Deceptive Inheritance (Remnants of the Lost #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Itook the elevator up to the eighth floor, feeling lighter and more carefree with each passing minute.

Now that I’d said goodbye to my parents, I could finally start enjoying college.

Music and laughter echoed from behind closed doors as I walked along the hallway to my room.

When I reached it, I pushed the door open, suddenly nervous.

I really hoped I’d get along with my roommate.

Sarah stood at her closet, rearranging clothes on the shelves.

“I don’t know how they expect us to fit our stuff in these tiny spaces.

I swear this room is smaller than my one from last year.

” She turned and put her hands on her hips.

“And I’m from California, so I didn’t even bring that much stuff. Where’d you say you’re from?”

“Connecticut.”

“Isn’t that only a couple of hours from here?”

I nodded.

“You didn’t want to get farther away?”

I’d wanted to be as far away from my parents as I could.

But once I started applying to colleges, I knew it wouldn’t be possible.

Not with diabetes. I had to stay nearby in case there was a problem with my medication and adjustments needed to be made.

“I like the Northeast.” Sort of. I mean, it was familiar.

I’d lived in the same place all my life.

Sarah raised her eyebrows. “Fall here is beautiful, but I’m not a fan of the cold winters. They’re brutal.”

“Then why’d you choose Stonemore University?”

“For its neuroscience program. It’s one of the best in the country.”

“What year are you?” I asked.

“Junior. You?”

“Same. I did two years at Westwood Junior College.” My parents never gave me the option to go straight to a four-year university.

Mom had been too afraid to let me go. Even though I graduated high school with a 4.

3 GPA and a killer SAT score, she wouldn’t even discuss it.

So I lived at home and went to a JC. All because of my diabetes.

“I can show you around if you want,” Sarah said. “Introduce you to some people.”

“That’d be great.” I didn’t want to sit through orientation with the other transfer students. It wasn’t like I didn’t know how college worked. Different school, same general idea.

“I’m actually going to a party tonight if you want to join me.” Her voice sounded excited with the prospect. “It’s at a house off-campus. My friend Danielle is dating this guy in a band. It’s at his place, and he’ll be singing.”

I didn’t really feel like going. I was exhausted from moving in over the past two days, and classes started Monday.

However, my mantra was to say yes to everything this year.

The whole point of going to college was to experience new things.

If I didn’t break out of my shell now, I never would.

Once I graduated, I’d be returning home to work with my mom in her genetics lab in Hartford.

I had two years of freedom and needed to make the most of them, starting tonight. “Okay, I’m in.”

“Yay!” Sarah squealed. “Let’s change and get ready.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, wondering if I could pull this look off. I’d never borrowed anyone’s clothes before.

“Absolutely,” Sarah replied. “The jean skirt looks great on you. It shows off your long legs. And that turquoise blouse is perfect with your eyes.”

The skirt was shorter than anything I’d normally wear.

The top, I liked. “Thanks for dressing me. And doing my hair and makeup.” The makeup was just enough to highlight my blue eyes without being too much.

As for my long brown hair, Sarah had used a flat iron to give it beachy waves.

With the humidity, I would have preferred to pull my hair up into a ponytail or a bun.

However, I was meeting Sarah’s friends and wanted to make a good first impression.

Sarah was friendly, outgoing, and beautiful.

I had decided to trust her opinion on what to wear to this party.

“You look great,” I said. My roommate had on a white sundress that showcased her blonde hair and tanned skin. She looked like she belonged in California, not here in New York.

“Thanks.” She applied some lipgloss. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone.”

We exited the dorm and headed along the pathway past the football field and athletic center. The thick air wrapped around me. August and September were always so hot and humid.

“I swear my makeup is melting,” Sarah muttered. “Back home in Carlsbad, it always cools off at night. I miss that when I’m here.”

“I’ve never been to California.” Or anywhere for that matter.

“You’ll have to come home with me for spring break or something.”

I smiled. I’d lucked out with getting Sarah for a roommate. “Thanks for inviting me tonight.”

