Chapter 1

• "Ann, you're on the verge of being late for class, darling," the sound of her mother's voice permeated through the door, "If a shower is on your agenda, it's time to rise and shine."
• "Fine, fine," Ann responded, her voice laced with a hint of irritation. She flung the comforter off and, with a sigh, she finally got up and navigated her way to the bathroom.
• An inexplicable sluggishness seemed to weigh her down throughout her morning routine, the cause of which she couldn't quite discern.
• Something feels off. I can sense it.
• No, everything is as it should be.
• However, the first red flag should have been the unanswered call to her grandmother.
• It had become a part of her daily routine. She would dial her grandmother's number while applying her makeup, and she would invariably be asked to share her plans for the day, her classes, her lunch venue, and her companions.
• "Ann, you really should visit me in Dallas soon. I miss you, and there's a guest room here with your name on it," her grandmother would insist almost every morning, only to be met with Ann's polite refusal.
• "I'm sorry, grandma, but you know how hectic school can be. I'm buried under work and finals are looming. I can't afford to take a break. But I promise to visit as soon as I can."
• "Alright, but don't forget that I won't be here forever," her grandmother would attempt to guilt-trip her.
• "Don't say such things. You'll be around for a long time. Long enough to see me graduate, get married, and even meet any great-grandchildren I might have."
• "I'm pleased you've prioritized it that way. Make sure you complete your education before you even consider boys," her grandmother would advise in her firm, no-nonsense tone.
• "I get it, grandma. 'Never rely on a man. Be self-sufficient, Ann. Earn your degree and create the life you desire.' You never fail to remind me to be independent, and I value that."
• And with that, their conversation would typically conclude.
• But this morning... there was no answer.
• Ann dismissed it, attributing it to her grandmother possibly still being asleep or having left her phone in another room.
• And yet again, she should've been more alert.
• Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, her mother's voice interrupted her again.
• "Ann, your father has left some money on the counter for your lunch today. I'm heading out for work. Take care, love."
• "Take care, mom! See you later," Ann responded, pulling on a floral blouse to pair with her black slacks. She slipped into a pair of beige flats, picked up her backpack, and headed to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and a granola bar for breakfast.
• She managed to reach school just in the nick of time and joined her small group of friends in the quad.
• "Good morning, Ann. You don't look your best," Rochelle, a friend whose presence in her life Ann questioned daily, remarked as she approached.
• Before she could retort, a familiar voice resonated from behind her, "Hey, Ann, can we have a word?"
• 'Are we really doing this now?'.
• Don't be so harsh. He was a friend before we became a couple.
• He was also the reason Rochelle bore a grudge against her.
• She turned to face a pair of bright blue eyes, the eyes that belonged to her ex-boyfriend and childhood confidant, Michael Wallis.
• "Of course, Michael. What's on your mind?" she asked. She felt a pang of sympathy for him. He had been hurt when she decided to call it quits after a year, believing they were better off as friends. It seemed she was the only one who thought so.
• "Um, in private," he murmured, and she heard Rochelle scoff behind her.
• "Hello, Michael," Rochelle interjected, her voice noticeably softer.
• He glanced over Ann at Rochelle, "Oh, hey, Rochelle. How are you?" He then redirected his attention to Ann, "Annalisa?"
• With a sigh, she followed him a short distance away.
• "What's going on?" Ann asked again, her fingers nervously tugging at the straps of her backpack.
• She had to acknowledge that initiating a romantic relationship with him had been a significant misstep. Not because he was a terrible person, but because their transition from friends to lovers had irrevocably altered their relationship. She knew they could never reclaim the 'friendship' part.
• He would always desire more than she could offer, which left her with a lingering sense of guilt.
• 'It's not your fault you don't reciprocate his feelings. You're entitled to your own emotions.'
• Yes, she knew, but still...
• "I just wanted to express," he began, "that I harbor no resentment towards you. I understand that your feelings for me aren't the same, but I still want to maintain our friendship, Ann. You've always meant the world to me, and I love you. If you need me more as a friend than as a boyfriend, well...I suppose I'll have to accept that," he concluded, his fists clenching and unclenching, a telltale sign of his nervousness.
• "Thank you, Michael. Your words mean a lot to me. You're aware of how much I value my education and how hard I'm striving to earn this business degree. Now just isn't the right time for me to be in a relationship," she lied, instantly regretting it as she saw his face brighten with understanding.
• "Absolutely, I understand. I'm really glad we had this conversation," he smiled and pulled her into a hug.
• His hugs, once a sanctuary for her, now felt stifling.
• She was in her second class of the day, diligently taking notes, when her phone buzzed with a call from her mom.
• Since she couldn't answer it during class, she assumed that if it was urgent, her mom would either call back or text her. After all, her mom knew she was in class.
• When her mom called back almost immediately after the phone stopped vibrating, she knew it was something important...
• 'That feeling is back...'
• And the pit in her stomach returned.
• She hastily gathered her belongings, stuffing them into her backpack before making a swift exit. She immediately returned her mom's call.
• The first thing she noticed when her mom picked up was the tremor in her voice, as if she had been crying.
• "Mom, what's wrong?" Ann asked, feeling a tingling sensation along her hairline.
• This was the source of her unease. Whatever her mom was about to reveal, this was the reason her anxiety had skyrocketed today.
• "Ann, it's about your grandmother," her mom managed to utter, "They found her this morning. She's passed away, Ann."
• 'I told you something was wrong...'
• It felt as if her subconscious was a million miles away.
• She had never been one to cause a scene in public, but she nearly hyperventilated in the hallway, tears streaming down her face as she dashed to her car.