Chapter 1
**Back to Reality** The train station announcer’s voice crackled through the speakers, “Attention passengers, this train is about to arrive at Eastwick. Please keep an eye on your belongings as you prepare to disembark.” Eleanor Hart stared out at the drizzly morning of Ravenwood, hyper-aware of how far removed she was from any sense of home. An Eastwick University student, she had settled into Ravenwood with hope, but that wasn’t her destination today. No, today was about a family reunion. One glance in the mirror would reveal that Eleanor wasn’t exactly a stunner—striking, yes, but not conventionally beautiful. Her wide eyes were her best feature, alive with an undeniable spark. Dressed in a tailored tan trench coat that gave the illusion of long legs (despite her barely five-foot-five frame), she stood out. The jeans, snug and stylish, served as a testament to her recent dedication to fitness. Holding just a small duffle bag, the most precious item within it was her laptop—her lifeline to the world. As the train came to a halt, Eleanor was swept into the crowd, following along like a leaf blown in the wind until she found her seat. Sitting down, she gazed out the window, noticing that Ravenwood’s dawn was still shrouded in gentle fog. More than anything, she craved more time with her parents. With her demanding job often keeping her away, catching up with them was a rarity, and seeing her husband felt even more like a ghostly memory. Yes, Eleanor was married. But the truth was buried deep in family conversations, cloaked in silence and flickering glances. Her relatives only knew that Thomas Fletcher was a handsome man with a respectable background, someone entirely beyond her grasp. Rumors trailed them like shadows, particularly given how rarely he visited her family—fueling whispers that hinted at secrets best left untouched. Thomas. She bit her lip at the thought of him, irritation knotting her brow. It had been three long months since they’d seen each other. Three months of quiet phone calls that went unanswered and texts met with radio silence. Surely a man busy filming wasn’t so absorbed that he couldn’t drop a line? She opened her laptop, immediately assaulted by the latest gossip. “Isabella Morgan spotted getting cozy with Thomas on set! Are wedding bells in the air?” “Ha, wedding bells?” Eleanor scoffed, her heart racing with fury. Her husband’s face dominated the screen like a cruel joke. There he was, playing the perfect husband on screen—romantic, doting. Yet in real life? They shared a marriage at a distance, surviving on absence. “Oh, what was I thinking?” Eleanor sighed heavily, mired in frustrated memories. If only she hadn’t been so blind, so enthralled by a romantic notion that seemed to fade like mist. Three years married, countless nights alone. Their college romance seemed like a lifetime ago. Seven years together, and yet here she was, grappling with the question of whether they were just another casualty of the infamous seven-year itch. It felt like a breaking point, and she couldn’t take it anymore. Was she destined to navigate this life alone? She wondered if it was time to stop pretending. “Divorce,” the word echoed in her mind, bold yet terrifying. Just a piece of paper, right? She’d committed to this marriage; now it was her turn to take charge. Fueled by a surge of emotion, Eleanor picked up her phone, scrolling through her contacts. After a moment of hesitation, she settled on sending a text instead of risking a call. Carefully, she typed out a message that read: “Hey, Thomas, I’m done. Let’s get a divorce. No hard feelings.” Once sent, doubt crept in. Had she been reckless? She opened the text, a wave of uncertainty crashing over her as she stared at the hasty wording. Silence surrounded her, but a passerby caught sight of Eleanor's whispered musings, “Divorce, divorce!” A woman nearby raised her eyebrows, peering over with concern. "You two have a fight or something? Sweetheart, don’t get so dramatic." Eleanor blinked, suddenly taken aback. "Huh?" The older woman misread her surprise as agreement. “Every couple bickers now and then. Just give it time; a little compromise goes a long way. Remember, love is not the same as marriage. You learn to live with one another, you know?” Eleanor managed a tight smile, nodding. “Right, of course. I’ll talk to him.” “Good girl.” The woman gave her an encouraging pat before returning to her own thoughts. Eleanor set her phone down, eyes closed, and reflected on those early days of untainted love. Those hopeful moments now felt like a distant legend, a spark hiding under layers of bitter disappointment.
