Frozen Hearts

Prologue - 7 years prior.

Inside the dorm hosting the bustling college party, amidst the pulsating music and vibrant chatter, two figures stood at opposite ends of the room, each engrossed in their own thoughts. The man, Adam, leaned against the wall, nursing a red plastic cup filled with lukewarm beer, his gaze wandering aimlessly across the crowd. On the other side of the room, Amber, a mysterious and alluring presence, nervously sipped her drink, feeling slightly out of place amidst the sea of exuberant partygoers.
Adam approached Amber with a confident stride, a small smile playing on his lips. "Hey there," he said, his voice barely audible over the pulsating music.

Amber returned his smile, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Hi," she replied, her voice soft yet filled with warmth.

"Mind if I join you?" Adam asked, gesturing to the empty space beside her.

Amber shook her head, gesturing to the seat beside her. "Not at all. Please, have a seat."

As Adam settled onto the seat, he couldn't help but admire Amber's mysterious aura. "So, what brings you to this party?" he asked, trying to start a conversation.

Amber chuckled lightly, swirling her drink in her hand. "Honestly? I'm not entirely sure. I guess I was just looking for a bit of excitement tonight."

Adam nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean. College life can get pretty monotonous sometimes."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they shared stories and laughs, each moment deepening the connection between them. Before long, they found themselves lost in their own little world, oblivious to the chaos of the party unfolding around them. It was as if, in each other's company, they had found a sanctuary amidst the chaos—a place where they could be themselves without any pretense or inhibition. And as the night wore on, Adam and Amber knew that this was only the beginning of something truly special.

As the night grew late and the party showed no signs of slowing down, Adam leaned in closer to Amber, his voice barely audible over the music. "Hey, do you want to get out of here?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Amber's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She glanced around the crowded room, feeling overwhelmed by the noise and commotion. "I'd love to," she replied, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

With a grin, Adam took her hand and led her through the throngs of people, their fingers interlaced as they navigated their way out of the crowded house. Once outside, the cool night air washed over them, a welcome reprieve from the stifling heat of the party.

Adam turned to Amber, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "My dorm's not too far from here. Would you like to come back with me?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.

Amber hesitated for a moment, the thrill of spontaneity coursing through her veins. "I'd like that," she replied, her heart pounding in anticipation.

Hand in hand, they made their way through the quiet campus. the world around them fading into the background as they lost themselves in each other's company. And as they reached Adam's dorm, their shared excitement only grew, knowing they were both to get lucky that night.

THE NEXT MORNING.

The first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, gently illuminating the room as Amber stirred from her sleep. Blinking groggily, she glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings, the events of the previous night slowly coming back to her. Memories of laughter and whispered conversations flooded her mind, accompanied by a warmth that spread through her chest.

As she shifted in bed, careful not to disturb Adam's slumber beside her, a pang of guilt washed over her. She knew she had to leave before he woke up, before the reality of the morning set in and the magic of the night faded away.

With a silent sigh, Amber carefully extricated herself from the tangle of sheets and made her way to the edge of the bed. She paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on Adam's sleeping form, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. Then, with a heavy heart, she quietly gathered her belongings and slipped out of the room, leaving behind nothing but a faint scent of perfume and a lingering sense of longing.

As she stepped out into the crisp morning air, the weight of her decision settled upon her shoulders. She knew that what she and Adam shared was fleeting, a beautiful moment in time that could never be reclaimed. But as she walked away, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the memories they had created together, memories that would remain etched in her heart long after the morning sun had risen.

Adam on the other hand slowly stirred from his slumber, his mind still foggy from sleep as he reached out to the empty space beside him. His hand met only cool sheets, sending a jolt of confusion through him as he blinked blearily at the empty bed.

Frowning in confusion, Adam sat up, his heart beginning to race as he scanned the room for any sign of Amber. But the room was silent and still, devoid of the presence that had filled it just hours before.

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach as the events of the previous night came rushing back to him. Amber had been there, he was certain of it. They had shared laughs and secrets, stolen glances, and lingering touches. But now, she was gone, leaving behind nothing but the faint echo of her presence.

About a week later:

With a heavy sigh, Adam ran a hand through his tousled hair, trying to make sense of what had happened. Had he said or done something wrong? Had she simply changed her mind? The questions swirled in his mind, each one mAmber woke up feeling queasy, a wave of nausea washing over her as she sat up in bed. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, but the feeling persisted, gnawing at her stomach like a persistent ache.

As she stumbled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, her mind raced with worry. It had been a few days since the party, since that unforgettable night with Adam. But now, as she stood in front of the mirror, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

With a trembling hand, Amber reached for the box tucked away in the back of the bathroom cabinet—the pregnancy test she had purchased on a whim just days before. She had brushed off the idea at the time, dismissing it as paranoia or anxiety. But now, as she tore open the packaging and followed the instructions with shaking hands, her heart pounded in her chest with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Minutes ticked by like hours as Amber waited for the results, her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the small window on the stick. And then, finally, the moment of truth arrived—a single pink line appeared, followed by another, unmistakable in their meaning.

Tears welled up in Amber's eyes as she sank to the floor, the weight of the revelation crashing down upon her. She was pregnant—pregnant with Adam's child, a tangible reminder of the night they had shared and the connection they had forged. And as she sat there, her mind swirling with a million questions and uncertainties, one thing became abundantly clear—her life was about to change in ways she could never have imagined more perplexing than the last.