Accept

Chapter 1- Lexie

There was something invigorating about a new school year starting, and this year was no exception. I drove into the city towards campus and felt my posture improve while opening the sunroof of my blue SUV; allowing the sun to beat on my face. The summer sun had camouflaged the dark circles beneath my eyes, and my recent splurge of Coach sunglasses concealed the fear I felt inside.

The reflection in the rearview mirror showed a carefree young woman, unlike the distraught individual seized in handcuffs just months ago. It was hard to imagine how psychotic I had become. 

The last three months were spent at my parent's home in Northern Minnesota, rehashing all my mistakes. They spared no compassion with my academic probation and failure of classes due to an obsession with a boy. I conveyed as much about my year with Ben, excluding the restraining order against me. My infatuation with him was a mystery. We came from different worlds but wanted to reside in his. Ben was a senior law student and was embarrassed by my rural upbringing. I was only invited into the privacy of his fraternity house when sexual acts were needed. My life was inferior to his; hidden from his social world, but my obsession with his life had begun obligating me to fulfill his requests. 

Eventually, something inside me snapped when I broke into his room, threatening his life and destroying everything. I wanted to live in a Cinderella fairy tale world; Ben would never be my prince. Ashamed of my actions, I left school with no intention of returning. My parents suggested I take a semester off and work while prioritizing in order. But after a summer of isolation, in a town of 400 residents, I knew my career was my priority. I convinced my parents to give me another chance. Surprisingly they supported my decision; encouraging me to listen to my intuition as they always had.

 Growing up, my mother was certain I had psychic behaviors, often playing mind games to guess the colors and numbers she was thinking. Later, I realized I did not have psychic talents but a form of psychological intuition, meaning I could read individuals; often receiving smells or auras instead of thoughts. After falling so hard for Ben, I doubted I had this gift.

I turned down the quiet street, lined with mature trees, and parked in the driveway of the 1 ½ story house my best friend Kate and I had rented for the school year and laughed to myself, remembering a folklore quote my mother whispered while hugging me goodbye. "No matter how tempted you are, don't feed that bad wolf, Lexie."

 Peering into the car mirror, I exhaled deeply before getting out. "Only the good wolf," I whispered. "I'm only feeding the good wolf."

The tiny house with its rickety garage looked inviting as I carried a suitcase to the doorstep. Kate stumbled upon the cozy cottage last month when she started working for the University athletic department. As soon as she found out I was returning to school, she convinced me to be her roommate for the third year.

During my drive, Kate had sent a text letting me know she was with her new boyfriend, Matt. I wasn't surprised she had already met someone but was stunned at how fond she had become of him. Matt was a football player and not her typical type.

I confirmed my arrival with a text back and carried my suitcase to the vaulted loft bedroom I would be residing. The room was cozier than the pictures with the slanted ceilings and attached bathroom. I walked to the lone bedroom window peering out into the cute backyard.

My phone buzzed with a text from Kate. "We are just finishing dinner. Join us for a quick drink. I want you to meet Matt. I can't wait to see you!"

A bar was the last place I wanted to be on my first night back or any night shortly, but I was curious to meet the man she couldn't stop talking about. What was the harm in one drink? I texted back to confirm only 1 drink while heading out the door.