My sister's boyfriend

Chapter eleven - First day at university

Zoe's POV:

I will start university next week. I am excited and worried. Elina and I will be together again. This might sound good, but not in my case. Sisters are supposed to understand each other. We don't do it. I still don't know what her problem is. I texted her two days ago to check how she was. Of course, I didn't tell her I knew about her and Cole. Otherwise, she will understand that we are texting. That should be a secret. I know what her reaction will be. I don't want to cause more problems between them. Also, that will be for me as well. It's enough that we don't talk to each other. I thought that coming here would resolve our problems. Maybe I made a mistake. I have checked her i********: stories. For a girl who ended a relationship, it doesn't look like she cares much. I still don't understand why he stayed with her for so long. It was not worth it. At least, that is for him. Well, the problem is not mine. I'm not the one who dated the wrong person. One day, I should do it. No matter that, I don't want to. I have no idea why, but I am afraid to date. Not every boy is that bad. The thing is that I can't let someone that close to me. There are some things that I want to keep for myself. Also, I don't think I can be what people expect. It's better if I don't mess with that. Everything is too complicated. I like my life the way it is. The other thing is that now I have to focus on university. After all, this is why I came here. Let's say that this is one of the reasons. I hope that I won't have problems with my sister.

Today is my first day at university. I am excited to see who my roommate will be. I brought some things with me on the airplane. If I don't like the room, I will buy stuff to decorate it. No one said that it's f*******n. Also, they will be removable. I don't know if I can keep the same room. I mean, until I graduate. It will be good if this is an option. After all, I won't like it if I have to move my things every year. Also, students graduate. There will be free rooms.

My plane landed ten minutes ago. Now, I am in a taxi. I might have brought too many things with me. Well, my parents drove me to the airport. Everything was in the car. The question is how I will take this to my room. I arrived in half an hour. At least the driver helped me get off everything from his car. Here comes the challenge. I have a suitcase and five big boxes. That was a mistake. I can take the boxes. Not the suitcase. Let's see what happens.

- Hey, let me help you.

- Thanks.

- Zoe, right?

- How do you know?

- I guess your memory is not that strong.

- Excuse me?

- I'm Ben. We saw each other on camera.

- Oh, you are Cole's roommate.

- Correct. What did you take? It's heavy.

- My mistakes. I carry here my mistakes. - I said, and he laughed

- Let's go.

Both of us walked inside. First, I walked to the reception to get the key to my room. I will be on the first floor. That is great. The other part of the building is where the classrooms are. I will check it out when I finish ordering my stuff. Ben carried my things to my room. It was opened. Maybe my roommate is here.

- Hello.

- Hey. I'm Bella. You must be my roommate.

- Yes. I'm Zoe.

- Nice. Is this your boyfriend?

- Oh, no.

- I'm only here to help. We just met. - Ben said

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- It's ok.

- Here are your things. I will give you my phone number. You can call me if you need anything else.

- Hopefully, that won't happen. Thank you for the help. I appreciate it.

- No worries.

Ben gave his phone number and left. I talked with Bella while I was ordering my things. She came an hour ago. I think we can be friends. She seems nice. When I finished, we kept talking. That's how I found out about her ex-boyfriend. They ended everything before she came here. She said that he didn't want her to go so far away. Well, her dream is here. Then he made her choose. The choice is obvious. Otherwise, she wouldn't be here. After some time, I decided to go out. I invited her with me, but she denied it. I went to the backyard and sat on a bench. Then I called my parents.

- Hello. Do you miss me?

- Very much. - my mom said

- It doesn't look like that. Otherwise, you won't drink wine.

- If she doesn't do it, she will start crying. You have no idea how we went home. - my dad said

- Was it that bad?

- Don't ask.

- I'm sure you two will be fine. After all, the house is for you.

- Honey, this means nothing. Now, both of you are gone.

- Mom, we won't stay here forever. You know why I came.

- I do. Hopefully, things will work out in your favor.

- I'm not sure. She doesn't want to talk to me.

- Have you seen her?

- No, but she didn't respond to my message.

- Ignore that. How is your room?

- It's nice. I might decorate it a bit. Also, my roommate is here.

- Really? That's great.

- Yes, her name is Bella.

- I'm sure you two will be friends.

- I hope so.

I talked with my parents for a while. Then I went to the nearest store for food. I still don't know many places to eat in this town. I can ask Ben about that. I walked in and got the first thing I saw. That was a sandwich. Many delicious things appeared after that. I'm not that hungry, so this will be enough. The other thing I got was a bottle of water. I had one, but it ended. I was about to go to the cash register when I saw Cole. He was paying for something. I did the same and walked after him.

- Hey.

- Zoe? You are already here!

- Yes, why? Is it that bad?

- No, it's great. I didn't know you were supposed to be here today.

- Well, I am.

- I see you got food, too.

- I have to eat something.

- If you want, we can go somewhere to eat it.

- My room should be free. I don't know if Bella is still there.

