Chapter 1

I was feeling bad without any reason. You know that feeling when you don’t really feel sick, you just really feel down but you’re not sad. You’re just not in the mood to be lively or happy? That’s what I’m feeling. This new college doesn’t really suck, but it’s not really that great either. I guess going to a big new college, won’t make you feel like that special new girl, unlike small towned school do.

            I’m not really good at making new friends since I don’t know what to say whenever they ask me about my life. My past is not really something I would share with them. If so, moving here would have been pointless. God why do I feel suckish today?

            When I entered the cafeteria only a few groups of students were there, there were still lots of vacant tables. I chose the chair by the farthest corner. Nhie would now that I'm here. I'm not in the mood to eat so I didn’t really get myself any food. I placed my hand down on the table and my head on top of my hands. I hate this feeling. Not the feeling of feeling down but the feeling of feeling this way without even knowing why.

            As the noise on the cafeteria grew more and more potent, I knew that in any minute now Nhie would be here with me, boosting my mood with her ridiculous stories.

            Nhie has been my best friend since I can remember. Her name isn’t really Nhie, It’s Cherlyn Mills, but I used to call her Chernhie, it was an honest mistake hearing her name wrongly when we were introducing ourselves to each other and I guess I just got stuck to calling her Nhie for short. She loved it though and in time she got used to me calling her that. She’s blonde with deep green eyes, her skin matches those perfectly fine skinned white models, she’s obsess with her skin and how perfect it should always feel and look like, though she missed perfection when it comes to height having been 5’1 she would have passed for a top model anywhere.

When Nhie arrived at the table she slapped her hand loud in front of me hoping to surprise me. Maybe she thought I was sleeping. I acknowledge her by raising my hand and waving it slightly without picking my head up.

            “Hey Nhie” she chimed. I still didn’t move. “Come on show some enthusiasm.” She said again. I still didn’t move. “Fine.” She grumbled and I heard her slump loud as she sat from across me.

            “I'm with Nalig and Ian.” I just waved my one hand again, without even looking up to them.

I’ve met the both of them last week, when I came here for Nhie’s birthday. I had decided to move in with her at that time but I didn’t know anybody in her party and I didn’t place any effort in making one, they just happened to be the two who I was obligated on knowing

            Nalig is Nhie’s boyfriend. She met him here a few months ago when she moved for college. He’s taller than the both of us. He’s around 5’7 I think, and he has a finely tone body with a perfect deep tan shade to it. His eye’s was a beautiful shade of brown and he has this black muzzled array of hair.

And Ian is Nalig’s cousin. I didn’t give nuisance about his existence during the party since I know enough stories from Nhie about his reputation and since I saw it first hand as he made his way to a room with an almost naked Barbie prostitute. Later that night when he actually looked at me straight after being introduced to each other properly, I gave as much effort to shrug him off and act like a b***h around him. I hated him and I’m not giving him any benefit of the doubt, I don’t have to be friends or close to him just because he’s cousin is my best friend’s boyfriend.

And I didn’t just come there for the party. I went to Nhie’s school to handle some paper work earlier and it took a lot of effort for them to agree. Well, moving in for the middle of the semester isn’t really ideal. But I was able to seal the deal and her school accepted my immediate transfer for the coming week.

Now I went directly to school from the quick runaway that Nhie and I had planned. All I was able to get is a bag of clothes and important items which are still in Nhie’s trunk. We had the living all planned out and I have enough money to get me through a year and I can easily make more when I needed it.

“Hey come on, don’t be like that.” A man’s voice said. I didn’t know the voice. Maybe it’s not me he’s talking to. I shrugged it off. A few seconds later I felt someone sit beside me.

            “Nhie!” Cher said, louder this time a bit irritated.

            “What?” I answered with the same tone of irritation. I looked up and saw her irrititated and concern at the same time.

            “What’s wrong with you today?” she answered.

            “I don’t know. I just don’t feel good.”

            “Are you sick?” The guy from beside me asked. I immediately glanced at his direction my eyes full of curiosity and surprise. It was Ian.

            “Uh, hi?” I said looking at him. He stared back at me. His expression changed from surprise to adoration to something else I can’t understand. Then he started smiling, a huge grin spread across his face. He looked like a child being given a candy to.

            “Hi” He said still grinning.

“No. I'm fine.” I answered, looking away from him and directing my eyes to Nhie. He chuckled.

“Uh, what?” he asked, still chuckling.

“You asked me if I’m sick. So my answer is ‘No. I’m fine.’” My voice sounding irritated. He chuckled still.

