ᴀ ꜱᴛʀɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ

chapter two.

POV: Nevaeh

・❥・

Rolling over to stop the alarm clock, I tried to open my eyes which seemed to be glued shut together. The sun shone directly in my eyes through the slight gap in the curtains. Unable to find the energy to get up, I lay in bed for what seemed like an eternity. No matter how hard I tried, I would always end up thinking about him. He was my other half, my best friend. He didn't deserve this. No one could replace him. We were meant to last until end times, I knew it. And just as things were falling into place, he was snatched away from me. Life is cruel. The universe is like a ball of secrets, like a game of passing the parcel. Each secret waiting to be unwrapped and destroy someone's life and for some, a blessing.

Trying to distract myself, I crawled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. It was the start of my 3rd year of Uni. Exactly how I wanted to start the new school year. Just great.

I looked into the mirror as my reflection stared back at me. My reflection was gaunt. Pale skin, chapped lips, hollowed cheeks and dark saggy eye bags. The ghost of who I once was hung over my left shoulder and the person I'd become hung over the right. I didn't bother faking a smile or plastering on make-up, because the false image would only be worn for a couple of hours, and then soon, I would wash it off. I'd only find myself more upset about my appearance.

I pursed my lips and turned away from the mirror, wearing a randomly selected pair of pants and a top. I slightly opened the window to see how cold it was, so I could decide what type of jacket to wear. The wind caught onto my window door and slammed it shut. Only a sliver of the raging wind outside had made its way into my room, but that was enough to decrease the temperature by what felt like 10 degrees. I slipped into my thick, green puffer jacket to give me the warmth I desired. A jacket just right to fight the cold winds that were swirling around outside. After I packed my school bag with the materials needed for that day and put on my shoes as they drilled into the floor. Finally, I trudged out the bedroom door, my shoes click-clacking on the hard wooden floor. 

Dragging my feet down the stairs to the kitchen to greet my Mum, I realised Dad had already left for work. Seeing the darkness on her face instantly switch to a fake smile when she saw me, made my heart drop even more. I used to be so close with my parents, which I missed greatly. The fake smiles and giggles, the sweet words, pretending as if they're not worried sick about me. I talk to my dad sometimes when he takes me out on strolls, which I usually don't initiate. Other than those times where I rarely catch myself spending time with my parents, I'm often just sitting in my room, doing assignments and anything else I could find to entertain myself. As long as I was in my room. The place I hide, the place I weep, and of course, the place I did my 'fashion shows' when I was younger. With Theo.

Well I guess that was it to my morning routine. Not even a flake of cereal to be eaten.

I pulled the door shut behind me as I started walking down the narrow footpath, dragging one foot after the other until I finally reached the bus stop. Waiting for the bus, I observed the sky. The light fluffy clouds that floated in an ocean of baby blue, being separated by birds that were vocalising their morning song. It all seemed great for them, so free. Free to fly and go where they want, without a care in the world. Must be nice.

I looked over at the benches, hoping there'd be an empty spot, but my attention was turned back towards the road at the roaring engine of the bus as I watched it slow in to pick up its passengers. Walking to the door which was generously opened in front of me, I perched onto the platform not realising that my shoelaces were untied. As I lifted my foot, I felt it being tugged back by the shoelace that had been caught under my other foot. I felt time stop for a second as I surged forward towards the platform floor. My heart skipped three beats as my stomach dropped. Just as I was imagining the embarrassing fall that was soon to happen, I felt the straps of my backpack yank me back up to my feet. My head swiftly turned around to see a tall guy with a blue face mask and messy black hair covering his eyes. He was holding my bag to stop me from falling on my face. 'Who is that?' I thought to myself, 'never seen him get on this bus before.'

I instantly snapped out of my thoughts when I realised that he was trying to get past me. I awkwardly moved to the side and mumbled a quick 'thank you' as he shuffled past me. There was no reply, I guess he didn't hear me.

Excusing myself from the embarrassing situation that I had gotten myself into, I quickly tapped my card and sat down on a nearby empty seat. I looked over at the black-haired guy, and to my shock, saw him chuckling under his breath. There was something mocking about it. I didn't like it at all. Who did he think he was? Everyone gets into little accidents sometimes. It's just the male species I guess. Every male except Theo.

I stepped out of the bus, dreading the stares and looks of judgement that I was probably going to receive. Hanging my head low, I adjusted the straps of my bag and walked out the bus and started walking to the uni campus. Suddenly, it didn't feel as welcoming anymore. Walking to my locker, I checked my timetable and put all of my books away except for my materials needed for chemistry and headed to my assigned lecture room.