Temptation

o n e ✧

The blaring alarm jolts me awake, pulling me from the horrible images that have haunted my sleep since the night my mother was murdered.

Today's move-in day for college, and while I'm excited for a fresh start and a chance at a somewhat normal life, I'm also terrified. My life has been plastered all over the internet: my dad went missing five years ago, my mom was murdered four months ago, and my dad was arrested, convicted, and put on death row. So now, here I am—an orphan.

Sure, I'm living with my grandparents now, and they're great, but it's not the same. Nothing is the same without her. I can't shake the memories of that night—especially his eyes. My dad's eyes.

"Rise and shine!" My grandmother's cheerful voice breaks through my thoughts, and she steps into my room.

"Nooo, can't I have five more minutes?" I mumble, pulling the blanket over my head.

"Nope! Today is move-in day!" Her voice is way too excited for someone who isn't the one going to college.

I sigh, pushing the blanket off my face and sitting up. My grandma stands there, her sleek black hair pulled into a bun, streaks of gray framing her face in a way that somehow makes her even more beautiful.

I wish I was as beautiful as her.

"I remember when I took your mother to college. It was one of the best and hardest days of my life," she says with a soft smile.

Sometimes, I don't understand how she can talk about my mom so easily after everything that's happened. I can talk about her, but I always feel crushed afterward. Grandma, on the other hand, talks about her like nothing ever changed—like she wasn't murdered by her own husband.

Her expression softens when she sees my mood. "Did you have another nightmare?"

I nod, staring down at my hands. They're a mess from my constant picking—an anxiety habit I can't seem to break since that night. It hurts, but I still do it.

"You know," she starts cautiously, "I think it might help to talk to the campus counselor."

"No," I say, cutting her off. "I don't want to talk to a stranger about any of this. No way."

"Eden—"

"I said no." I get up and head to the dresser, grabbing whatever clothes are closest. "I just need to get ready. I'll be downstairs after my shower."

She sighs, standing for a moment before speaking. "Your grandfather is making breakfast. You can grab something to take with you if you want."

I nod, giving her a small smile as she heads out and closes the door behind her. The second I hear the click of the door, I let out a long breath.

I love my grandparents, but it feels like they're always waiting for me to break. Anytime I show any emotion about my mom's death, they immediately bring up therapy or counseling. But I've never been able to do therapy. My parents took me when I was six because I barely spoke, but I never said a word.

Therapy feels like opening up to a stranger about everything, and if they don't like what you say, they send you off to a facility. No, thanks.

I push the thought away and head to the bathroom to shower.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you, Eden?" my grandpa asks as I load the last box into the trunk of my car.

"No, Grandpa, I'm good. Plus, I don't need you or Grandma straining your backs hauling boxes into a dorm. I don't want to end up in the ER with one of you." I grin and wink at him.

He chuckles, shaking his head. "You're just messing with me."

I watch him walk back inside, then close the trunk and take a moment to look at the car my mom gave me. My dark blue Toyota Corolla—my sixteenth birthday gift, paid for with the money she saved from her shop. I didn't want to take it at first, knowing how hard she must've worked for it. But she insisted, saying, "I paid good money so you can have some freedom. Don't waste it, young lady."

I remember laughing so hard that day. God, I miss you, Mom.

I take a deep breath, pushing the emotions back.

Enough sadness. It's time for a new beginning.

"Alright, let's start my new life."