The low hum of Briar's car filled the air as she drove down the wide, sun-drenched Florida highway. Her hands rested firmly on the steering wheel, her hazel eyes hidden behind a pair of aviator sunglasses.
Her car-a 1998 cherry-red Mustang-was her pride and joy. Its polished surface gleamed under the morning sunlight, and the roar of its engine made her heart race every time she started it. She had begged and bargained with her parents for the car when she was sixteen, promising to mow the lawn, take out the trash, and even do the dishes indefinitely.
"You better behave today, baby," she murmured to the dashboard as she shifted gears. "We've got a big day ahead."
The Mustang growled in response, as if agreeing with her.
Briar had always loved cars-the freedom they represented, the power they held. Her Mustang was more than a vehicle; it was her escape. She'd spent countless hours tinkering with it, learning its quirks and flaws, and it felt like a trusted companion on this new journey.
As the college campus came into view, her confidence wavered. The massive, modern buildings stood stark against the lush green of the surrounding trees. Students bustled around the grounds, laughing and chatting in groups.
"Okay, Briar. You've got this," she muttered, parking her car and taking a deep breath. Her heart thudded in her chest, a mixture of excitement and nerves.
---
Inside the College
The first day was a whirlwind of activity. Briar navigated through crowded hallways, clutching her schedule and trying to appear confident. Her boots clicked against the polished floors as she scanned for her first classroom.
As she turned a corner, a tall, freckled guy with shaggy blond hair bumped into her, spilling her papers onto the floor.
"Oh, crap! I'm so sorry!" he stammered, kneeling to pick them up.
Briar crouched to help, her voice teasing. "First day and you're already trying to sabotage me?"
He laughed nervously, handing her the papers. "I swear, I didn't mean to. I'm Ethan, by the way."
"Briar," she said, shaking his hand. His grip was warm but firm.
"Cool name," he said, standing up. "You're new here, right? Let me guess-trying to find room 204?"
Briar raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know?"
He grinned. "You've got the 'lost freshman' look. Come on, I'll show you."
They walked together, chatting about classes and campus life. Ethan was friendly and easygoing, and Briar found herself relaxing in his company.
---
So ho
The classroom buzzed with energy as students settled into their seats. Briar scanned the room, assessing her peers. A girl with bright pink hair waved her over.
"Hey, you're new, right? I'm Tara. Sit here!"
Briar slid into the seat next to her, relieved to find someone so welcoming. Tara was bubbly and talkative, immediately launching into stories about the campus and the best places to hang out.
"Stick with me, and you'll be fine," Tara said with a wink.
Not everyone was as friendly, though. Across the room, a girl with sleek black hair and piercing blue eyes glanced at Briar with thinly veiled disdain. She leaned over to whisper to her friend, who smirked in response.
Briar raised an eyebrow. "What's their deal?" she muttered to Tara.
Tara rolled her eyes. "That's Lydia and her minion crew. They think they run this place. Just ignore them."
Briar smirked. "Oh, I'm good at ignoring people who aren't worth my time."
---
As the day went on, Briar began to notice strange things. In the crowded cafeteria, she could hear snippets of conversations from tables on the far end of the room-words that no one else seemed to notice.
At one point, she caught the faintest whiff of something metallic and earthy, like iron and damp soil. She looked around, confused, but no one else seemed to notice.
During gym class, she felt a burst of energy as they ran laps. She was faster than she'd ever been, her muscles stronger, her breaths easier. It thrilled and unnerved her at the same time.
"You're like a freaking track star!" Ethan said, panting as he tried to keep up with her.
Briar slowed down, frowning. "I don't know. I just feel...different today."
"Different how?" Ethan asked.
She hesitated. "I don't know. It's like everything's sharper-sounds, smells, even my energy. It's weird."
Ethan shrugged. "Maybe it's adrenaline? First-day jitters or something?"
Briar nodded, though deep down, she wasn't convinced.
---
Later, as she sat with Tara and Ethan at lunch, a tall, confident guy approached their table. His smile was dazzling, and his eyes lingered on Briar.
"Hey, new girl," he said, leaning on the table. "I'm Mason. Haven't seen you around before."
Briar smirked. "That's because I'm new. You're observant."
Tara snickered, and Mason's grin widened. "I like your attitude. You should come to the bonfire party this weekend."
Briar tilted her head. "I'll think about it."
Mason's gaze was intense, and for a moment, Briar felt a strange pull-like something about him was familiar, even though she was sure they'd never met.
As he walked away, Tara nudged her. "Looks like you've already got an admirer."
Briar rolled her eyes. "He's cute, but I don't know. Something about him feels...off."
---
By the end of the day, Briar was exhausted but exhilarated. As she walked back to the parking lot, the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink.
She paused near the edge of the campus, where the forest loomed dark and inviting. A strange sensation washed over her-a pull, as if the trees were calling her name.
Her heart raced, and her palms felt clammy. The air seemed to hum with energy, and for a moment, she swore she saw a pair of green eyes watching her from the shadows.
Shaking her head, she took a step back. "Get a grip, Briar. You're imagining things."
But as she climbed into her car and revved the engine, the feeling lingered. Something was changing inside her, and she couldn't ignore it.
As the Mustang roared down the highway, Briar couldn't help but wonder: what was happening to her? And why did it feel like she was on the brink of discovering a secret that would change everything?
--+++
How was book so for did you all find it good or you think it's not your â love you allâ¤ï¸