While I’d visited the campus a couple of times and felt like I had my bearings, I didn’t know anyone here. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jean skirt, suddenly nervous about this party and meeting so many new people at once. Being holed up in my room, alone, seemed the better option right now.

“Of course,” Sarah replied. As we walked, she told me about a handful of her friends that I’d be meeting tonight.

Weaving through the campus, I couldn’t help but smile.

This was everything I had always wanted.

More than a dozen two-story brick buildings were spread across the grounds, each devoted to a different subject.

At the center stood the library, its round dome rising above the rest of the campus.

Tall white pillars framed the entrances of many buildings, giving the campus a definite college vibe.

Large trees shaded the walkways, their branches stretching overhead.

Passing one of the grassy quads, I spotted people in groups for orientation, playing games, or sitting around talking.

“I’m glad you’re taking me to this party so I’m not subjected to that.” I pointed to a group tossing a frisbee. None of them looked like they wanted to be there.

Sarah snorted. “Orientation is brutal.”

We passed the biology building which had ivy covering the entire left side of it.

As a bio major, I was certain I had at least a couple of classes there.

Tomorrow I’d find out where my classes were located and do a dry run to make sure I could get to each one with plenty of time to spare.

I liked being prepared and knowing what to expect.

Routine, consistency. I avoided stressful situations like the plague.

We crossed the street and headed for the bridge that took us away from the campus and over the river.

“Danielle’s boyfriend lives in a house with eighteen other guys,” Sarah said. “It’s on the street where all the university’s themed houses are.”

“Themed houses?” I’d heard about fraternities and sororities having their own houses, but I’d never heard anything about themed houses.

“Yup. We’re going to the music house.”

We exited the bridge and headed along the sidewalk to the left.

“There’s the comedy house,” Sarah said, pointing to one. “There’s the movie house, the clean living house.” Most houses displayed a flag signifying which house they were.

“Interesting.” My gaze moved up ahead to the right where a handful of guys were hanging out on the porch of a large tan house.

Sarah followed my line of sight. “Over there, we have the sports houses. That one,” she nodded toward the guys on the porch, “is the rugby house. As to why teams need houses, I have no idea.”

“Do a lot of the sports teams have houses?”

“All of them do.”

We crossed the street and headed for the three-story blue house next to the rugby house. Sarah led me around the side and to the opened gate.

About fifty people were in the backyard. I hadn’t realized there’d be so many. For some reason, I’d assumed there would only be a dozen or so.

A dance area had been set up in the middle of the backyard with string lights crisscrossing over it.

On the other side, a guy stood holding a guitar, plucking the strings and adjusting a large speaker.

A set of drums was situated behind him. Closer to the back porch, there was a card table with drinks and food.

“Sarah!” someone squealed. A girl with shoulder-length black hair ran over, hugging her. “I’m glad you made it.”

“Me too! Danielle, this is my roommate, Laney.” She pointed to me.

“Hi,” I said with an awkward wave. I hated social situations like this. Meeting new people and not knowing anyone made me want to go running. I had to force myself to remain there at Sarah’s side.

“You two got here just in time,” Danielle said. “Austin is about to start.” She looped one arm around Sarah’s and, to my surprise, one around mine, leading us both closer to the band.

A guy now sat at the drums, and another guitar player was off to the side. The lead singer, Austin, stood at the microphone.

“The best part about school starting up again is getting to perform for you,” Austin said, pointing at Danielle and winking.

“God, I love him,” she said with a dreamy sigh.

Austin began playing.

I wasn’t all that into music, so I didn’t know how good he was…

or wasn’t. But his music didn’t hurt my ears, so that was something.

A lot of times certain sounds made my ears ring.

When I mentioned it to anyone, they never seemed to know what I was talking about, which was why I now kept those things to myself.

People began to dance.

“Come on, you two,” Danielle said, dragging us forward.

I managed to unwind my arm from hers. “I’m going to get something to drink.

” Before giving either of them a chance to respond, I turned and headed toward the table.

After grabbing a bottle of water, I meandered to the back portion of the yard where a couch along with a few tables and a dozen chairs had been set up under a large tree.

Plopping on one of the white plastic chairs, I had the perfect view.

I could see the band and everyone dancing or milling about.