Twisted Love

CHAPTER - 1

Morning (5:30AM)

As the beautiful sunrise happen in Massachusetts the sun filtered through the thin curtains of Sarah Austen's small modest room casting a warm glow over her bed space. It was still early for a college student to be awake at this time but Sarah knows better to not waste time because world didn't wait for anyone especially for someone like her she got so many responsibilities on her shoulder and to move on with her life. With a deep breath she pushed the covers aside and sat up with the sun glow on her face, her feet finding the cool hardwood floor.

Her room shows her personality very well and a testament to her life, as books were almost everywhere but well settled as notes and papers all spilled out of her backpack, a small desk in the corner of her small cozy room, with a single desk lamp that had seen far more better days. Above the desk is a small board with motivating quotes and goals "Top of the class". It's a reminder for her why she was here, and why she had to keep pushing forward even when no one was with her on the bad path of her life. With that going there were few of her and her family members pictures hung near the desk.

Sarah's stomach growled, but she just ignored it and left to get ready for the day. Breakfast could wait until she was ready for the day to start. Then she moved towards her closet, pulling out her usual simple, practical outfit but still neat and tidy. She never got that luxury experience or a large wardrobe but she was fine with that because she knew the importance of money as she earns herself and barely have left any to buy any luxury item. She always make sure that she looked presentable even if her clothes weren't the latest fashion or branded.

After getting all ready Sarah went downstairs and make her way to kitchen, her mother was already up,
She kinda look lost to Sarah so she asked her mother about what is bothering her. Then her mother noticed that Sarah was already up and ready to go to campus or maybe work because it was still early.

"Morning, honey," her mother greeted her with a tired smile. "Early day?"

"Yeah, I had applied for early morning part-time recently in library before my class start and it's good for me too as I can have some good space and place for my study while I can earn too isn't it?" Sarah replied, grabbing an apple from the kitchen counter. It wasn't much for a breakfast but enough for her to keep going till lunch time.

"Thanks for everything, Sarah." Sarah's mom said out of nowhere making Sarah confused.

"Why are you thanking me mom? Did I do something good that I don't even know." Sarah said with a playful smile making her mom smile up a little from her tiring routine.

"You know honey, why I am saying that. We can't thank you more for doing everything for us without even complaining. You make all the living yourself alone and provide us too as you know how is your father, you are a responsible child and I can't thank God more for having a child like you, I am so proud of you darling." Her mother said with teary eyes as she can't held her tears anymore cause she knows how much her daughter is going through and still smiles like nothing is wrong in her life. In her teenage life where everyone is having fun and making moments she have to study and take all the responsibilities on her own and provide her parents too with several part time jobs.

"Mom, stop crying and listen to me. You know that I am alright and it's better to have everything like this than those spoiled brat teenagers nowadays they don't know how to survive and live and support themselves, they are just living on their parents money and wasting their life and I am soo glad to help my parents and be independent at the same time you know. So stop worrying about me and have healthy breakfast as I have to run to Library now or I will be fired on first day!" Sarah said as her mother nodded and waved her off with a smile.

"Just keep working hard Sarah, we're all so proud of you." With a quick kiss on her mother's cheek, Sarah grabbed her backpack and headed out the door.

The walk to the bus stop was hasty, but the cool morning air waking her up from her harsh reality as she went over her plans for the day in her head.
Firstly a quick shift at the campus library, then attend classes for her neuro lectures, then in break make notes and study after she leave the campus sight, grueling part time jobs are waiting for her then back to home and study again. It was a hectic schedule, but it was what she needed to do to stay on right path.

As Sarah waited for bus that daily make her reach Boston University unlike other students who come into luxury cars like some of her classmates, so this bus was her only way to get to campus. She checked her watch and saw that bus is a little late as usual but she adjusted her time according to it rather than exposing to cold weather for too long.

Sarah allowed herself a moment to reflect, she thought about the sacrifices she did and the constant pressure to stay top of her class. She thought about her mother's tired eyes and the sacrifices her family especially her mother did for her to get her to this point. It wasn't easy, but Sarah knew it was worth it. But it wasn't just about her family. There was also the rivalry with Ashley Brontë. It wasn't something Sarah had planned, she never wants an unwanted attention. But from the first day at Boston University, when they had both reached for the same book in the Library, there has been a spark--- a challenge. They were both smart, driven and determined to be best in all fields. But where Sarah's thoughts came from a desire to prove herself, Ashley Brontë seemed to come from something deeper, something almost personal. Sarah doesn't know why Ashely was always trying to outdo her, but she knew she couldn't afford to lose against her. Now now, not ever.

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