Chapter Text
It's never easy to turn the page in life.
Yet Pip Fitz-Amobi was ready to do it together with her best friend Cara, deciding once and for all to leave Litlle Kilton leaving behind all the things that had happened in that place. They were officially ready to change their lives and study what they loved the most, as far away as possible. The NYU University was their final choice, with two completely different faculties but that was fine like that.
Pip would have done anything to hide from her past, just to forget what she had done.
She just wanted to escape from there.
Little Kilton, although she had been her home for nineteen long years, was a place that no longer made her feel good, on the contrary: every day that passed, walking through those streets that she knew by heart or entering one of the few shops in the city, she felt that guilt was eating her alive.
What she had done...
Only her best friend knew about it. Cara would never have misjudged her or abandoned her, after all she had known her since they were only five years old.
Who better than her could know her so well? Her mother? Her father or her younger brother? Definitely not.
And when Cara proposed to Pip to move together to New York to pursue their study careers she was not easily convinced, yet in the end she gave in. If she didn't leave Little Kilton now she would never have done it again, and she couldn't miss this great opportunity.
— You know Cara, it's not that hard to open a door! — Pip complained.
— And instead I tell you it's not that easy! — Cara replied — I swear this key is strange!
— Of course — Pip commented.
And finally after Cara's thousand attempts to open a door they entered their new apartment not far from their university, which could actually be seen from afar. The building was quite large, it contained a lot of rooms for students after all. Theirs was a small apartment, they couldn't afford much, but it was very cozy and bright just like Pip wanted.
The entrance leads to a bright living room with a table and some chairs around it, a television hanging on the wall and a kitchen area on the opposite side. The windows overlooked the other buildings attached to each other supposedly rented by other students. And finally there were the two bedrooms at the end of a short corridor.
— I choose first! — Cara exclaimed.
— I should have imagined it — Pip replied smiling at her friend's behavior.
— In this room the closet is bigger! — Cara said — It was easier than expected, Pippa!
— Thank you for giving me the opportunity to choose! — Pip replied.
— You're welcome ! And then you're always so indecisive! You would have taken all day to decide! —Cara defended herself.
And she wasn't entirely wrong. Pip had always been an indecisive girl about everything.
— Point to you — replied Pip rolling her eyes, surrendering.
And she entered her room: a queen-size bed, a much smaller wardrobe than the one in Cara's room, a desk and a chair and a bedside table next to the bed. Literally everything she needed. They spent, thus, the first part of the afternoon arranging all their things and familiarizing themselves with that small space, while the second part of the afternoon was occupied by visiting the places around, including shops for necessary goods and the road to the university.
— God, I'm devastated. I just want to sleep — Cara complained.
— Me too — Pip replied — But you know, I'm happy to be here with you,Cara.
— I'm happy to have escaped from Little Kilton with you, Pippa — Cara replied.
— I hate it when you call me that, you know! — Pip reiterated.
— That's why I do it on purpose! — Cara replied, lying down on her bed.
— Good night, Cara! — Pip exclaimed, laughing slightly.
Pip went to her room, anxiously waiting to start her first day of university. Would she have made friends with someone? Would they have considered her weird or boring? She didn't know it yet, but she was definitely curious to find out what awaited her.
She put her head on the soft pillow placing two hands under it, the blanket covered her up to her legs and the mattress was really comfortable. But she didn't fall asleep easily. She had the feeling that this new life would give her something wonderful.
She would finally leave her past behind, she would meet new people and would never hear about Max Hastings, Jason Bell or anyone else from that town she loved so much but now hates.
The time had officially come to turn the page.
——
Mindy Meeks-Martin,Sam and Tara Carpenter apartment 21:38pm
— Okay, it's definitely not worth it! — Tara said — You're clearly cheating!
— No, it's not true — Sam defended herself.
— Yes, it's true! Where did that card you just pulled come from? — Tara asked.
— I can't tell you my tricks, sister. Or it wouldn't make sense! — Sam replied.
— This is not a trick, it's called cheating — Tara finally replied, not at all annoyed.