Chapter 2
**Memories Begin** It was the year she started college, and Eleanor Hart was headed to Eastwick. Eleanor, a standout student with a solid reputation, had earned her place in the Chinese Studies program at Highspire University, with a minor in Drama and Screenwriting. However, she hadn’t mentioned her double major to her parents. Becoming a screenwriter was her dream, one she hoped to pursue against the backdrop of their expectations. The trip from Ravenwood to Eastwick was a straightforward journey on the Bullet Train, a choice made out of necessity. Eleanor’s family wasn't wealthy; they were comfortably middle-class but relied heavily on her academic success. As their only child, all their hopes rested on her. Her parents, though both high school graduates, instilled in her a deep appreciation for education, and they didn’t hesitate to enforce their high standards. As she settled into her seat on the Bullet Train, a thrill of excitement coursed through her. She was finally free, venturing north with the determination to carve out her own path. Eleanor's seat was by the window, the compartment around her surprisingly empty. With a yawn, she let fatigue take over, her eyelids growing heavy. When her head accidentally drooped against a nearby shoulder, she jolted awake, panic flaring in her chest. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” To her relief, a rush of humiliation hadn’t turned into disaster; at least she hadn’t drooled. The student beside her smiled, surprisingly unbothered. “No worries, it’s all good! I think I scared you more than you disturbed me.” Eleanor looked up to see a boy about her age, his backpack stuffed to the brim. He radiated a sunny energy that was both refreshing and infectious. “I didn’t want to wake you up. You looked peaceful.” “Oh, uh, thanks.” Eleanor struggled to gather her thoughts, unsure how to respond. The few awkward words were stilted, and she felt the lingering embarrassment. “I’m William Hunter, by the way—Shandong, Jinan. But you can call me Big Chai or just Chai for short, whatever works for you.” “Alright, then, Big Chai!” Eleanor replied, a hint of amusement breaking through her earlier discomfort. “I’m Eleanor Hart. The last name means ‘hart’—the deer—though I suppose it might be a bit of a stretch.” “Seems like you must be a high achiever. You have a way with words!” Eleanor just smiled humbly at the compliment, her heart racing a little at his enthusiasm. “So, are you headed to Eastwick for college or to Stonehaven?” William guessed, glancing out the window. Eastwick was just past Stonehaven, and given their shared youth, it felt like a logical assumption. “Eastwick,” she confirmed, feeling a strange camaraderie building between them. “Wow, same here! I’m a sophomore though. Let’s exchange contacts; I can help you out with anything once you’re settled. It’s a big campus, and I know the ins and outs.” Eleanor hesitated but realized having a friendly upperclassman might come in handy. “Sure, thanks for the offer. Here’s my QQ ID.” She scrutinized him inwardly for a moment. His friendliness could stem from genuine concern, or maybe he was just the classic charming type who toyed with girls’ hearts. The verdict? A little bit of both, perhaps. When the train finally rolled into the station, they disembarked together. William continued to guide her through the busy terminal until Eleanor halted, eyeing all the bags he was carrying. “You’ve got a lot there. You should head back. I can manage on my own now.” But as she finished her sentence, a sudden thud echoed behind them. A tall guy with striking features—high cheekbones, pale skin, and a brand-name wardrobe—stepped into view, his expression icy. He radiated that effortless cool that seemed to leave the air charged. “William! I told you to text when you got here!” he scolded, brushing past Eleanor without so much as a glance. “You can’t just take two people at once!” “Dude!” William exclaimed, rubbing his back where the other guy had slapped him a little too hard. “I didn’t think I’d be bringing along a plus one. It’s all good—I’m just helping her out!” Eleanor could feel the weight of the guy's dismissive gaze on her. “Wait, she’s not from our school, right?” he asked, his tone thick with judgment. “Nope, just got here,” Eleanor replied, her voice quiet but steady. “Actually,” William interjected quickly, “this is Eleanor Hart. Thomas, meet her.” “Eleanor,” Thomas repeated, barely masking his disinterest. He turned to William, dismissing him, “You’re supposed to get your stuff over to the car. You only have one pair of hands coming to help? Really?” Before Eleanor could react, Thomas grabbed her suitcase with a decisive look. “Address?” he commanded, turning on his heel and striding away without waiting for a response. “Hey! Thomas! What about the luggage?” William called after him, his eyes wide with disbelief. Eleanor, taken by surprise but quickly recovering, rushed to keep up with Thomas. “I’ll carry what I can! Thanks, Thomas! Big Chai, I’ll make sure to thank you later!” “Wait, don’t go! This isn’t how it’s supposed to work!” William lamented, watching helplessly as Eleanor disappeared into the throng of students, led by the back of a stranger. It seemed looks really did matter after all.
