Shuttered Affections (Cornerstone #1)

Chapter One

"First impressions are highly overrated." 

Just my luck. I always seem to have trouble finding a parking spot in the mornings.

Attempting to calm myself, I gripped the steering wheel tight, let my head fall back onto my headrest, and took a few deep breaths.

My early morning photography class was one of my favorites and I'd be damned if I let parking issues make me late. It would have made sense for the college to have more ample parking on this side of campus, but I guess the administrators never ventured far enough from their offices to notice our daily issues.

Even though the parking lot was rather large, it still seemed impossible to find a spot first thing in the morning. So, I continued to circle around the lot in search of anyone who would be pulling out soon.

Searching for a space on the backside of campus was imperative since all my classes were around the Fine Arts department and I kept most of my art equipment and tools in my car.

The large, multi-story buildings were only about a quarter mile away from a thick patch of pine trees, which separated the school from the interstate. Although my spare time was limited, I loved any moment I could spend walking on the trails behind the school.

Since I was stuck playing ring-around-the-rosie with other cars in the parking lot, I decided to plug my phone into the FM transmitter and listen to Mandy Brooke. Her voice always cheered me up and made me smile. Singing along with her was challenging and fun.

As I was enjoying the sounds of the silky voice and guitar strums reverberating from my speakers, I glanced in the mirror to check my face and hair. I wasn't the type to lavish my appearance in layers of makeup, but I did try to keep a clean, neat look to the little bit I applied.

Silky, blonde curls framed my face and tickled my cheeks. The Florida sun beamed through my open sunroof, making my curls glisten with golden specks. Green eyes stared back at me in the mirror and I couldn't help but smile at the fact I had inherited my grandmother's hair and eyes. She was so beautiful in every way and I missed her dearly.

Plumping my curls a bit, I closed the mirror and forced myself to concentrate on finding a dang parking spot. I started strumming my fingers on the steering wheel, not in an attempt to keep in time with the music, but because I was getting anxious as I continued circling the rows of parked cars.

The sun caused glares to shine brightly off the mirrors and chrome of the stationary vehicles as other cars droned around in circles with me through the half-mile long string of parking lots. Some of the lots were only a few rows deep, while others spanned at least a dozen rows and began to wrap around the south side of the building.

I should've been thankful. From what I heard, getting a spot on the University campus downtown was even more challenging.

I continued to vibrate with impatience because my class was going to start in five minutes. A new surge of urgency overwhelmed me at the realization of what time it was.

As soon as I began wringing the steering wheel tight with nerves, I noticed a student bounding through the parking lot toward her car. Her short, black hair was a mess of straight strands flowing behind her as she ran to an old, beat-up VW Beatle with large tires covered in mud.

"Great! Perfect timing!" I cheered to myself as I fist-bumped the cloth roof inside my car.

My heart started to race and I slowly pulled forward toward where the girl was headed. I put my blinker on and sighed in relief when I saw the Bug's weak reverse lights glow to life. Yesss!