Hello, Goodbye

Chapter Two

MY ALARM GOES OFF on my phone. It is 8 O’clock and I turn to shut it off. 5 more minutes wouldn’t kill me. I looked over Becky's bed to find it empty and untouched since yesterday. She had not come back last night which now made me worried. It was our second day here. I decided to get up and notice I had not changed since yesterday. I try calling her but her phone goes straight to voicemail. Now I am panicking. She always has her phone on her. This was unusual. I started for our room's bathroom which was a nice feature we specifically asked for. It was more expensive but it was nice to have our own instead of co-sharing with the other students. I shower, brush my teeth, and tie my hair up in a bun. My mom would not be impressed with my choice of hair-do. 

I still had not heard from Becky by the time I’m done picking my outfit. Denim jeans which I gave some personal touch with my scissors adding slits across the knees with a black Nazareth t-shirt. I doubt anyone in this preppy university would know who that band was. I take myself in as I look in the mirror. I sigh and am about to go change when my phone buzzes. My heart jumps hoping it is Becky. I run to my bed nearly tripping over my shoes to grab my phone off the bed. To my luck it was. 

“Where the hell are you?” I am furious. It was our first day of class.

“It’s a long story.” She sounds sick. “I’m fine and there is no need to worry.” She stops abruptly on the phone and I can hear her vomiting. Today was going to be interesting. 

I left the dorm to get a coffee without much debate as to where I was going. Starbucks. I try calling Becky before class starts, but right now, she's probably detoxing from last night. I take one last look at my surroundings in the once packed hallway. I take in a deep breath, exhale, and open the door to my first class. I can't even keep my head straight. There are a million students crowding around. It's a dystopian nightmare come true. It smells like cologne and perfume and body odor and dust - does anyone else not smell this? - and it's loud, so loud. I try to find a seat. I squeeze by a tall blonde girl. She is flawless in a peach dress that runs down to her knees. Her hair shines bright in the dim light and her skin was so smooth looking.  There on her neck is a diamond necklace.  She must be rich. I had not noticed she had stopped abruptly to examine me as well. She could get out of my way but she doesn't. 

"Can I help you?" She loses her smug smile and glares at me. "It's not nice to stare sophomore." 

"I'm sorry." 

"You are not a good liar." She crosses her arms. "Watch yourself okay? I don't need to be bothered by people like you. There could be severe consequences." She grinned. The wide smile exposed all her perfect, white teeth then turned around. No one bothered to stare at us or me and I take a seat right where I stand. I was still in a little bit of shock. The professor walks in through an opposite door behind his desk. I'm seated right behind the blonde girl. Severe consequences? This was concerning. 

CLASS HAD ENDED finally. I grab my books and laptop and place them in my over the shoulder bag. The only fashionable thing I had right now. 

"Ugh," I mumble. "I'm glad that's over." The blonde girl looks at me from the corner of her eyes as she passes me with a snobby smirk.

 I was free until lunch. This was the opportunity I was looking for since this morning. I needed a part-time job. I started my way towards the main hall where the bulletin board was. Local businesses took advantage of the board so they could hire students for minimum wage. 

I hurried through the front doors, beaming at all the jobs listed.

 WANTED: coffee barista 

I take down the phone number while avoiding eye contact with the numerous people who had also taken interest in the position. The coffee shop was just down the street which was convenient and it was only a two-hour shift Monday - Saturday. This was the perfect position for me. 

I'd half expected Becky to call me after class but she didn't. I head to the dorm before lunch. This morning has already exhausted me. I open the door and I can tell Becky is worried - watching me open the door, her face suddenly goes white for no reason. 

"What Becky?" I ask. "Where were you this morning?" I was still a little furious about this morning. 

"I made a big mistake." Her voice was shaking. "I got drunk and might have shown my t**s to our professor. I was too embarrassed to go to class this morning and well I didn't know he was our professor until well." she shifts in her bed nervously. "I think I slept with him but I don't remember." 

I am momentarily stunned by her news. I had not even noticed the professor this morning, I was so focused on what that blonde girl had said to me.

"Are you sure that's what happened to you?" I ask. 

"I don't know. I do know that -" she's hesitant. "That I flashed him my tit's and woke up in Sarah's room on the floor." 

"Well, then you probably didn't if you woke up in Sarah's room!" Becky looks relieved. "Look, I really have to go. Don't worry about the professor, Becky. I'm sure it's nothing." I walk out and head to the lunchroom. It's only noon and my stomach aches for something to fill it. Instead of heading to the lunchroom, I decide I would like to head down to the local coffee shop and check it out. 

My mind was so preoccupied about tonight's date that the trip to the coffee shop seemed to take only a few seconds. It's a cute little coffee shop, very rustic looking inside and out. The inside is all cement blocks and oak tables. Wide windows made it bright. There were little lights dangling from wall to wall & posters of popular novels written by writers from New York. There were stairs that led up to a small library of books and booths to sit in. I finally felt at home. 

"What can I get you?" A voice asked. I was so distracted by the magnificence of the place I forgot I was standing in line for food. 

Behind the till is a tall man with dark scruffy hair, a little Brussel of a beard, a perfect jawline with bright blue eyes. His skin is perfect without any imperfections. His arm muscles are tight in his Batista shirt showing just how muscular he really is. What in the hell was someone like him working here? 

"Oh." I point to me and he nods. "Can I just get a BLT and a mango smoothie?"

He runs his hand through his tousled brown hair. "Girl on a mission." 

He smiles and writes down my order and I take a seat near one of the windows. It's not long before I can see him walking over with my food. My pulse was thudding. 

"Here you go." He places the BLT down still holding my mango smoothie. "Student, I assume?" 

I sighed. "Yes, how'd you guess?" 

"Well, I can see the books in your bag. Reading about art? Roy Simpson is that your professor?" His lips curve upwards into a smile. 

"Probably," I admit, "If I had paid attention this morning I would have remembered his name.”

"I won't distract you then." But his blue eyes never left mine and he was still holding my smoothie. 

"Actually." I cross my fingers under the table. "I'm looking for a job here." 

His eyes widen and he looks amused. "Oh really? Well, we happen to be hiring. Any previous experience?" He now crosses his arms and I'm officially being interviewed. 

"Well no not really but I'm a fast learner!" I assure him. "And well I'm not going to lie I just really need a job." 

"Mhm. Well, in that case, you start tomorrow. 4 o'clock until 6. It's a trial so don't get too excited because it might be your last shift as well." He looks for my reaction. I hide it this time. 

"Thank you so much!" But I can't hide the excitement in my voice and he smirks. He puts down the smoothie and walks away. I didn't notice how tall he was behind the till but he must be 6'2ft. I could see other women with their eyes fixed on him. Lust was growing in their eyes.