You are My Muse

We're stuck together

Leila, 18, fresh into campus. She was excited! Her whole life had been building up to this moment—being free, being an adult. The world was not prepared for her… or so she thought. All of this was running through her head as she stood in the registration line. She couldn’t wait to make her first friend, maybe even meet the love of her life. Who knew? Today, she might bump into the hottest guy in the universe, her books would fall to the floor, they would both squat to pick them up, their hands would touch, their eyes would meet, and the rest would be happily ever after.

Leila, ever the dreamer, couldn’t help herself.

"Excuse."

A deep voice broke her out of her trance.

"Excuse!" the voice repeated, clearly impatient.

Leila looked toward the source and found herself staring at the tallest, most handsome guy she had ever seen. She prayed to the heavens that her mouth was closed because otherwise… she was definitely drooling.

"Yoh!" The voice cut in again, now unmistakably annoyed.

"Yes?" Leila, finally finding her voice, responded.

"First years," the boy muttered under his breath before speaking louder. "I said move over. I need to pass."

Leila blinked, confused, but stepped aside. Only then did she notice his group of friends—who she had somehow missed entirely—walking past her.

"First years can be so clueless," one of them scoffed as they passed.

But all Leila could think about was the beautiful boy. Was this it? Had it already happened?

"God, are You telling me that it’s already happening? Is he the one? I thought I had to wait till third year, but okay—I’ll take him as early as now!" she thought excitedly.

And sooner than later, she was already imagining their wedding.

Oh, Leila was in love.

_____________________________________________________________

A few days later, she was heading to her first class. She hadn’t met any of her classmates yet, and she was starting to freak out. Maybe she should have taken the same course as Marie. At least then, she wouldn’t be alone.

As she climbed the stairs, her eyes landed on a familiar figure a few steps ahead.

Him.

The love of her life.

Yes, THE BOY from registration.

Her heart pounded. Now she was nervous for an entirely different reason.

Him and his friends were standing on either side of the stairs, which meant she had to pass right between them.

Oh God, what if she tripped? What if they all laughed at her?

What if—what if THE BOY helped her up? That thought gave her a little courage…but not much. Her legs felt like jelly as she got closer and closer.

Damn, she hated how people made her nervous. She hated how she walked—she was so clumsy. And what was she even wearing today?

She passed through the group, heart pounding, head down, and then—laughter.

They were laughing at her.

She couldn’t even manage to be perfect for the love of her life.

Mortified, she pulled her hood over her head, rushed into her classroom, and slumped into the back row. The lecturer wasn’t there yet, so she put in her earphones, turned on some music, and pulled out her latest read, blocking out the world and everything she was feeling.

_____________________________________________________________

"Hey!"

Leila’s hood was suddenly yanked back, and she looked up, ready to cuss out whoever dared bring her back to this wretched world—but it was just Marie, standing there, grinning.

Her face softened immediately.

"Missed me already?" Leila teased.

"Don’t amuse yourself," Marie scoffed. "Our first class was canceled, so I came to find you."

"How long have you been sitting here?" she added, glancing at the book in Leila’s hands.

"I don’t know, but I’m on my… 100th page!" Leila said, flipping it.

"Girl, we said we were here to have the ultimate campus experience, which involves making friends, which involves talking to people around you!" Marie scolded.

"When I have you, I don’t need any more friends." Leila pouted.

"Oh, shut up," Marie said, but she couldn’t hide her smile.

And out of nowhere, a tall, awkward-looking boy was standing next to Marie, grinning as if he had been part of their conversation all along.

"So, this hooded human being actually talks?" he said.

Leila frowned. Marie, however, grinned wider—clearly amused.

"What do you want?" Leila, ever hostile, snapped.

"You owe me a ‘hi.’ I’ve greeted everyone in this class except you."

"Hi." Leila deadpanned, her hostility intact.

"What’s your problem?" he shot back.

Leila’s eyes widened. "Look at this one!" She turned to Marie, who was clearly enjoying the exchange. "You’re the one disturbing my peace, and you’re asking what my problem is?"

"Yes," the boy answered simply. "Your energy is messed up."

Then, dismissing Leila entirely, he turned to Marie.

"Hi, I’m Tim. And you’re really beautiful."

Marie, ever entertained, grinned. "Yes, I am beautiful. And that’s my best friend, Leila."

"Your best friend?" Tim repeated, raising an eyebrow. "This is going to be tough."

"What’s going to be tough?" Marie asked, still thoroughly amused.

"Well, you don’t know this yet, but you’re the girl of my dreams." Tim grinned.

"I am?" Marie asked, pretending to be surprised, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Yeah. Just wait and see."

Then, throwing a glance at Leila, he sighed dramatically. "Even if it means getting along with this tough cookie."

Marie burst into laughter. Leila was—CONFUSED.

Was this annoying boy… hitting on her BEST FRIEND? After calling her energy messed up?!

"Where are you guys heading after this? Your best friend doesn’t know this, but our class was canceled," Tim said casually.

"Oh! Same. What do you have in mind?" Marie responded without missing a beat.

"We are NOT going anywhere with him!" Leila interjected.

"To explore the city," Tim said.

"Okay, cool!" Marie agreed. "We’ve been meaning to do the same."

"Okay! Let me grab my bag and my gang," Tim said before walking away.

Leila turned to Marie, horrified. "We are NOT going anywhere with him!"

"Oh, come on! He’s cute!" Marie teased.

"Nooo! Please don’t fall for his trap!"

"Who said he’s not falling for mine?" Marie smirked.

Leila had never seen this side of Marie before. Speechless, she simply stood up, packed her bag, and followed her friend to the door, where Tim and his ‘gang’ were waiting.

"I thought you weren’t coming," Tim said, smirking at Leila.

She just rolled her eyes.

Then, he introduced ‘gang’—Dave, Brad, and Kevin.

"Yoh, Leil, smile at them. We’re stuck together for the next five years," Tim said before walking ahead with Marie.

Leila sighed, pulling her hood back over her head.

This was already shaping up to be the worst day of her life.