You can change me

Chapter 5

After dinner, we walk around on the campus. Again i am surprised by how huge and beautiful the park is, and the best, it's also my campus now! I can officially say that I'm allowed to walk the gravel path between dark green cypresses, which all lead to the center of the campus.

I notice the big water fountain which I have already seen the first minute I arrived here, surrounded elegant banks and tables where a few students are sitting, talking, studying and just gossiping.

I also see Thea and smile at her, her mouth curls up and she winks.

>> Let's sit down over there, we basically own this table. << Olivia says, and the others began to laugh and giggle.
>> We spend most of our evenings and breaks here, << Lilian explains, >> It's the hotspot for everyone, so we can consider ourselves really lucky that we can occupy this table for the rest of the semester. <<

>> I mean, we were the first one's here, thanks to Olivia, << Samantha says while doing a weird gesture towards Olivia with her hands. I can hear myself laughing, it looks hilarious.

We start to talk about tomorrow, which is my first real school day and also theirs, but differently than I Olivia and Lilian already know our daily schedule, routines and lunchbreak times, because Olivias older sister is a senior student in this college and Lilian is already in her second semester.

It's funny that she somehow managed to start her first year in the middle of the normal college year, but It's an advantage for me that she already knows a lot about the people and the college.

I look around and my sight eventually fell on Thea, she notices me and I see her saying something to another girl with black-red hair (which looks like she cut it herself) and black clothes. Next to her is a blonde boy with normal blue jeans and a grey hoodie. The girl nods and looks into my direction and Thea stands up and walks towards me.

>> Hey Maddy, how's college so far? << She asks, leaning over our table with both of her arms.
>> I see you already got yourself some friends, cute, << she says, looking at my new friends with a sassy and amused gaze.
>> Uhm..yes..<< I stutter, not finding the right words and wondering if she was being sarcastic or didn't like them. Her eyes lay on the girls, I don't recognize the way she's looking at them, curiosity, anger or a neutral look? I can't tell.

>> This is Lilian, my roommate, << I begin explaining, >> and they're Samantha and Olivia. Guys, this is Thea, I met her after I arrived and she showed me the secretary's office. << The girls smile at Thea, only Olivia's face looks sour. Again I can't tell if their smiles are real, but Lilians looks weird and forced. I would like to know what is going on.

I wonder if they have a problem with Thea.
>> So nice to meet you flower girls, but my friends are waiting for me, I gotta go. See you tomorrow Maddy! << She says and walks back.

>> Is Theodora your friend? << Lilian immediately asks when Thea couldn't hear us anymore.
>> I can't say I'm friends with Thea, but she was really nice to me, << I say, thinking about how Lilians voice sounded when she said 'Theodora' and how the girls look at me.
>> Is everything okay? Do you have a problem with Thea? << I ask, nervously and curious at once.

The girls give each other a look, before they turn their heads towards me. Samantha sighs; >> It's not that special... << Olivia adds >>... Not really a big deal.. <<
>>BUT?? << I ask, really becoming inpatient.
>> Look, we don't want to say anything bad about Thea and her.. Friends and if you want to be her friend it's totally fine, it's just that there are spreading rumors about her. << Lilian started to explain.
>> Rumors? What kind of rumors? << I ask, i'm really nosy now and want to hear what they have to say.

>> Well, << Samantha begins, looking around as if she fears someone could hear her before continuing,
>> some people say she's dealing with her friends. <<
>> Drugs? << I ask.

>> No, stickers and squishmellows of course <<
Olivia says sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
>> Of course drugs! You know, we heard some second year students talking about it and also my sister has already warned me. Theodoras or 'Theas' clique is more than these people sitting over there, she is friends with half of the senior year students! Means they basically could've had the option to sell drugs since years. <<

Wow, I would've never thought that of Thea. It actually seems like something she would do, but I still can't believe it. I'm not sure if I want to be friends with people having issues with that kind of stuff.

I also thought they have way much to do with exams and homework. I heard from my brother that the college life is hard, the only thing you do all day is waking up, going to classes, studying, finishing assignments and projects and then sleeping again, worrying about the next day. Luckily, this college here isn't the best and strictest in town, it's more a small and not very popular school, it's also not that expensive, otherwise I could never go here, my parents aren't rich.

>> You see Aaron? The blonde boy over there? <<
Lilian says, pointing at the boy sitting next to Thea. I can't lie, he looks good, no, better than good, he looks hot and attractive and kinda arrogant.

Lilian must've noticed my gaze.
>> Don't even think about that Madeleine! He's the worst, believe me. Also here since almost 4 years and he's a real troublemaker. Bullying, stealing, dealing, partying and getting kicked out of class are his hobbies. The word badboy was made for him. <<

>>But he's indeed hot. << I hear Samantha's voice and Olivia's giggling, which gave them a deadly look from Lilian.
>> He might be, but I highly recommend to you to stay away from him Madeleine. He can be dangerous and aggressive, you don't know what he will be like on drugs. Be careful, especially when you meet him somewhere where you two are alone, I have no idea of what he's capable of. Maybe he's even a real criminal and has done worse things, it wouldn't surprise me honestly. <<

I also agree with Lilian that this behavior doesn't sound promising and like any possibility of some kind of friendship with Aaron to me.
I don't want to be innocent but that much? No.
In my opinion, drugging or bullying others, especially younger teenagers, isn't cool anymore, this isn't just drinking and having fun, it's even more and I don't want to get too close to these substances. Of course I still want to be friends with Thea, i'm sure these rumors about her aren't true or at least not that bad.

My gaze again falls on her table and I'm thinking about what Lilian just told me, when out of nowhere Aaron turns his head, his blue glacier eyes meet mine. I'm suddenly cold. His eyes are ice and seem to freeze my insides. I quickly turn my head and attention to the girls, again talking, but I can still feel his cold eyes on my back.

I feel like Aaron lowered the temperature, even though it is a sunny and warm summer day.

                                                          1157 Words

     

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New Chapter! I hope you like it, because I had so much fun writing it🤭

Do you think the rumors about Thea are true?
What are your thoughts on Aaron? 😏

Please leave a vote and a comment to support me❤️☀️
I also changed the book cover, amazing MRArcher_writer made it for me! I'm in love with it😍😍 Thank you so much<3

I hope you have a nice day and thank you so much for 135 reads! 🌻
~ Ari:)