The Book of Sin

Chapter 2: The First Day Back

Chapter 2: The First Day Back

It’s 6:30 a.m., and class starts at 7:00, but Hope is still fast asleep. I sigh, deciding it’s time to wake her up. She can be downright cranky in the morning, but there’s no way I’m letting her be late today. While she rushed around to get ready, I was already dressed in a cute denim skirt and a black top, sipping my coffee leisurely.

The morning sun streamed through the window as Hope scrambled. Her frantic pace was amusing, though I teased her about setting alarms for a reason. By 6:45 a.m., she declared herself done—a record for her. We left our dorm and walked to campus, a short five-minute trek.

Just as I took my seat in the second-to-last row, the bell rang. The young professor walked in and dove straight into the lesson. It was all about Leonardo da Vinci—an artist everyone already knows, if you ask me. Time seemed to crawl as he droned on and on.

As soon as the bell dismissed us, the classroom emptied in seconds. As usual, I was the last to leave. The hallways were almost deserted as I made my way to the art hall for Professor Leanora’s class. She’s a kind woman in her forties, a gifted artist with a refreshing philosophy—she believes you don’t need to know the history of art to create it. I took my seat in front of a fresh, blank canvas.

“Close your eyes,” Professor Leanora instructed, “and paint or draw the first image that comes to mind.”

I did as she said, and the moment I closed my eyes, I saw them—those hazel eyes I had tried so hard to forget. Though it had been years, they were still crystal clear in my mind. Grabbing my paintbrush, I began to fill the canvas. Each stroke brought the image to life—the blue and gray that reminded me of deep, mysterious waters; the golden brown and green that evoked the forest, my one-time haven.

The bell’s abrupt ring jolted me back to reality. Why now, after three years, were those eyes haunting me?

I left class without even cleaning up or putting away my materials. I knew I’d be scolded tomorrow, but I didn’t care—I needed fresh air. As I walked to my next class, I passed the boys’ locker room and froze. For an instant, I thought I saw those eyes again. Shaking my head, I closed my eyes for a moment, but when I looked back, the room was empty. I must’ve imagined it.

“Raven!” Professor William’s voice pulled me back. He was standing at the door. “You’re late.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, slipping into the room and taking my place next to Hope. Photography had always been our shared passion—how we first became friends. She gave me a worried look, and I forced a small smile. She instantly understood, her face losing its color. If that night three years ago had been a nightmare for me, it must’ve been just as hard for her. She’d been the one to pull me back from the edge, to fight against the darkness that nearly consumed me.

The period ended as quickly as it began, and we headed to the cafeteria. Mia and Blaire were already waiting at our usual table. I grabbed a slice of Greek pizza while Hope opted for mac and cheese. Soon, the conversation turned to jokes and laughter, and for a brief moment, I forgot about the incident in art class.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. In writing class, Professor Lorance assigned us to write a poem due tomorrow—a task that weighed heavily on my mind. Music class with Miss Krit was intense as we worked on a fast and complex piece, Carmen by Georges Bizet. My fingers flew across the violin strings as my bow glided, the melody demanding both precision and speed. By the end of class, I was exhausted, and even Johnny, our star violinist, looked like he’d run a marathon.

On my way to sculpture class with Professor Smith, I ran into Hope. She was finished for the day and said she’d wait for me at the car—with Zack. I wasn’t thrilled about it, but I let it slide. Professor Smith’s class was challenging yet engaging. He presented us with a sculpture of a boat and instructed us to replicate it. By the end of the period, we had the basic shape ready, and it would need to dry overnight before we added the details.

As I walked back through the quiet hallways, I felt the weight of the day pressing down on me. Only a few students lingered, leaving their classes. At last, the day had come to an end.

I walked to my locker to grab my books before heading to the car. The building was growing quieter as more students left—professors too. As I walked toward the exit, my gaze fell on a group of guys. There were eight of them, dressed impeccably, exuding confidence. They had to be jocks, the type everyone notices. I decided to slip past quietly, keeping my head down.

But as I got closer, my feet stopped moving. My eyes landed on one face—the face of someone I thought I’d never see. It wasn’t possible, yet there he was, standing among them. My breath caught in my throat, and I froze. I couldn’t look away, but panic soon took over. I dropped my gaze, hoping he hadn’t seen me, and rushed past. The door swung open, and a gust of wind hit me as I stepped outside. My legs carried me quickly to the car where Hope was waiting. Her cheerful smile cut through the haze in my mind. I climbed into the passenger seat, forced a smile of my own, and avoided looking back.

The moment passed, but the thoughts lingered. Later, we decided to head to the beach. Once back at the dorms, everyone grabbed their surfing gear and piled into Zack and Taylor’s beach buggies. It had been two years since I learned to surf, and now the ocean is a part of my soul. Sitting on the sand, I let the waves lightly crash against my feet as I watched my friends catch perfect waves. The sun began to set, painting the sky in fiery hues of red and orange. We all sat quietly for a few minutes, soaking in the beauty of the moment before heading home.

It was already dark when we returned to campus. Miss Krit had given me the key to the university’s music room earlier that day. Practicing at night when the building was silent had always been my preference. I told Hope I’d catch up with her later, said goodbye to my friends, and set out on the familiar path to the music room.

The smell of polished instruments greeted me as I opened the door and turned on the dim lights. The grand piano—a Yamaha 9’CFX—stood proudly in the center of the room. It was a magnificent piece of craftsmanship, one of the best I’d ever seen. Sitting down, I let my fingers glide over the keys, playing a melody I had played countless times before. I closed my eyes, letting the music pull me into its embrace. Each note carried an emotion I couldn’t express in words. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. My hands rested on the keys for a moment before I gently closed the lid.

Switching off the lights, I locked the room behind me and stepped into the darkness outside. The path back to the dorm was pitch-black, but I knew it well. The crunch of gravel beneath my feet was oddly soothing. Soon, I saw the glow of the dormitory building. A few windows were still illuminated, while most had gone dark.

“Evening, Raven,” Sam, the security guard, greeted me warmly as I walked inside. I gave him a small smile and headed to the elevator. The soft melodies of elevator music played as it carried me to the 10th floor. Room 6 was quiet when I arrived. Hope was already in bed, her breathing slow and steady.

After a long day, I took a steamy shower, letting the hot water wash away the tension. The scent of my Oh So Heavenly Golden Glow body wash—peonies, peaches, and vanilla—was comforting. Once clean, I slipped into my satin black nightgown, set my alarm for the next day, and climbed into bed. The sheets felt cool against my skin, and the silence of the night soon pulled me into a dreamless sleep.