Colm helped Maria bring her bags and the two boxes she brought to her room. She had rented a small studio apartment close to the college. Apartments like this were usually snapped up and she knew she was lucky to get it, that was only because Vickys nana knew the owner. She sat on the little sofa near the window and looked around. Colm was busy making tea.
"This feels so strange...it's exciting but a bit scary too...."
Colm walked to her with the two cups of tea and placed them on the coffee table. He went to grab the packet of biscuits that he had bought in the shop on the way.
"You'll be fine. You're well able to handle yourself and if anybody bothers you...I'm just a few hours away. You let me know and I'll come beat the crap out of them"
Maria laughed "Why are you so violent?"
A strange look passed over Colms face before he laughed "You learn to take care of yourself growing up with my brothers"
Maria knew there was something else there but she could see he didn't want to talk about it so she let it go.
"So can you stay for a while or do you have to leave?"
Colm was dipping his biscuit into his tea when he looked up at her through his eyelashes, there was a grin on his face.
"I can stay a bit if you'd like, do you want to take a walk around and get to know the area?"
She nodded her head eagerly "Yes please...I mean...if you have the time"
Smiling he looked back to his tea "I always have time for you...brat"
She laughed at him using his nickname for her, he hadn't used it as much as he used to and she found herself missing it.
They finished their tea and biscuits, Maria grabbed her jacket and purse and they headed out to explore the town.
"So where do you want to go first?"
Maria thought for a moment "Um I think we should go past the college if that's ok, just so I know the way on Monday. Colm laughed at how organised she was being and told her to chill but they headed towards the college anyway.
They walked for about 10 minutes when they spotted the college in front of them. Maria was taken aback by the beauty of it. The building looked huge and old, the grounds around it were beautiful. The walls were large grey stones in varying shades that had been piled on top of each other. The college was made from the same large grey bricks. It was like a castle, there was ivy climbing the walls of some parts and the windows and doors were arched with white wooden frames. She stood staring at it for a few moments.
"Right...so now you know where it is...where do you want to go next?
She turned to Colm "Isn't it beautiful? I can't believe I'm going to college here."
He smiled "Sure is"
Colm's POV
Colm was happy when Maria asked him to stay a little bit longer. He could see she was nervous and he was glad that he could help her feel better just by being here. They left the apartment to go look at the college that she would be attending on Monday. She barely said anything the whole way, her nerves must have been getting to her. When they got to the college she stood staring at it in awe.
He had to admit it was a lovely building but...it was just a building. He was never really into stuff like that but he loved the way she was staring at it. Her lips were parted slightly as she stared, her eyes were wide with curiosity. He watched for a few moments before he realised he was being a creep.
"Right...so now you know where it is...where do you want to go next?
Maria turned to him smiling "Isn't it beautiful? I can't believe I'm going to college here."
He smiled "Sure is"
He wasn't talking about the college though...and when that thought hit him he blushed slightly. Luckily Maria was staring at the college again so she didn't notice him blushing. He hoped the year away from her would help him squash his developing feelings. He would miss her of course but at least he could get over his little crush. She was a kid for god sake....but she would be 18 soon. He immediately pushed that thought out of his head. Nope, not going to happen. He could not fall for his best friend....He thought about that for a moment and laughed to himself. He was a nearly 22 year old man...why was he thinking of a 17 year old girl as his best friend? Because he was messed up, that's why.... He needed to get some friends his own age. Maria's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Eh hello? Earth to Colm....."
He blinked "Sorry, I was just thinking of something. What's wrong?"
She tutted and turned away "Jeez if you're that bored maybe you should just go back to Dublin now"
He laughed at her grumpiness and put his arm over her shoulder
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about how much I'm going to miss having you around, nobody to annoy me or nag me about eating their secret stash of crisps....how on earth will I cope"
She laughed and wriggled out from under his arm "Whatever"
YOU ARE READING
Just Friends
Teen FictionColm walked into Maria's life when she was a teenager. He was just another young guy that hung around her dad looking for a father figure and helped out when the work was there. She was 14 and he was 18. He was always hanging around, her dad had he...
