Good Girls Have Secrets

Chapter 1

Spray from the cold slushy snow hits my face, as the Cy-ride bus barrels by. Note to self: Stand back farther from the curb. I pull out my phone to make sure my mascara isn't running. Why didn't I pick Hawaii? Or even Texas? 

My mom wasn't happy with my decision. Her last-ditch effort was to ask, "Do you really want to move to Iowa in January? You wear a sweater and coat when it's fifty degrees." She held out her phone showing a temperature of 15 below zero. "Iowa State's campus is huge, so have fun with that."

When I shrugged, she stormed off saying over her shoulder. "You're making the biggest mistake of your life."

What? No hug? Goodbye.

Gripping the edges of my hat, I pull it down over my ears, then slide my hands into the sleeves of my new North Face winter coat. Thin gloves work for driving in a freezing car but aren't warm enough for the subzero temperatures of walking across campus. I hope, with the right gear and mindset, I'll stop despising the cold.

Inhaling slow and deep, I find the courage to move forward— towards class, towards the rest of my life. I have no choice, putting one foot in front of the other.

Picking up the pace, the only sound is the squeak of my shoes on the sidewalk. There's too much space here to think and feel. I can't help but wonder; what are my friends doing right now? I miss the laughter and mindless chatter that filled my sorority house.

My alarm chimes. Only ten minutes before class begins.

Stopping in front of the modern building, I estimate more than twenty cement steps between me and my first class. A light layer of snow dusts each one, reminding me to choose practical Uggs over my stylish Frye suede boots.

On the landing, a young woman pulls the door open, spilling the contents of her bag all over the ground.

Noting her basic black jacket, my eyes move to her small cross necklace.  She's a good girl. I can't help but wonder what she'd think of me if she knew some of my stories.

Bending down to pick up a couple of pens and a tube of cherry Chapstick, I wipe them off on my light pink jeans, before I hand them over.

Smiling the good girl says, "Thank you, I'm such a klutz sometimes."

Catching myself staring at her crooked teeth, I move my gaze up to her clear blue eyes. There's potential. She just needs a bit of help in putting together her outfit and applying makeup.

Picking up a small ibuprofen container, I hand it over. "With all this snow gear, it's hard to feel anything, let alone know when your bag is turning on its side." I smile a little too bright and stick out my hand. "I'm Maddie."

"I'm Audrey. Thanks for your help." She glances at her phone. "Oh, class is going to start in a couple of minutes."

Pulling the door open, she motions for me to slide through. My footsteps echo in the long hallway.

My phone buzzes. Giving it a quick glance, I ignore Will for what seems like the hundredth time today.

I look at her. "Are you by chance heading to Design?"

Audrey nods, pointing towards the stairs." I'm pretty sure it's this way."

Now that I'm inside, I have far too many layers on. Beads of sweat form on my upper lip. How do people do this? Freezing outside. Blazing inside.

Audrey leads the way. Pulling off her hat, I'm surprised by the mass of tight dark curls that line her head. That can't possibly be natural.

My stomach turns, imagining the awkward moment when I try to decide if I should sit with her. Avoiding the situation all together, I ask, "Can you tell me where to find a bathroom?"