Walk the Line (Wildern University #1)

CHAPTER ONE

KAYLAH

Why do things ever have to change?

It would be a lot easier if they could just stay the same forever.

Or at least until I’m ready to embrace the new thing.

But I guess I never really am ready.

It’s probably just a lot easier to think about how much I don’t like change than to register the fact I’m walking into my new beginning already.

Well, at least I did three hours ago.

I’ve been seeing what I’m doing as hiding away in my new university room, but that would make a lot more sense if there was at least someone else here to hide from.

But I knew it would be an empty house seeing as it’s the peak of summer and the year hasn’t started yet.

The moment my application for Wildern University was accepted I couldn’t think of anything worse than walking into any room and not being the first one there.

I like to get ahead of new situations instead of feeling like a fish out of water, with everyone staring and judging me.

I thank my anxiety for that feeling like a horror situation for me.

I thank myself for thinking I had to prioritise the management of my depression because I didn’t think my anxiety would get worse.

It did in fact get worse.

Term doesn’t start for over a month, so I’m way ahead of this situation, but at least it gives me the chance to get to grips with this new city. It already seems as if there’s more to it than the last one.

But with a yawn, I’m realising I may just need to get into my exploration of Wild City later.

I check the time on my phone, a little surprised to find that it’s only one in the afternoon.

I feel like I’ve already lived four days in one, but moving can tend to do that to a person.

Assessing the time once more, I definitely think it’s possible to squeeze a little nap in for some hours.

And then when I wake up, the first thing I need to do is satisfy my craving for apple crumble by making some.

There are a few viewings taking place at three, courtesy of this house being a late one to the market and me being the first person to snap it up. I’m pretty sure it was only just recently built, and I can’t deny that everything smells new and fresh, which gives me a feeling I can’t explain.

But I also can’t deny that I’m nervous about who is going to end up moving in with me. If I had it my way I would have got a one bedroom place, but that was never going to be an option for me.

I guess I’ll just cross the roommates bridge when I get to it, but for now a nap is definitely calling my name and I’m never one to be opposed to getting away from the world from a while.

I shut my eyes, hoping this is one of those instances where it doesn’t take forever for me to actually begin sleeping. But I’ve learnt not to underestimate my overthinking abilities, they especially make an appearance when I’m trying to sleep.

That’s just one thing that doesn’t change.