You Are Something Else, Juniper Zwinggi

Chapter 1

Out of the six universities I'd been accepted into, UC Davis had been the one Pat was most excited about. They have the best veterinary medicine program in the United States and Pat made me apply. He thought it would be good for me but I hated to be so far away from him and mom.

Now, I couldn't get there fast enough.

It had been the longest summer of my entire life. I sat there in that bent and broken pickup, holding my brother's hand as he died. After that it felt like everything was set in slow motion; my mom screaming and crying, her blaming me and cursing me as I sat in the ER, the funeral, the weeks I spent in bed receiving a mixture of sympathy and hate messages.

If you hadn't called him none of this would have happened!

Pat would still be alive if you didn't party so much.

You brought this on yourself.

I ended up deleting my social media accounts and getting a new phone number.

They were right, though. If I hadn't called him that night he would be getting ready for his first Tech football game instead of lying in the family plot next to dad. I'd called him countless times to pick me up from parties, I guess it had only been a matter of time before something bad happened. All summer his words echoed in my mind.

"You never know, Juni."

I barely got two words from mom before I got in my Jeep and drove away. Out of all the blame I received for Pat's death, her's hurt the most.

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I'd opted for off-campus housing since dorm residents weren't allowed vehicles and it was cheaper. Emily, my new housemate was expecting me any second. I'd found her through a website for UC Davis students searching for roommates and we'd chatted all summer. Of course, I left out the part about losing my brother. I'd explained about the healing wound on my face, that I'd been in an accident and that stopped her from asking too much. She was sweet, kind, and a genuinely good person, I didn't want her feeling sorry for me or walking on eggshells around me. I needed someone who didn't know what I did to my family. 

Emily was waiting on the front walkway when I pulled into the driveway. She was everything you'd expect to see in California, blonde haired, blue eyed, amazing bone structure, and a great tan. She was taller than her pictures let on, but of course everyone was taller than my 5'4" self. I got out of the Jeep and she greeted me with a hug.

"Juniper, it's so good to meet you in person! Welcome!" she said giving me a squeeze before letting go.

"Thank you," I said feeling her excitement. After talking with her all summer and getting to know her, I could definitely see the sheltered rich kid in her. It was like she didn't know how to start off the tour, like she didn't want to boast about the house. I grew up in a wealthy family too, my dad owned some kind of company and my mom was an heiress so I knew what it was like to have money but I was never sheltered. Pat and I never flaunted our money but we didn't hide it either and we definitely weren't ashamed of it.

"Come in, come in," she linked her arm through mine and led me into the house. I'd seen the pictures she sent through email but the house was nicer in person. It was a two story house with a two car garage, nothing special but perfect for what I needed. It was definitely different from home. "Daddy bought the house a few years ago as a business retreat for clients but since he retired it's been empty. He gave it to me when I was accepted to UC Davis. It has all new furniture, new paint, new appliances. I've told you that before, I suppose."

I couldn't even get a word in. She opened the door and guided me inside. The formal living and dining rooms were on the left and the stairs going to the second floor were there as well. The ceiling was super tall and I could see that she had asked the renovators to add a little flair to the staircase with a black and white chevron pattern. She showed me the kitchen and informal living room  that led to the backyard.