Alyce is dying for some adult action and wants nothing more than to be out of her parent's home. College won't come soon enough. Unfortunate for her, she was never taught to be careful what she wished for.
Alyce is "dying" to move out of her parent's home
Unfortunately, she was never taught to be careful what she wished for...
Everyday life is predictable for the intellectual, redheaded and green eyed beauty, Alyce Wilson. As a sheltered only child, her mother enforced Alyce's focus on academics, which landed her a full scholarship at a University in Washington D.C where her best friend is attending. She couldn't wait for the change in her humdrum routine.
Unfortunately, Alyce quickly realizes that her independency isn't the wonderland she envisioned. Alyce's fantasies of freedom and an exotic adulthood turns into a nightmare of deadly deceptions and hidden family secrets.
Don't Miss Out on This Intriguing Thriller!
Excerpt
Chapter 3
A few months had passed after Alyce’s graduation, and it was time for Alyce’s first day of college. She was so excited to be on campus with her best friend Kelsey that she could hardly contain herself. Alyce was slightly disappointed that freshmen students were not allowed to have a vehicle for their first semester of campus. The college administration thought it would be more beneficial for freshmen students that were staying in the dorm to familiarize themselves with the campus and their surroundings before tackling the hassle of driving on a huge and busy area. She and her mother hadn’t spoken much since the slapping incident, so she wasn’t surprised that her mother didn’t come with her and her dad for her first day. Instead, her grandpa on her dad’s side accompanied her on the trip to her new school.
Shortly after her dad and grandfather left, Alyce began to settle in her two-twin bed dorm room. It was twice as small as her bedroom back home, but Alyce didn't care. She was ecstatic about her new-found freedom. Her roommate hadn't arrived, so she took the liberty of choosing the bed that was furthest away from the door. They were not allowed to use nails, so she hung a few family pictures and posters of Channing Tatum to her wall using hanging strips.
After Alyce was done unpacking, she called Kelsey to see if she had settled into her new apartment. Since this was Kelsey's sophomore year, she and her roommate refused to stay in the dorm again. Dr. Fields, Kelsey's rich dad, paid up 12 months for their apartment. Kelsey didn't answer, so Alyce assumed she was busy. She considered calling Brad, but she hadn't spoken to him since prom night. She wanted someone to share her excitement with, but everyone seemed to be busy with their own situation. Besides, she had heard from other friends at her high school that Brad caught a sexually transmitted disease from one of the cheerleaders, so he might be too embarrassed to speak with her.
A few minutes later, Alyce was startled by the opening of the door. She felt a short rush of enthusiasm as she waited to see her new roommate. Alyce was shocked to see a short, black girl with long wavy hair step into the room.
"Uhm, are you sure you have the correct room?" Alyce asked.
"I’m not sure whether to be surprised or offended by the question. Do you have an issue rooming with a black girl or something?" she asked.
"Oh no, my granddad is black," she said, defending herself by pointing at one of the pictures her and Grandpa James took at the photo booth in the mall.
"Oh, so why are you so jumpy and tan then?"
"Well, my dad is white, and my mom is half white, so I guess I just got a small blend."
"Obviously. Anyway, my name is Jasmine, but my friends call me Jazzy because I love music."
"You don't play that loud rap music, do you?"
"Girl, what is up with you and all these stereotypes? If we're going to get along, you're going to have to lighten up."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Jasmine, you see my mom-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, your mom tried to erase the blackness out of her life by having a baby with a white man and the fact that your granddad isn't in any of those childhood photos probably means you recently met him."
"What are you, some type of voodoo girl from New Orleans?"
"Wow, your parents really got your mind twisted."
"Don't you dare talk about my dad. He's never said anything bad about black people, and as a matter of fact, he has black friends."
"Yeah, I bet your mom doesn't know any of them."
"You know what Jasmine, I think it would be better if you requested another roommate."
"Hey, I don't have a problem with whatever your name is, but you began your insults first, so I indulged," Jasmine said, beginning to hang photos of Denzel Washington and Matthew McConaughey on her wall.
As Alyce looked at Jasmine’s wall, she realized how much her dad resembled Matthew. Not knowing what else to say, Alyce sat on her bed and started texting Kelsey. Even though Jasmine was very opinionated, she didn't seem as confrontational as her mother made black women seem. She canceled her text to Alyce and decided she'd try to work things out on her own.
"My name is Alyce Wilson, and my friends call me...Alyce," she said, trying to ease the tension.
"Nice to meet you Alyce and hopefully we can be great roommates," Jasmine responded, walking over to shake her hand.
"I couldn't help but notice that your poster of Matthew McConaughey reminds me of my dad."
"Wow, your dad does favor him," said Jasmine, looking closer at Alyce’s photo of her dad. "He is hot for an older guy."
"Thanks. He and my mom have been married almost 20 years."
"Wow, that's a long time."
"Yeah, and they still seem to be in love with one another."
"Love can be so beautiful. I hope Gregory and I can stand the tests of time."
"How long have you guys been together?"
"We've been together going on three years."
"Is he going to school here as well?"
"No, but we promised each other to make it work."
"How far are you guys away from one another?"
"It's about an eight-hour drive."
"Wow, not to sound insensitive, but do you think he will cheat being that far away?"
"Chances are if he's not getting sex from me, I'm sure he'll get it elsewhere. As long as he doesn't get someone pregnant or give me an STD, I'll never know."
"Would if you catch him out with someone on social media?"
