Reliance

Chapter One

Chapter One

C A R T E R

I was late; I knew that. And I wasn't about to hurry up any faster since there was really no point. I was going to get chewed out. But at least I would get chewed out in style. I made sure my curly hair was tamed in a high, messy bun (there was no point in trying to make it look pretty), and that I had all the things I needed for today. Making sure everything was locked, I walked outside into the rain out of my small apartment. I didn't have internet here, so I would have to go to the nearest library or coffee shop. I chose the latter.

Café Latte wasn't too far from where I was residing. And being that it wasn't so uptown and expensive, no one really came here much. I picked out a seat in the back by the window after ordering what I wanted, nothing too fancy. Opening up my laptop, I waited for it to boot up. It was the only thing I could afford on a budget. My coffee and muffin came, and I began my search. It wasn't my first day here, but it was my first day of college and even though my first class doesn't start till 9, I was meeting someone here.

I quickly messaged them, apologizing profusely for my lateness, hoping that would soften them up and make them have some pity on me. Ten minutes later, the bell over the door rings and whoever came into the shop came to my table. I smiled instantly, seeing that she looked exactly what she looked like in her online pictures.

"You're so lucky I don't live too far from here," she huffed as she pulled off her wet coat, sitting across from me.

"I'm sorry," I told her. "I got up late."

"I'll say," she rolls her eyes, playfulness in her voice. I met Olivia online through social media. I wasn't looking for her, but we clicked the first moment she commented on my banana bread recipe. We had things in common; music, fashion and among other things. We never met in person, but we would always video chat when I was home and text all the time. She was my best friend, my only friend, and when we came up with the idea of me going to college here, I couldn't say no. They had all the classes I wanted and needed, plus, this place was better than being home.

"Are you excited for your first day," she asks me as her coffee comes to the table. I raised my eyebrows at her, seeing as she never ordered anything. "I'm a regular here," she tells me, shrugging her shoulders. I smile.

"More like nervous. We have no classes together."

"Well of course not," she tells me. "You're a culinary major and I'm an English major."

"I would've thought that we would have at least one core class together."

She shakes her head. "Since you applied late, the good classes were taken." She sips her drink. "Your timing just really suck."

I kicked her from under the table. "Screw you!" She giggles, looking at her phone. "You better hurry up if you want to be on time." She paused. "Nevermind, you're never on time." I faked hurt.

The bell rang again and I could feel someone's eyes on me. I didn't want to look but at the same time, it was making me uncomfortable that someone was looking at me when the only person I knew here was Oliva. I turned, my mouth dropping open slightly. He was tall, extremely tall compared to my 5'1'' stature. His eyes were green, dark green, but green still the same. His hair was tucked underneath his black beanie, some curls sticking out. He wore a black jacket, paired with black skinny jeans and brown boots. His right eyebrow was pierced as well as his lip, making him look hard, but still insanely hot. I tore my gaze away as Oliva kicked me under the table.