Dark

2 : Regret

"Um...no reason.  Just like that." I gave a fake smile and replied, but he didn't look pleased with my reply. After a couple of seconds, a lady, about forty, came near our line, and announced "All first year students please move to the third classroom on the first floor." And we left.

Okay, this is it. Here goes nothing. "Come on Audrey, let's go." Elsa said. She just grabbed my hand, and walked along with the rest of the line up to the classroom. "Oh my. Your hand is really warm." She said. I didn't reply to that.

There were six classrooms on this floor .The room was huge. It looked like as if being at a movie theater...with steps in between each rows... higher and higher. Zayn and the other four rushed and sat at the fourth row on the right.

"Come on Audrey, come sit with us." The blonde guy said.

"Um no...I'll just sit somewhere else."I said, and walked to the last row on the left. Thank God, I was the only one in that row.

"What did you do to her?" Zayn asked Elsa

"Nothing. I guess she didn't like it when I grabbed her by her hand. But, I wasn't rude or anything. I just felt like... never mind." Elsa said.

I could see Zayn and the other guys trying to call me back. Elsa just kept quiet. Maybe I should have just sat with them, but...I can't.

After some time, the lady who came and announced walked into the class. "Hello class. I'm Professor Joanne. Joanne Smith. I will be your..." I wasn't even listening to her, because I was feeling sleepy.

"Okay, so let's introduce ourselves, shall we? Come on, let's start from the first row, and she pointed to the first boy, told him to come forward, tell his name, something about your parents, and from which college he graduated.

This went on for about twenty minutes. Elsa, Zayn, and the other boys also introduced themselves. So, the blonde guy was Niall, the guy with the hair bun was Harry, the short haired guy was Liam, and the other guy was Louis. Got it.

Finally it was my turn. I could see the look on Elsa's face when I got up. She was like "Go on. It'll be okay." I went up to Professor Joanne, turned to the class, and started.

"Um, hi. My name is Audrey. Audrey James. My mom works at a call center. My dad...."I paused for a second. I could see the whole class staring at me when I paused. So, I lowered my head a bit and continued "I lost my dad when I was eight years old. I graduated from Brooklyn First Grade College." I said, and walked back to my seat. I didn't want to make eye contact with anyone. Just, ignore, and IGNORE.

"Alright students. Nice to meet you all. Since this is your first day, you won't have any classes. Also, today will be a half day." She said, and left.

Oh no. Mom doesn't know that it was a half day. I'm gonna have to go back home alone. Now, what am I  supposed to do until afternoon?

Zayn, Elsa and Niall got up from their seats, and came walking towards me. Elsa sat next to me and asked "Are you alright? Is it because I -.."

"No. I'm fine. Really. It's okay." I said, stammering.

"No, you're NOT okay." Niall said.

"Well-.." Elsa didn't wait for my reply. She and Niall together grabbed me by my hand, and pulled me to their seat.

"What do you guys want from me?" I questioned. "Leave me alone."

"Tell us more about you." Niall said.

"No. I won't. Sorry." I replied.

Niall's POV :

She had a MYSTERIOUS face. I couldn't resist looking at her hazel brown eyes that's just....and her hair just.....and her smile...oh my! But, why is she like this? Like, why is she trying to AVOID us ? Is she hiding something?

"Come on Audrey. We're going outside. Let's go check out the place." Elsa said.

"Alright." I said. I didn't let her take my hand this time. I just walked behind them. Elsa, Zayn, Louis and Liam walked ahead of me, but Harry and Niall were walking beside me.

"I'm sorry if I was rude to you." Niall said. "I just...never mind...I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Mistakes happen." I smiled and said.

"I'm sorry to ask you, but, how did your dad-.." Harry started to ask, but I cut him short and said "Please don't ask me anything about my dad. I'm trying to forget it." I said. He didn't say anything, neither did I. Niall stared at Harry when he asked like as if he was saying "Why the hell did you?"

I could see Elsa and the other boys taking the stairs to the next floor. "Guys. Wait up. I'd suggest we stay in this floor itself. Let's not get lost right on the first day." Harry suggested.

"Oh come on. I remember. 1st floor. 3rd class." Elsa put her tongue out and said. "See? I remember."

We walked up to the 2nd floor. It was pretty much the same, but there was also a staff room at the end of the floor. When we reached there, we saw a group of four girls walking towards us. I could see the look on Niall's and Harry's face as they approached us. Elsa pulled Zayn and tried to avoid them, but they just kept blocking their way.

"Get outta my way Lisa." Elsa protested.

"Woah, how can I let you go? My dad, runs this institute. Okay? He's the-.."

"Oh shut up, we know that."Zayn snapped.

"Why do you still hang around with these idiots, you SLUT ?"  she asked Elsa. "And who's that new girl with you? Gonna spoil her too?"

I didn't understand what she meant when she said SPOIL, but one thing I knew, I was in the safe side. Lisa came and stood in front of me. Harry and Niall tried to push her back, but she just kept pushing them back.

"What's your name honey?" She grabbed my cheeks with her hand and asked. I just kept moving backward as she came closer. I immediately caught hold of Niall's hand, but I regret I did that. Elsa didn't like it. She pulled Lisa, and pushed her away.

"Leave us alone Lisa. Our fight was supposed to end in college. Why are you bringing it up again?"

 Liam asked. "Did you-.."

"Woah. My bad I joined MY dad's institute...huh? Who told you to join ?" she asked angrily.

"Stop talking about your-.." Niall started, but Professor Joanne came out of the staff room, rushed to the spot, and cleared everyone out.

"You guys, have known-.."

"Yeah, since high school, then college, and now, here again." Niall said. "Why was your hand so warm when you grabbed mine?"

"Um, maybe because, I got a little scared." I replied nervously.Hope they won't-...

 "Then why was your hand warm when I grabbed it?" Elsa asked.