"If that man is dumb enough to get caught, then we weren't meant to be in the first place. Besides, he's my first everything. My mom told me to have more experiences than just one guy."
"Wait, your mom was okay with you having sex with different guys?"
"Dating guys doesn't mean you have sex with them, Alyce," she said and laughed. "It just means she wants me to live life and see what the world has to offer."
Alyce knew right then that her mother-daughter relationship was completely different from Jasmine's relationship. She wanted to know more about Jasmine's relationship with her mother, but she knew it was too soon to ask too many personal questions. As outspoken as Jasmine was, she also seemed open-minded and friendly, not bitchy as her mother described most black women. Whenever Alyce’s mom would snap at her, she was always tempted to ask was that her black or white side emerging, but she never did.
"They have a freshmen greeting tonight at the student lounge center. Do you want to come with?" Jasmine asked.
"Uh, sure," replied Alyce. "Do you know if they are going to be serving snacks, I'm starving."
"I'm not sure, but we can walk down to the cafeteria to grab something beforehand if you'd like."
"That'll be awesome. Let me grab my things."
Just as Alyce and Jasmine were getting their things together, they were both startled by a sudden knock at their door. Jasmine slightly opened it and saw a tall, slender brunette at the door with short, wavy hair.
"Is this Alyce’s room?" asked the girl.
"Yes, this is our room. How can we help you?"
"I'm sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Kelsey. I'm Alyce’s best friend."
"Kelsey!" Alyce yelled, opening the door widely to let in her friend and give her a welcoming hug.
"I see you two are settling in well in your quaint little room with your sexy little posters," Kelsey said as she sat down on Alyce’s bed.
"Really, Kelsey? Could you be any more condescending?"
"Look, I understand you can't pick your room, but posters Alyce, really?"
"Alyce and I were just about to go and get some grub. You're welcome to come with us," Jasmine offered.
"Uh no. Alyce is coming with her bestie. We have a lot of catching up to do, besides, skipping a few meals wouldn't hurt since you've gained a few pounds."
"Here's my cell number if you need it, Alyce, I'm going to head out and let you two catch up," Jasmine said, grabbing her purse and walking out the door.
"Your roommate seems nice. How are you two getting along?"
"So, you’re just going to sit here and act like you just didn't call me fat."
"I didn't call you fat, Alyce. I just simply stated that you put on a few pounds. Anyway, I have some friends I want to introduce you to, so let's go."
"Wait, we're not going to be out late, are we? Freshmen have a curfew."
"Alyce, you act as if I haven't already been here a year now. Of course, I'll have you back in time."
Alyce didn't want to come off as some spoiled brat or admit the fact that Kelsey's comment about her weight offended her, so she kept her thoughts and feelings to herself and agreed to go hang out with Kelsey. Besides, she and her bestie had a lot of catching up to do since it had almost been a year since they sat down and talked. Alyce hopped in Kelsey's black Audi that Kelsey's dad had bought her for her birthday. She hadn't talked to anyone about her breakup with Brad, so she was definitely ready to vent.
"So... you know Brad, and I broke up, right?" Alyce started.
"Oh, no, Sweetie what happened?"
"Well, he was being a real jerk after prom, so I ended it," Alyce responded, not ready to get into full detail.
"What a creep! I'd never thought he would take your virginity and then be a jerk. He doesn't even seem like that type of guy."
"I never said we had sex, Kelsey."
"Wait, you didn't have sex with your boyfriend of two years on prom night?"
"No, I wasn't ready."
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s simple. I wasn’t ready to have sex.”
"What do you mean you weren't ready? You kiss and hug this guy for two years and then expect for him not to want sex on prom night?"
"Whose side are you on, Kelsey?" Alyce asked, clearly hurt.
"Look, Alyce, I know no means no, but you're not weighing your options. Brad is sexy, smart, and his dad is filthy rich. He doesn't even have to go to college, and his career is already set."
"Okay, are saying that means I'm supposed to give up my body because he has a promising career?"
"No, what I'm saying is you can't be daddy's little-pampered princess forever."
"Wow, I guess college do change people."
"Are you serious right now, Alyce? You're not a kid anymore. This is the real world where you have to make adult decisions without thinking about what daddy and mommy thinks."
"Thanks for your support best friend." Alyce managed to say holding back her tears.
"Alyce, stop taking stuff so personally. I am your best friend, which is why I'm going to tell you what no one else wants to say. Besides, you're going to give it up one day, so why not let it be with a guy you know well and has his life together."
"Right," Alyce softly responded.
She couldn't believe that Kelsey had such a shallow opinion about sex. To her, it sounded as if Kelsey was saying to only have sex with a guy who has lots of money. Something had changed her best friend. She wasn’t the same girl that left her hometown a year ago.
WOW! What can I say about 'Alyce Leaves Wonderland?', except it was to short... The story of Alyce halfway between teen-hood (and listening to her mom and dad) and adulthood pulls you in immediately. There are so many twists and turns in the plot and each with a major surprise. Have Alyce and Jacob made the right decision? I would love to see a sequel to continue the story. Nat T. Hill provides the reader with a wonderful story. Very well written. Worth the read!
Reviewed by Lauri Nye
11/28/2017
The transition to independence and adulthood are often difficult. These difficulties are escalated as Alyce must also deal with dark family secrets and the realities of knowing who to trust. "Alyce Leaves Wonderland" is an exciting page-turner. Can't wait to see what happens next.
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