The Wretched Redemption

Chapter I- The First Time I Saw You

(Isla’s POV)

The first memory of you was not a sweet encounter it was rather cliché. Two University students bickering about something so silly.

I woke up early check my bed side clock “5:45 AM”. I bolted up from my bed and start stretching.

I went to my bathroom and look up in my mirror and see my messy brown wavy hair, eye booger and dried up drool. I smile and reminded myself that It’s ‘My first day in UNI today’.

I put my hair up into a ponytail. Splash my face with cold water and brush my teeth. Put on hoodies and workout leggings and silently get down from my room. I don’t want to wake up my parents they are still sound asleep and probably tired from their work so I put on my running shoes, put my phone in my pocket, and some cash to buy ingredients for our breakfast.

I opened my door and cool breeze brushed my face. I look up and saw that the first ray of sunlight is lit up. It made me feel refreshed.Just by looking at the sun that just started to shine softly on the city streets made me feel a sudden a surge of energy.

'Ah what a great day’ I was thinking to myself as I start my run. I circled my neighborhood then headed to the market to buy some fresh eggs, bacon, bread, and fresh milk.

My parents are always busy. So they gave me the job to cook and buy groceries. They gave me the duty when I became senior in high school. I don’t mind because I always wake up early and I only cook for breakfast and dinner.

I was part of the Judo club in high school so I was trained to keep my body fit. I wasn’t the best of it but I can spar with that “guy” and always wins.

My parents are hardworking office workers. We aren’t short with money because I’m an only child but they told me that having more is better than having enough. It’s like its better to have more saving for the future.

As I’m nearing my house, I checked my watch “6:30 AM” still early. I run inside and walked straight to my bathroom and took a shower. Put my hair with a towel put some fresh shirt and short. I then went down to the kitchen and started to cook. I fried the egg and bacon, took out the bread and put some on the toaster. I took out some butter in the fridge. I put some oil in the pan cacked 3 eggs one for each of me and my parents. I then put the bacon next after I put the egg on a plate. The bread pop up the toaster and then spread some butter on it. The smell is penetrating the house that might be the reason my parents woke up. I then prepared some coffee for my parents and as I was putting the food to the table, I heard my parent’s footsteps as they walk towards the kitchen. I smiled and greet them,

“Good morning, Dad Mom”

“Good morning daughter”, My dad still yawning.

“Good morning, Honey, It smells amazing. thank you for the food love!” said my mom who looks like she slept well. My mom then helped me prepare the coffee and milk.

As I sat down the table, I glanced at our wall clock “7:15 AM”

“Mom Dad I need to eat faster I think I will be late if I don’t” I explained as we started eating.

My mom the chuckled and smiled

“It’s okay honey we understand, thank you love for the breakfast.”

“Good luck on your first day daughter, I know you always do your best. Good luck!” My dad then winked at me and his brows going up and down as if he’s excited for me.

“Thanks mom dad” I replied still shoving food in my mouth. I quickly finished my food. Bolted up from the table run to my room and put on my grey hoodie on top of my white shirt. Put on my jeans and light make up. I then brush my long brown hair down and put my glasses on.

Then I check my phone “7:40 AM” my eyes widened ‘oh God what is the use of waking up early’ then I walked out of my room.

“s**t the orientation starts at 8 am” I mumbled as I grab my stuff and ran down the stairs. I saw my parents almost finish with their breakfast.

“I’ll be back! Mom Dad have a great day at work!” I shouted to them and I quickly put on my white rubber shoes.

“Be careful honey! Don’t run!” I heard my mom shouted back. I then bolted out of the house.

Checking my phone for the time 7:45 am "s**t!" I cursed at myself.

As I run to the bus stop, I saw a lot of passengers rushing to get in. I then run faster but then I felt like I bump into someone, I look back and saw a tall guy with golden brown hair looking down at his clothes. I wanted to run and apologize but because of the rush I got dragged away into the bus. And I hadn’t had the chance to go back.

(Gavin’s POV)

I wake up from the sound of my alarm clock it shown "7:00". I walk to my bathroom and did my business. I put on my black shirt then university jacket, sweatpants and then I put on my black rubber shoes on and walked out my room.

As a son of a corporate lawyer for AE corporation a conglomerate company who is in fashion, pharmaceutical and food industry, I rarely see my father. But I know he’s doing he’s best after my mom died from cancer, He is the only one who was making our family together and as soon as my brother started, he’s career. I was always left alone. But even though how much busy my dad was he always makes time to check up on me and if he’s lucky we would go out on trip or to stroll outside. I check my phone and saw my father had left a message.

