Anchoridge University

CHAPTER FOUR

I woke up with a start, covered in sweat with my heart beating out of my chest. What was that? I haven’t had a nightmare like that in years, let alone so vivid. I look at the clock and realize I’ve woken up well before my alarm, but there’s no way I can go back to sleep after that.

So I get my things together and head for the showers. Glad to see that I’m alone, probably because it’s so early. I enjoy my shower in peace and decide to make my way down to the dining hall and have an early breakfast.

There’s a few people here, but it’s pretty much empty for the most part. I grab my food and head for a table. While I sit and eat I ponder on my dream for a while. Was I in the woods that surrounded the school? Who was chasing me? And how did I push them away like that without actually touching them? I decided not to look too much into it. It was probably just a dream from the nerves of sleeping somewhere new and watching too many scary movies. Even though it felt so real. I shake my head and decided to think about the day ahead of me instead.

It’s my first day officially at college and I need to focus. I didn’t mention this earlier but I am here on a scholarship so I need to keep my grades up to keep it.

After finishing my breakfast, I see that I still have a little bit of time before classes, so I head up to my room to get ready. After getting dressed, I mess with my hair and decide that it’s as good as it’s going to get. It’s still a little frizzy because it’s still healing from me straightening it every day for years, but it’s getting there.

My first class of the day is English 101. As I’m making my way down the hall my phone goes off, so I stop to look down at it and see that it’s a text from my best friend Myah. “Hey girl, hope you have an awesome first day!” I see it and smile.

I really wish she were here with me but she got accepted into the fashion school of her dreams in California on a full-ride scholarship. So I was happy for her, but I was definitely going to miss her. At least we were still in the same time zone. I'll have to call her when I get the chance.

I respond. “Thanks girl, hope you have a great day too you’re going to rock it!” When suddenly, there’s an arm in front of my face and I’m backed up against the wall. I look up and see the weird guy from the lunch line yesterday. He's standing way to close for comfort.

He leans his head in towards me and...wait did this guy just sniff me?? He quickly pulls back but is still standing way to close. “Um excuse me but what the f**k?” He looks down at me face as impassive as yesterday. “What were you doing hanging out with that guy Zane yesterday?” Um excuse me why is this literal stranger so interested in who I hang out with!?

“And why should I explain myself to you a complete stranger?” He backs up a little at that but doesn’t move his arm away. “I’m Darren nice to meet you, now we’re not strangers.” I scoff still not going to give him a response. He lets out a frustrated sigh.“Look I’m sorry….I just think maybe you should rethink who you hang around with.”

I look back up at him, now this guy is really starting to tick me off. “Oh because you’ve been so friendly?” He looks taken aback and I take my chance, duck out from under his arm and walk quickly down the hall to class. I look back at him and he’s just standing there watching me walk away. Mental note avoid this “Darren” guy at all costs, no matter how hot he is.

As I quickly turn the corner i suddenly slam into something hard. "Ah Fuck." I start to fall backwards but a hand reaches out and grabs my arm. I look up and see Zane. He chuckles. "Woah slow down there little Star, why are you in such a hurry?"

I turn and look back behind me but see that Darren nowhere to be found. I look up at him and sigh. "Is everyone so intense at this school?" He suddenly looks serious. "Why, did something happen?" I debate on wether or not to tell him, I decide against it since I'm not even sure what happened myself. And it seemed harmless just weird.

"No everything's fine." He doesn't really look like he believes me, but he decides not to push it. "Where are you headed? I can walk with you if you don't mind." Cute he's protective. "No, that's ok, my class is actually just down the hall." He wipes the seriousness off his face and puts on a smile. " OK, but just let me know if you need anything little Star."

I make it to class early and choose a seat closer to the back. It’s a while before class starts but it’s slowly starting to fill up. A few more minutes before class starts and I’m still alone in my row when I look up and see Warren. He smiles down at me. “Is this seat taken?”

I shake my head no and he sits down. Oh god how am I going to focus with this guy next me? I just know he’s trouble. I hear him laughing at something and I automatically wonder what I did to embarrass myself this time. Before I get the chance to ask, class starts.

After an hour of introductions and lecturing , we’re nearing the end of class and the teacher is telling us about a two-person group project he wants us to do to help us all “get to know each other better”. Oh god, I thought I left those behind in high school.

He says we’re to work with the person sitting to our left. And since there’s no one else sitting next to me…Ding! Ding! Ding! You guessed it I’m working with Warren. I look over and I see that he’s smiling at me with a mischievous look in his eyes. Oh no, this is going to be trouble.

“So since we’re going to be working together I suppose we should exchange numbers.” He says as he hands me his phone. I take it and put my number in. He takes it back and immediately sends me a text. “Just had to make sure you weren’t giving me a fake." He laughs and I internally groan.

The teacher gives us details on the project. We’re supposed to put together a presentation of one of five books. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” “A Farewell to Arms” “Crime and punishment” “The Color Purple” “Les Misérables” or “The Scarlet Letter”. I’ve actually read the first one already and I enjoyed it so I hope he’s ok with that one.

After class ends Warren follows me out. “So I was thinking we could meet up after our classes are done and then we could discuss the project?” He looks down at me and smiles. “Cool with me beautiful, just text me when you’re free.” Again with the beautiful? I can’t help but blush as I look up at him and nod.

He probably calls everyone that girl, get a grip. But suddenly he stops and brushes a stray hair out of my face. It feels like time stops as a he smiles down at me. “Can’t wait beautiful.” I’m left standing there speechless as he walks away. I shake my head and head off to my next class.