or locked behind her. Her back slid down the smooth wood paneling until

entless, torturous loop. A mistake.

yes swollen, face blotchy and red. She looked pathetic. She felt pathe

velope. The UCLA logo was embossed in the corner. An acceptance let

l for college, and a small, stupid part of her had held onto

y was now a

r as him, felt like a prison sentence. Every corner,

movements stiff, and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. Her refl

ers, jeans, t-shirts. She left behind her yearbooks. She left behind the worn paperback she'd been reading at the beach house

the future. The

nding with his friends, laughing easily. He looked handsome and carefree,

e looked in

tion she needed. He truly

a bitter taste in h

after receiving her diploma, she said goodbye

away from the misty mornings of Santa Monica. The UCLA campus was a bustlin

ent look of calm composure had settled in her eyes. She had poured herself into her studies, int

, and unfollowed anyone who might post a picture of Holden Barron.

rom her thoughts as she walked out of the Pow

shifting her tote bag

ans have changed!" Chloe's voice

ged?

al whisper. "Her new super-rich boyfriend is treating us. He upgr

cy restaurants or her roommate's mysterious

ng to finally meet this guy. Ashl

touched Dianna's lips

for Aria popped up on her screen. Her heart felt nothing

in the mirror. The girl staring back was a stranger to the heartbroken teenager who had fled her hometown

r. She took a car to that restaurant to have a dinner appointment