As the days passed, Tristan Woods was gradually getting used to college life. He had found a rhythm in the bustle of campus activities, and for the first time in a while, he felt a sense of normalcy. Tristan enjoyed his classes, and his friendships with Derek and Matthew had only grown stronger.
Woodsville College had started to feel like home—a place where he could escape the pressure of being the son of the wealthiest man in town.
But while Tristan was reveling in his newfound college freedom, something was brewing at his family estate, something his parents hadn't shared with him. Little did he know, his father and mother were keeping secrets, and soon, those secrets would change everything.
As October rolled around, the college buzzed with excitement. The season of festivities had officially begun, and Halloween was right around the corner. The campus was adorned with pumpkins, cobwebs, and spooky decorations, and Tristan and his friends were eagerly involved in the preparations for the big Halloween party.
One afternoon, Tristan, Derek, and Matthew were in the student union building, helping hang up decorations for the party. They had just finished hoisting a giant fake spider web above the entrance when Derek turned to Tristan with a grin.
"Can you believe we're actually doing this?" Derek asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Last year, we barely knew about this thing, and now we're in charge of the whole event."
Tristan smiled, stepping back to admire their work.
"Yeah, it's kind of crazy. But hey, it's been fun. It's nice to just… enjoy things, you know?"
Matthew, who was untangling a string of orange lights, glanced over.
"You've changed, man. You're way more relaxed than you were back in high school."
Tristan chuckled.
"Yeah, well, I guess college has been good for me. No more constant pressure from my dad. It's a nice break."
As they continued their work, the conversation drifted to the upcoming party and their plans for costumes. Tristan was looking forward to dressing up and letting loose for once.
"What are you going as, Tristan?" Derek asked, pulling a skeleton mask over his face.
Tristan shrugged.
"I haven't decided yet. I was thinking about going as Dracula or something classic."
"Dracula, huh? Classic but cool," Matthew nodded.
"I'm sticking with my pirate costume. Got it all set up already."
The three friends laughed and joked as they worked, the lightness of the moment a welcome reprieve from the intensity of their studies. But even as Tristan laughed, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off. It wasn't anything specific—just a sense that things weren't quite right back at home.
Tristan had noticed it in his father's phone calls lately. His parents had always been open with him, especially his mother, but recently they had seemed distant. His father's voice had taken on a clipped tone, and his mother had brushed off his questions about their lives back in Woodsville. Tristan assumed it was business stress, as his father often dealt with complicated financial issues involving the town's development, but still, something about it felt different this time. He pushed the thoughts aside as the Halloween season ramped up. The day of the party arrived, and the entire campus was buzzing with excitement. The party was set to be the biggest event of the semester, with everyone dressed in elaborate costumes, and the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
Tristan, true to his word, decided to go as Dracula.
He wore a black cape, a crisp white shirt, and fangs, embracing the classic vampire look.
Derek, ever the joker, arrived as a werewolf, his costume complete with furry gloves and a mask that made him look more ridiculous than scary.
Matthew's pirate outfit was spot-on, complete with a tricorn hat and a fake parrot on his shoulder.
"Looking sharp, Dracula," Matthew said, giving Tristan an exaggerated bow.
"I didn't know vampires had such great fashion sense."
Tristan grinned."What can I say? Eternal life gives you plenty of time to perfect your wardrobe."
Derek adjusted his werewolf mask and turned to the two of them.
"Alright, let's head out. We've got a party to rock!"
The trio made their way to the student union, which had been transformed into a haunted mansion for the evening. Fog machines puffed eerie mist across the floor, and creepy music filled the air. The decorations they had helped put up now looked spectacular in the dim lighting, with ghoulish figures and glowing pumpkins scattered throughout the space.
As they entered the party, they were greeted with cheers from their classmates. Tristan was surprised by how many people knew him now; his time at Woodsville College had earned him a reputation beyond being the town's richest kid. He had become someone people wanted to know for who he was, not just what he had.
The night was full of fun and excitement. Tristan and his friends danced, laughed, and immersed themselves in the Halloween spirit. But even as he enjoyed the party, Tristan couldn't help but feel that something was tugging at him, something unresolved.
Later that evening, as the party was winding down, Tristan stepped outside to get some air. The cool night breeze felt refreshing after the heat and noise of the dance floor. He found himself standing on the edge of campus, staring out into the quiet night, his mind drifting back to his family.
"Tristan," a voice called out behind him. It was Emily, a classmate he had met earlier that semester. She was dressed as a witch, her costume simple but effective.
"Hey, Emily," Tristan said, turning to face her.
She smiled, walking up beside him.
"You looked like you could use some company."
Tristan shrugged.
"Just needed a breather. It's been a long night."
Emily studied him for a moment, sensing that something was on his mind.
"You okay? You seem… distracted."
Tristan sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't know. It's just my family. Something feels off, but they won't tell me what's going on."
Emily nodded thoughtfully.
"Parents can be weird sometimes. Maybe they just don't want to worry you while you're away."
"Maybe," Tristan said, though he didn't fully believe it. "But it's not like them to keep secrets. Especially from me."
Emily gave him a sympathetic look.
"Have you talked to them about it?"
Tristan shook his head.
"Not really. They've been pretty distant lately. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but it's hard."
Emily placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure they'll tell you when the time is right. Just try to enjoy college while you can."
Tristan nodded, though the uneasy feeling lingered. "Thanks, Emily. I appreciate it."
They stood in silence for a moment, looking out at the darkened town of Woodsville below.
The town, with its quaint charm and serene hills, seemed peaceful from a distance, but Tristan knew that appearances could be deceiving. He couldn't shake the sense that something big was coming—something that would change everything.
The following week, Tristan decided he couldn't wait any longer. After class one day, he called his father.
"Dad, we need to talk," Tristan said as soon as his father answered the phone.
"Tristan," his father said, his voice guarded. "Is everything alright?"
"No, actually. I've been feeling like something's going on at home that you're not telling me. What's going on, Dad?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Tristan's heart sank. His father was rarely at a loss for words, but now, it felt like he was struggling to find the right thing to say.
"Tristan," his father finally said, his voice heavy. "There's something we've been meaning to tell you, but we didn't want to burden you while you were away at college."
Tristan's grip tightened on the phone. "What is it?"
There was another pause, and then his father spoke.
"Your mother and I… we've been having some financial difficulties. Things have been tough with some of the businesses, and we've had to make some hard decisions. I didn't want to worry you, but… we might lose part of the estate."
Tristan felt like the ground had dropped out from under him. "What? How is that even possible?"
"It's complicated, son. We've been trying to work through it, but things haven't gone the way we hoped."
Tristan was silent, his mind racing. The estate, the family wealth—it had always seemed like an unshakable part of his life, something that would always be there. But now, that foundation was crumbling, and his parents had kept it from him.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tristan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I didn't want to distract you from your studies," his father said. "You've worked hard to get where you are, and I didn't want you to carry this burden."
Tristan closed his eyes, feeling a mix of anger and hurt.
"I'm your son, Dad. I should have known."
"I know, Tristan. I'm sorry," his father said. "We'll figure this out. But I wanted to be honest with you now."
Tristan hung up the phone, his mind reeling. The life he had always known was shifting beneath him, and he wasn't sure how to handle it. But one thing was clear: things were about to change, and Tristan would have to face the challenges ahead—whether he was ready or not.