Before Me, Him

Chapter 59

     - What are you doing here? – he questions me as he tightens his grip around his books. The voice that came out from his lips was cocky and egocentric, however, the body of the boy before my eyes was most definitely not reflecting the same feeling. It was almost as if his body was from an introvert, a geek but his voice was from an entrepreneur. His eyes were behind his long curly fringe so I couldn't really see him, or even understand his facial expression, which only added to my confusion.

     - What's that to you? – I counterattack him with another question and a somewhat bitchy voice tone. I mean it's rude enough not to introduce yourself while talking to a stranger but asking things in that tone, that's just plain inconsiderate.

     - I thought you wouldn't come back here since you were just helping your cousin. - as he finished his reply I remember where I knew him from. He was the random guy that I met when I came here with Emily.

     - It's you again. – I let out a displeased sigh. – Why do you want to know?

     - I'm the president of the student association from this university. I know every teacher, member of staff and student but I don't know you. So I'll ask again... – he approaches me while gripping his books tighter. – What are you doing here?

     - I'm going to study here. – I state and he stops walking my way. – Is there anything else mister president?

     A sarcastic smile appears on my lips as he decides to rotate his body and walk towards the door. "What a weird guy" I think to myself as he leaves me alone. I look at the phone to see the time and I start heading back to the secretary.

     After one whole hour of explaining my situation and doing my inscription, I leave the secretary's room to see John waiting in front of it, sitting in a chair.

     - Are you done? Do I need to do something? – he questions me as he gets up.

     - Everything is fine, I start classes tomorrow. – I say as we both head out the door.

     After some minutes John decides to go to a small coffee outside the campus and I decided to explore a little bit more since we had to wait for Emily to end her classes of the day. As I walked around I passed by a lot of classrooms until I reach the cafeteria. Since it was the middle of the day the majority of the area was empty but that was to be expected. Eventually, I found the library and it was huge. There were at least three floors in it filled with bookshelves and tables complemented by chairs. It looked extremely modern and was filled with several students. "I guess they care" I think to myself.

     Back in the city, the libraries are usually empty, only with one or two students inside. They don't really care about their grades since they just want to pass the year. The rest is only for show. Since a lot of these students are rich or somewhat wealthy I assumed the same behavior would be reflected here however it is completely different.

     I leave the library and head towards the exit but as I walked I passed by an open door and, the moment my eyes look inside, I see the curly-haired guy on the phone. I can't say for sure but I think we both saw each other. I didn't stay there even though he looked troubled by something. As I walked I heard some footsteps that stopped right at the door. "Did he came to double-check who it was?" I wondered without looking back.

     Soon Emily's classes came to an end and I head towards the main gate where they were all waiting for me. Dean, Philip, Jacob, Emily, and John had already gathered. The chat they were having was filled with light happiness however Jacob was quiet, looking at me with his dark brown eyes. A shiver ran down my spine. "Why?" I thought.

     We ended up leaving, everyone to their own house, to their own lives. I think that part of me was still unaware of what was really happening. Moving here, leaving them. It was a simple choice that bore no regret within my heart, so why do I feel like something's not right? Almost as if I moved on from something that I shouldn't or maybe... I didn't move on at all and everything remains the same. 

What's wrong with me?

     And so, steadily and without any sorrow, the clock kept on ticking. The remaining leaves that warmed the trees kept on wavering and falling as they were painted in orange and red. Without me noticing, more than a month had passed by. Nothing special had changed though, my classes were going smoothly, somehow I was having better grades than what I had in high school but I guess that's to be expected since Bussiness Management is something I've always been interested in. Everyone within our group is doing great however I haven't seen or talked with Polly since she returned to Russia some weeks ago. She didn't look very pleased, as a matter of fact, she looked terrified but hopefully, she will return soon. I also found a part-time job at a bar during the weekends, I work the late afternoon shift as a waitress. I wanted to help Therese and John with the expenses regarding food and housing and, after insisting a lot, they gave in. With my classes and part-time, it's very hard to help Robert in the mornings as I used to so, due to that, I barely see him but from time to time I call to check on him.

     Today is just a regular Monday in this school. I can't say I've made many friends because that's far from the truth, actually, I haven't talked with anyone besides the people from the workgroups. It's not that I don't want to, it's more like they don't want to be acquainted with me since I cannot blend in that well due to my clothing choice.

     - Hi June, are you free this afternoon? – says Philip as he walked right into my classroom during one of our morning breaks.

     - After three I am, why? – I question him as the girls around me look at me in despise. Philip is finishing his degree and due to his clean and good looks, several girls have their sights on him. It's almost impossible talking with him the majority of the time, I can barely approach him.

     - Emily needs help with something but I have no idea what. She just asked to gather everyone. – he chuckles. – I'm very curious.

     - She probably caused a problem somewhere again. – I sigh.

     - Have some faith in your cousin, she's not that clumsy. – he says as he pets my head softly. – See you later then.

     He leaves and I place my headphones on to listen to my music instead of the comments from the jealous girls in the classroom. 

This is why I don't like girls, they are always so egocentric and clingy towards guys. 

I thought to myself. 

It's not like having a boyfriend will change those rotten personalities.

I whispered on accident.

     Lunch break comes in a flash and before heading towards the cafeteria I stop by the bathroom. As I was washing my hands I hear some laughing outside and footsteps, as someone walks in.

     - You have guts calling us rotten you ugly bitch. – I look up towards the mirror to see several of my classmates, grouping up behind me with their lipgloss smiles and fancy earrings.

     "So bothersome." I thought to myself as one of them walked towards me.