Chapter 12
742 Words
College was like a small city on its own, buzzing and chaotic, full of people, mostly students walking about, some laughing, some gathered in groups and gossiping, others arguing over nothing. Ivy walked along the paths that led to the library, her backpack slung over her shoulders. She stumbled, " s**t!" she said aloud, realising herself, she looked around to see if anyone saw, thankfully, they were all engaged in their own businesses, she continued walking.
College felt different...she always knew it would, overwhelming, exciting... in a way she hadn’t felt since she left her hometown.
The first few weeks were filled with people trying to find their lecture halls, searching for the best spots to eat, and attempting to learn the names of professors. Ivy was quietly looking at it all, observing more than participating. It wasn’t that she wanted to hide, she just… didn’t trust the world here yet.
One afternoon, she found herself wandering around the library halls, looking for the section one of the professors said they could use. Ivy had gotten lost three times already, and she was getting very annoyed. She would give up soon if she didn't find it this last time.
“Lost again?” a voice said from somewhere behind her.
Ivy stilled, turning around. A girl was casually leaning against a bookshelf, one shoulder brushing against the wood. She had dark red hair, shoulder-length...was that even allowed on campus? Ivy thought. She was wearing a back leather jacket and a cute smile that made Ivy’s heart beat just a little faster.
“I… uh, kind of,” Ivy admitted “This place is a maze.”
“You’re right,” the girl said. “They design these libraries to make freshmen sweat. You look like someone who doesn’t enjoy sweating.”
Heat rose to Ivy's cheeks. “Not really,” she muttered.
The girl laughed lightly, a sound that was easy and teasing. “Maybe I can show you what or where you're looking for. I'm familiar with my way around here.”
Ivy seemed to think about it, she had no choice, did she? But this girl seems like the kind of person who didn’t follow rules only for the sake of following them. That made Ivy a little unsettled.
“I… okay,” Ivy said finally “Thanks.”
“My name's Seraphina,” the girl said, holding out a hand.
“Ivy,” she replied, shaking the girl's hand firmly.
They walked through the library and she kept looking at Seraphina, who seemed entirely comfortable, walking like she owned the place.
“So, you're a fresher right?” Seraphina asked after a while, breaking the silence.
“Yeah,” Ivy said. “First semester. You?”
Seraphina smirked. “Fresher? Maybe with age. Not in experience. You’ll see. College is full of surprises.”
Ivy frowned slightly. There was a hint of mischief in her tone. She didn’t trust people easily, not strangers, not charming girls with cute smiles. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Ivy said carefully.
They reached the room she was looking for, and Ivy let out a sigh of relief.
“You’ll probably find yourself here a lot,” Seraphina said “Better get used to it. Or get lost again. Your choice.”
Ivy wanted to laugh, but it came out as a nervous cough. “Thanks for… guiding me.”
Seraphina’s grin widened. “Don’t thank me. I like watching people figure things out. You’re… interesting.”
“Interesting?” she repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” Seraphina said. “Not boring. You’ll see. Maybe I’ll show you a few things. Or maybe not. Depends on whether we meet again, the campus is huge”
Ivy blinked “Well,” Ivy said, adjusting her bag, “I guess we'll figure that out eventually.”
Seraphina smiled again, a little too knowingly. “Yeah.”
And with that, she turned and left. Ivy had a mix of relief and amusement. Who was that girl? She was bold and confident. Something about her lingered in Ivy’s mind,
Ivy sat down at a table, opening her notebook, but she couldn't study anything. She tried to focus on her notes, but her mind kept replaying that cute smile, the teasing way Seraphina had said “You’ll see,”
She knew college was about to become far more complicated and more interesting than she had expected.
- Writer
