Bruises ↛a.c.m

two.

word count: 1914

| A Q U I L A |

❁83 days before❁

today was the big day, my first day at college and I couldn't feel any much more nervous than what I felt a week ago.

I change out of my silk sleeping gown and I change into a pair of high waisted jeans and a maroon crop top, followed by a light creme sweater over it. I checked the time, having just the right amount of time to have breakfast with my family and I rush down the stairs, finding my mom and dad already at the table with their cups of coffee and newspaper in front of them.

"good morning, sweetheart." my mom greets as she looks up from her paper and I kiss her cheek.

"good morning mom." I say. "and good morning dad." I kiss his cheek before I grab an apple and a bottled water and I grab my bag.

"leaving so soon?" my mom as I swing my bag over my shoulder.

"I want to go early just to look for my classes, they're all pretty far apart from each other." I say and I grab my keys from the key holder.

"alright. be safe and call me when you get there. good luck, baby." she says before I blow her a kiss and I leave the house, walking to the Rover that was parked in my drive way and I get it, turning on the engine and I drive out of the parking lot.

I make it to the parking lot of Crestwood Preparatory College and I find an empty parking spot before I get out of the car and I pull out my schedule and I proceed to
walk through the gates, in search of my very first class.

I pass the library, which was a huge building that took up at least half the campus and I walk around it, finding another large building and I walk up the steps to the glass doors and up the long staircase as I search for my world religion class.

I find it in with in minutes and I try to remember the way here as I walk down the stairs once more and I make it outside, walking across the field toward the other building.

I find my film class and before I know it, the bell rings and my heart races. it was surreal that I was in college. I quickly make my way back to the previous building and I walk up to my world religion class and I open the door, finding almost every seat empty and I take a glimpse of the professor who was writing on the board.

I find the nearest seat toward the front and I set my things down before I pull out my notebook and the professor turns to face me.

"good morning." he greets with a smile and I return it.

"good morning." I say.

class begins shortly as he explains the region of the Jews and their beliefs as the door the class opens and professor Jackson stops mid sentence only to glance toward the door.

"glad you could join us in class, Mr?" he questions and I hear a light chuckle from the corner of the room as I twirl my pencil in between my fingers.

"Mahone." the voices says and I burrow my eyebrows, blinking rapidly as the name registers in my brain and I turn the voice, my eyes making contact with Austin.

"take a seat." Professor Jackson indicates and I hear the shuffling of Austin's feet, my eyes still on him and he glances toward me, burrowing his eyebrows.

I clear my throat before I direct my attention back to the professor, who continues to explain his previous assessment and I forget to even listen as I draw out his voice and my heart races in my chest.

I hadn't seen or heard from Austin since the night we met at the bar. that same night comes clearly into my brain and I bite the tip of the pencil as I recall the whole night, sending chills down my spin.