Down by the River

Chapter One - Uni

River. River Soare. Nice to meet you.

I'm just an average twenty-three year old. Ish. I'd tell you how I was different, but it would ruin the whole story. So, let's go back to.. Just starting university? Yeah, that seems to be a good place to start.

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I sighed lightly, as I zipped my suitcase up. I glanced around at my small, attic room. I still wonder how I lived in this room for the sixteen out of eighteen years I've been alive. I rolled my suitcase out, grabbed my back-pack, flinging it over my shoulder and made my way downstairs.

Once I was downstairs, my mother was sitting by the island in the kitchen. She jumped up when she heard me coming, rushing over to me.
"Oh, Ri, how I'm going to miss you. You must see me on the weekends, alright?" She made a pleading face to me , and it made it too hard for me to say no.
"Of course, I'll try to, at least. It's a good hour and a half drive from here to college. That's a lot of petrol, you know." I smiled, embracing her. She wrapped her arms around my waist, and rested her head against my chest. I'd been a few inches taller than her since I was thirteen.

I rolled my suitcase to the door, said my final goodbyes to my mother, and jumped into my car. It wasn't the best car - just a little old fiesta, but it was good enough and wasn't going to fall apart.

I began to make my journey to Cambridge University. The ride was slightly tiring, but I made it.

I parked my car in the student car park, opening the back and taking my suitcase out. I locked the car and made my way to the reception, after ten minutes of trying to find the reception. They should make the bloody signs more clear and accurate.

"How may I help you?" The lady behind the desk asked. She was old and wrinkly, and but she looked like a lovely little old lady.

"Uh, I've come to get my key for my dorm." I informed her, and she nodded
"Name?"

"River Soare."

Her typing was quick, and she eventually found it on the computer. She smiled when she did.

"River Soare. Eighteen. Born 17th April, 1998."

I nodded. She stood up, opening a drawer on the far back wall. I didn't notice until I looked over, that there was a huge shelf full of drawers. They had labels on them, but I couldn't quite work out what they said. Some sort of numbers.

She waddled back to the desk, and handed me a card.
"Second building. Room 359. Third floor."

"Thank you, Miss." I grinned, walking out of the reception and making my way to the second dorm building. I strolled inside, glancing around. There was a small opening, which lead to a dining area. That must be where breakfast, lunch, and dinner was served. There was also a corridor from the door, which lead to some stairs and on the right of the door was an elevator.

I was a lazy bastard, and took the elevator.

I scanned the rooms' numbers, and it took a while to find my room. I swiped the card on the lock, as the door made a small 'click' noise. I gently pushed it open, to a small corridor which had two doors on each side. I closed the door behind me when I stepped in.

One door lead to a decently sized bathroom, and one to a kitchen with a washing machine and clothes in the corner. I furrowed my eyebrows, and stepped further inside. There was a couch, TV, and coffee table in the room.

"Um. Can I help you?" The voice made me jump. I turned around to see another small corridor which must lead to the bedrooms. But, blocking the way of the view in the corridor, stood a man. Around my age, I'm guessing. He had dirty blonde hair, which was ruffled. He had a large, oversized maroon red hoodie, some jeans and vans.

"Uh, yeah, I'm guessing I'm your room mate..." I stuttered awkwardly. He furrowed his eyebrows, scanning me. I pursed my lips as he did so, not feeling entirely comfortable. His gaze came back up to my face, and he smiled softly.
"Kai Huistem." He greeted, stretching his hand out to shake my hand. I took it, offering a friendly smile back to him.
"River Soare." I introduced myself.

He snorted lightly at my name, which made me frown.
"What?" I asked, a little agitated.
"If you're River, is your brother called Lake?" He joked, which made me stare at him coldly. I should be used to people saying that, since everyone makes that joke, but it still irritates me.
I rolled my eyes, shoving past him. I glanced inside the rooms, for the one which looked unused and tidy. That was obvious to guess. His was a mess. Clothes on the floor, unmade bed, messy desk.

It's cute, because I thought nothing of Kai. Though, he would be someone who would be a big part of my life in the near future.

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{A U T H O R S N O T E S}
Aight so this is my new story! I hope you all like it, and thank you to my friend Tyler for making Kai up. I hope this book becomes popular, and I hope everyone likes it!

~ L E O x