“Then what’s wrong with you?” Nhie asked concerned.

“I don’t know! That’s what’s wrong with me.” Throwing my hands up in the air for exaggeration. “I don’t know why I feel this way and I don’t know how to explain it. Its pissing me off and you know what’s more irritating?” I asked her staring directly into her eyes.

“What?” she asked

“It’s being pissed off at something you can’t explain and something you don’t even know.” I said grunting at the end then dropping my head down at my hands again. Ian started laughing then Nhie and Nalig joined him.

“What the hell people?” I asked them raising my head to glare at all of them. When I saw them biting their lips to contain their laughter, I smiled and rolled my eyes at them. Only then did I once again marvel at what Ian looked like.

He had a nice color to his skin. Not Californian tan nor American white, it’s somehow in between. His shirt emphasized his broad shoulders and arms. He obviously hits the gym at least every other day. His hair was musky brown and was just cut long enough to be messy to a sexy kind of way guys like to do to their hair. It’s ridiculous. But I don’t see him as the guy putting wax on that. I preferred he didn’t. He looks good but he didn’t even care. He had dark circles under his eyes, must be the parties. I shrugged that off and continue scanning his features. His nose had that perfect point that makes you want to go near him. His eyes are the perfect shade of brown, a lighter brown that I’ve never seen before in anyone’s eyes. But that’s not the thing that seems to draw girls to him. His eyes and everything else was just a bonus compared to his lips. It’s what wrapped me into curiosity. It was so… It was different and it looked too perfect for a human being.

They were all still laughing, oblivious to the fact that I was staring at Ian and his lips. I pulled myself together before they noticed me.

“We’re going to get some food. You want any?” Nhie asked me chuckling while she stood up.

“Nah. I’ll pass.” I said, as all of them stood and started walking. I brought my head to my hands at the table again. This gave me time to think about Ian, he seems different with his tattooed filled arms he seemed to be the perfect a*****e girls seems to dig. But he seems too nice for his looks. And his lips, there is seriously something about that lips.

A few moments later, trays dropped into the table and Nhie and Nalig’s flirtatious tone were potent around me. I raised my head and was surprise to find a tray with spaghetti and pineapple juice in front of me.

“Uh…” I mumbled, looking at Nhie.

“You should eat something.” Ian said. I looked at him not knowing what to say, so I glared at him with irritation easily readable at my eyes. He chuckled.

“Yeah she told me you were going to be difficult.” He said staring back at me, seeming amused at my reaction.

“I told you. You can’t win through her stubbornness.” Nhie said chuckling with Nalig.

“Don’t ask me what I should do.” I said to Ian.

“I’m not asking you. I'm telling you.” He said staring back at me with the same amused expression he had before.

“No.” I said straight glaring harder into his eyes.

“Yes.” He answered back moving his face closer to me. His lips just a few inches away from mine and I tried my hardest not to look at it, acting irritated helped. I shrugged him off and crossed my arms over my chest looking away from him.

He leaned in closer as he spoke. “If you don’t eat it, then it would go to waste. Not that I’m making you feel guilty but I bought you that food cause I'm concern and I just want to be good friend. Don’t feel pressure or guilty because that is exactly not what I am making you feel.”

“Then I’ll pay you for the food.” I stared at him again.

“I don’t want your payment.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I want you to feel grateful and eat it.” He said sounding serious. We stared into each other’s eyes trying to find the weakness there, waiting for someone to back down.

“I’m seriously not making you feel guilty.” He mumbled leaning in closer.

“Fine.” I grumbled pulling my eyes away from his and grabbing the tray in front of me, pulling it closer. I took the pineapple juice and sipped it taking the straw out of it first.

Nhie made a fake sound of shock and horror. “Your stubbornness just lost. This has got to be the first.” She said chuckling. I smiled at her and Ian laughed with her.

“I also said be grateful.” He said to me.

Wow. He’s on a roll today. I suddenly got irritated. “Well then Mr. Smartass thanks for being so kind and concern and buying me this food and for not making me feel guilty for not wanting to eat it earlier.” I said sarcastically. He just laughed at me then Nalig and Nhie joined in with his laughter.

“What’s up with all the laughing? What’s so funny?” I asked them

“You are.” Nalig answered still laughing.

“When did I turn white with red lips, ball nose and yarned hair?”

“You’re pissed off and irritated attitude. It’s just so damn entertaining.” Ian answered.

“Oh and your stubbornness too.” Nhie added.