Chapter 3
**The Demigod** Eleanor Hart sprinted to catch up with Isabella Fletcher, who seemed to glide effortlessly ahead of her. “W-wait up, could you please slow down?” Eleanor panted, feeling the strain in her legs. Sure, it was entirely un-gentlemanly, but as a man, couldn’t he afford to show a bit of patience with a woman? Glancing over, Eleanor noticed Isabella was just pulling her suitcase while he struggled under the weight of both a backpack and a hefty duffel bag. He had a point, didn’t he? Without warning, Isabella halted, and Eleanor barely managed to stop in time, nearly crashing into her. “Address?” she said flatly. They had long left William Hunter behind, mostly to evade his relentless chatter. An address hadn’t even crossed their minds until now. But without it, they might as well be wandering aimlessly. “Uh, it’s Silvervale Avenue, number XX,” Eleanor mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed but unable to voice it. Isabella simply nodded, turning on her heel and walking briskly toward another exit. How intimidating. Eleanor's mind raced. Isabella was pulling the kind of boss-lady move that could make anyone else feel small. Every time they switched trains, it was Isabella who led the charge while Eleanor dutifully followed, trailing behind like a wayward drone. It felt awkward to maintain distance; it was as if he had a neon sign above his head reading "awkward third wheel." The path was dotted with curious girls snapping photos of Isabella, some even bold enough to approach her, hoping for a piece of her contact information. But every attempt was met with icy disdain, her glare sharper than a knife. This is terrifying! Eleanor thought, relieved that he remained unnoticed by most. Keeping a distance paid off, even if it nearly cost him a bus ride. A small price to pay, right? When they finally arrived at the entrance of the campus, Eleanor's heart surged with new hope. This was it—the next four years of his life awaited him. Solo living in a big city felt like the plot of a new adventure book ready to unfold, an experience straight out of “My New Life in the City.” “Here.” Isabella pushed something small into his hand. He glanced sideways, catching a glimpse of her profile against the sun—a momentary vision of charm and elegance. In that light, he noticed that maybe he wasn’t so bad-looking himself; it was like he’d jumped from a zero to a five, but to really compete? He'd need a hundred. “Thanks for… well, thanks,” he said, turning fully to face her. He was determined to make this moment last. “Next time…” “There’s not going to be a next time.” Isabella cut him off, her tone blunt. “Excuse me?” Eleanor blinked, caught off guard by her bite. “Just some friendly advice—better off keeping your distance,” she said sharply, shrugging off any further discussion as she turned away, her confidence palpable in the air. What a character! As Eleanor stepped onto campus, a group of girls nearby pointed and murmured, shooting him disapproving looks. They must’ve noticed him standing by the gorgeous Isabella. It was only natural, after all; who wouldn’t turn their heads for a guy like that? But somehow, he felt like he was caught in the fallout. “Whatever, I’m here now. This university is too good to let slip by,” he declared silently, pushing his suitcase forward and stepping into this new chapter of his life. This was his fresh start.
Chapter 4
Roommates Eleanor Hart trudged along, dragging her suitcase behind her. The campus sprawled out before her, sprawling and a bit overwhelming. She could already feel the heat of anxiety prickling at the back of her neck; finding the girls’ dorm was turning into a wild goose chase. Reluctantly, she decided to muster the courage to ask a stranger for help. As she turned a corner, a bright-eyed girl with a heart-shaped face and a bubbly demeanor caught her attention. "Hey there! Sorry to bother you, but can you tell me how to get to the girls' dorm?" Eleanor asked with a hopeful smile. The girl’s cheeks dimpled as she perked up. “Oh! You’re lucky you asked me today! If it were any other day, I wouldn’t have the slightest idea. You must be a freshman too! I’m Lily Summer, majoring in English Translation, originally from California.” “Nice to meet you! I’m Eleanor Hart, from Ravenwood.” But the conversation clearly drifted off course. Eleanor quickly added, “Uh, but about the dorm...?” “Oh, right! Sorry about that.” Lily’s eyes went wide momentarily as if she’d just remembered she was supposed to be giving directions. “I can be a bit of a chatterbox. If I hadn’t kept repeating the essential values of socialism during the SAT, I might’ve flunked outright!" Eleanor was almost stifling an eye-roll. Out of sheer politeness, she lingered, forcing herself to listen to Lily's rambling about some forgotten exam. Finally, Lily paused and blinked, realizing she’d lost the plot. “Oh no! I totally got sidetracked again! The dorm is... um... oh shoot, I forgot!” “Wait, what?” Eleanor’s surprise was palpable. How could someone who went to this school not remember something so basic? “Can you at least give me a general direction?” Lily looked sheepish. “I really can’t remember. I guess I’m just… kind of directionally challenged.” “Seriously? You're like, hopelessly lost in your own campus?” Eleanor blurted out, unable to hold back her incredulity. “It’s not on purpose!” Lily protested. “Some people just have a terrible sense of direction. It’s one of those things that’s hard to overcome!” Excuses, excuses. “Okay, fine. I’ll figure it out myself,” Eleanor decided, feeling her patience starting to wear thin. “And do you even remember how to get back to wherever you came from?” Lily perked up at this. “Oh, that’s easy! You don’t need to worry about that—I’ve got a great trick! The campus is circular, and the buildings are symmetrical.” With that, they exchanged awkward goodbyes and parted ways. After wandering a bit longer, Eleanor finally bumped into a fellow student who pointed her in the right direction. It wasn’t long before she stood at the entrance of the girls’ dorm, keycard in hand. Climbing the stairs to the fifth floor, she opened the door to her new room. It was a four-person suite, visibly aged but cozy enough. There was no private bathroom, and though she had grown accustomed to solo setups, she tried to shake off the unease. The room featured a set of bunk beds, desks, and a small balcony adorned with a few potted succulents. Succulents? As if. Eleanor had a notorious track record for killing every plant she’d ever owned, including a cactus her parents had insisted was impossible to kill. “It’ll be fine, Ellie!” they’d chirped. And yet, in less than a month, it had shriveled beneath her care—just like the friendships she had back home. Though she was alone in the room at the moment, it was evident that her three future roommates had already moved in. Eleanor set her bags down and began unpacking. Just as she was settling in, there was a loud knock on the door. She placed her stuff aside and hurried to open it. As the door swung wide, their eyes locked, and a chorus of shocked gasps erupted: “It’s you!” On one side stood Eleanor, and on the other was Lily.
