A Beautiful Curiosity

First Day

I rolled out of bed at half seven the next morning. Literally.

Rubbing the back of my head from where I hit it, and yawning widely, I walked out of my room and into the bathroom across the hall. Looking at myself in the mirror, I made a face.

My usually shiny brown hair hung limp and lifeless, and my silvery-grey eyes had no hint of the sparkle they once held. My unblemished skin now had numerous blackheads, and was flaking. All-in-all, I looked nothing like I had two weeks ago, when I actually had a reason to look good.

I choked back the tears that were burning the back of my eyes, and got about my daily routine.

Eight eventually rolled around, and I got my new bag and books from the back of my wardrobe. After six years of dreaming, I was finally going to the college of my dreams.

Smiling sadly to myself, I thought of Josh, and how excited he would have been. Bouncing off the walls, like first year… I laughed at the memory as I made my way to the Mini Cooper I have always coveted. Trust my father to try and buy my affections, I thought wryly.

Checking my mirrors, I caught a look of myself. I looked more like a sixteen year old than a nineteen year old, going into her first year of college.

I had left early to make sure I had enough time, and that I could slip the notice of my new peers, but when I pulled into the campus grounds at twenty past, I wished I had left earlier, because the grounds were swamped with people.

As I manuvered my way around the crowd, I couldn’t help but wonder how my year would go, especially without Josh…

Before I could stop them, the tears I had held in all morning, spilled over. Quickly finding a spot, and let the tears pour out. I got a few sympathetic looks, but I ignored them, hoping they would leave me alone.

Tap, tap, tap.

I wiped my eyes, and reached for a tissue to blow my nose.

Tap, tap, tap.

I ignored whoever was tapping on my window, and threw the tissue in a bag.

Tap, tap, tap.

This time, I looked up, and into a pair of chocolate brown eyes. I rolled down my window, and stared at the girl outside.

“Erm, hi… I couldn’t help but notice you crying… Are you okay?” She had a quiet, slightly husky voice, and had long brown hair. Her eyes were framed with thick black glasses. They made her look ‘nerdy’, but under them, she had a pretty face.

Am I okay? I almost laughed out loud. I thought about telling her the truth, but decided against it, going to the lie I had grown accustomed to using in the last two weeks.

“I’m fine, thanks though.” I smiled unconvincingly at her, knowing from the look she gave me that she probably didn’t believe me.

“Oh okay… Oh! By the way, I’m Mallorie Mc Naan!” She grinned at me, and held out a hand.

I took her hand, smiling, “Tae Reagen, nice to meet you.”

I retracted my hand, and got out of the car, reaching in the passenger side for my bag.

“Hey Mallorie, nice glasses! Where’d you get ‘em? A truck show?” An obviously dyed blond girl shouted over, much to the entertainment of the crowd around her, who burst into laughter. Mallorie blushed scarlet, and stared at the ground.

“Oi! At least she can see what friendship is, unlike whores like you, Donna, that only sees herself!” A new voice shouted out, quickly shutting up the crowd. Mallorie looked up, and I followed her gaze to a blond haired guy scowling at ‘Donna’.