Chapter 2
2058 Words
But none of them was relevant here. I was unknown to everyone. Nobody had any suspicions. And on those hot days when a long sleeve shirt was too heavy, nobody realised what the bracelet concealed.
I had made the decision to come here, and it had been the right one.
I had laughed when my parents threatened to take away my trust fund. Once I turned eighteen, I had money of my own, money over which they had no authority. cash I had earned. They felt like I had failed them once more, but I would die if I stayed in Texas or around any of those people.
I got up and threw my backpack over my shoulder while checking the time on my phone. I would not be late for my history class, at least.
The social sciences building housed the history department, located at the foot of the slope I had just run up. I walked across the busy street and across the parking lot behind the Byrd building. Students were walking in groups of two or more all around me, and many of them clearly knew one another. Walking to class without being noticed gave me a priceless sense of independence rather than making me feel excluded.
I ignored my terrible morning and went into Whitehall, taking the first set of stairs to the right. A throng of students waited for the rooms to clear in the upper corridor. I manoeuvred around the groups of people laughing, avoiding those who appeared to be half asleep. I found a vacant space across from my classroom, crossed my legs, and leaned against the wall. I excitedly ran my hands over my jeans, ready to make history. History 101 was my first class in my major, and most people would be bored to tears in it.
And if I was very lucky, I would be cataloguing ancient writings or artefacts in a quiet, cool museum or library in five years. While it may not be the most attractive career path, it would be ideal for me.
Better than being a professional dancer in New York, which was my previous dream.
Mom had to be disappointed over yet another issue. After I became fourteen, all the money I had spent on ballet classes since I was old enough to walk was thrown away.
The relaxing impact that dancing had on me was something I did miss, though. I simply couldn't bring myself to carry it out once more.
"Why are you sitting on the floor, girl?"
When I noticed Miller Massey's boyishly attractive smile spreading across his caramel-toned face, my head jerked up and a smile spread across my face. He was enrolled in my next class and I had art on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We had became friends at the previous week's freshmen orientation. I had taken a quick liking to his gregarious demeanour.
I noticed the precise cut of his expensive-looking jeans when I took a quick look at them. This is a lovely place to be. I should bring you along.
"Oh my god no. I don't want to sit on the floor and ruin my nice ass. He smiled and rested a hip against the wall next to me. Hold on. How come you're already here? I mistook you for having a lesson at nine.
"You recall that?" Last week, we had exchanged schedules for about thirty seconds.
He gave a wink. "I have a terrible memory for things that I hardly ever use."
I chuckled. "Very helpful to know."
"So, have you already skipped? You are a bad, bad girl.
I shook my head, wincing. "Yes, but if I don't drop it before Wednesday, I guess my first day will be Wednesday because I hate going into a classroom after class starts."
"Skip it? Girl, stop being so dumb. The class on astronomy is easy. If the class hadn't filled up so quickly after all the dang upperclassmen showed in, I would have taken it.
"Well, you didn't almost kill a guy who happens to be in said cake class—a guy who was rushing to class in a hallway."
"What?" His deep brown eyes lit up with curiosity as he bent over. He noticed someone. "Emma, hold on a minute." Then he began to leap and wave his arm. "Hey, Olivia. Come on, get your ass over here!
In the middle of the hallway, a short blonde girl abruptly stopped and turned to face us. Her cheeks flushed, but she grinned when she spotted Miller hopping around. She stopped in front of us and made her way over.
“This is Emily, Olivia.” Miller grinned. Olivia here, Emily. Say hello.
Olivia waved at me and said, "Hello."
I returned the wave. "Hi."
Emily is about to share with us her story of nearly killing a man in a hallway. I felt you would also be interested in hearing the story.
Olivia stared at me and I grimaced, yet there was a curious spark of interest in her brown eyes. She grinned and said, "Do tell."
I sighed and remarked, "Well, I really didn't almost kill someone." However, it was quite embarrassing and it was quite close.
Miller said, bending over, "The best stories are the ones that make you laugh."
Olivia chuckled. "That is accurate."
"Sister, spill it."
To avoid embarrassing myself in front of the entire auditorium, I tucked my hair back and spoke quietly. Since I was running late for astronomy, I practically sprinted through the second-floor double doors. I crashed into this unfortunate guy in the hallway because I wasn't paying attention to where I was going.
"Yikes." Olivia had a pitying expression on her face.
Indeed, and I was on the verge of toppling him. I let go of my belongings. Pens and books flew in all directions. It was really amazing.
Miller had a funny look in his eyes. Was he attractive?
"What?"
"Did he look hot?" he asked again, running a hand through his short hair. Because you ought to have benefited from his heat. That might have been the greatest icebreaker ever. It's as if you two could fall deeply in love and then brag to everyone about how you ploughed him before he ploughed you.
"Oh my God," A familiar burning touched my cheeks. "Yes, he was extremely attractive."
