Bree
Mom pulled me into her arms, her thumbs brushing my cheeks as she studied my face like she was trying to memorize it. “And if you need anything, I’m just a call away,” she said, her voice firm but warm.
We were at the airport, surrounded by the hum of rolling suitcases, snippets of announcements from the overhead speakers, and the restless energy of travelers hurrying toward their gates. My flight was leaving soon, and with it, I was stepping into a new chapter of my life—Sierra Ridge. The university I never thought I’d be lucky enough to attend.
I told myself over and over that I’d make the best of it, no matter what. I wouldn’t care that Oliver would be there, that Jenna probably would be too. I refused to let them dictate this part of my life. Instead, I’d focus on building some
