Sammie_Freakin

At an open university where judgment whispers through hallways and conformity is quietly enforced, Emily keeps her head down, trying to blend in. She has secrets—feelings she doesn't fully understand and fears she doesn't know how to face. Her quiet life begins to shift when she meets Riley, a confident transfer student with sharp eyes, bold sketches, and a presence that challenges everything Emily thought she knew about herself.

As Emily is drawn closer to Riley, her world begins to crack. She must navigate her growing attraction while facing rejection from classmates, and the society 

Fading Into You is a raw, realistic novel about identity, love, and the courage it takes to be seen. In a world that demands silence, two girls find something powerful in each other—a love worth risking everything for.

Fading Into You

The next time Emily saw her, it was in the art building. Emily had no real reason to be there—just a detour on the way to her next class—but there was something magnetic about the girl she had glimpsed earlier.

Her name was Riley. Emily had overheard a few students in the library gossiping about her. "New girl, right? Came from the city. Doesn't care what anyone thinks."

Emily didn't care about rumors, but something about the way Riley had carried herself—so sure, so at ease—had lingered in her mind.

Riley was sitting alone on a low brick wall outside the building, sketchpad in hand, her eyes focused on something far beyond the campus. She looked so lost in her own world that Emily wondered if she should just walk past. Pretend she hadn't seen her.

But Riley's gaze caught hers, and without a hint of hesitation, she smiled.

"Hey," Riley said, her voice easy, unforced. "You're Emily, right?"

"Uh, yeah." Emily didn't know if she was blushing or if her cheeks had just turned the color of the crimson leaves falling from the trees.

"I thought so," Riley replied, closing her sketchbook and hopping off the wall in one fluid motion. "I see you around. You're in that Lit class with me, right?"

"Yeah." Emily nodded, suddenly feeling very aware of her awkwardness. She wanted to retreat, but Riley was so... direct. "I didn't know you were in that class."

"I'm not usually a 'lecture' kind of person," Riley said with a shrug. "But they made me take it this semester. It's... not bad, though."

Emily hesitated, unsure of what to say next. She wasn't used to talking to people like this—casual, like they weren't on different social planes. She tried to keep her tone light. "It's... not terrible. Just a lot of reading."

Riley grinned. "The best kind of torture."

Emily laughed, just a little. Something about the way Riley was so comfortable in her skin made Emily want to laugh more. She felt like she might let her guard down—but she didn't know how to let someone in. Not yet.

"Hey," Riley added, a little more seriously. "If you're not busy, we could grab coffee sometime. I don't know anyone here. You seem like you could use some company. We could trade books."

It felt like an offer, but also a question—like Riley wasn't assuming anything, but leaving the door wide open for Emily to walk through.

Emily's heart raced, but she shook her head quickly, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "I—I don't really do coffee."

Riley's smile faltered just slightly. "No problem. Just thought I'd ask."

And just like that, Riley turned and walked away. Emily watched her go, the quiet buzz of her heart almost louder than the passing students.

She hadn't meant to say no. Not like that. But she'd shut the door before it was even open.

New Eye