Tara had always been like this: literally the opposite of her sister: if Sam took it out on someone Tara intervened saving the situation and apologizing on her behalf, if Sam was extremely protective and attentive to everything Tara was the opposite.
— Oh well, I see you're playing cards without me! — said Mindy appearing through the front door.
— Oh don't worry — Tara said — Sam cheated all the time!
— Only at the end! — Sam defended herself.
— Always the same, Sam! — Mindy exclaimed — By the way, I have no idea what to wear for the first day of college.
— Simple clothes? — Tara replied.
— Of course not, Tara! The first day you have to make an impression, it's well known! — she reiterated.
— And who should we impress with? The guys are all boring, engaged or out of their minds — commented Sam.
— I don't think Mindy wants to impress boys, Sam — Tara said laughing while looking at Mindy's disgusted face, who was running to the bathroom, when she heard the word "boys".
— What about you? — Sam asked turning to Tara.
— Me what? — Tara replied.
— Do you want to impress boys or girls? — Sam said curving her lips up.
— I'm open to everything — Tara finally replied smiling, but inside she wasn't very convinced of her words.
Sam looked at her little sister, who had been through so much but who was always ready to move on. But not her. She was still helped by a psychologist, one of the best. Yet the situation didn't seem to improve: at night she had nightmares, woke up and then continued to sleep if it suited her. Or she stayed up all night as if to make sure that no crazy murderer with a horrible mask showed up in their house.
— I'm proud of you, Tara — Sam said.
— And I am of you — Tara replied — Whatever you face every day, it's worth it.
— Is it worth it for what? — Sam asked — All I do is get paranoid about everything or be scared by everyone — she concluded raising her voice slightly.
— Sam, you can't expect to heal instantly. It is part of the path that is literally the most difficult part. And it will be worth it when you manage to live your life quietly — Tara replied.
— What if it never happens? — Sam said — What if I could never heal?
— Then you will have tried with all of yourself. And I'm sure you'll make it, Sam — Tara reassured her — I believe in you, you should believe more in yourself — she concluded.
— How can you be so wise at your age? — Sam said.
— I don't know, I've always been like that I suppose — Tara replied smiling.
Mindy appeared again, this time with a bathrobe that wrapped her completely, excited by something she absolutely had to say and was looking forward to.
— I almost forgot! I heard that two new girls have moved downstairs!
— And what happened to Elizabeth and Charlotte? — Sam asked curiously.
— I don't know and I don't care. Those two were quite unpleasant — Mindy replied.
— And how do you know about this? Have you seen them? — Tara asked.
— No, unfortunately not, but the owner of the building I met told me just before I got back. And guess what! — Mindy challenged the other two girls.
— What?! — Sam asked looking at Mindy impatiently.
— They are both English! How I love English women! — she exclaimed,going back to the bathroom.
Tara and Sam burst out laughing right after.
— Yep,the girls of before weren’t as nice — Tara insinuated.
— I totally agree — Sam said.
— Well, I’m going to my room. For anything, you know where I am! — Tara said.
— Scream if something happens! — Sam exclaimed.
— I’ll do it! — Tara finally replied, laughing at her sister’s extreme protection.
And finally she lay down on the bed, watching some TikTok before falling asleep without even realizing it. Quite the opposite of her sister, who was more worried and anxious about Tara’s first day of university than Tara herself.
Tara had no idea that her life would finally take a turn. And it was what she really needed, without even knowing it.
——
Pip and Cara's apartment, hs 7:26am
The sun had already risen for a while when Cara decided to wake up with the only thought of having a coffee instantly, while Pip was practically ready and stared at the view from the window while waiting for her friend.
If there was one thing Pip loved to do, it was that: to admire the landscape. She's been doing it since she was a child. She stood in front of the window and did her homework on the window sill, or if she just wanted to be in peace she stood there all alone. Always alone.
— I'm here! I swear! — Cara shouted from the other room.
— If you don't hurry up I'll leave without you! — Pip replied.
— Here I am, here I am! — Cara said, suddenly appearing.
