Rosebound

1

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Warning:

this isn't thoroughly edited, so bear with me! If you spot any mistakes or have feedback, feel free to share, I'd love to hear from you.

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                                           ★

Riele exhaled loudly, gazing up at the sprawling apartment that would soon be her home. "Is this really a dorm apartment?" she wondered. The luxurious space seemed more suited to a high-end resident than a college student.

Yesterday, life had been on track. She had her friends, her routine. Then her mom dropped the bombshell: they were moving to Texas, the same place where her parents' marriage had unraveled. The memories still stung. Her mom had taken her, while her dad had kept her younger sister. Riele had no idea what her sister looked like now.

The sudden transfer to a new college in Texas seemed impossible. She was already in her final year how could everything change so abruptly? The questions swirled in her mind.

But the White family's influence made everything seem effortless. They leveraged their connections, securing Riele's immediate enrollment. However, beneath the surface, Riele was reeling. Her mother's secrecy only exacerbated her anxiety.

"Riele!" Elodie called, shattering her daughter's thoughts. Riele yanked her luggage from the truck and strode toward the apartment, ignoring her mom.

"Riele, wait!" Elodie's voice faltered.

Riele halted, still facing away. Her brow arched as she turned, skepticism etched on her face.

"I promise, everything I did was for you," Elodie said, her voice trembling.

"For me?" Riele scoffed, turning away from her mom. "I didn't ask for your sacrifices. Just give me a reason for this sudden move. Tell me it's not because of...him." Her voice cracked with hurt.

Riele stormed inside, leaving Elodie choking back tears. She heard Elodie sniffle but didn't look back.

"Let her be, Elodie," Grace, her friend, soothe, placing a calming hand on Elodie's shoulder.

"I'll go talk to her," Grace offered, heading after Riele.

Elodie nodded, composing herself, and returned to the car.

***

Riele's eyes widened as she toured the lavish apartment. "This is where a college student lives?" she thought, imagining Mrs White's daughter, Sage, living alone in the sprawling space. How isolating it must have been.

She had been told she'd be staying with her, but she had no clue who she was or what she looked like.

"You're welcome to choose any room," Grace said with a warm smile. "Sage won't mind."

Riele's smile was tinged with nervousness.

She considered asking why the college hadn't assigned her a dorm room as planned, but hesitated. The White family had already been so generous,  questioning their arrangements might make things awkward.