"Oh no," exclaimed Olivia, who appeared to be the only other person who saw how the humiliating situation was made worse by a hot guy. Miller appeared even more ecstatic at the news, so I suppose you needed a v****a to grasp that.
Tell me, then, what this attractive man candy looked like. This kind of detail is necessary to know.
I was uncomfortable thinking about Cam, so there was a part of me that didn't want to say anything. "Well, he was quite tall and well-built, I suppose."
How are you aware of his beautiful build? Did you also feel him up?
Olivia gave me a shaky head and I laughed. Miller, I really did run into him. He also managed to catch me. Although it wasn't my intention, he seemed to have a nice body. I gave a shrug. He had black, curly hair, though. longer than yours, a little disorganised, but in a—
"Girl, this guy seems so carefree and attractive that I want to run into him," the female said.
Olivia chuckled. "I adore hair like that."
I questioned if the heat on my face was real. Yes, that is how it was. His eyes were so blue they appeared incredibly beautiful.
Olivia gasped as her own eyes widened, saying, "Wait." Did his eyes seem so artificially blue? And did he have a nice scent? Just respond to the question; I understand that it seems strange and unsettling.
That was very amusing and eerie at the same time. "Yes, to both."
"On a shoe, holy shit." Olivia gave a hearty laugh. "Have you gotten his name?"
Miller was also wearing this dawning expression, and it was beginning to worry me. Yes, but why?
Olivia gave Miller a quick elbow before lowering her voice. "Did Ethan Reynolds do it?"
My mouth dropped to my lap.
"That was!" Olivia shook her shoulders. You encountered Ethan Reynolds?
Miller was not grinning. Just looking at me with a sort of awe? Right now, I am really, really jealous of you. If I could just run into Ethan Reynolds, I would offer my left testicle.
I half choked, half laughed. "Whoa. That is quite grave.
Emily, Ethan Reynolds is not kidding. You are ignorant. Miller remarked, "You're not from around here."
"You too are a freshman. How are you aware of him? Since Cam didn't appear to be a freshman, I inquired. He had to be a senior or junior at the very least.
He answered, "Everyone on campus knows him."
"You've only been here for a week and a half!"
Miller smiled. "I move around."
I shook my head and laughed. "I'm not understanding it. Yes, he is attractive, but so what?
"I went to school with Ethan," Olivia said, casting a sidelong glance. Even though he was two years my senior, he was a complete jerk in high school. Everyone aspired to be in his presence or near him. Here, it's much the same.
Despite the fact that Olivia's words made me think of someone else, my curiosity grew. "So these are the people who live here?"
Not at all. We're from the Fort Hill/Morgantown region. I'm not sure why he picked this university over WVU, but I did so in order to avoid being confined to the same old people in my hometown.
That makes sense to me.
In any case, Ethan is well-known on campus. Miller gave himself a hard handshake. "He reportedly throws the greatest parties ever, lives off campus, and—"
Olivia interrupted, "He had a reputation in high school." An honour that was rightfully deserved. Do not misunderstand me. Ethan has always been a truly amazing person. Very humorous and pleasant, however back then he placed the 'or' in man-w***e. Although things appear to have calmed down a little, a leopard and its markings
"All right." I twiddled my wristlet. "That's good to know, but it's not that important. I mean, we crossed paths in the corridor. That's all the information I know about Cam.
"Cam?" Olivia gave a blink.
"Yes?" I got up quickly and reached for my purse. Soon, doors would open.
Olivia furrowed her brows. "Those who don't know him refer to him as Ethan. Only his pals refer to him as Cam.
"Oh." I scowled. "I assumed that's what people called him since he told me that people called him Cam."
Olivia remained silent, and to be honest, I didn't understand the fuss. After I ran him over, Cam, Ethan, or whomever was simply being courteous. I just knew to remain far, far away from him, regardless of the fact that he was a reformed party playboy.
Students poured into the hallway as doors opened. After waiting for it to pass, our small group went inside and took three seats in the back, with Miller seated between us. Miller grabbed my arm as I took out my enormous, five topic notebook that could knock someone out if hit.
His glance was full of mischief and complete mayhem. "Astronomy cannot be abandoned. I have to hear about Cam at least three days a week and live vicariously through you to get through this semester.
I chuckled quietly. "I refuse to abandon the class—" Despite my slight desire to do so.—However, I doubt I'll have much to share with you. It's not as if we'll ever communicate again.
Miller sat back, glancing at me as he released my arm. "Emma, famous last words."
To my delight, the remainder of the day wasn't nearly as exciting as the morning. No more embarrassing near-falls of innocent gorgeous males or other mishaps. Miller required me to repeat the entire incident during lunch, but I was glad that he and Olivia took a break at the same time as me. It was pleasant to genuinely converse with individuals my own age because I had truly intended to spend the majority of the day alone.
- Writer
