In My Art

Chapter 2- Magic, or what?

Song- Ends of the Earth by Lord Huron

…/…

“What about him? You guys know him?” I asked frantically. “Everyone that aspires to be anyone in college knows him,” ID says. “Also, he’s definitely a s*x addict,” Jane adds. That was the most important part for me, these two girls had just ruined my chances of being with my first crush in college. Wow!

“But he looks so innocent”. “It’s always the ones that look innocent,” Jane says. I huff and sit on the chair in the shared common room. “He’s still cute though”. “Charlotte!” They both say at once. “How exactly do you guys know him? When did you guys resume?”. “Word spreads, Charlotte, especially in TSC. I hope you don’t get to find that out in a terrible way,” ID says.

“I’ve heard a lot from my brother about this Bryan guy. He’s a big deal in school but I’m also positive he’s a s*x addict,” Jane adds. “Oh, but he’s a first-year. He’s my class governor”. “Describe him”. “Well, he’s of average height, maybe 5’7, and oh, he wears glasses”.

“That’s most definitely not the Bryan we know. Bryan is a solid 6’1 or so and he doesn’t wear glasses,” Jane replies. “You sure?” ID says. “Positive!”

“So, my class governor isn’t a s*x addict, nice to know. Now, can I continue fawning over him in peace?” “Yes, you can,” Jane answers. “Thank you” I do a fake bow as I exit the living room to my room so I could arrange my stuff.

…/…

“How’s Day 1 of being a college student going for you, Sweetie?” “It’s slow mum, that’s how it’s going. Also, I’m going to be late for this class if I keep talking to you”. “Oh sorry Sweetie, have a nice first day and be a good…” I hung up because I wasn’t about to have that same lecture with her all over again on how I needed to be a good girl.

“Morning guys,” I say to ID and Jane as I walk into the living room. “Morning,” they replied, at the same time. “We got coffee for you, figured you were going to sleep late last night and you’d need it this morning,” Jane says. I can’t contain the smile that finds its way up to my face, I could tell I was going to have fun with these girls.

“Gee, thanks, guys. Aren’t you guys supposed to be preparing for class?” “Well, it got canceled,” ID responded. Since they were both offering that course, it just meant they’d be alone together. “That’s cool. I have to run now, I think I’m late for my class”.

…/…

“Since this is a smaller group of people, I’d love it if you all could stand up to introduce yourselves, one after the other, so I’d know everyone’s names and faces. Starting from the class governor, then his deputy, and everyone else”.

The same young man I probably dreamt about last night, stands up to face the whole class and there was evident disappointment on my face. “Hi, I’m Bryan, the class governor”. I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes from behind my lens to be sure he was the one I saw just yesterday evening.

“Hi, I’m Shelly, the deputy class governor…” The rest was history. I had zoned out, thinking of why Bryan suddenly looked like a 5 today and an 8 yesterday. My mind was off the introduction thing till the girl beside me tapped me to tell me that it had gotten to my turn. “Oh, I’m sorry”. “You’re not thinking about lunch now, are you?”

I smile at the teacher and say no. “Well then, go on”. “My name is Charlotte and uh yeah, that’s all”. The teacher smiles at me and then shakes his head. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was looking at me so I look over in Bryan’s direction and catch him staring at me. I look back for a while, then I avert my gaze to the teacher.

…/…

“Well, how did your first class go?” Dan asks over the phone. “Pretty good actually, at first, I forgot to introduce myself because I was lost in my thoughts”. “Already thinking about another boy, I see,” Dan teases. “s**t! I forgot to call Tim yesterday, he’s probably worried sick”. “Well, did it cross your mind that he could’ve decided to call you but he didn’t?” Dan was right and I really hate it when he is but he’s always right.

“Oh well! And yes I was thinking of a boy, my class governor but not anymore,” I confessed. “There are a thousand more fish sticks in the pack, Lottie”. “Could you not? I’m a college girl now, and do you know which school?” I say, a bit of sass kicking in. “Nope, care to enlighten me?” “TSC! That’s right! Tottle Square College”. We both laugh on the phone at how dramatic we were being. “I’ll talk to you later Char, I have to go”.

…/…

“You guys!” I call out as I open the door. “He’s a 5, guys, maybe even a 4”. They’re both lying down on the couch probably watching a reality show, then ID pauses the series to respond to me. “Who? Bryan?” she asks.

“Yes, Bryan,” I responded as I shut the door. “How did that even happen?” Jane asks this time. “Beats me, all I know is, I went to class and we were all introducing ourselves and then, he stood up to do the same, and boom! A 5 is staring at the whole class as opposed to the 8 I saw yesterday evening.

“Well, that has to suck!” Jane says. “Wildly,” ID responds. “Oh well! Jane, I heard you talk about your brother yesterday. Mind if you hook us up?”

“Would’ve loved to but there’s this girl he likes and well, I don’t see him liking any of my friends plus I don’t even know you that well, you could be a serial killer for all I know”. “Yeah, and ID is a saint”. ID turns her head slowly in my direction, giving this really shocked and at the same time, funny look.

“I’ve known ID for about three years now. She has this cold exterior but she really is a softball inside”. “I’m right here guys,” ID says, waving her hands around. “So, you actually don’t have a boyfriend, or you plan to two-time, or you’re one of those people that cut off everyone from their high school life just because they are coming to college,” Jane says.

“Whoa! Slow down there Jane. I actually have a boyfriend, his name is Tim”. “Never pegged you for someone that’d be able to two-time,” ID says, looking at me from head to toe. “I’m impressed,” she added.

“Oh no! I can’t do that. In fact I’m supposed to have talked to him about breaking up since I got there but I guess I’ve been stalling”. “So you’re cutting off?” Jane asks. “It not like that. I wasn’t supposed to end things with him but the thing is, he’s scared of TS girls and he’s scared I might become one of them, and Dan says that’s the beginning of the end of our relationship and there’s no point holding on”.

“Dan’s your brother?” Jane asks. “Nah, he’s my cousin”. “Let’s see a picture,” ID suggests. “Why? He’s very much taken”. “I don’t need a boyfriend, I already have one,” ID says. The shocked look on my face could not be hidden. “Yeah, and he’s the absolute sweetest, but as for me, I’m single and probably not ready to mingle anytime soon”.

The way ID rubs Jane’s back, I could tell something ugly happened, but I don’t pry. I pulled out my phone to show them a picture of Dan. “Whoa!” “Are you kidding me?”