— Finally! Come on let's move. — Pip replied rolling her eyes.
— Wait! — Cara said. - Tell me how I look!
— Cara, you're spectacular even with jeans and a simple T-shirt! — Pip replied hoping to convince her friend, who was anything but convinced.
— Are you serious or are you just saying it because you love me? — Cara asked.
— I mean it, because I love you and because if we don't go out now we'll be late!
Pip finally replied by pulling Cara by the arm and closing the door behind them, once and for all.
The day, fortunately, was serene. A completely blue sky was above them. Not even a cloud. Maybe it was a clear sign of a beautiful day, Pip thought. Arriving in front of the university building, the two separated, each going to meet their fate: one who tried to understand where the classroom of her first lesson was and one who was already inside in no time.
Pip had chosen the faculty of psychology. She had always wanted to help people and since she was little she had clear ideas and, even if she had always been passionate about criminology, she had abandoned that idea for months now. After what had happened.
So it was decided: psychology was the most suitable faculty for her.
Cara instead loved mathematics, functions, numbers in general. She had chosen economy, without a shadow of a doubt. And obviously she was the one who lost herself looking for her classroom.
Pip, on the other hand, took a deep breath before entering the entrance of the classroom with total panic but tried not to show it. Almost everyone was already seated, each talking to each other.
And she went to the first place that happened to her next to a girl who was doing nothing but scribbling something on a small agenda.
— Excuse me — Pip interrupted — Is the seat free or are you waiting for someone? — she finally asked with all the kindness in the world.
Because Pip was like that. Always kind to everyone. Always the best. Sometimes she seemed almost naive, but actually Pip Fitz-Amobi was anything but naive.
—Oh, it's free — the girl raised her head who now gave Pip a cute smile — You can sit down.
— Thank you — Pip replied with a thread of voice clearly embarrassed by the situation that she didn't even know whether to show up or not.
— I'm Tara — said the girl holding out her hand without stopping smiling.
— Pip — Pip replied, shaking her hand and returning the smile.
Immediately after, however, the professor entered the classroom and immediately the students were silent, turning full attention to the man.
— Good morning everyone and officially welcome to the first lesson of this course — he began to say — I will be your “general psychology” teacher and my name is Oliver Miller.
———
At the end of the lesson people got up with a clear intention to escape from there, but not Pip and Tara who were probably the only two who enjoyed that first lesson.
— Tara?! — called a male voice.
Tara stood still in front of that vision.
— Chad! — she said going against him — Oh my God, we haven't seen each other for a long time!
— I thought Mindy had told you that I had chosen psychology! — Chad said.
— She didn't tell me anything! — she replied.
Pip, clearly embarrassed and undecided on how to behave, made to leave. She tried to pass behind Tara before she called her.
— Pip, wait! — Tara called.
— Yes? — she said, stopping instantly.
— If you have nothing to do — Tara began — Why don't you stay with us?
— Oh, um, okay — Pip replied uncertainly — Okay, then.
— Great! — Tara exclaimed — Oh, what a carelessness! I didn't introduce you! Chad, this is Pip. Pip, this is Chad — she concluded smiling.
— It’s a pleasure,Pip -- Chad lend his hand.
— My pleasure — she finally replied shaking his hand.
— Good! — Tara said — Now that we've all met, I propose to take a walk in the yard. They say it's huge!
And so it was. The courtyard was really huge as they said, with a lot of students everywhere gathered in small groups. Those people probably made friends right away.
Pip was certainly not like that, it had been a long time since she had been able to talk to someone other than Cara that day. She had always been shy, aside. She wasn't very sociable, quite the opposite of Cara.
— Oh, Mindy! — Tara exclaimed making Mindy approach her, leaving her group for a moment.
— Tara, here you are! — Mindy replied — Oh, and my brother. Hi Chad! And she... —
— I'm Pip, it's a pleasure to meet you — Pip replied.
— My pleasure! If you aroused Tara's interest I'm sure you're a good person, then — Mindy replied.
