Unwritten

Chapter 1

***Author note: Hi there! Thanks so much for checking out my story ♡ This is my first time actually publishing something, so I have no idea how it'll go—but I'm excited to share it with you all! I'd absolutely love to hear your thoughts, whether it's constructive criticism, things you enjoyed, or even what you'd like to see more of in future chapters. Your feedback means the world to me, and it'll help me grow as a writer. Enjoy the story, and thank you again for reading!

Here's Unwritten...***

The rain streaked across the window, twisting and turning like threads in the wind. Each droplet carved its own path down the glass, some merging with others, only to part ways again. The world outside was a blur of muted whites and grays, a wash of opulence in the form of grand, stately homes that lined the streets of the wealthy London suburb.

Her forehead rested against the cool glass, the chill seeping into her skin whilst the warmth of her breath misted the window. It blurred her view, leaving her to focus instead on the reflection staring back. The auburn strands of her hair seemed to stand out against the dreary fog. She watched as a raindrop slid down the glass, distorting her reflection, making her features shift and waver like a dream half-remembered.

She pulled her brown jacket tighter around herself, the fur lining of the collar brushing softly against her neck. She burrowed deeper into it.

The car slowed to a stop, though she was barely aware of it. It wasn't until the voice of her driver, Collin, broke through the gentle patter of rain that she was pulled back to reality.

"Ms. Dalton, we have arrived."

The words were calm, but with a firmness that showed he had been waiting for her attention. She blinked, shaking off the haze of her thoughts, and brushed her hair from her eyes. It had fallen messily around her face during the long ride. Her shirt had creased from hours of sitting, and she tugged at it, straightening the fabric with a quick, practiced motion.

"Right," she murmured, more to herself than to Collin. She glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror, catching the glint of his eyes beneath the brim of his driving cap.

"Thank you, Collin," she added, her voice steadier.

He gave a slight nod before returning to the road ahead. With a deep breath, she opened the car door, bracing herself for the cold as she stepped out.

Her heels clicked against the stone steps as she hurried up to her house, the only one on the street adorned with flowers. But even they seemed tired, their petals drooping under the weight of time and neglect. She fumbled through her bag, her fingers diving through a chaotic mess of receipts, pens, and other odds and ends. Frustration bubbled up as she still couldn't find her keys, her breath forming visible puffs in the cold night air. With a sigh, she leaned in closer, practically burying her face into the dark abyss of her bag.

"Clover?" a sweet voice cut through the quiet night.

Startled, Clover jerked her head up, her heart skipping a beat. Standing in front of her was Nancy, her best friend and media manager, with the front door wide open behind her. Nancy's brown hair was braided neatly to the side, and she wore a cozy ensemble of browns and beiges, her feet snug in fluffy pink slippers. Her freckles framed her brown eyes like a constellation, and with every passing day, it seemed as though new ones appeared.