Night.

Chapter 4

“cute girl.”

Did he really say that, or was I just dreaming it? Sometimes my mind wanders from reality. Well, more often than sometimes. I can’t believe I even have class with him. How am I supposed to manage seeing him five days out of the week? For once I am happy that my university requires that seminar be taken every day, compared to my other classes that typically meet three times a week.

The rest of my day is completely boring, nothing but professors going through the syllabus and the books we need for class. I, unlike most of my classmates, have already bought my books 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester. I hate the feeling of being unprepared, so I always attempt to avoid it as much as possible. The earlier you get your books, the cheaper they are anyways.

As soon as my last class ends, I get my stuff prepared to get ready to go home. It’s been a long day regardless of how little classwork I did. I run to my locker really quick to grab one of my books, and I run into a few acquaintances who ask me about my classes. I wasn’t really looking forward to the first week of school because it’s always the same thing: run into people who barely know you, and you have to fake being happy. I’d rather just walk around and be by myself, minding my own business.

 The drive home is long. There is usually a lot of traffic around this time in Chicago. I wouldn’t want it any other way though. I really do enjoy living near Chicago. I live far enough from the city to be near the forest preserves, but close enough to drive downtown.

As I drive home you can easily see the change from urban to rural areas. Buildings turn into apartments, and apartments turn into houses. Hoards of people rushing through busy streets to make it on time for work, turn into 1-2 people taking a walk around town.

I get home and park my car in front of my house. My parents aren’t home from work yet, meaning I have some free time to do whatever I please. I pull out my phone and check my texts. I have only one from my best friend Lavender:

*How was school?*

*I can’t wait for the semester to be over already. All my classes are going to be hard. What about you?* I reply.

*That sucks! Yeah my professors seem so fucking boring. It’s only the first day and classes were already dragging ass*

I love how blunt she is.

*I wish we were going to the same school. I’m going to be miserable without you. Can you transfer already?* I ask.

*same here, everyone in this school is so goddamn lame like all the guys where saggy pants and YOLO snapbacks. Like boy I don’t wanna look at how “swag” you are get outta here*

*lmao we have to hang out soon! Coffee date tomorrow?*

*Sure! Meet me at Starbucks around 12:30. I have a break until 2:00* she replies.

*Awesome. I have to work ok homework so I’ll talk to you tomorrow! See you then! *

Lavender never ceases to brighten up my day.

I have been friends with her since high school. She was one of the few people that completely understood me. I basically trust her with all my secrets. She was the only one who I felt like I could talk to after he was gone. For 2 years she helped me gain a sense of normality in my life. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I would be.

I put my phone on my desk and take my books out. I know it’s only the first day, but some of my professors have already assigned readings and reflections. Oh, the joy of being a college student. I start working on the reading for seminar, since it’s my first class in the morning. I am immediately distracted by the thought of sitting next to Harry. What if he sits with me again tomorrow? I remind myself that I need to focus. I made a promise not to slack off because I really want to maintain a high GPA this year.

By the time I finish my homework it’s already 8:00 pm. My parents already came home and ate dinner without me, because they don’t want to bother me when I’m working on my homework. Luckily they have the same view on school as I do: “Work hard for what you want. Worry about a social life later.” I go downstairs to the kitchen and find the soup my mom has set aside for me. She made my favorite food tonight, Pozole.“I love being Mexican,” I say to myself. It’s absolutely delicious, so I decide to serve myself another bowl.

After my delicious dinner I decide to take a shower and straighten my hair after it dries. I love that our house has two floors because I basically have a whole floor with a bathroom to myself. I think that’s the main reason I didn’t leave for college. Even though I always wanted to get away from this town and start a new life, I would really miss my room and my best friend Lavender.

I decide to spend the rest of the night reading so I grab a book and cuddle with a blanket on the bed. Reading is the only thing that keeps me from having nightmares at night. I’m getting to the suspenseful part of the story, when a ringing noise startles me. I look at my phone and it’s from Liam.

*How was your first day?*

*Not bad, how about you?*

*ehh my classes aren’t too bad. How have you been putting up with you know…*

Of course. Liam was one of my boyfriend’s best friends. Well ex-boyfriend. I barely saw him when Ben and I were dating but we exchanged numbers after the funeral and have been texting ever since. He’s been helping me cope with the loss. Liam moved here in high school and was the really quiet guy. A lot of the older kids made fun of him for being the new kid but then he joined wrestling and became friends with Ben. I never really talked to him much before Ben died. He goes to the same college that Lavender goes too. He always checks up on me to make sure that I’m doing ok.

*I’ve been holding on. I still get nightmares but reading helps them go away. And you?* I ask.

*I’ve been doing a lot better. I just got back into wrestling so it’s helping me take out some of the anger. You know I’m always here for you Anna. No matter what. I know what happened to Ben was absolutely horrifying for you, but just know that he’s in a better place.*

I wish Liam would just stop talking about Ben.

*Thanks, I appreciate it Liam. It’s just that I really don’t have anything else to say except that I just miss him a lot. I’m glad you’re doing wrestling again.*

*I know! I’m really excited about it, you should come to one of my matches sometime, and maybe we can get lunch sometime soon as well? I haven’t seen you in such a long time :)*

*Sure that would be great. It would be nice to catch up. How about next week?*

*Sounds good! I’ll text you later to let you know when I’m free. Can’t wait to see you again Anna. Goodnight*

I’m actually excited to see Liam. We were supposed to hang out over the summer, but I was busy with work and he got a job as a camp counselor in Wisconsin. He would be my second closest friend next to Lavender.

I look at the clock on my phone, letting me know that it’s midnight. I need to go to sleep because I have to wake up at 6am to get ready for school. Hopefully this school year goes better than the past two years.