For Better For Worst

M

CHAPTER ONE

I push my glasses inward as I shove my piled-up textbooks into my bag. I have another class by 2:00pm and if I don’t leave now, I won’t make it on time—No, I won’t get to sit at the front seat. So, I hurriedly zip up my bag, draping it over my shoulders as I rush to the front desk.

“Mrs. Leyla, I have to be in class by 2, do you mind saving the book for me?”

The woman waves me a warm smile, before saying. “Of-course” I appreciate her with a grin. Without wasting much time, I set off. Stepping out of the air-coned Library and into a wave of heat from the blazing sun.

Reasons why I love libraries.

I move swiftly down the stairs and as a girl, I know I shouldn’t be skipping more than two steps or even less, but I have to be there in time, so I skip the first step, take the next and jump the rest.

My pace is quickened as I hit the ground. Also, my feet are burning as I walk on hot gravel. Who got out of hell and left the gates opened? My class is a 15 minute-walk from my current location. Actually, the building is sited at an entirely different area from the main campus and unfortunately for me, that’s where my faculty is located.

I puff out hot air as I increase my stride, mentally cussing at the sun for its intense ray. My phone vibrates sharply in my pocket and before I dig them out, I remember forgetting what I always do when I’m on the road. Listen to Music.

I dig out the phone from my pocket, along with my ear piece. I plug the ear piece to my phone, before bringing the phone to life.

Message Notification🔔

From Susan: Save me a seat,

From Susan: Not at the front!!!

Don’t react to the messages, instead I unlock my phone and click on BoomPlay. I bring the ear piece up, locking them tightly in both ears and scrolling through my playlist.

Love, Drama or Tragedy? I reckon as I ponder on the best music to fuel my daydreams as I walk to class.

Drama

The Weekend’s Party Monster plays in the background.

The car speeds fearlessly down the road. My adrenaline is at its peak as the song blasts out of the speakers, resonating the air and fueling my drive. It’s not some random car, no it isn’t. It’s Lambo. Midnight Purple, her name is Priscila and I’m taking her to my high school reunion. Yep, I’m about to show some jerks from my past what I’m really made of

I navigate into a street and the takes and double takes of my car by passers-by sends shivers through my veins. Literally.

I roll smoothly into the school’s compound and all eyes are on Priscilla, not me. Yet.

I give them a few moments to wonder who it might be. And at the peak of the song. In slow motion- for some reason- I step out of the vehicle. Eyes are widened, Jaws dropped and mouths are left agape.

Yes! It’s me.

I slid my dark shades on and again slowly amble over my friends, who obviously were shocked as the rest of them.

The song ends, and I put it on replay to continue my day dream, but this time.

The school gates slide open and we ride into the school, pulling to a stop and parking in a horizontal line. This time, it isn’t just a Midnight Purple Lambo. It’s a Pink Range Rover, A Black Mercedes and Blue Supra.

With the beat of the song and in sync, we all push our doors open and each of us have a dramatic entrance.

A smile crawls on my lips and I approach the faculty building.

After the entrance, we walk simultaneously towards—wherever the hell we were going at that moment—and obviously in slow-mo.

I take my ear piece off as I enter the class and with few students scattered around. I spot my favorite front seat. That’s the seat in the first row, fourth column. A direct view to the podium and the first place the professor would look at, when taking lectures.

I know what you’re thinking. Weird girl, glasses, loves music and likes front seats. I’m your typical Nerd. But that’s not the case. I may be smart, but only because I have to get good grades. My eyes are perfectly fine, I just like wearing glasses because I like how it looks on other people—who have problems with their eyes and the reason why I love music is―well, everyone loves music. And why I have to get to sit at the front, is because it’s Calculus.

“You’re here early.” Riven takes the seat beside me. I turn to him, holding up a smile.

“It’s Calculus.” I somewhat remind him of what failing this class means. “I’m not sitting at the back this time.”

His eyes widen and his brow rises, like he just remembered something. “Ah, do you have the notes from last class? I wasn’t quite paying attention.”