— Oh, Pip she is my friend Mindy, as well as Chad's sister and my roommate — Tara replied — We've known each other for three years now. She's nice, when she wants and with whoever she wants! — she concluded.
And Pip smiled. She liked the fact that Tara was so kind to her even though they knew each other so little. And Tara was really pretty.
— I'm always nice! — Mindy replied.
— It's not true, Tara is definitely right! — Chad replied.
— Don't believe him, Pip — Mindy said — Come on, I'll introduce you to my group! — Mindy concluded, taking them to other people talking to each other.
— Okay, pay attention everyone! — Mindy interrupted — This is Tara, my friend and roommate. She is Pip and he is my brother.
— Pip?! — said a female voice.
- Cara? — Pip said smiling and hugging her friend.
— She's Pip, my best friend since I can remember and my roommate since well…yesterday.
— Fantastic! In the end we are all here, then! — Mindy said — Oh wait, they are Noah, Thomas and Ava!
— It's a pleasure to meet you! What do you study? — Noah asked.
— Psychology —Tara replied.
— Oh, shrink then — Thomas replied ironically.
— If that's what you prefer to call us! — Chad replied.
— Wait! — Noah said — You do the same course as my cousin, then! Her name is Melissa, I'll introduce her to you, if you want!
— We accept everyone gladly! — Tara concluded.
— Unless they're serial killers! — Chad joked.
— Wow, bro, always the funny one — said Mindy.
Between one lesson and another, time passed quite quickly. As the first day of university it wasn't bad at all, Pip thought. But if there was one thing that had really struck her, that was Tara. So sunny, so smiling and cute with everyone. So kind.
And pretty, again. She had already thought about this several times during the day.
At the end of all the lessons they all said goodbye to each other: Chad, Noah and Thomas headed towards their dormitory, which was reserved only for males. Mindy and Tara, on the other hand, took a tour around the university before returning to their apartment while Ava, Pip and Cara decided to go home each.
— So, Tara Tara Tara — Mindy began — You found yourself a really nice friend...
— Do you mean Pip? — Tara asked.
— Of course! Who, if not! — Mindy replied — But in all honesty her best friend attracted me much more.
— Cara, right?
— Yes — Mindy replied — and if my instinct is right, she likes girls.
And this caused Tara to burst out laughing.
— You're always the same! — Tara said between one laugh and another.
— Oh come on! Pip is all yours, I conquer her friend!
— Wow, wait. Pip is all mine? — Tara interrupted, now more serious — Don't you think you're going a little too fast?
— Oh no, absolutely! Shelooked at you in a...sweet way I would say.
— It will be better to go home, now — Tara concluded, laughing at her friend's statement.
But she was right, and Tara had noticed it even if she didn't want to admit it. If Pip waded her like that it was because she was comfortable with her and the others. It wasn't for anything else.
It wasn't.
Outside the sun had set leaving only room for darkness when the two came back and found themselves in a rather unexpected and funny scene.
— This damn door again, Pip! — exclaimed Cara.
— You're the one who doesn't know how to open it! — Pip replied.
— Oh no, I assure you that this key doesn't want to work when it should — Cara said.
— And I'm sure you don't know how to open! — Pip said laughing like crazy, teasing her friend who kept fighting with that key.
— Pip? — called a voice that forced Pip to turn around.
— Tara? — she said when they met eyes.
— Do you live here? — Tara asked.
— Yes, since yesterday. And Cara doesn't know how to open a door!
— You have to turn left three times — Tara replied, who immediately received a questioning look from Cara
—I know, it's a very strange thing because it's usually the opposite but it's better not to ask yourself questions.
—I told you it was you who didn't know how to open a door! — Pip said turning to Cara.
— And I told you yesterday that it's a strange key! — Cara replied.
— Let me show you — Mindy intervened approaching Cara, causing Tara to giggle.
— Oh thank you Mindy — Cara replied — See Pip, try to be nice too from time to time!
— Well, she is! — Tara defended her — With me she was, I mean.
She concluded almost regretting having spit those words out of nowhere without thinking twice.