- I guess that is your roommate.

- Yes.

- Let's go to mine. You can meet Ben now.

- Oh, I already did. He is nice.

- What? How? When?

- Do you have any more questions? - I asked, chuckling

- No, I'm sorry.

- I got out of the taxi when he saw me. Let's say that I took too many things with me.

- I see. We can still talk if you want.

- Why not? I have nothing else to do.

Cole and I went to his room. Ben was there as well. It's not like we haven't met already. Both of them said they would give me a tour of the university. I would like that. Since I will study the same thing as Cole, I'm sure he knows all the classrooms I need. It won't be me if I don't get lost. Hopefully, that won't happen. Now, I have to face my sister. I don't know if she is here. The boys know where her room is. Well, I won't go there. I don't think she has told her friends and roommate about me. The last thing I want is to have problems with her.

- Welcome to your tour. This is where all the classrooms are located. There is an elevator for each floor. - Ben said

- You will have classes on the first, third, and fourth floors. - Cole said

- Great. Do I need to know any other places?

- The library here is perfect. There is a bookstore as well. I should warn you that textbooks are not very cheap.

- Can I find them in the library?

- Most of them, yes. Don't worry. I bought what you will need. You can use mine if you want. They are in good condition. Well, if you prefer new, that's ok.

- No, no. I will gladly save some money. - I said, and he laughed

- Then it's decided.

- Thank you so much. You are a life savior.

- You can always return the favor. - Ben said

- How?

- Keep your mouth shut. - Cole said

- Why? I didn't say anything that bad.

- What are you talking about? - I asked

- Nothing. He likes to make terrible jokes.

- Ok, if you say so.

After the university tour, I walked back to my room. It was empty. Bella probably went out. She can't stay inside all day. I might go out for dinner as well. One week has left until I start my classes. I'm glad that Cole is here. I might need his help. For now, I plan to do everything alone. If something happens, I will find him.

I texted Elina to see if she would answer me. Nothing. She still hasn't read the message I sent her a while ago. I guess she doesn't want to hear from me. That is not something I want to hear, but I can't change anything. I was sitting on my bed when I heard a knock on the door. It was Cole.

- Hey, can I come in?

- Yes, sure.

- Thanks.

- How is your day?

- Good. Do you have any news from Elina?

- No. I texted her, but she hasn't responded.

- That is interesting.

- Why?

- Because when I was still with her, I never saw a single message from you. Well, I didn't know you existed. I'm trying to say that I know her friends' names. I would've asked who Zoe was.

- I don't know.

- Can you tell me the date you were texting her?

- Let me check. I texted her for Christmas. Then, a message each month.

- In the main chat, she had no one with your name.

- Maybe she blocked me or sent my messages to spam.

- That is possible. I'm sorry.

- It's ok. I don't care anymore. I only wanted to tell her that I was here.

- Don't worry. Now, you have two new friends.

- Really? Who?

- Ben and I.

- Oh, I get it. Don't forget about my roommate.

- Yes, her too.

- That is better than nothing.

- I think you should keep your head up. Don't let her win.

- It's time for me to move on from her.

- That is a great idea. What are your plans for dinner?

- I don't have any.

- If you want, we can go out. You should know all the restaurants around the area.

- Yes, I need this. Will you invite Ben, or do you want us to be alone?

- It depends on you.

- I will call him to ask.

- You have his phone number.

- Yes, he gave it to me in case I needed something.

- I see.

Sadly, Ben said he couldn't come. He is outside as well. In that case, it will be only Cole and me. It's not like I mind. After all, we have been texting since he came home with Elina. I think we can have a good friendship. Josh used to call me every day. Now, I haven't heard from him for a week. I was sure we couldn't be friends. After some time, we arrived at a small restaurant.

- What will you eat?

- I don't know. There are too many choices. - I said, chuckling

- Can I suggest something?

- Sure.

- Try this. It's one of my favorite meals here.

- Ok, I will trust you this time.

- To make you company, I will eat the same.

- Thanks. Drinks?

- It's your choice.

- For now, I want only water. Boring, right?

- Water is the healthiest drink on the planet.

- That's what you think.

- It's true.

- This became my daily drink.

- There is nothing wrong with that. Dessert?

- Oh, no.

- Later, we can go for ice cream.

- Too much food.

- Come on. You can't tell me no. - he said and looked at me

- Don't do that.

- Do what?

- You know what.

- Ice cream.

- Fine.

- That was easy.

- You will pay me for this.

- I would love to.

Cole and I kept talking the whole dinner. I don't know why my sister couldn't keep him. This boy is a treasure. It's not every day when you find such people. Well, she didn't deserve him. The way she was treating him was awful. I'm glad he managed to save himself from her. This relationship wasn't healthy for any of them, especially Cole. Now, he has the chance to find someone better. Luckily, that won't be me. I still don't want to date anyone. That might happen after some time, but it won't be soon. I'm not ready for this. I hope that Cole and I can keep it only as friends.