Dark

1 : I'll be alright

First day of University today. I really didn't want to continue my studies after my dad's death. My mom is already struggling a lot to pay off my fees, but she still want me to continue my studies; not that I'm not interested in studies, but just that, I didn't want to see my mom like that.

"Just five more minutes Rachel." I said from underneath my blanket.

"No. You've been saying that for an hour now. And FYI, I'm your mom." She chuckled and said.

I finally woke up, drool all over my face, messed up hair. I jumped into the shower, quickly changed, hair still wet, went to have breakfast.

"Mom, you sure this will be okay ? Will the other students get..."

"Stop worrying will you ? Nothing's gonna happen. As long as...never mind. Finish your egg scrambles quick, and make a move." She said.  

I didn't want to leave my house because it was pretty sunny, but that's OKAY for me. My mom had to literally drag me out of the house. I was in the lawn, while my mom was locking up the house. Just then, a cat passed by the front of our house. I screamed in terror, ran back to where my mom was, pushed open the door, and ran up to my room, under my blanket.

"Oh no. Not again. Audrey. Get back down right now." My mom yelled.

"No mom. I saw.... a cat. It was..." I heard her climbing up to my room, came near my bed, and lifted the blanket.

"You know why, isn't it?" I said.

"I know honey. But, come on...let's go." She said.

I grabbed her hand, walked slowly down the stairs, thought the hall, and out the house. I kept following her till the car.

"Okay Audrey. You'll have to face this on your own. I won't be there. Be REALLY careful. Don't let anyone get close-.."

"I know mom. No need to remind me." I said hastily.

"Look, I know you'll find it difficult, but, it's for your own good. Please, at any cost, don't try to reve-.."

"Okay mom. I got it." I said.

We reached in about twenty minutes. I got out of the car, and found a huge signboard, that said. Huston University. Hmm, the name sounds catchy. Huge. This place is massive. I could get lost in no time.

"Okay honey. I don't know....well...take care." She said, and kissed me on my forehead.

"Mom please. I'm not a kid anymore." I said.

"What? Showing love for my only daughter is wrong ?" she asked.

"Yeah. But not in public." I said.

"Okay, take care. I'll be here at quarter past three to pick you up." She said, walked back to the car, and drove off.

Gosh, I didn't know where to go, what to do, whom to ask. I guess there must a be some office...reception...oh wait, I'll try the principal's office. But, where do I start?

I walked into the first corridor I saw, there were a lot of people, about my age, waiting in a long line, for what, I didn't know. I had to ask someone. I walked down the line, trying to find someone to ask.I didn't want to get into any trouble right on the first day for talking to some...you know who.  I spotted a girl who might not be a trouble maker. She had chocolate brown hair, pretty short, also standing alone like me.

"Um, excuse me? Could you help me? I'm a first year student, trying to figure out-.."

"Oh hi. Nice to meet you. I'm also a first year student. They're sorting out us into different sections right now. That's why we're standing in a line here. Come, stand in front of me." She said. I maintained a distance between us.I don't know why, but I felt she was TOO nice. Is she some...wait Audrey; stop judging people right on your first day. Just shut up.

"I'm Elsa. Elsa Simpson." She said with a smile. "And you are?"

"Oh. I'm Audrey. Audrey James." I replied. I don't know why, but she had really catchy green sparkling eyes. Anyone would fall for her. Lucky.

"Are you alone?" I asked.

"No, my boyfriend's on his way with his friends. We've known each other since high school. We even went to the same college, so, you know.."

"Yea, pretty much." I said.

"Ah there he is." She said and pointed to a guy down the line. He was walking with four other boys by him. One was also pretty tall like him, sort of short brown hair, one with a lot of hair, tied into a bun, one blonde guy, and another guy with a rather lighter brown hair, also pretty long. Since when did boys also start the HAIR BUN trend ?

"Hey sweetheart." The tall guy, I guess her boyfriend, came and hugged Elsa." Already made new friends on the first day, huh?" he said.

"Yeah. Audrey." She looked at me "This is Zayn Malik. That is Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson." She introduced to me in the order I saw them.

"Hey." They all said together.

I took a small step backward because I felt like I didn't want to get close to them. Why did I do that? Damn. What if they-..

 "Hey. Come closer. Why did you do that?" the blonde guy asked.