“If your definition of ‘not quite paying attention’ is sleeping through at the class duration, then no, I don’t have the notes.”

His eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. “You? Of all people. You don’t have a complete note?”

I shrug, a smirk dancing on my lips “Let’s say… I also wasn’t quite paying attention.” I place my bag on the desk, slowly unzipping and pulling out the necessary books. Beside me, I could feel Riven inching closer.

“Where’s Susan?” He asks in an almost whisper. I pull out my textbook, casually ignoring his question. I continue to grope for my pen.

He persists “Is she coming to class?” I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. If you really want to know, just text her. I finally locate my pen and give him a sideway glance. He’s leaned forward and his eyes stare at me with eagerness for an answer.

I sigh, hesitating for a moment “She’s somewhere…. I don’t know… I’m not even sure she’s coming to class.” I don’t give him a straight forward answer.

“She’s your roommate.” He states the obvious.

I shrug nonchalantly. And I’m a princess, but no one seems to care. “She wasn’t there this morning.” I say instead

“Where’d she go?”

“Oh!” I pull out my phone. “Let me just…. check the tracker I put on her.” I say sardonically. I stare at my phone and I point it. “Uh! There it is.” I gently slam my phone down on the desk, knowing he got the point.

“Geez, ‘I don’t know’ would have been just fine.” He faces forward.

This time, I roll my eyes. “She’s probably on her way here.” My phone chimes and I pick it up.

Message Notification

From Helen: Is he there yet?

I unlock my phone, tapping on the message. I type

From Me: Not here yet. 6 minutes to go

From Me: Where are you?

I sent.

From Helen: Phew

From Helen: On my way.

I place my phone back on the desk, glancing over at Riven, who by the way is grinning on his phone. I bet Susan read his message. Speaking of the devil, she struts in, halting halfway as she scans the classroom, probably looking for me. She’s done scanning the back, so she frowns. Her eyes flickering to her phone as she brings it up to her.

Message Notification

From Susan: Where the hell are you??

What the blind would do with a pair of eyes.

“Susan!” I call out to her. Riven looks up at the mention of her name and Susan still struggles to spot me in front. I roll my eyes in exasperation.

“Susan, Over here.” I wave at her and this time, she sees me. Finally

She strides over to me, with a frown.

“How’s my hair?” Riven inquires quickly. I briefly spare him a glance, before turning to Susan. And yes, I totally ignored his question.

“I said no front seats.” She reminds as she spares Riven a fleeting glance. “Didn’t you see my text.”

Of-course I did and I chose to ignore it. “I didn’t see your text until now, plus I saved a seat for Helen, not you. Sorry.” I feign an empathic look as I tell her.

She’s annoyed. I can tell from the way she looks away briefly, shortly rolling her eyes and then turns to me. “So where am I supposed to sit now?”

Not my problem

I shrug carelessly, turn towards to back to see if I can spot any empty seat. I wasn’t really looking, I just glance through the room, shrugging again as a face her. “You could check out the back. Some seats aren’t taken yet.”

Just in time, Helen enters the class, panting frantically. We all watch her as she moves towards us. “You can sit next to me; this seat is empty.” Riven suggests, tapping on the seat next to him. Helen acknowledges Susan with a half-hearted smile as she slumps into the seat next to me.

“Finally.” She puffs out air. I smile at her and she returns it.

“What took you so long?” I ask, staring at her as she settles in.

“Left my phone back at my dorm, had to run all the way.” She glances over at Susan, who by the way took the seat Riven offered earlier.

“Hi, Susan” She waves at her.

“Hi” Susan flashes a fake smile at her as she replies. I’m sure Helen noticed it, which is why she recline back and mutters. “b***h”

“Language.” I reprimand in a whisper. She laughs and shakes her head. “Whatever.” She pulls out her phone.

It might have not been noticed until now, but I’m a prude. I try to tame my tongue and watch what I say. I definitely don’t use vulgar words—not anymore at least and I’m trying to get on God’s good side, which sometimes is a complete fail.

My life before college was something, I wasn’t too proud of and I want to change it. For the better.