Page 5 of They Break Beauty

She’d started here at twenty because she’d been getting work experience as an intern at a mid-level fashion magazine. She was doing a double major in Fashion and Mixed Media, now in her second year like me. We’d hit it off when we’d both attended a dorm party back when I’d lived there as a freshman, and a guy had gotten too handsy with her. So I’d done what anybody witnessing such a thing would do—I’d smashed his face into a wall and broken his nose, wherein he'd run off crying like a little bitch. Good times.

Of course, that had been when I’d still been trying to shake off my old life and reinvent myself. That violent reaction had been a bit of slip, so I’d made sure I hadn’t done anything like that since.

I threw my arms around her, hugging her tightly.

It was the first time I’d seen her since before summer break. She’d been off at a high-elevation ski resort with her well-to-do family. We’d texted and video called a lot, but it wasn’t the same as being in person.

“Long time,” I spoke into her shoulder.

“Way too long.”

As we eased apart, I took her in.

Her hair was edgier than it had been last year. While still dyed lavender, short—just extending down to her chin—and feathered, she’d also now had it shaved on one side. It definitely fit with her rocker chic vibe.

“Wow, it looks amazing,” I said.

“Thanks.” She gestured at her black denim dress that had buckles and studs all over it. “You like?”

“Did you make that over the summer?”

She winked. “Did you really think I could go months without designing something? You know it’s like an addiction to me. Just like you and your apps.”

I chuckled. “Too true.”

My gaze dipped to her shoes. They were a unique mix of platform heals and sneakers. And these ones were half denim and half leather. “Those are really something.”

“I’m making you a pair. Gray and pastel pink. You can wear them to the joint homecoming party a bunch of the frats are throwing.”

I hugged her again. “I love it. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do after you gave me Style Swipe. It’s the shit, Bree! I’ve already got the next two weeks set outfit-wise. Talk about a time-saver.”

“I’m glad you like it. But, remember, any bugs, let me know.”

“Will do.” She gestured behind me as students started filtering in to the room I’d been headed to for my first class. “You’d better get to your snake coding class.”

I grinned. “Python.” Among other things.

“Right. Sorry, it’s difficult remembering all of them.”

“Believe me, I know.” It took hours of practice too. Constant as well. Fortunately, when you enjoyed something, effort wasn’t really a chore. “See you for lunch later?”

“Definitely.”

She took off back down the hallway and as the crowds swallowed her from view, I went to make my way into class, only to be pulled up short by my phone buzzing in my jacket pocket.

Expecting it to be her texting me, I was more than a little surprised when, not only wasn’t it her, but it was an unknown.

Blocked ID: Same hair, new look. Suits you.

I frowned down at the message.

I’d reinvented myself since coming to Stonewell last year, so the people who knew about my new look could only be from my past.

One of them who I’d been close to, yet hadn’t spoken to in that same amount of time came to mind the most.

Brianna: Tommy?

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