Lifeline

Chapter 1

"Kambree, do you have everything?" my mom asked.

"Yes mom. For the hundredth time," I replied laughing.

Today I'm moving into my dorm at Duke University and to say my mom is freaking out would be an understatement. Durham, North Carolina is about 9 hours away from where I grew up in Cedar Hill, Tennessee.

We approach my dorm room with our hands full of suitcases. I open the door and notice half of the room has already been decorated, but no ones in here.

"Looks like your roommate got here even earlier than we did," said my mom, earning a giggle from me.

"I guess so. You can just set the bags over there, and I can unpack, mom."

"Trying to get rid of me so quickly?" she teased.

"Of course not," I smiled, "But if you aren't home in time to cook Lillian supper, you'll be screwed."

Lillian is my 13 year-old little sister who was probably the hardest goodbye I had to say to before I left.

"I suppose you're right," my mom said with tears welling up in her eyes which only made them appear in mine.

"Mom. Please don't cry," I soothed.

"I'm sorry sweetie. I'm just so proud of you."

"I know you are mom. I love you."

"I love you too, honey," she says while gathering her things.

I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her like I did when I was younger.

"Text me when you get home, okay? And tell Lillian I love her," I tell her with one last squeeze.

"I will. Bye Kambree."

"Bye mom." And with that she closes the door, leaving me alone with my unpacked suitcases.
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About 45 minutes later, I heard someone barge through the door.

"Oh hi! You're here!" said the brunette. "I'm Eleanor. Eleanor Calder."

"Hello," I said, startled by how outgoing she was. "I'm Kambree White."

She noticed my uneasiness. "Am I being too upfront? Shit, I'm sorry."

I laughed. "No you're fine, I haven't really talked to anybody since I got here."

"Well it sounds like you need to come to a party with me tonight so you can mingle," she smirked at me.

I used to go to parties all the time in high school with my friends whenever I could sneak out of my house.

"If you insist," I teased her.

"Great! I'm going to get ready. We have to leave in about an hour," she informed me.

"Okay. Thanks!"
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After I picked out an outfit, which consisted of a black, sleeveless dress that went to about mid-thigh with a cutout in the back and some small black heels, Eleanor offered to do my makeup. I couldn't refuse because I really sucked at putting on makeup which was why I didn't usually wear much.

I sat down on my bed while she applied makeup that I didn't existed, to my face. I waited patiently until she was done.

When she was satisfied, she drew her hand back and put the makeup away.

"Hm... I didn't do that bad," she joked. "Kidding. I did pretty fucking awesome."

I laughed at her remark and went to look in the mirror.

She was right. The eyeliner had somehow made my plain, brown eyes look brighter. My eyelashes were long and full, and my red lips brought out the bit of red in my brown/red unique color of hair that I had straightened.

"Holy shit! How did you do this?!" I asked in astonishment.

"I may or may not have used to be a model for Hollister," she replied smugly.

"Looks like you'll be doing my makeup from now on," I told her. She laughed.

I went into my closet where my outfit was laid out and put it on.

Even though I was pretty tall, I had a really curvy shape. I hated how I had to wear a bra with everything I wore, and when I wore heels, I towered over everybody, but I just sucked it up and got dressed.

When I was done, I walked over to Eleanor who was typing away on her phone.

"You ready?" I asked.

She looked up from whatever she was doing and looked at what I was wearing.

"Yeah, lets go. You look stunning by the way," she complimented.

"You do too." And she really did. Her hair was in natural, beautiful waves that I would choose any day over my frizzy, wavyish hair that I always had to straighten. And her bright, red dress that brought out her hazel eyes.

The party was at a frat house near our dorm so it was a short walk.

As we approached the house, you could already see the red cups littered on the lawn.

"Follow me," said Eleanor, "I want you to meet someone."

Curiously, I trailed along behind her. She approached a group of people talking in a corner.

"Louis!!" she screeched.

"Hey babe," he replied, walking over to kiss her.

"Hey," she replied, cheeks flushed. "I want you to meet my roommate, Kambree."

"Kambree, this is my boyfriend, Louis"

He gave me a polite nod. "Nice to meet you Kambree.

"Nice to meet you too," I smiled.

His ice blue eyes then focused on Eleanor, "Lets get a drink El."

"Wait. Lets introduce Kambree to your friends first."

"Of course," Louis said as Eleanor dragged me into the group of two tall guys and a girl.

Louis turned to the two guys.

"Zayn, Harry this is Kambree."

The curly haired one sucked in a breath.

"Kambree White?!" he asked in astonishment.

And then it clicked. The deep accent. The emerald green eyes. The dark, curly hair. Standing in front of me was the stranger from my childhood. Standing in front of me was Harry Styles.