The rain fell in heavy sheets, drumming against the windows of the Walters' sprawling mansion. Jackson stood in the corner of his room, watching the storm rage outside. At twenty years old, he felt more trapped than ever. The quiet halls of the house echoed with an emptiness he couldn't escape. His father's death six months ago had left a hole in their lives, but it wasn't grief that haunted him. It was the silence—the same silence that had been there for years.
Walter and Susan Walters had always been admired. To the outside world, they were a perfect couple—wealthy, successful, and powerful. But inside these walls, Jackson had always felt invisible. His childhood had been a blur of doctor visits and distant parents who had no idea how to comfort their sick child. Even after his tumor was declared inoperable, they tried to fix everything with money, flying him abroad for treatments that only made him feel like a project, not a son.
He sighed, his breath fogging up the glass. The rain reminded him of the day his father's plane had gone down. It had been a stormy evening like this, and his mother had taken the call in the middle of dinner. That was the last time they'd sat together as a family.
"Jackson?"
The voice startled him, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to see Cassandra standing in the doorway, her face soft but unreadable. She held a tray with a steaming cup of tea, just like she always did when he looked troubled. Cassandra had been the one constant in his life, the only person who ever seemed to care about him.
"Hey, Cass," he said, managing a small smile. "You didn't have to do that."
"I don't mind," she said, stepping inside. She placed the tray on the desk and glanced at him. "You've been standing there for hours. Are you okay?"
He shrugged. "Just thinking."
"About your dad?"
"About everything." He paused, looking at her. "Do you ever feel like… you're stuck? Like no matter what you do, you can't move forward?"
Cassandra tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint smile. "More than you know."
Jackson frowned, sensing a weight behind her words. But before he could ask, she changed the subject.
"You're leaving for college soon," she said, her tone lighter now. "Are you excited?"
"Excited isn't the word I'd use," he muttered, sinking into the chair by his desk. "More like nervous. I've been here so long, I don't even know how to act around other people."
"You'll figure it out," she said, leaning against the wall. "You're smarter than you think."
He gave her a skeptical look. "And what about you? Are you ready for college life?"
Cassandra's eyes flickered with something—anticipation, maybe even excitement. "Oh, I'm ready," she said, her voice firm.
There was a knock at the door before Jackson could respond. His mother stepped in, her sharp features softened by the dim light. She looked tired, though she still carried herself with the grace of someone used to being in control.
"Jackson, I need to talk to you," she said, glancing briefly at Cassandra.
"I'll leave you two alone," Cassandra said quickly, slipping out of the room before either of them could protest.
Susan waited until the door clicked shut before turning to her son. "How are you feeling about school?" she asked, her voice measured.
"I'll manage," he said, avoiding her gaze.
She sighed, crossing the room to stand by his chair. "I know this hasn't been easy for you. Losing your father, dealing with your health… I wish things had been different."
Jackson looked up at her, surprised by the hint of vulnerability in her voice. "Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because I don't want to make the same mistakes," she said, her eyes softening. "I've been distant, I know that. But I want to do better—for you."
He didn't know how to respond. His mother had always been a fortress, unshakable and distant. This sudden openness felt almost unreal.
"I've arranged for Cassandra to attend the same college as you," she continued. "I thought it might help to have someone you're comfortable with there."
Jackson blinked. "You did that for me?"
"I did it for both of you," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "She's been like family to us, and I think she could use a fresh start as much as you."
He nodded slowly, unsure of what to say. The idea of having Cassandra there was comforting, but it also raised questions he couldn't quite put into words.
The first day of college came faster than Jackson expected. The campus buzzed with energy, students rushing between buildings and laughter filling the air. It was a world he wasn't used to, and he felt out of place in the crowd.
Cassandra, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease. She walked beside him, her confidence radiating as she took in their new surroundings.
"See?" she said, nudging him with her elbow. "This isn't so bad."
"Speak for yourself," he muttered, glancing at the groups of students chatting and laughing.
They found their dorms easily enough, and Jackson was relieved to have a quiet moment to himself. But his peace didn't last long.
"Jackson Walters, right?"
He turned to see a tall girl with striking features and an air of authority standing in the doorway. She had a confidence that seemed to draw attention without effort.
"I'm Matilda Casantro," she said, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation. "Welcome to campus."
Jackson frowned, unsure what to make of her sudden appearance. "Uh, thanks."
Matilda's eyes flicked over him, her smile sharp. "You're going to love it here. And if you ever need anything, just let me know. I have… connections."
Before he could respond, she turned and left as abruptly as she'd arrived.
Cassandra appeared moments later, raising an eyebrow. "Who was that?"
"Matilda something," Jackson said, still confused. "Apparently, she has 'connections.'"
Cassandra smirked. "Be careful with girls like her. They don't play fair."
Jackson chuckled, shaking his head. "Noted."
But as the days went on, Matilda's presence became impossible to ignore. She seemed to pop up everywhere, always with a sly comment or a lingering glance in Jackson's direction. It was clear she had her sights set on him, and it didn't take long for the rest of the campus to notice.
Cassandra, meanwhile, stayed in the background, watching and waiting. She had a plan, and she wasn't about to let anyone, not even Matilda, get in her way.
What Jackson didn't realize was that the storm in his life was just beginning. And this time, it wouldn't be the rain outside his window that tore his world apart.