A Touch of Sunshine (gxg)

Part 5

By the end of my first week of college, I was almost regretting enrolling. I felt like I was an exhibit at a circus. I felt like everyone was always staring at me, watching my every move. As the Duchess of Samaria, I should have expected this. But it was tough living through it.

Even when I was with Ellie, it all felt a bit...preformative. Like she wanted everyone on campus to know she was my cousin.

There was also the whole situation with Valerie Maddow. The rest of the week we ignored each other in the two classes we had together. Maybe she was listening to me to just be civil and ignore each other?

At lunch on Friday, there was an ice cream truck that came to campus, serving frozen custard with toppings. Most of my peers went out to the courtyard to get treats from the truck. I decided to stay back, I could hear my mother in my head telling me how many calories were in the damn frozen custard.

Even though a vanilla frozen custard with some sprinkles sounded divine.

Leisha also stayed back with me.

"Do you not like frozen custard?" she asked me.

"Oh, I do." I said, "But I figured I should pass on it today. How about you?"

"I love it as well." Leisha smiled at me, "But I'm lactose intolerant. My stomach doesn't love it."

"I understand." I chuckled.

Leisha's expression turned more serious. She then asked me, "Are you enjoying being at college, Lucy?"

I was taken aback by the question.

"Why do you ask?" I responded.

"I think I am pretty good at reading people." Leisha said, "I just get a sense that you're generally unhappy here. You seem overwhelmed."

I sighed, "You're not wrong. I've been homeschooled my whole life. I've never even done team sports. It's very overwhelming coming to a college campus with all of these students here. Plus, I feel like no one just treats me normally. Besides you, honestly."

"Lucy, don't take this the wrong way. But I think people just find you intimidating. You're the King's daughter. You're the Duchess. You're very classy, beautiful, and obviously smart. I do believe that everyone will warm up to you though. I personally find you to be very kind. And humble." Leisha smiled at me, warmly.

"I didn't really think of it from the perspective of all of you." I said, "Thank you for the kind words though, Leisha. I think the same about you. And thank you for checking on me."

"Of course. That's what I'm here for." Leisha said, "You can talk to me whenever you want about how you're feeling about college."

"Thank you." I said to Leisha.

I was grateful. Maybe this could be the start of a true friendship?

I hadn't seen Jillian for much more of the week. But when I was walking to the limo, which was at the gate, she caught up with me.

"Lucy! Hey!" she called out, jogging toward me. She was in her sportswear.

And she looks damn good in it.

"Hello, Jillian." I greeted her, "It's nice to see you."

"I'm glad to see you." she grinned at me, "One more work until the first big game. Are you still going to come and watch?"

"Of course." I said back, "I didn't forget. I'll be cheering for you from the stands."

"You're awfully sweet, Lucy." Jillian said back to me. There was an edge to her tone that sounded almost...flirtatious?