Chapter 6: Rejection

A few days later, the summer was over. I know that technically, it ends in the second half of September but for me, the beginning of school means tragic loss of free time and summertime activities.

Most of people think of summer not as one of the seasons but as an intake of a breath that motivates you to keep living. It's the truth.

I don't know if it's the sun that draws a smile on my face or the freedom that comes, but I guarantee you that I gather strength within me from June to September.

Then, of course, college has to be a bitch and ruin it all.

I enter my literature class with a look on my face that simply says 'don't talk to me, don't come near me, don't even look at me'.

My brush barely went through my hair three times before I gave up getting ready. I didn't even put my every day make-up on, just added a little bit of mascara.

Although, I don't remember brushing my teeth. I probably have slept through that.

There’s an old short sleeved red T-shirt on me as well as a pair of jeans. I'm also a big fan of sneakers, wearing them everywhere I go.

I sit on my usual spot, not in the back and not that close to the teacher. Somewhere in the middle. Nobody is there because they all know who possesses it. Ha.

Just as I take out my books, professor walks in and gives us a small smile.

"Good morning, fellow students. Today, we are discussing what we will be doing in this semester. I'll give you a list of books we will analyze and hopefully, you'll write it down for your own good. "

I take out my notebook and look for a pen.

Oh crap. I forgot it. How could I?

I am such a failure in life.

Before I start to panic, a small red pen rolls over to my notebook with a note attached to it. I frown and open it.

You're lucky I have an extra pen. You can thank me later.

At the end of the note are a mocking face and a very pretty drawn I.

I look up to the person and find the blonde head two seats away. He nods towards me.

"I don't need your pen. ", I whisper loud enough for him to hear.

"Keep telling yourself that. "

"Seriously. "

"There's my number at the back. Thought I could use a friend around here. ", Ian whispers.

I turn the paper. "I am not the one you're looking for. I'm not even sure if I remembered this building correctly. "

"Come on, Victoria. "

"You guys. Keep it down. I'm trying to keep up with the professor. ", the girl between us complains.

"I'm sorry but she's just obnoxious. ", Ian tells her.

"Yet, you want to be my friend. ", I bite my tongue.

"You don't have to be flawless to be around me, you know. "

"Ms Nelson. ", our professor speaks and my eyes look back to him. "Is there a problem with Mr. Adams? "

"No. Not at all. "

I suspect he waits for my apology. Which never comes?

He sighs and proceeds.

Ian disappears after literature despite his need for someone to show him around. I thank god for some alone time because first day of school isn't really a good day for me.

When the lunch break comes, I head to Sugar & Spice, the restaurant where I usually meet my friends. Yes, I have friends.

I said so.

Those are people who I hang out with sometimes just to kill time. I am not emotionally attached. I have a bunch of them. People know me around here.

"Hi Victoria. ", one girl greets me. I recognize her.

"Hey Lexi. What's up? ", I nod to acknowledge her presence.

"Everything. ", she grins.

My eyebrows raise and lips spread in a well-known smirk. "I smell sex. "

"You always get me! Gosh. "

"Who is it? "

"Ethan and I slept last night. ", she pops her gum as we walk. My mouth drops.

"Ethan as in, Ethan Chris? The guy from your English class whom you allegedly can't stand? ", I laugh.

Lexi covers her flaming cheeks with her palms. "He is so hot, you know?"

"So.. Are you two like an item now?"

"No. Well, we weren't supposed to be. I still can't stand him and we haven't discussed a thing that happened last night. "

"Was he good?"

"What do you mean, was he good? You slept with him two months ago!"

"Oh right... ", I scratch my chin as the faded memory gets its color back inside my mind. I really did that. Although it was short and not very memorable, so it doesn't really count. I didn't particularly like Ethan. I was just hungry for man's body. I truly believe that even a girl has the right to have casual sexual life in this society, and not just guys. It's a little weird that she had the same guy as me though. "Then he probably isn't since I couldn't even remember him. ", I tease and she swats at me.

"Hey. He's gorgeous and he can fuck, okay? Just because you weren't satisfied, doesn't mean I am not either. ", she huffs as we enter S&S.

"Alright. Alright. Geez. Looks like you've got an eye on him, not just his dick. "

"I don't like him. He is no boyfriend material. ", she flushes. I laugh.

"There's no such thing as 'boyfriend material'. "

"Lexi. ", I hear a voice coming from one of the tables. We both look up to see Ethan approaching. I push her towards him.

"Have fun. "

"Don't do this to me, Victoria. ", she groans.

"I'm doing you a favor. And I don't do favors for many people, so just accept it."

"Hey. ", Ethan scratches the back of his neck as his eyes wander to my face.

I nod. "I was just leaving. "

My eyes scan the room and in that very moment, I notice Anna in the corner table where we always sit. She is looking at her phone, all alone, and drinking her coffee. I walk up to her.

"Sup. ", I drop my ass to the seat next to hers.

"Hey Victoria. "

I rub my head and grab her cup, taking a few sips. "Thanks for that. "

"No problem. You look like a wreck. "

"I am. I wish this day would come to its end soon so I can just go to sleep. "

"I am actually pretty excited. "

"Why?"

"Having a date. ", she puts down her phone.

"With..? "

"Jasper. He promised to pick me up at eight tonight. Don't expect me at classes tomorrow. I'll probably be stuck at his the whole day. Besides, who goes to school after a date night?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "Anna. My every night is a 'date' night yet, I wake up in the morning and go. "

"And sleep through the half of your classes. What's the point?"

"Whatever. So I won't be expecting you at our dorm room tonight? ", I sigh and rest my head against the wooden table.

"No but you could invite someone over. "

"Like who? I don't think I even have it in me to have sex tonight. School kills the spirit. "

"Victoria.. ", manly voice says my name in a weird accent but I know who it is so I don't look up. Nor open my almost closed eyes.

"Aren't you on your honeymoon? ", I babble, my voice betraying me. Words becoming heavier to speak.

"We came back yesterday. Glad to see you missed me. ", Colton sits on a chair beside mine.

I give him lazy thumbs up and see Kate making herself comfortable on his lap.

"How was it, Colton? Did you have a nice time, Colton? What places have you been to? Do you feel irritated that the school has started, bro? Thanks for taking interest in my life. ", he mocks me and rolls his eyes.

"Um.. You're married now, dude. You don't have a life anymore. ", Anna comments and I snort.

"That's not true. ", Kate huffs. "I happen to be an amazing wife, just so you know. "

"I think he's the one who comments on that. ", I smile.

"Whatever. Whose coffee is this? Can I have some?", Kate brings the cup to her lips before Anna can stop her.

Anna groans. "It was to keep me awake during this day. Thank you all. Why don't you take some too, married guy? Since everybody seems to put dibs on my coffee. "

"No, thanks. I'm good. "

"Did you see that?", Kate gasps and looks in a certain direction.

"Too lazy to look. ", I say.

"Lexi was dragged to the bathroom by a guy. "

"Oh. That's Ethan. They hooked up last night. "

"Looks like it's not a one night stand. ", Colton says.

"Where is your friend? ", I suddenly ask him.

"What friend?"

"The one with the blonde hair and a stupid smile. "

"Ian. ", he laughs. "I saw him talking to someone on his phone on campus an hour ago. We exchanged looks and he showed me not to interrupt. So I passed by. "

"Who was he talking to?", I finally lift my head from the table.

"If I knew, I would've mentioned their name. Besides, since when are you interested in someone else's business?", he raises a brow.