For 18-year-old Pepper Matthews, college is supposed to be the perfect chance for her to reinvent herself. It's supposed to be the opportunity that she does a little partying, make friends, and discover who she really is. Memories and traumas from a painful childhood make the dream seem unattainable. Try as she might, she struggles opening up and letting people in. It's not until she finally steps outside of her comfort zone, doing something so drastic from her normal behavior, that things change resulting in an unlikely friendship. With this friendship came the confidence to continue trying new things. For Pepper, that meant opening herself up completely without fear.Vick Yates is a college senior struggling with the uncertainty of his future. Having lived such a lavish life at a young age, he wants nothing more than to make some sort of a difference for those not as fortunate, however, without his family's blessing, he is unsure of what to do. The last thing he wants is to become like his father, but it seems inevitable.The attraction between Pepper and Vick isn't instantaneous. He finds himself on her bad side but knows immediately that it won't be his final destination. He is more than smitten with the guarded beauty and is determined to break down the walls she has set up to protect herself. In the process, she does the same, showing him that there was more to life than anything he could have ever imagined. A connection is formed but with different backgrounds and personalities, it's not easy for them to find the common ground they so desperately seek. The one thing they can seem to agree on is not wanting to be hurt by the other. Will they be able to put their uncertainties to the side or will fear leave them both broken beyond repair?*Please note: This is an eighty-seven thousand word standalone novel.*