That Not So Average College Love Story

Part One: Autumn, Chapter Twenty Three

The day was cool, normal for the start, almost the middle of September. A light breeze blew the bottom of the girl's dress as she stood outside, sitting on the steps waiting for her dog to get done with his business. The boy was still inside getting the last of their things before going outside and putting them into the car.

In Lianna's opinion, she was happy to be outside, it always calmed her down when she was feeling uneasy, maybe it's because she was always inside and the inside was cramped with sometimes musty smelling air and just made her feel too big for the space. But outside, she could get fresh air and it made her feel better about anything and everything, that's why whenever she wants to hang out with someone she always asks if they can go outside and walk around, it's nicer that way in general for both parties.

"Lia, I've got everything, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah I'm ready, just have to wait for Junie."

"Alright, I'll be in the car."

"Okay." The girl waits a little longer until the animal comes back to his owner, waiting for her to pick him up.

Both the dog and the human go down the rest of the steps before she hooks up his leash to his collar, opening the door to the back of her car and telling him to get inside. When Juneau hops in the back the student shuts the door, getting into the driver seat, or trying to only to be poked by the boy.

"I'm driving you today."

"Okay? That's... a bit unexpected." She shuts the door once again and travels to the other side, opening that door and getting inside, putting on her seat belt and sitting up, a bit of nervousness swirling in her stomach.

Tobias backs out of the driveway, getting ready for the rather smooth drive to the park that was only ten minutes away, sure they could've walked there but with how much they have, plus Juneau, it's easier to have the car to take them to and from.

"Are you uneasy?"

"What? I- I'm not that uneasy, it's just..." Lianna trails off, looking out the window as she feels the usual storm that erupts in her throat that stops her from talking. "It's just... this dress, I don't like it that much, it shows too much and that's why I don't like dresses in the first place."

"Then why did you wear it? You could've changed."

"But... you said it looked pretty so I wore it."

"My opinion on things doesn't override yours, you have every right to make your own decisions."

"Yes but..." Silence takes over the car, making the girl's mind drive her thoughts up the wall even more.

"Are you by any chance a people pleaser?"

"What?"

"Are you a people pleaser?"

"I guess..."

"Well, it's nice to get the true answer out, but have you disregarded your own well-being for others?"

"Yeah, it's always been that way, it's a way of finally feeling useful and allows me to be a part of something, though I feel it makes me sick a lot of the time."

"Then you do know that you have to stand up for yourself right?"

"I understand that, it's just-"

"You stick to schedules and it's very hard for you to deal with change." The girl nods, she looks out the window once again to see the turn you make into the park.

"I feel scared."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"I don't know, it feels like-" She stops again, watching the trees go by as if she tries to get her words to them so they can explain to the boy for her.