Chapter 1 of Stay Golden

I walked into my first day of classes at ASU. I was a sophomore studying to be a nurse, although my freshman year had aged me just about ten years in itself. Nursing was a demanding career to study and work for; It’s long classes and long hours were spent studying to do decent on a test.

It was 8:27 as I sat down in the back of my college algebra class. I tucked a strand of my long blonde hair behind my ear to keep it out of my face as I took out a fresh notebook and placed it on the desk in front of me. Arranging a pencil on top of that, I rested my hand against my head waiting for the professor to introduce himself. The room was noticeably dull, unlike the classrooms we had in primary school. It had nothing on the gray cinder block walls, minus a large whiteboard that spanned almost the entire front wall. We sat at long grey tables, situated uncomfortably close to the person next to us. I was towards the back right of the classroom with a petite black-haired girl to the right of me, and an empty seat to the left of me. The girl to the right of me seemed nice enough, and I hoped to make friends with her eventually.

All of a sudden the class fell silent, bringing me back to reality. I turned my head and observed a tall, athletic guy make his way to the table in front of me. It was Cole Foxwell, the guy that could get a girls panties in a twist with a single look. I rolled my eyes and turned my head, looking out the window to see the grass that grew despite the scalding dry heat and lack of rain. I managed to go a whole year without having the gracious presence of Mr. Foxwell in any of my classes, and I’d hoped to keep it that way.

Oh well. I told myself, At least it was just one class.

I had heard of Cole mainly as a result of Paisley, my best friend and current roommate, who never seemed to stop gushing over him. It was always, ‘Cole this, Cole that,’ whenever we were having a conversation. I had overheard others in the halls or the common areas talking about him as well. It seemed like he was somewhat of a godly figure, one that the guys looked up to and the girls swooned over. What I got from Paisley and I’s long conversations was mainly that he stuck with a tight group of friends�" all of which were guys�" and he rarely engaged in conversation with the girls that so much wanted to adore him.

He took a singular pencil out of his pocket and set it out in front of himself, content. I noticed he didn’t have his usual possy with him. He often stood with four other guys, most of which I don’t know the names of, but I’d had Phoenix in one of my previous classes. Phoenix had wavy jet black hair that drooped just above his eyeline. He was a pretty skinny dude, always dressed in leather jackets and jeans. He kind of gave me ‘Greaser’ vibes

The clock turned to 8:30 and the professor stood up from his seat.

“Hello class I’m professor Brownstein, and what I’m handing to you now is the syllabus for this semester” He rustled through a stack of messy papers and pulled a section out, handing a few to the first person at every table. “I’m sure most of you have seen a syllabus before, so we’re not going to go over it as this should be something you can do in your spare time. Whether or not you choose to take notes is totally up to you, although I do recommend it. We will be starting out by quickly reviewing some problems and skills that you should already know.”

He threw some problems up on the board that were of high school level and sat back down in his seat.

I went through the problems with ease and put my pencil down feeling content. I looked up to see Cole running his hand through his dirty blonde hair in frustration with a near empty page. I grinned to myself somehow feeling satisfied that he couldn’t finish the problems.

I went to my nursing class feeling nervous and excited for the long hours I would spend with my nose in a book studying my heart out. I had always wanted to help people, especially after my Dad had gotten cancer. I was thirteen when he was diagnosed with stage four bone cancer. Those last few months of his were bittersweet; the cancer slowly took over until he was no longer himself. I remember sitting next to his bed, his hand in mine, as he passed away peacefully.

My Dad’s death ended me, but on the same note, it started a new chapter in my life. From then on, I knew that I wanted to save lives, I wanted to find the cure for cancer. My family never had the money for treatment, but I knew if I could save lives for a living, in a way, It would make my Dad’s death mean something.

After my nursing class and biology lab, I strolled into English a little stressed but still happy. I stopped in my tracks as my eyes fell upon Cole.

Cole f*****g Foxwell. In TWO of my classes, goddamnit.