[Gav, it’s your first day in sophomore today. Have fun son I’ll make sure to make some time for you this week. Call your brother and check up on him.]

I then replied [Okay dad, Take care]

My brother is a travel blogger so he is always away on his trips. I rarely can reach him because of the time difference and his phone is always out of reach. So, I decided to just leave a message.

[Hey! Don’t forget to update Dad he’s worried] I then press sent.

As I go out, I grabbed my bag and my laptop. I checked my phone for the time and its "7:20".

"Still early huh" I told myself and as I was walking out of my neighborhood, I stopped at a convenience store and bought a single carton of canned coffee and tuna sandwich. I always stop by this store for breakfast because it would be too much work if I cook for myself.

As I’m walking, I started eating my sandwich. As I downed the last bite of my sandwich, I was chugging my canned coffee drink, suddenly I was bumped by a girl. I cough because the drink went in my windpipe but as I take a look who the hell bumped me and I didn’t even apologize I saw her getting dragged by the wave of the passengers rushing to enter the bus without even had the chance to look back. She's tall, had a long wavy brown hair and wearing gray hoodie and jeans that’s all I remembered and I then saw her looked back again but I think she didn't saw me because of the passengers. I then looked down and saw my clothes wet from my drink and I blurted out some curses before running to the next bus. I wiped myself since I’m wearing some dark clothes it didn't seem too obvious. I thanked God because if my clothes got stained, I will look like a kid who is still has milk in his mouth who can’t even drink properly. I sniff myself and I reek coffee but that’s fine rather than the latter, I think. And I’m going to be late if I go back and change my clothes.

I got down the bus as it stopped in front of my school. I'm now in my second year in college, I'm a business student. As I walk inside the campus, I saw students who I suspect are freshman’s heading to the auditorium and I saw a familiar silhouette it’s the girl who bumped into me and she’s running to the auditorium. I squinted my eyes and she looked back and saw me looking at her I glared at her and looked away. I then looked back and saw her running again like a mad woman and she entered the auditorium. I then went ahead to my first class.

(Isla POV)

I get up from my sit the moment I saw my UNI. As soon as the bus door opened, I jumped out and headed running inside. I then saw a lot of people around my age heading to a building that seems to be the auditorium.

As I was nearing the entrance, I felt eyes at the back of my head. I looked back and saw a guy glaring at me but I didn't recognize him so I ignored him and head inside the auditorium.

The orientation ended with us freshman introduced to seniors that will be giving us tours. We were sectioned to our courses and we were shown around the campus. They showed as the gym, courts, pools, cafeteria, dorms and so on.

As we are to be finished, we passed at the open field and I saw a familiar guy. I think I forgot about something? I then had flashback about the guy I bumped this morning and the one who is glaring at me in front of the auditorium is the same guy sitting on the bench. I then saw that we are about to have eye contact so I covered my face and hid from one of my classmates.

"s**t!" I blurted out and the girl beside me. She has icy blonde hair, with a pair of deep grey eyes, her nose is perfect for her face and she has the gorgeous thin lips, she has her leather jacket on and a white top that emphasize her figure underneath and a high waisted black jeans and a pair of black leather boots. She looks like she came out of a magazine.

"What girl?" With a confused look, I was so taken aback of how beautiful she was.

"Can you cover me? I’ll explain later after we passed that guy over there at the bench" I said frantically,

"Yeah sure, are you okay? who's he btw? an EX?" she looked at me with all seriousness and I almost shouted NO! but I gestured my hand as if want to whisper at her and she came closer,

"NO, he's just someone I accidentally bumped at this morning while I was running to get on the bus and I also caught him glaring at me when I was in front of the auditorium, I ignored him because I thought I saw it wrong but it’s now embarrassing to apologize now because you know? I already ignored him" I looked her and she's turning red because she was holding her laughter.

"Hey, just ignore him them I thought he was your EX!" she said while laughing and as she the hold me and put me to her side and put her arms in my shoulder covering me.

And after we passed by him, she looked at me and ask "You ok now?" and she is still laughing.

"Thanks girl"

She then let me go of her grip in my shoulder.

"By the way I still don’t know your name we are in the same class, right?" I asked.

"I’m Ruby Claire Anderson, just call me Ruby or Claire" she said smiling. Her smile is so sweet.