This caused a chuckle from Mindy and Cara while Pip...well Pip was completely red in her face.
— That's it, girls — Mindy said — You can call us for anything, we live upstairs. Door number four.
— Thanks to you! — Pip answered immediately, still embarrassed from the moment before, which she immediately did to enter the house.
— Wait, Pip! — Tara called.
— Yes? — Pip replied.
— Can I have your phone number? — Tara asked — So I can contact you tomorrow to let you know where we meet before class.
She concluded as if she had to give an explanation to that request.
— Of course, it's fine — replied Pip, who immediately began to dictate her phone number.
— Perfect. Number saved correctly — Tara said — So, see you tomorrow!
— Yes, of course — Pip replied — See you tomorrow!
And while Tara gave Pip a final smile, Mindy couldn't contain her laughter anymore.
Pip and Cara entered the house immediately closing the door exchanging a defiant look.
— I swear that if you say even one word... — Pip began.
— Oh my God Tara is perfect for you! — Cara replied.
— It's not true at all! And by the ways Mindy is crazy about you!
— And I am of her — Cara replied.
— But you've known her for a few hours, barely!
— So what? — Cara interrupted — I think she's an interesting girl, and she definitely likes girls.
— You never change, huh? — Pip said — Always the same Cara! - she concluded laughing.
— Absolutely. And you, dear Pip — Cara said — You should consider the opportunity to play Tara's game. Do you really think she asked you for your number for what? To meet you before class? — she concluded laughing while pouring herself a glass of water.
— I really don't think Tara is interested in girls — Pip said.
— I, on the other hand, think so. And one day you'll tell me I'm right! — Cara said, filling the second glass of water.
However, the conversation was interrupted by a "beep" coming from Pip's phone and this captured her attention immediately. She took the phone, unlocked it and saw a message from a new number.
"Hi Pip! I'm Tara! This is my number. I just wanted to tell you that it's a pleasure to meet you today, I hope I made a good impression... See you tomorrow!”
— It's her, isn't it? — Cara said — Please tell me it's her!
— Yes, it's her — Pip admitted rolling her eyes due to Cara’s reaction.
She reread the message two more times before replying with a simple message. Nothing too complex. Nothing too long.
"Hey Tara! It was a pleasure to meet you too, you definitely gave me a good impression! See you tomorrow" she said concluding with a final emoji.
— I confirm what I said a little while ago! — Cara said starting to run away.
— Oh run away Cara, before I start throwing these pillows at you! — Pip finally replied giggling.
——
Mindy,Sam and Tara’s apartment 19:23pm
Sam was there. On the couch just back from work when she started listening to the conversation between Mindy and Tara.
— You asked her for her phone number as if you were flirting with her! — exclaimed Mindy.
— I'm not really flirting with anyone! — she defended herself — It's just to keep us in touch.
— My sister flirting with someone? — Sam interrupted — What did I miss?
— NO! Mindy is just definitely exaggerating — Tara said.
— Ajà, certainly — Mindy finally said, starting a new topic with Sam.
And Tara snorted, taking the cell phone unlocking it and clicked on the still empty chat with Pip undecided whether to send her a message or not. She thought about it several times, but in the end there was nothing wrong, right? So she sent that message.
"Hi Pip! I'm Tara! This is my number. I just wanted to tell you that it's a pleasure to meet you today, I hope I made a good impression... See you tomorrow!”
She sent only after rereading the message three times. She remained online on the chat, waiting for an answer from Pip who arrived a few minutes later.
"Hey Tara! It was a pleasure to meet you too, you definitely gave me a good impression! See you tomorrow.”
She read with a smile on her face, while she held one leg resting on a chair not realizing that Sam and Mindy were watching her.
— Hey Tara, are you coming or not? — Mindy asked.
— Oh, yes! I'm here! — Tara finally said, replying to Pip's message with a heart. Simple. Trivial. But she didn't want to leave "visualized" and that's it.
She couldn't deny it. Pip was pretty. Different from everyone. She didn't know how to explain it but she knew that something was about to change, she just didn't know yet whether positive or negative.