Lilly had just finished unpacking her small suitcase in the hostel room. Snow fell softly outside, coating the campus in a serene white blanket. Her roommate, Mia, was out exploring, leaving Lilly alone with her thoughts. She had barely sat down on her bed when her phone buzzed.

The screen lit up with Mom.

She hesitated, then answered. "Hi, Mom."

"Hi, Seety," her mother's gentle voice came through, warm and full of love. "How's your first day? Did you settle in okay?"

Lilly's throat tightened. Her mother's kindness was like a bandage on an open wound—soothing, but it reminded her of the pain. "It's okay," she said softly. "The room's nice. It's… quiet here."

"I'm glad," her mother replied, her voice trembling just slightly. Lilly knew what that meant. Her father must be home, lurking in the background.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Lilly asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

There was a pause. Then, her mother's voice came back, forced but still loving. "Don't worry about me. You focus on your studies, hmm? I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you."

"I miss you too," Lilly said, blinking back tears. She wanted to ask more, to demand the truth, but she knew it wouldn't change anything. Her mother was trapped, and Lilly's escape felt like both a relief and a betrayal.

As she hung up, Lilly stared out at the snow, clutching the phone tightly. She promised herself that one day, she'd find a way to help her mother, even if it meant facing the demons she'd left behind.

.......

Lilly sat on the edge of her bed, staring out the frosted window. Snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground, covering the campus in a soft white blanket. She was lost in thought, clutching her phone, when Mia walked in.

Mia was bubbly and full of energy—a stark contrast to Lilly's quiet demeanor. She tossed her bag onto her bed and flopped down with a dramatic sigh.

"So," Mia said, propping herself up on one elbow. "What's your story, new girl? Running away from a small-town boyfriend or something?"

Lilly blinked, startled by the sudden question. "Uh… no. Just needed a change, I guess."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "A change? From what?"

Lilly hesitated. "Home. It wasn't… the best place to be."

Mia's playful smirk softened into something more empathetic. "Got it. My mom always says a fresh start can work wonders. Well, welcome to the middle of nowhere. The cafeteria's trash, and the heating barely works, but hey, it beats living with my stepdad."

Lilly gave a small smile. "Thanks. I guess we're both here for an escape."

Mia grinned and grabbed a blanket. "Looks like we're going to get along just fine. So, what's the plan? Laying low or making a splash?"

Lilly shrugged, looking back out the window. "Laying low, for now."

Mia nodded. "Fair. But just a heads-up—this place is small, and secrets don't stay hidden for long."

Lilly didn't respond, but her fingers tightened around her phone. The snow outside seemed peaceful, but inside, she felt anything but.

...........

Lilly was arranging her books on the small desk when Mia burst into the room, her face lit up with excitement.

"Okay, Lilly, listen up! There's a party just out of town for all the freshers. Everyone's going, and guess what? We're going too!"

Lilly turned to face her, frowning. "A party? Out of town? I'm not sure…"

Mia groaned dramatically, flopping onto her bed. "Come on! It's the perfect way to meet people, have some fun, and, you know, not sit here staring out the window like a sad heroine in a tragic novel."

Lilly raised an eyebrow. "I'm not exactly the partying type, Mia."

Mia sat up, crossing her arms. "And what type are you? The stay-in-and-read type? The moody-introspective type? Look, I'm not saying you have to dance on tables or anything, but trust me, sitting in this room all night isn't going to help you adjust to this place."

Lilly sighed, folding her arms. "I don't know… big groups of people aren't really my thing."

Mia tilted her head, studying her. "You don't have to love it. Just come with me. One hour. If you hate it, we leave, no questions asked. Deal?"

Lilly hesitated, her mind flashing back to her mother's earlier call. She had come here for a fresh start, right? Maybe Mia was right—it wouldn't hurt to try.

"Fine," she said finally, rolling her eyes. "One hour. But I'm not dancing."

Mia grinned triumphantly. "Deal. Now, let's find you something cute to wear!"

Lilly groaned. "Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?"

.......

Lilly sat on the bed, watching Mia rifle through her wardrobe like a whirlwind.

"Don't worry," Mia said, tossing tops and dresses over her shoulder. "I've got something perfect for you. You can't go to a party in those jeans and that hoodie. Not happening."

Lilly tugged at her sleeve self-consciously. "I told you, I'm not really a party person. Why does it matter what I wear?"

"Because first impressions matter, Seety," Mia said, turning around with a triumphant grin. In her hands was a short black dress with delicate straps and a flowing, understated elegance. "This is it."

Lilly shook her head. "That's way too fancy for me. And it's… short."

Mia rolled her eyes. "It's not fancy; it's classic. Black works on everyone. Plus, with your skin and hair? You'll look stunning. Trust me on this."

Reluctantly, Lilly took the dress and went to the bathroom to change. The mirror reflected someone she barely recognized. The black fabric contrasted sharply with her pale skin, giving her an almost otherworldly beauty. Her long, dark brown hair framed her face in soft, messy waves, and her deep brown eyes stood out against the simplicity of the dress.

When she stepped out, Mia gasped dramatically. "Girl, you're a showstopper. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were one of those moody models in a Vogue spread."

Lilly crossed her arms, tugging at the hem of the dress. "I feel ridiculous. Everyone's going to stare."

Mia laughed, pulling her toward the mirror. "Yeah, they're going to stare—because you look amazing. Look at you! Pale skin, those sad, mysterious eyes… you're like a character from a romantic tragedy. Bella Swan, but edgier."

Lilly frowned. "Bella who?"

"Never mind," Mia said with a grin. "Come on, let's get your coat. The car leaves in ten, and we are not missing this party."

With a resigned sigh, Lilly grabbed her coat and followed Mia out the door. "This better be worth it."

"It will be, Seety. Trust me."