“Well thanks. I was hoping acting this way will entertain you and not piss you guys off. It’s been my dream since 10 minutes ago.” I answered back.

They continued laughing and I smiled and shrugged them off. They’re impossible. I started sipping my juice until I emptied at least a half of it. I picked up my fork and started looking for a spoon around my tray to get started on my spaghetti.

“Oh, I forgot.” Nhie said noticing me.

“Forgot what?” Ian asked obviously confused about what he just missed.

“No. It’s fine. I’ll get it.” I said standing up and walking directly to the utensil stand. When I got what I needed, I headed back to the table when a guy suddenly walked beside me.

“Hi” he said. The guy’s taller than me with black hair and white skin. His body is not as toned as Nalig’s and Ian’s but it was obviously kept to a good shape. He seems nice and decent, the ones that get scholarships for sports like swimming or tennis. I didn’t know him and I haven’t seen him before and I don’t even understand why he’s walking with me and suddenly talking to me.

“Uh, hi.” I mumbled walking faster and leaving him behind.

When I got near I noticed our table was suddenly filled with jocks on their jersey’s hitting each other playfully. Nhie was laughing along with Nalig and the jocks. Girls who dressed up like a Barbie prostitute was also at our table, sitting next to Ian and flirtingly laughing at what he was saying. I rolled my eyes and continued for the table.

Nhie looked in my direction when she sees me approaching, Ian noticed Nhie’s reaction and then he glanced at me looking curious then scared. Before I reached my chair, the girls surrounding Ian left with an irritated reaction on their faces. I sat down and chuckled when I reached the table.

“What was that about?” I asked him.

“Why’d you get a spoon?” Ian asked me ignoring my question and eyeing the spoon in my hand.

“So that I could eat?” I asked him, confused about his question.

“Spaghetti?” he asked, obviously curious to my new ways. I nodded and grabbed my plate of spaghetti off of the tray and set it in front of me. Mixing it with my spoon and fork then cutting the noodles into small pieces before taking the first bite. Ian eyed me curiously.

“What?” I asked him

“Nothing” he answered. I shrugged then continued to cut and eat my spaghetti using my fork and spoon. The rest of the guys in the table started to discuss the game along with Ian. Nhie and Nalig were laughing and flirting in front of me seeming oblivious about the world, so I just tuned them out and continued to finish my food.

 

When the bell rang, the cafeteria quickly cleared out. Nhie and Nalig had finished their food and they’re trays were already placed away before the bell has even rung. But Ian and I were the last to clear our trays. When it felt like students won’t be able to mob us while we cleaned we started clearing the table, Ian grabbed my tray to put it away. But I stopped him and grabbed it back.

“Let me do it.” I said, pulling it back.

“You don’t have to.” He answered

“I’m supposed to be grateful, remember?” I said grabbing his tray from his other hand, pulling it away from his grasp so that I can also put it away.

“No. I’ll do it.” He said seriously, pulling them from my hand and disappearing to put it away before I could even protest.

How could he be cool and happy one minute then serious and understandable the next? “You’re cousin is weird.” I told Nalig.

“Yeah. He is weird today.” He answered in agreement.

When Ian returned we started to head to class. Nhie and Nalig waved at us as we separate our ways through the building Ian walking beside me.

“You’re class is here too?” I asked

“Yap, Physics.”

“Didn’t we just pass the physics laboratory?” I asked confused.

“Yap, I'm walking you to your class.”

“Who said you can walk me to my class?”

“No one said I couldn’t”

“No one, but me.” I argued

“You never said I couldn’t.”

“You never asked me if you could.”I snapped at him my stubbornness kicking in.

“Well you never asked me if I was going to.” He answered non chalantly. “So that means you never said I couldn’t”

“You’re impossible.” I grumbled.

He chuckled in response then stopped and pointed at a door right next to him. “Here you are.” He said.

“How’d you know where and what my class is?” I asked him more confused.

“I took the liberty to ask Cher.” He opened the door wide enough for people to notice him standing next to me.

 I immediately looked inside surprise by what he did. I noticed all eyes were on me. Staring and watching curiously. I didn’t want any attention and he opening the door wide in the front of the room sure gave me what I never wanted. I scanned the professor’s deck and a flash of relief swept through me to see that it was still empty. I took a step inside eager to get all eyes from me and eyed the table at the farthest corner of the room.

As I was making my way through the room, Ian called out.

