Duplicitous (F.C)

New Beginnings

        The first week of school always passes by in such a blur, but I'm on day two and ready to move back to the States. On the first day of class, I overslept due to still adjusting to the time difference. Today I slipped in the courtyard in front of all my peers because some jerk almost ran into me on his bike. So, not only do I feel like an outcast because everyone deems me as some weird American, but they'll think I'm a weird American who doesn't have a sense of direction or time management. Of course, this is all due to my projection, but it's also never steered me wrong.

        At lunch I watched everyone huddle together at their designated tables, and it was either not eating lunch or sitting by a boy who argued about math all lunch. I turned back around and went back to unpacking the last of my boxes. Although, right now I could kill for a weird slice of school pizza. I didn't look at the options, given that I almost had a panic attack thinking about where I was going to eat for the hour rest period we get between classes. I couldn't go all day without eating, it wasn't good for me. 

        As I put my remaining things away in their designated areas, I ponder on what tomorrow will be like. Hopefully, it's not as chaotic as the first two days. I change into a more comfortable outfit. Most likely, a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt would be frowned upon, but I've honestly given up trying to impress anyone at this point. I grab everything that I need and chuck on a denim jacket. The days are sort of warm, but at night it begins to feel like we're already in winter. 

        Making my way outside of the building, I'm engulfed by the smell of cigarettes. I've never been keen on the whole idea of blackening my liver just to seem cool, but around here it's what you do to kill time. We're all going to die in the end; it's just up to you how you decide to occupy your time here. Before I make it across the courtyard, I feel a tap on my shoulder. "I'd like to apologize about this morning." A sincere smile falls onto his lips, showing the slight gap between his two front teeth. "That was you?" He nods, showing his guilt. "I feel like a jerk for not checking if you were alright."

        This boy seemed as if he could swoon over Scrooge if he had a minute to spare. "Well, no one in the courtyard seemed to bat an eye, so we're even." I make light of the situation. "You're not from here, are you?" I shake my head. "What gave it away?" The accent was obvious. "It's just that I know pretty much everyone here." A subtle way to boost his ego. "And I'd remember a face like yours." Led by a not-so-subtle way to boost mine. "Smooth." He awkwardly chuckles when I don't fall into his boyish charm. "My friends are going to adore you."

        He continues to lead us to the dining hall. "Well, lucky for you, you won't have any of my friends to woo over." He furrows his brows at my comment. "Being an exchange student isn't easy." He hums. "Why don't we skip dinner?" Now is my turn to give him a strange look. "My dorm is full of school contraband." I chuckle. "A rebel with a cause." He grins giving me a knowing look. "We're all meeting at the pub at nine anyway." Stranger danger seems to go over my head. "I'm putting a lot of trust in someone whose name I don't even know."

         He reaches out for my hand and I instinctively take it. "It's not like either of us is some mysterious serial killer." He continues to lead the way to his dorm room. "You Americans and your true crime documentaries." A chuckle escapes my lips. "I'm Felix, and this is my humble abode." He unlocks his room with a key card. "Woah."Felix's room was pretty clean for a college kid. The smell of smoke showed that he was a big deal, otherwise, he'd be kicked out. "Contraband, as promised." He tosses me a few bags of snacks, which ultimately falls on the floor. "Nice catch." I stick my tongue out at him. "I'd like to see you do better."