Prologue

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The noise of the crowd had slowly faded to whispers as Willow's attention slipped away from the scene. This was the first weekend of her summer abroad program. Instead of sightseeing throughout Britain and visiting all the tourist attractions like she planned, she had been dragged out by her new roommate to celebrate. Unwillingly being forced into a bar full of drunken strangers wasn't what Willow wanted her first memory of Britain to be like.

She began recollecting all the moments that led her up to this exact situation. A month ago, she had received the acceptance letter for the summer abroad program that her university offered. It was like a dream come true. It was a shot in the dark that she'd even be accepted considering Willow signed up during her freshmen year in college. Freshmen were rarely selected for this opportunity. Then weeks had gone by in a flash and before she knew it she was in Europe for the first time. The campus was stunningly beautiful with its old Victorian inspired architecture. The buildings had large glass windows that looked out at the wonderful gardens placed around the walkways.

The only thing that wasn't breathtaking about the whole experience was meeting her new roommate, Alice. She was the rudest person that Willow had ever met. Alice, immediately after introducing each other, pointed out that she wasn’t used to living in such a room. “Look, I bet you’re used to sleeping in rooms much smaller that this, judging from your cheap clothing choice. I need as much space as I can get, so you can take that small study area in the corner. Believe me, this will save you from hearing me constantly complaining.” Willow could remember Alice’s annoying voice saying.

Willow immediately began looking around for someone to talk to. Maybe if she made a new friend here then she wouldn’t look like a total loner. After scanning throughout the bar, Willow concluded that the only person that seemed even slightly approachable was Alice. Now that’s just disappointing. Willow thought to herself. Even though she felt a bit uncomfortable with it, she started to head towards Alice. Maybe, if she spent more time with her roommate, Willow would be able to like her more.

“Oh, Willow, here take this. God knows, I’ve already drank too much.” Alice said handing Willow her beer. “No it’s fine. I don’t drink,” Willow replied.

“Sorry to break it to you, Maple, But we’re eighteen and it’s legal to drink here. So give a little,” Alice said as she slurred her words and kept shoving the drink to Willow.

“First off, my name’s Willow, not Maple. Second, if I wanted a drink, I would have gotten one myself and not one that you’ve put your mouth on.” Willow retorted as she was beginning to feel agitated.

“God, who cares? Willow. Maple. I knew your name was named after a dumb tree. Look, I’m here to have some fun and you’re annoying me. I brought you here to see if you weren’t as boring as you looked. I guess I was wrong. Now, why don’t you make like a bug and scatter.” Alice said. She then turned around and took a shot, completely ignoring Willow’s dazed expression.

Willow had just stood there dumbfounded. She felt like she had just been slapped. She wasn’t going to let Alice get the last straw but Willow could feel her eyes start to water, so she retreated.

 

She was about to walk back to her dorm. Furiously taking each step to the exit, while a single thought echoed in her mind. I made the wrong choice. I made the wrong choice. I made the wrong choice. She kept repeating to herself. She thought this was the summer of freedom, adventure, and thrill. Not once did she realize that she was going to be all alone in a foreign country for three whole months. I bet no one celebrates the 4th of July here, Willow thought to herself. Sure I’ll go sight-seeing and stuff but with no one to spend it with, there’s really no poi-

 

In just seconds, Willow drops to the floor with alcohol soaking her clothes and hair. Just great, even when I refuse to drink, I somehow end up drenched in it, she miserably thought.

 

“Holy crap! I’m so sorry lad, I should have looked where I was goi-” Oliver had planned on finishing his apology but was stunned. He had crouch down to help but soon realized that the poor lad he spilled his drink on was actually the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had vibrant red hair, that glowed like flames. Piercing brown eyes with flakes of gold swimming in them. She was gorgeous.

 

Willow waited for the guy to finish his sentence. After moments of silent staring, she decided that this was definitely the sign to leave. So she got up and started to walk away.

 

What are you doing, you idiot. The women of your dreams is walking away and you’re just standing there with a stupid look on your face. Oliver thought to himself.

 

Willow could have swore that she heard footsteps following her, when suddenly someone had caught hold of her wrist. “Wait,” a voice had told her. When she turned around, she realized that it was the same person that spilled his drink on her.

 

“I’m so sorry,” Oliver finally said. Then she gave him a sympathetic smile and said, “it’s fine, really. I just have the worst luck.” God, her voice was lovelier than he expected. He thought to himself. “Look, I know all you want to do is leave because some arse spilled his drink on you and it took him five minutes to finally apologize,” he said. She gave him the sweetest laugh he had ever heard. “But I swear I could make it up to you if you’d let me,” Oliver said, hoping that Willow would give him a chance.

 

Willow knew that the sooner she could get back to her room and take a nice, warm shower, the sooner she’d forget about this whole night. She also knew that she had never once seen this boy before in her life and she probably won’t ever see him again if she just left. But for some reason, she seemed to have total trust in this complete stranger. She’d usually have her guard up but all her defenses seemed to be falling and she wanted to understand why. “Okay, I’ll let you make it up to me. I’m Willow by the way,” she told him.


Oliver’s heart exploded out of pure joy and he smiled, trying to quiet it down. Willow, what a lovely name. He thought. “Willow, pleased to meet you. I’m Oliver."

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