a heart's end

Six

Monty

Well, that could not have been worse. Could it have been me? Was it Auden forcing me to do it? Let's face it, without him I would've never went up to her. Or was it Anaelle, who just didn't like me? Embarrassment was clear as day on my cheeks and God, I wished at that moment I could've been someone else. Anyone else. I wanted to be someone who random beautiful girls would like. I don't know how long I had my head in my arms. I was giving myself my own pity party. Maybe I was being a little dramatic, but maybe I didn't care. I felt a tapping on my shoulder and when I looked it was that tan girl who was with Anaelle. She was standing with her arms behind her back and an apologetic look on her face.

"Hey. Sorry about her, she can come off sometimes as-"

"Vicious?" I finished for her. I glanced at her face making sure I didnt insult her "friend". When she smiled, I patted the bar stool next to me which was now vacant. Seeming like I could talk to her about the rude girl who stormed out, I started a conversation.

"Your friend needs an attitude adjustment." I stated and she laughed once more. It was big talk for the guy who just had his head on the counter. Which just so happened to be embarrassing as well, and I wouldn't have had it down if I knew this girl was still here.

Her smile was pretty, a set of white teeth flashed me, and her laugh was gentle. Almost to gentle, but very sweet sounding. I wonder if someone had once told her that her laugh was ugly so she practiced for years to fix something that wasn't broken in the first place. And the outcome was this little laugh that didn't match her big personality. The thought saddened me.

"She's not my... well, I mean... we could be... I don't know!" She flew her hands up to cover her face, obviously embarrassed for a reason I don't understand. I grinned when she poked her eye through the Crack in her fingers. When she placed them back in her lap, she starting to play with a little gold ring that was placed on her thumb.

"We're roomates. Tonight was our night to further introduce ourselves and get to know each other better. But two of our girls left with some guy and well, you know what happened to the third..." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. My smile dissappeared at the thought of the rude girl. When this girl outstretched her arm it took me by surprise. I took her hand carefully and shook it.

"I'm Kalena. I go to NYU." It's like we were doing this backwards, talking then introducing.

"I'm Monty. Nice to meet you, I also go to NYU." The way she looked at me was full of surprise. I was already nervous and her broad facial expressions weren't helping.

"What?" I questioned, offended.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought you were still in high school. No offense. But you look very young. I just assumed you snuck in or something."

Tell me something I didn't know.

"...but since we live literally five minutes away from each other, we should hang out sometime soon." She charmingly slipped out her phone and slid it to me.

I programmed her number in my phone and as she walked away Auden came up to me. He asked me if I got her number and when I nodded he slapped me on the back and cheered. I didn't say anything when he told me it was time to leave. I didn't say a word on the way back to the dorm despite Arno and Auden asking me more questions. I didn't say a word as I laid in bed, only a couple hours before I had to get up for my first day of class. I had this one repeating thought coursing through my head. I thought that one good thing that came about meeting Kalena. A chance to get closer to Anaelle.

Anaelle

The rain was like my heart, always beating down. Sometimes in a soft drizzle, like when my tears gently fall down my cheeks before I attempt to sleep. Oftentimes it's a thunderstorm, wreaking havoc on everything and everyone around me. Capable of ruining days and crashing things down. Never lightening up. Always cold and dreary.