Chapter 1: Introduction
Starting off college was scary but exciting. Addi was a popular girl in high school just by association. She was nice and never focused on guys. She had a few hookups here and there, but never made it her life.
Addi met Brady through mutual friends and she thought they had a connection.
She saw him as more than just a pretty face; she could tell there was depth behind those piercing blue eyes. It began with playful flirting during group hangouts, followed by late-night conversations where they'd talk about everything from hopes, dreams, fears, and desires. One night, they were all hanging out at a party when Brady leaned in close to whisper something in her ear.
"I think you're amazing, Addi," he said softly. "And I really enjoy spending time with you."
Her heart raced uncontrollably as she stared into his captivating blue eyes.
She felt a strong attraction to him, and it wasn't hard to understand why. With his charming smile and confident demeanor, Brady had become quite the heartthrob around campus. Despite her apprehension, he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her better.
"You know what?" Brady continued, looking deeply into her eyes. "I'd love to take you out sometime, just the two of us."
Addi blushed, feeling a surge of excitement course through her veins. "Well, Brady, I would definitely like that," she replied, smiling nervously.
Over the next few weeks, Brady kept his word and reached out to Addi. They would chat about their days or make plans to grab coffee between classes. Each conversation led to the next, and soon enough, they were spending most of their free time together. Their bond strengthened, and it wasn't long before they realized they had fallen for each other.
Or that’s what addi thought. What she didn’t know was that Brady still kept up with his old hookups.
his player ways. He would flirt with girls at parties and even sleep with some of them. He loved the way they looked at him, their eagerness to please him. He loved being wanted. But when he was with Addi, he couldn’t help but feel something different. He was drawn to her warmth, her kindness, and her unwavering loyalty. She made him feel grounded, and he knew that she deserved better; yet, he couldn't resist the thrill of the chase.
One night, after a wild party, Brady woke up in bed with a random girl.
Her name was Sarah, and he recalled meeting her in class once. She was cute, but nothing compared to Addi. Brady sat up, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. He shouldn't have slept with Sarah; she was just an easy target. As he glanced at the sleeping girl beside him, he remembered how Addi had held his hand earlier that week, her touch warm and comforting. He wished he could erase his indiscretions and focus solely on Addi.
The next morning, Brady stumbled out of bed, eager to leave.
Sarah stirred as he slipped quietly from under the covers. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he couldn't help but think about Addi. As he left Sarah's dorm room, he heard her whisper, "Bye, Brady."
He walked down the hallway, feeling guilty for using Sarah. He should have been honest with her and told her he wasn't looking for anything serious. But instead, he took advantage of her feelings and led her on. It was wrong, and he knew it.
Yet, he couldn't stop himself from seeking validation in meaningless encounters. After leaving Sarah's dorm room, Brady tried to shake off the overwhelming sense of guilt that enveloped him. He needed to confront his feelings for Addi and decide whether he was ready to commit to a relationship. He wandered around campus, lost in thought, desperately trying to find answers.
As he walked past the library, he noticed Addi sitting outside on a bench, engrossed in a book. Her dark brown hair cascaded gently around her shoulders, and her lips moved silently as she read.
At the same time that he was involved with Addi, he was also toying with Marleigh. Marleigh was no Addi. Marleigh was someone who got way too crazy.
She was loud, obnoxious, and arrogant. Whatever the reason, Brady couldn't deny his attraction to her.
Brady glanced over at Addi, watching her flip through pages. He wondered why he was attracted to Marleigh, when Addi was right there. Addi was a sweetheart, kind-hearted, and considerate. She made him feel safe and protected.
He knew she was good for him; she made him happy. Still, there was Marleigh pulling him away. She was sexy, fun, and unapologetic. How could he resist?
"Hey," Marleigh said, approaching him with a smile. "How's it going?"
Brady swallowed, feeling uneasy. "Good," he managed to say. "Just enjoying the day."
Marleigh nodded, eyeing him seductively. "Wanna join me for lunch later?" She asked, touching his arm.
Brady hesitated, his gaze shifting back to Addi. "Ah, yeah, sure," he stammered. "I mean, I guess I can—"
"Great!" Marleigh interrupted excitedly. "Meet me in front of the cafeteria at noon. Don't be late!"
With a wink, she sauntered away, leaving Brady feeling slightly unsettled. He watched Marleigh disappear into the crowd, then turned back to Addi. Addi stood there dumbfounded about what just happened.
“Well I gotta go,” Brady said. Over the next few days Addi did not hear anything from Brady.
She tried to push him out of her mind, focusing on her studies and catching up with friends. However, every now and then, thoughts of him crept in, reminding her of the emptiness she felt inside. The longing was almost painful. She missed Brady terribly; his laughter, his scent, and the way he'd look at her with such intensity. She knew she was falling deeper into despair, hoping that he would come along and sweep her worries away.
Meanwhile, Brady was struggling with his own emotions. He was fucking a different girl every time trying to forget about Addi. Marleigh was his to go fuck buddy.
Addi decided to text Brady, “Hey how are you?” She waited for hours, checking her phone every minute, only to receive no response. Her fingers trembled as she typed again, "Are we okay?" The minutes ticked by, and still, no reply. Frustration welled within her, and she started to question herself. Was she not good enough? Did he lose interest? Or worse, did he meet someone else?
Brady couldn't bring himself to respond to Addi's messages. He knew he had messed up, but he couldn't bear to admit it.