One Deep Breath

Chapter One

The best part about January is the feeling of starting over and starting fresh; a new year and a new beginning. In upstate New York, January brings snow and slush and frigid temps, and the Sumner College campus turns into a winter wonderland of white. Jolie Snow always had an affinity for the winter, and while everyone else always complained about the weather, she was always impatiently waiting for the first layer of white to cover the grass. Maybe it was her last name that made her favor it.

Jolie was headed back to her second semester senior year, and ready to get back to the sanctuary of her dorm. Living at home for the past month had her nerves shot. After a chaotic winter break, a little space to herself was exactly what she needed.

Technically her dorm wasn't all to herself since she roomed with her best friend Rachel Thompson. But if she had to live with anybody, Rachel was definitely at the top of her list. They became fast friends freshman year when they were both paired with terrible roommates. Thanks to Rachel's charm with the college registrar's office, they were able to switch roomies and had been living together ever since. Over the past three years Rachel had become the best friend that Jolie had ever had.

As Jolie pulled into the loop outside her building, she started to feel the weight on her chest dissolve. As much as she loved her family, living at home made her anxiety skyrocket. Just being back in her hometown in general made it hard to breathe. It wasn't until her last year of high school that anxiety and panic attacks started to consume her life, but once they did, her world was forever changed. Living with anxiety is living in fear; waiting for that moment when your ability to breathe disappears.

Jolie had beat Rachel back to the dorms, so after an hour of unpacking on her own she was in need of some caffeine. First night back to campus usually meant a night filled with drinking and she knew she'd never last without a little extra java to fuel her. Grabbing her keys, Jolie fled the dorms and jumped into her Audi, a hand-me-down albeit very nice car from her father that she loved cruising in. About two miles from campus was Jolie's haven- Starbucks. The baristas all knew her and her order by this point, a grande nonfat latte, so it was almost always ready before she had even ordered and paid for it.

With a "thanks" and a wave Jolie slipped out the side door and hopped the step down into the side parking lot. That's when she realized the old plaza of miscellaneous shops and restaurants to the left of her favorite coffee shop appeared to all be closed. Since it was a Saturday afternoon this was strange. Walking around to her car in the front lot, she saw the sign now standing at the plaza entrance about 50 yards up reading "Coming Soon: Luxury Suites" and under that "Troy Bennett Group".

Troy Bennett Group had become one the largest developers in the country over the past few years, with hotel style luxury apartments and townhomes popping up in most major cities. With vastly growing notoriety and a reputation for housing the rich and famous, they were on the brink of becoming a household brand name.

Jolie was not one of those people who recognized the brand. With a quick shrug she forgot about the sign, the dead plaza, and the impending luxury suites and she made her way back to campus.

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"Roomie!" Rachel bellowed as she burst through the door a few hours later. "Sorry I'm later than I said I'd be, but I stopped for some essentials," she teased while holding up a brown paper bag she must have gotten from the liquor store just off campus. Jolie laughed and stood up to hug Rachel and help her with her bags.

"I missed you. How was your break?"

"Eh, fine. I'm just glad to be back. I still can't believe it's finally our last semester! Craziness."