"I’m Isla Atonal" Smiling I offered my hand then she instead of shaking it she gave it a high five and then I realize that she is easygoing like me "now I have a friend" thinking to myself and then we talked about our own high schools while we are being introduced to other parts of the University and after going around campus, we were told that we can go walk around on our own or we can go home. Me and Ruby decided to call it a day and exchange numbers so we can meet-up the next day for class. She lives at the opposite direction from mine so we separated ways in front of the campus.

I then went to the cafe nearby to have some coffee and as I'm starving so I ordered cake too. My parents are usually late so I just eat some snack and go home, cook dinner and wait for them so we can eat together. I then walked out of the cafe after eating and saw at the distance the same guy waiting at the same bus stop I was going.

"Crap!" I spoke to myself while walking, as I was nearing the bus stop I looked around and saw him but he didn’t seemed to notice me so I stand up. I was at the other end of the bus stop so I was wishing he won’t see me when I run to get on.

Then a bus stops and as I was about to step inside someone grabbed my bag because of the force I fell backwards and he stopped my fall by pulling my bag up and then pulled be back so other passengers can enter. I was so shocked that I end up staring at him, I now realize I might have looked so dumb right now and I’m screaming inside my head ‘CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! WTH is this!! Argh!’. Then he let go of my bag and as he was about to open his mouth to speak I interrupted him I said

"Sorry" halfheartedly and bowed my head.

(Gavin’s POV)

My classes finished fairly ok, it was our first day in second year and the teachers mostly introduced the courses to us. So, I walked down the field as there are a lot of benches and it’s an open area where there’s wind and less noise.

As I was sitting and having my relaxing moment, I saw HER again and she's with her classmates I guess being toured around the campus after orientation is a must for freshman. As she was about to notice me, I looked away and I think that if she saw me first maybe she will come up and apologize. but then I heard them pass by and I look at her and she was with a girl and is wrapped around where I can't see her and she can't see me. I was so pissed cause I was the only one sitting here and there’s no way she wouldn't see me.

Then after sometime clearing my head after all times she could apologize I decided to let it go. Maybe she doesn't remember I convinced myself. The I decided to get off campus and I passed by the cafe and saw her eating there I know she would ride the bus like me. So waited at the bus stop I purposely sat down the end of the stop so she could see me and test if she really doesn’t remember I will just let it go.

Then I saw her at a distance getting near at the stop. As I got out early there are still one or two people who are waiting and I purposely sit up so she could see me I'm tall if I recall it correctly, I'm taller than her. But then she stopped at the other end of the stop and she looked like she's covering her face and then I looked away before she realizes I saw her and when the bus stopped, she zoomed running about to step inside the bus. I quickly grabbed her bag causing her to stumble and almost falling down I pull her bag up so she can stand. I pulled her back so the other passengers can enter the bus I was about to ask her about the incident this morning, but she suddenly shouted "Sorry!". At that moment I got pissed and ask at her she bowed while saying sorry and the look on her face when she looked at me is like she wants to pooped so I without realizing let out a laugh.

"So, you know what you did?" I regained my composure and my poker face she then said "Um yeah! I'm sorry I didn't mean to bumped into you I was just in a rush" she said with a tone like she's regretting that she said sorry or regretting that she didn't get on the bus faster so she could ignore me once again.

I then with poker face "Is that how you say sorry? you sounded like your angry. Do you know what happened when you bumped at me? I spilled my drink, I was lucky my clothes are dark it didn't stain but I smelled like a walking coffee machine.” As I said that my tone came out more annoyed than I was intended. I’m now also pissed.

(Isla's POV)

"I told you I was sorry! didn't I? SORRY MR. POKER FACE!" I hissed at him. The hell am I doing right now!? I could have just apologized! Damn! Isla now his pissed and I’m also pissed. how could he pull my bag like that what if I fell? the hell is wrong with him.

"So how much do I pay for your NOT STAINED CLOTHES SIR!?" I ask and He looked at me like I'm crazy woman.

"You don't need to" he said with a poker face.

Then at a distance I saw the next bus about to stop "I don't need to pay right? then Byeeee!" I told him as I ran to the bus as soon as the doors are about to close. I jumped inside the bus leaving him there dumbfounded, I didn’t look back.

If I just apologized sincerely back then that could have been the end of it but then I never thought that would be the start of our ill-fated

relationship. Our long journey that would teach us how love will break us.