Chapter 5
**Dorm Life** As soon as Lily Summer stepped into the room, the realization hit her like a splash of cold water. "Oh, I get it now—you’re my new roommate!" Eleanor Hart gazed at this charming girl, a mix of sweetness and scatter-brained innocence, and felt a jolt of understanding flow through her. “Yeah, just arrived. I’m Eleanor Hart. Hoping we can get along well,” she replied, a tentative smile tugging at her lips. Just then, the door swung open again, and another presence strode in. “What’s this? More company? Awesome, another set of hands for the cleaning duty,” a cool voice chimed in. This newcomer had a buzz cut, more like a warrior’s than a student’s—short and fierce, she was dressed in athletic gear, freshly flushed from a run. The aura surrounding her screamed defiance, as if she considered the world a mere playground and her peers mere insects beneath her feet. “Hey! You should treat new friends a little nicer!” Lily shot back, her brows furrowing in mild annoyance. “Sure thing, Your Highness,” the girl quipped, taking a stiff stance in front of Eleanor, who instinctively mirrored her with a mock salute, confused by the whole thing. “I’m Edward King, hailing from Eastwick Fortress,” she announced with a cheeky grin, thankfully skipping the formal salute. Thank goodness for that. The dorm was a four-person setup, and three had already made it in—one still unaccounted for. “Hey, what about Charlotte Lane? Where is she? Isn’t she supposed to be here?” Lily asked, glancing around the room as if willing her roommate to appear. “That would be Charlotte,” Eleanor noted, finally putting a name to the mysterious absent roommate. Edward furrowed her brow, searching her memory. “I remember. When I left, she was still here. But when I got ready to leave, I noticed she was heading out, all decked out in makeup. Honestly, no clue who she was trying to impress.” She paused, a sigh escaping her lips. “You know how she is—always rushing around with no sense of plan.” Lily nodded, considering. “Her family doesn’t have much, so maybe she went to talk to a professor about some financial aid?” Edward shook her head. “Nah, that’s not it. Lily, you should’ve seen her outfit—she looked like she was hitting the town, not the financial aid office. It was a whole production.” Eleanor listened quietly, sensing an undercurrent of tension in this room that was anything but tranquil. The girls had their biases, that much was clear. “Eleanor, you still have stuff to unpack, right? Let’s help you out—it’ll go faster with more hands. Right, Edward?” Lily suggested, eager to lighten the mood. “Sure, once I’m done here, I’ll give you the grand tour of campus. Can’t have you wandering like some lost puppy, looking for the dorm,” Edward retorted, laughter bubbling to the surface. Just then, a sharp voice sliced through the air. “Well, well, well—who’s this? Things just got a lot livelier!” Laughter froze in place. “I came to check things out,” a woman entered, draped in a heavy layer of perfume and wearing a bright red sundress that clung in all the wrong places, her face an unattractive canvas of uneven makeup. “Honestly, you’re not too bad-looking—definitely not a trainwreck or anything,” she offered bluntly. “Oh, by the way, I’m Charlotte Lane, but you can call me Sherry. I’m just here to grab something, but we’ll catch up later.” With that, she sashayed across the room, heels clicking aggressively on the hardwood, before snatching a glossy red handbag from her desk and striding out. Eleanor caught a glimpse of the bag—definitely designer, likely worth more than a month’s groceries. Didn’t she come from a struggling family? “Catch you later!” Charlotte’s parting shot came with an exaggerated kiss thrown in Eleanor's direction. Eleanor stood there, stunned, while Lily and Edward quickly turned away, clearly not eager to draw any attention. In that moment, Eleanor fully understood why the atmosphere between these girls felt so charged.
There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading "Silent Shadows of Yesterday"
(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app).
❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️