Atomic Love [2]

Chapter 8 - Michigan College

Italics is memories

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TW: Swearing

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Chapter 8

September 27, Saturday

Maeva's POV

I got off of the bus, standing as still as a log while I stared at the grand school 'Michigan College'.

I wore a dark beige cropped blazer with a mid-thigh wrap skirt, while I wore a black turtleneck on the inside. It's what... Nate got me last Valentines day.

"It's six o'clock. Shouldn't we go and get some dinner?" He asked as I was staring at myself in the mirror in this store.

"Yeah, exactly. Only six o'clock. Not hungry yet." I responded, twirling around, checking out my outfit. "Where are you going to even use that outfit?" The blonde boy asked, obviously annoyed at my love for shopping.

"You never know. I would probably look really smart in college wearing this. Ooh! With those super cute glasses that aren't really glasse--" I exclaimed, but soon being cut off by Nate with a groan. "You don't need glasses. And you're not going to college until, like, two years so... you don't have to worry about that."

I still remember that day, really clearly too.

If he and I were still together, I would've definitely rubbed it in his face, and say 'I told you so' or some shit like that. And tell him that I actually do need glasses now.

It's little moments like that, ones he and I will probably never share ever again-- just because he didn't think my love was worth staying for-- those are the things that still cause me despair.

And again, I felt sadness cloud my head-- that is how affected I was by him, how much hold he really had over my mind and emotions.

But I held it all back with a blink of an eye as I stood up straight and walked into the school, going over to where my dorm room is meant to be.

After going in, I saw a girl who seemed around age nineteen or twenty, sitting on one of the beds and typing on her laptop. She had long wavy brunette hair and brown eyes. After seeing that I had arrived, a smile spread on her face as she walked over to me.

"Hey, you're Maeva right? Maeva Renolds?" The brunette quizzed, her voice laced with a British accent, reaching a hand out for me to shake. I nodded, muttering a simple 'yea', grabbing onto her hand. "I'm Lauren, Lauren Lee." She then introduced.

I scanned my eyes across the room, seeing two beds beside each other with a small bedside table in between them. There was one big window right behind the beds. Opposite of them were two somewhat small closets and one desk.

"Sorry, I'm not exactly presentable right now. I didn't expect you until a while later." The brunette stated, chuckling ever so slightly. School was meant to start on October 1st, so I was four days early.

"No it's ok. I don't mind." I quickly waved it off, offering her a small grin as I nervously fidgeted with my skirt.

"Either way, that will be your bed," Lauren stated, pointing at the neatly organised one. "And this will be your closet." She then said, gesturing over to the clean one, beside what I would assume is hers; covered in stickers and writing.

"I would show you around some other time, but all you need to know now is that the showers are by the gym, there is a cafeteria on the first floor-- but beware, the food is shit-- and by then, just make yourself comfortable." Lauren explained, while I just nodded in return.

I started unpacking my things, making sure to organise them almost perfectly (cleaning helps with my anxiety, and I was very nervous right then).

Though after a while, I could hear the door creak open.

Walking in was a guy with curly brown hair and sharp blue eyes. He seemed to be around age twenty or twenty one and had a beard.

"Hey Lauren.. who's the newbie?" The curly haired guy asked, shifting his gaze to me as he stared me up and down, a smirk plastered on his face.

And with him staring at me like that, I couldn't help but feel nervous again-- a different kind of nervous. I started fidgeting with my fingers, trying to get rid of the butterflies that refused to leave my stomach.

"Back off dickhead. Maeva is smart enough to know not to date you." Lauren stated, rolling her eyes at who seemed to be her friend. She shut her laptop, standing up to walk over to us.

The curly haired guy still casually leaned against the somewhat tall door frame as his other hand held onto the handle. "Maeva? Pretty name." The guy spoke up again, licking his lips. His voice sounded raspy, and somewhat... seductive. And for some reason, I just couldn't stop staring at him.

"This is Joshua Johnson, the biggest player on this campus." Lauren explained, finally pulling her friend in as he shut the door behind him.

And honestly, I could tell why he's a player. He's got the looks, he's got the voice, he's got the attitude. I would probably get tricked even knowing what he's trying to do.

"I'm not a player." Joshua argued, though even then he sounded so effortlessly calm. "Tell that to the five 'long term' relationships you've had in the past year." Lauren sighed out, the curly haired guy rolling his eyes at his friend.

I quietly laughed, which led to his eyes going on me again, smugly staring me up and down once more. "You can call me Josh, by that way." He spoke, his voice still hoarse. That just seemed to make me so much weaker in the knees.

And people might think it is terrible that I seem to be beginning to grow feelings for a new guy after the whole cheating situation I had with Nate. And yes, a little part of me is still clinging onto that small shred of feelings that Nate and I still share, but it's been almost three months, it's time to start moving on.

Soon after, Josh turned his head to look at Lauren again. "We still hanging out later?" The curly haired guy asked, Lauren answering with a simple "Yes."

He nodded to that, turning away to leave again. But as he opened the door, about to walk out, he turned around, glancing over to me. "Bring the newbie." Josh rasped out, and then finally left the room.

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1082 words (edited)