The Monroe Legacy - G.2. Chapter 2 - A Blank Canvas

Hallie Monroe stared at her birthday cake like it was a ticking bomb. It sounded like her family were singing and cheering from miles away and in slow motion. She had known it was coming for years but now that only 21 candles stood between her, adulthood and taking over her family legacy Hallie was wondering if it was all too much.

Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, wished on every star in the sky that she wouldn't mess this up and blew out her candles.

A tingle ran down her spine. It was done.

No longer the heir, waiting for a turn, Hallie was it. The house was hers, the responsibility was hers. It didn't matter if she was ready or not, it was happening.

After accepting congratulations from her family Hallie retreated to her room to clear her head. She had a new dress ready and after she slipped it on she felt more in control. She decided against the hells Lola had lent her, that wasn't her style, checking her closet she found the perfect thing to balance the girly dress. Checking herself in the mirror she knew she'd outgrown the braids she'd worn for as long as she could remember.

As she worked out the kinks and restyled herself her hands stopped shaking for the first time in an hour.

'Look at yourself Hallie,' she scolded.

'You can do this'.

She looked herself up and down in the mirror, smiled at what she saw and returned to the party.

Marlie was waiting for her with open arms and tears in her eyes.

'You're so beautiful Hal' Marlie managed before dragging her in for a huge hug. Hallie smiled knowingly, her mom was such a softie, they were going to need a mop when Lola's wedding arrived! 

'Aww Mom,' she replied, 'I've got a beautiful mummy to take after! Now where's dad? I want to talk about what's next'.

The three of them went upstairs and Hallie laid out her plan.

'I've always dreamed of art school, I don't know exactly what I want from life but I want to paint, to sculpt. Maybe even invent. But to be the best I have to go to university. I want to leave the house with you and Lola and the twins for a couple of years whilst I get my degree. I'll come home and take care of anything I need to and once I'm done I'll move back in and start to build my life here with everything I need.

I just wanted to check if that is okay with you?'

Marlie smiled, 'Of course honey, we always knew you wanted to go to art school and the legacy can go wherever you go, as long as you still call this place home.'

Brody added, 'I even got you an aptitude test for a scholarship'.

Hallie's face lit up, she'd thought they'd agree but not so freely. 'Where's the test?' she asked impatiently, wondering how much tuition she might be eligible for. 

Brody laughed and led her downstairs where she whipped out a sketching pencil and got stuck in.

Three weeks later with a 50% grant in her pocket Hallie was packed to go. As the door closed on he house she loved she promised she would return the kind of person who deserved the gift of the legacy.

Looking ahead she could see a two years filled with art and friendship, two years of being just Hallie rather than the twin's sister, two years where maybe she'd get to find out if she really was a good kisser!

After a short flight and a long taxi ride she was there - The Art Institute in Boston. Her dorm looked pretty average but the people were interesting. Within ten minutes she'd been invited to a protest, warned off a pervy professor and debated philosophy.

Hallie was delighted to discover her room had been set up with an easel and the wallpaper she'd pre-selected, it was better than she'd imagined. She didn't even have to share!

Hallie was just climbing in to bed when her new friend Cai let himself in to invite her to a party at a frat house. 

'Why the heck not!' Hallie responded, dragging her clothes back on and hopping on a rented bike. As they sped through the dark campus snow began to fall, adding a touch of magic to the already impressive surroundings. Hallie fell in love with the place - it looked kind of like Hogwarts!

Throwing her head back to catch a snowflake on her tongue Hallie knew that these would be some of the best years of her life.

Yelling back to Cai to keep up they arrived at the party glowing and pumped. A whirlwind of introductions was punctuated only by streakers, flirting and the odd keg stand. Hallie met Hanna who was on her course and seemed pretty cool, the two vowed to study together later in the week.

Having had one too many juices, Hanna giggled and gestured over at Cai who was dancing nearby and whispered,

'He is so into you Hallie - are you two hav-'

'NO! Hallie replied, maybe too loudly. 'I mean he is nice and all but the blue hair is not my thing. Besides it's the first night. I'm only looking for a friend right now!'

Their conversation had obviously made it over the music, Cai looked embarrassed and quickly left the room.

'Whoops!' said Hanna! 'That could be awkward in the dorm.'

Hallie was too juiced to care, grabbing Hanna's arm she dragged her to the next room for a game of juice pong, determined that Cai, sweet as he was, wouldn't spoil her first night of college fun.

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Next time - Semester 1 - Can Hallie and Cai's friendship survive the awkwardness? Will Hallie remember she has to go to class as well as party? Is Hallie really a great kisser? And back home for Christmas where a winter wedding is planned.

Find out now in Gen. 2. Chapter Three - Black Sheep and White Weddings

*Note - Apologies - this chapter doesn't include everything trailed! It was going to be longer but Hallie wouldn't cooperate,  - this was the most natural pausing point before things begin to get interesting both at home and at Uni