"I've never felt this intense feeling of belonging before. A nostalgic hammering on my heart that ricochets through my entire body; screaming that this place, one I've never been before, is home."
Jessica Jackson: the newest member of Redwood University's foreign exchange program. Alone in an unfamiliar country, surrounded by people she's never met, doing things she never imagined she would, and she's loving every moment of it. She's struggling with the idea that this incredible life she's built for herself in a simple, short year is all temporary as her heart yearns for her to stay, but circumstances back home keep her anchored to her past life.
Alex Thompson: Redwood's very own sweetheart. Despite his golden-boy reputation and his heart of gold, he has never been in love. Up until this year, he has never wanted to be. After all, the only real experience he's had with love, albeit observing it from the sidelines, ended in nothing but unbearable pain.
Throw in a series of love letters that never get sent, late-night conversations, stolen hearts, an epic spark, and pasts that are rapidly dragging down their chances of a future; Jessica knew her life was just about to get ten times more complicated.
Emma Barnes is a shy sophomore with a predictable life. Struggling with anxiety and focusing on her parent's aspirations of her becoming a doctor, she keeps to her two best friends and studies. However, the night she makes a deal to go to a frat party, she starts to discover there is more to college than just staying in her comfort zone. Getting involved with new friends and experiences, she realizes that all this time she may have not been completely honest with herself about who she wants to be or who she wants...
The complete opposite of her, Sebastien Reed has never focused on anything past dating or partying. As Emma, his childhood best friend and constant in life, starts to change and venture out, the feelings he has never dared to explore start interfering with their friendship. There is only so long the two of them can keep the mask up of being just friends.
*Disclosure: Mild cursing throughout, mental illness, and addiction*
~slow-burn, humor, drama, & self-discovery~
*COMPLETED*
Started 8.21.20
Ended 8.20.21
Around 80,000 words