fake it 'til you make it - cairo x cc

1: settle in

Cairo's POV

Today is the first day of my new beginning. My do-over, if you will. Also my first day of College. To ensure the fresh start I so deeply craved, I left everything behind and moved halfway across the country, from Tennessee all the way to California. But to be honest, I'm not missing it. It's not like I left anything or anyone important or of great value to me behind.

My parents never bothered to check up on me in Tennessee, I highly doubt they'll even notice I'm gone. And luckily, my best friend Winnie agreed to come with me.

While I moved there for distance as well as the college program, Winnie moved there solely because of me. She will get an apartment nearby the campus, since I'll be living in the dorms. This way, we can still see and visit each other frequently.

Currently, I'm sitting in the passenger seat of the truck Winnie and I rented, deeply lost in thoughts and smoking a cigarette. As I blow the smoke out of the open window, Winnie exclaims "Almost there, honey! We're California girls now!"

I chuckle lightly at her comment and redirect my focus towards the street. On a few signs, you can already read 'University California of Sports and Arts'; or short, UCSA. I take a deep breath. Here comes my fresh start. My second chance. This is what I wanted all along. This is what I need.

I promised to leave every bad memory far behind in Tennessee. My parents, my ex-boyfriends.. and my old teacher Mr. Miller. Especially him.

To say the past months were a 'rough patch' would be the understatement of the century. But it's hard to find acceptable words that accurately describe the situation. I'm usually not the one at a loss for words, except for when it comes to him.

Over the last year of school, I had an affair with my literature teacher. Well, he had an affair. I was single, so technically, I was in a 'relationship' and not having an affair. Not really, though. It was more of a fling. In the end, my teacher had to face the consequences of his actions. I know he is not the only one to blame. But he should have never acted on his desires towards me, even if they were reciprocated. At least they were for a time.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the rough sex and his relentless pounding into me while I was face down bent over on his desk. Truth be told, I craved the thrill of this secret sex more than I thought I would. It made every moment more intense. Yet, over time, he became.. colder.

Regretfully so, I chose to ignore the change of his demeanor. He developed aggressive tendencies towards me, though it all started slowly. First, just a small slap on the hand when he was angry about something. But one day, it was too much. It couldn't be dismissed any longer when he broke my hip by slamming me into a bookshelf out of anger when I told him I wasn't in the mood for sex.

He tried to intimidate me, and I didn't feel save, let alone loved, in his presence.

Though I wonder, was it ever love between us?

Luckily, with Winnies emotional support, I began to press charges. And he was rightfully convicted, for multiple reasons, even if only for a short amount of time. For all I care, he can stay in that hellhole of a town for eternity.

My hip healed impressively fast, though when I put too much pressure on it or walk for longer amounts of time, it starts to hurt again. I just have to be careful, because every time it stings in pain, I'm reminded of my dreadful past actions.

But enough about him. This is about me. Everything will take a turn for the better now. I smile in content, and soon I hear my best friend speak up again.

"I'm gonna drop you off at the university and move all my stuff to my new place first, then you'll check into your room in the meantime. I'll be back to bring you your stuff in the evening, alrighty?" I look at my phone. 9:30am. I nod my head in agreement. "Sure, please text me when you're at your apartment."