“Hey Angel, I’ll see you later.” He shouted from the door then immediately closing it as I spun around to glare at him. I walked faster and slumped down on my chair feeling all eyes following me.

Why the hell did he just do that? I needed no more attention than that from the door. Oh God I'm going to kick the crap out of him someday. I swear.

A few moments later the professor arrived and went straight into the lecture, skipping the ‘new student introduce yourself’ nuisance. The hours dragged by quickly, I'm so glad I only have 2 classes every Friday.

By the end of the period, the room cleared out quickly. My ridiculous and unexplainable mood seems to still drag me until the end of the day. When I reached outside walking slowly to the parking lot, dragging my feet along with me I saw Nhie, Nalig and Ian were already gathered together around a black BMW car. Must be Nalig’s. The Barbie prostitutes were all mauling themselves around Ian at the other side of the car. I rolled my eyes in disgust.

No one seemed to notice me approach until I reached the car. I stood beside Nhie and kissed her cheeks. She was surprised when I pulled her for the kiss.

“Hey!” she chimed hugging me.

Ian immediately glanced at us, and then turned around completely placing his arms at the top of the car ignoring the Barbie prostitutes that was gathered around him, looking at me and grinning. He really is weird.

They were all pouting and crossing their arms as they wait for Ian to turn back around. But he never did. He just stared at me and I stared back curious and irritated. I was still mad at him for earlier.

“Hey Angel, how was your class?” he asked. Nhie and Nalig started laughing.

“Angel?” Nhie choked out from her laughter. She looked at me for answers and I just shrugged.

“Ask him! I didn’t even know where that came from.” I said, waving my hand at him for emphasis. They both stared at him curiously. He just chuckled and walked around to ours side of the car to join us.

When the Barbie prostitute’s realized that Ian isn’t going to acknowledge their existence, they stomped away from the car grumbling something unintelligible. I laughed louder than I intended to. Three pairs of eyes shoot their glances straight at me in curiosity.

“What?” Nhie asked when I refused to answer their silent question.

“The Barbie prostitutes.” I answered, still chuckling. They started laughing.

“Barbie prostitutes?” Nalig asked amused. “That’s what you call those girls?” he continued laughing. I nodded in response.

A few moments later Nhie recovered and grabbed my hand.

“Uh, Nhie?” she mumbled. I knew what this is. I knew her too well to know that expression on her face.

“We have a problem.” She started

“Why? What happened?” I asked her.

“Well you see my roommate Dana, she told me she was set to move anytime you arrived. But now she said she isn’t moving until next week when all her things are fixed at her new dorm room.” I stared at her in shock and horror.

“Well then, where are my things?” I asked her.

“Still in my car, it’s parked at Morgan.”

“Where?”

“Ian’s and Nalig’s apartment. I went there after picking you up and dropping you here.”

“Well what am I going to do now?” I asked shaking my head in disbelief.

“I thought maybe we could stay at Morgan with Nalig and Ian’s for a while until Dana leave.”

“What if I make Dana leave now?” I said through my teeth.

“Nhie you can’t, you might get banned from the dorms.” She explained.

I sighed. “You don’t have to do me any favors. You can stay at your dorm and I can stay in a hotel for a week.”

“You can’t stay in a hotel for a week, first because the nearest hotel is an hour drive from here and second because it’s not safe or practical and I won’t let you and third, I’d love to stay at Morgan with Nalig.” She explained then turning to give Nalig a peck.

“I don’t think staying at Morgan’s with them is a good idea.”

“Why?” Ian asked

“Well it’ll irritate you for one, having girls there for a week.”

“I'm used to having girls in the apartment Angel.” He explained

“Not like your Barbie girls Ian. I mean us girls. The real one.”

“So you mean those Barbie prostitutes are fake girls?” he asked amused

“Yes they are. They’re plastic and they represent everything that is wrong with having a vagina.” I explained

He chuckled before he answered. “You’re both welcome to stay at the apartment for as long as you want.”

“It’ll be fun Abby.” Nalig said, trying to ease my tension.

“I'm going to kill your roommate.” I said to Nhie. Nalig and Ian laughed but Nhie knew me too well and she stayed quiet and just stared at me.

“No you’re not.” She said serious.

I sighed. When they recovered from their laughter Ian opened the passenger door for me. “Get in.” he said.

“What?” I asked him.

“Let’s go home.” He said. I stared at him.

“I’m not winning this argument, am I?” I asked.

“No.” The three of them echoed.

“Fine” I said as I hopped in and Ian followed me. Nalig started the car and we headed out of the parking lot.