𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 ~ 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐡

18. Stained

HAYLEY left the house in pre-dawn light, a feeling of glum amidst her. She took Tobias' motorcycle, leaving no more than a note taped to the front door reading: Took the bike to school, thanks.

Hayley had only ridden a motorcycle four times total— three times a passenger with Robert driving, and once by herself.

It felt liberating. Morning car rides were scenic and perfect for solace-thinking, while  motorcycle rides at six in the morning not only felt like a piss off to the neighborhood, but a joyride. Hayley went zipping down Whirley and all throughout Corkshaw, making sure everyone heard her. After about fifteen minutes of revving around her neighborhood, Hayley decided it was time to head to school.

While approaching, the university itself seemed asleep for the most part. The tall structure sat in the morning haze, solid, almost intimidating. Leaves were scattered on the cobblestone ground that crunched with each step Hayley took that brought her closer to the main gate.

Hayley brought out her phone and called Chloe twice before finally getting a pick up.

"Where the hell have you been and what took you so long to answer?" Hayley asked with great offense in her voice.

Chloe gave a loud groan on the other end, "Hayley, you interrupted my dream! I'm sleeping, you bloody moron. The hell do you want?"

"I need to know when you're arriving for classes today, I need to give you something."

There was a pause on the other end before Hayley shouted a loud "Oi!"

"Mate," Chloe croaked, "I don't start classes until noon today. Whatever you need to drop off, stop by my house af—"

"When does Rebekah arrive, then?" Hayley interrupted.

Chloe sat up, taken by surprise, "Well this is certainly interesting." She ran a hand through her hair before checking the time, "Rebekah... would already be there. Likely in the library and if not there, she's outside the auditorium, guaranteed."

"Thank you. I just need to give her some—"

"Your number?" Chloe teased with a cackle.

"You're annoying. I'm hanging up. Later."

Deep down, Hayley wasn't too in the mood for dealing with Rebekah, or anyone, for that matter. She was indeed a morning person, but not when it came to interactions.

Hayley headed down the main corridor and straight into the library, a place she wasn't all that familiar with. It represented a cathedral with deep brown walls and its latticed windows, allowing the gentle morning light to pour in.

The place was huge, so much so that it nearly felt humiliating to wander every aisle just to return that purple Durham Athletics hoodie to a certain someone. Someone who Hayley was still figuring how to adjust to. After passing by a few blondes, none of them seemed convincing enough from behind to be Rebekah. One wore two braids, another had a stripe of pink in her hair, and another had very tightly coiled hair.

It wasn't until Hayley came to a back corner towards a window seat that she found a girl with what looked like a gear bag on the table, purple, of all colors, indicating this person was on a sports team.

"This better be you." Hayley muttered under her breath. She approached the girl and paused right behind her, suddenly fretting on how to give a basic greeting until the girl cautiously turned around. Sure enough, it was that same blonde who Hayley referred to as Paris Hilton.

"Well, if it isn't the putrid stench of average poverty filling my nostrils." Rebekah sneered before turning back around.

Hayley's brows furrowed as she cocked her head, "And if it isn't the pitiful fucking sight of revolting arrogance frying my retinas."