Just Good Friends?

Chapter 44 - College

Bex.

College day.

Cal already left with Ems and Jess, and the rest of us were just about to leave too.

Nate was torn between going with Joe and Harry, or coming with me, but I made it easy for him, as I needed time on my own before I arrived at college, just to process that this isn't the way college was meant to begin for us all.

"So we'll meet you in the carpark ok sis" Joe kisses my cheek and jumps in his car.

Harry jumps in the back, and Nate turns to me.

"OK, see you in a bit then beautiful" he gives me a quick kiss, and jumps in the passenger seat. Joe does a finger salute, and they drive off down the street. I climb in my car and set off behind them.

I miss Mike so much. It was meant to be us starting a new chapter today. I'm starting a new chapter, and I'm starting it with Nate. I really do love him unconditionally, without any doubt. I don't regret any choice I've made, and he has made it all so easy for me. He understands that i still have Mike in my heart, he was my best friend before anything else. But now I'm so happy with Nate. I just need this 15 minutes in the car on my own. Plus Nate needed to be with the boys this morning.

......

When I arrive at college, I find the boys and pull up in the space next to them. They have already caused quite a stir amongst the female population. I grab my bag and jump out, locking the doors behind me.

"Sis, what took you so long?" Joe puts his arm around me.

"Stopped to get coffee. Making friends I see?" I wink.

"Ah, don't tell Ems, she'll never let me come back here!" He laughs.

"Out the way dickhead" Nate removes Joe's arm from my shoulders, drapes his arms around me, leans down and kisses me softly on the lips. I hear a collective sigh from around us, as the girls realise one of the hottest guys here is sadly taken. I look up at him and grin.

"You've made quite the impression already then?" I tease.

"Eyes only for you beautiful" he whispers to me. 'Let's go" he drapes one arm over my shoulders, and picks his bag up and we head indoors.

......

"Girl, he is smoking!" I look around and see a tall slim athletic built girl behind me. She is stunning, with long dark wavy hair and tanned skin. "You are now the envy of every female student here, and probably a few male ones too. Infact, your whole little group is f*****g smoking hot, especially the dark haired bouncy one. Whos he? The shorter haired one, not your brother? He is your brother right? Cant really mistake that!"

I laugh then as I realise she means Harry. He will be very happy to hear this.

"Thats Harry. He's a really good guy, hyper as s**t, but intelligent as hell, so don't let him make you think otherwise. Bex. And you are?" I finish tieing my laces, and get ready to leave the changing room.

"Selina, but call me Lina. You need to introduce me girl. I'm on my own here, need some friends so I don't look too pathetic. So, you are the star I've heard so much about then? The record breaker? That's f*****g impressive. You mind if I run with you? You can go ahead when I slow you up, I don't mind" she falls in to step beside me.

"Sure, no problem" I think I might get along well with Lina.

An hour later, we are getting changed and leaving for lunch.

"You are a f*****g machine on the track girl. Think I seriously need to up my game" Lina says as we head down the hall towards the canteen. I see Nate ahead and he turns and looks directly at me. His face visibly softens, and he waits.

"Hey beautiful, good morning?' He kisses my forehead and looks to Lina. He holds out his hand and says "Nate"

"Oh I know who you are, star football player, hero, along with her brother Joe and the spunk Harry. I think every student here knows who you all are. I'm Lina, hopefully a friend to you all soon" I laugh at Nate obvious discomfort. He really hates being the centre of attention, but he's really upped his fitness game over the last year, so he stands out even more than he did before.

"Ah, not so much of the star hero s**t please. I like to blend in to the background" he mumbles.

"Ha! No chance of that happening, especially with your over confident buddies over there" we look towards where she nods her head, and there is Joe and Harry, holding court on a table, obviously in their element.

"Oh f**k me. Here we go again" i laugh at Nate, he's always been the one to level out Joe, but with Harry alongside now too, it's highly uneven.

"Hey fuckers, get over here and introduce us" Harry shouts over when he sees us.

"Lina, and you're Harry" Lina smiles seductively.

"Oh yes I am" he smirks at her "hopefully get to know you a bit better very soon" he slides down in to the seat next to the one she has just sat on.

"Hold it there hot shot, we have all the time in the world. I need to find out you're not some serial stalker or something before we take this further" she winks at him. I think Harry may have found himself a girlfriend!

"So Lina, you an athletic star too then?" Joe asks as it all calms down and we get to eat finally.

"Not like this one" she thumbs at me. "She ran rings around the lot of us out there, coach had no idea what to do with her in the end, and just let her do her thing. Think she'll be having some sleepless nights over this one, wondering what she can actually teach her!" The guys laugh.

"Nothing changes. Bex has always done her own thing where running is concerned!" Joe replies.

......

First day was a success. I also think Lina will become a good friend. She seems genuine, but I won't open up too much straight away, until I know for sure.

"You had a message off Dad? He's coming up on the weekend. I can't wait!" Joe bounces out to the pool where me and Harry and chilling out.

"Yeah, he said he'll be arriving on Friday afternoon. He also wants a chat with Nate about the business" I say without looking away from my phone.

"Why? He want Nate to take over or something? He'd be f*****g awesome, and it's only what he's studying for anyway" Joe sits on the lounger by my feet.

"No idea dude, not my place to ask" Nate comes out of the gym then, towel around his neck, wiping at his face. f**k he's hot.

"What have I done?" He asks as he walks over.

"Pissed off Big D dude, he wants a chat with you apparently " Harry teases.

"Yeah, i know. He already messaged me" Nate throws his towel down and dives in to the pool. We hear the doorbell go then, and Harry jumps up.

"I'll get it!" He's runs in to the house, and emerges a few minutes later with Lina.

"Hey guys, nice place you got here. So this is where the good parties will be then?" Lina walks over to us. "Harry messaged and told me to come over, hope none of you mind? It gets kind of boring in halls" she removes her top, and Harry's jaw drops.

"Close your mouth Harry" Joe laughs.

"Can't f*****g help it dude. f*****g hard on about to make an appearance too" He laughs at himself. That's what we all love about Harry, he doesn't take himself seriously.

"Cal, bring some beers out!" Joe's shouts through to to kitchen when he hears Cal, Ems and Jess arrive home.

The 3 of them come out, and we introduce them to Lina.

"I feel quite privileged to be at the house of such a gorgeous group" Lina laughs.

We spend the rest of the afternoon chatting, swimming and chilling out.