“Are you okay Miss?” I felt my body being shook gently, “Miss?” I looked up at the middle-aged woman with a pixie cut. Probably the professor, great.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry” I mumbled as I darted my gaze away from Foxwell and to where I was going to sit. I picked a seat in the back, as usual. When the syllabus came around to me, I read It’s contents. I noted that we’d have a project due at the end of the semester on a book of our choice. Reading further, I realized that it was a partner project. I hated partner projects as it usually meant me doing all the work and them getting half of the credit, but I wasn’t about to let them do their half and possibly cause me to fail.

I realized the professor was already assigning partners. Great, I thought to myself, I hope she didn’t say my name yet.

“Cole Foxwell will be with Ana Grace,” The professor looked up over her glasses when the girl squirmed in her seat. Cole didn’t look up at her, I’m sure he wouldn’t need to bother finding her, she’d come right up to him.

“Hannah Gray will be with Phoenix Judds,” Finally she got to my name, and I was relieved I’d actually known the guy. I didn’t know him too well, but at least I didn’t have to bother with introductions. He was one of Cole’s possy, but he didn’t make girls go batshit crazy and he seemed like a pretty normal guy.

When she finished reading all the names, the professor told us to go an find our partners to discuss the book we’d want to read. I looked everywhere for Phoenix but saw him nowhere. I shyly went up to the professor, inquiring about what I should do.

“How about you join that young man and his partner over there.” She stated, pointing directly at Cole and Ana, who was currently two inches from him.

“Okay,” I smiled, letting out a breath as I turned around. Of course It’s Cole’s group I have to join. I thought to myself. Of f*****g course. I approached the table awkwardly, not knowing how to go about any of it.

I stiffly pulled a chair up across from the two, but before I could even open my mouth Ana was speaking.

“What are you doing here?” She spoke dryly, Her crimson red hair gliding through the air with a certain fluidity that even I could appreciate.

“Uhm well, my partner isn’t here so the professor assigned me with you guys.” I looked down at my feet, my hands clasped behind my back.

“Why don’t you find some other group to join, with some nerds preferably.” she waved me away, scooting closer to Cole.

This set me off. I looked up at her glowing green eyes and scoffed, “Just for that, no. I’m going to stay here and continue interrupting�" whatever this is�" so I can really get under your skin.” I sat down in the seat I had pulled up and crossed my arms, not breaking eye contact.

“You’re not gonna leave, are you?” Ana shot me a dirty look.

“No, not unless Phoenix suddenly appears out of thin air!” I threw my hands up for effect. Sneering at me, she gathered her things to go sit with her friends. Cole broke out into laughter, his hand covering his mouth as he bellowed.

“What?” I asked, not fond of the idea of him laughing at me. He settled down and looked at me with a smile.

“I don’t know,” He said, looking down at his things “That was just funny,” he said after a moment.

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed the show,” My voice dripped with sarcasm as I spoke.

“Hey, I’m sorry. Let’s start out with introductions.” His voice turned sweet. “Im Cole, what’s your name?”

“Hannah,” I placed my hands securely underneath my thighs.

He sat for a moment. “I’m going to call you Goldilocks.” He stated, content with himself.

“Why?” confusion played on my face.

“Because, your long blonde hair reminds me of Goldilocks.”

“It’s Hannah.”

“Whatever you say, Goldilocks.”

I stared at him in anger, was this the “charm” that girls drooled over? Because it was lame. I opened my laptop in frustration.

“So what book were you thinking? I can probably find something on the shorter side if you’d like,”

He chuckled before stating, “I was thinking somewhere along the lines of Nineteen-Eighty-Four by George Orwell?” My mouth hung open in awe. When I didn’t say anything he continued, “It’s a dystopian novel that was actually published in 1949, and it’s based around this kid named Winston and he lives in this fucked up world where everything he does is watched and controlled by the government and”-

“I know,” I started, interrupting him “but how do you?”

He shrugged. “I like to read, It distracts me from all the other s**t that goes on in my life. Besides, Nineteen-Eighty Four is a classic.”

Yeah, because you’ve got it so hard, I mentally rolled my eyes at him. “Well I can go to the library tonight and try to find a few copies and I’ll bring you one on Wednesday.”

“Sure,” He flashed the smile he was known for, but I didn’t fall for it.