin's mom had seen us. I put on a polite smile and followed.

Thankfully, Austin wasn’t with her.

"Is Austin here?" my mom asked.

"No, he’s at home. Busy preparing for college," Austin's mom replied.

I exhaled in relief.

"Oh, really? Which college is he going to?"

"Alderwell College."

What?!

My heart skipped. No. No, no, no.

The moms squealed in delight when they realized I was going there too. I wanted to melt into the ground. Maybe move abroad. Start a new identity.

As we walked away, my mom smiled. "Austin’s mom is such a lovely person. He must get that from her."

"Yeah," I replied flatly.

She glanced at me. "What’s with that face? You didn’t greet her properly. What’s going on?"

I sighed. "I confessed to Austin after graduation."

"What?!" My mom's eyes widened, and then she burst out laughing.

"Mom! I’m being serious!"

"Okay, okay," she said, trying to calm down. "So? What happened?"

"I got rejected, of course! And now I might see him again at college. It’s so embarrassing."

She patted my shoulder. "I was hoping he’d become my son-in-law one day, but it’s alright. You're still young."

I know I’m young. My parents are strict, but they’re also understanding. They let me date—with boundaries.

I want to experience real love. The kind that lasts. People say to enjoy life and meet many people, but I want my first to be my last. Someone just for me.

Does that kind of love really exist?

If it does... I hope it finds me.

...

The first day of Alderwell College.

It finally came.

I had everything ready. I checked my schedule on my phone and headed to the class hall.

I arrived early to find a good seat—but apparently, I wasn’t the only one.

A guy was already there.

He was handsome. Dark hair, focused eyes, neat casual clothes. He looked serious as he scrolled through his phone.

My heart thumped unexpectedly. I tried to brush it off. He’s just good-looking, that’s all. I’d seen tons of handsome guys online.

Still, I didn’t sit next to him. That would be weird. I picked a spot a few seats away in the same row.

He looked up briefly when I sat down, then returned to his phone.