THE OXFORD BET *VirginityGames*

Chapter 3 High hopes this year-Maybe not

Francesca

"So," There was a slight pause. "How is Oxford?"

"Pretty posh, pretty annoying," I admitted to the phone I had pressed against my ear with my shoulder.

"Francesca," my mother scolded from the other line, but I could so clearly hear that my mother was not into our phone conversation.

"How are you then?" I whispered back with a sigh, closing the book I read the first paragraph from before placing it back onto the shelf and grabbing my phone into my hand.

"Mhm" I heard her say.

"I have my classes starting next week. There's a big reading list, I only got through half of it through the summer. I'm a little worried about it."

"Mhm." She finally chimed in. "Sorry, say that again?"

I couldn't resist rolling my eyes, looking at the different books in the library. I realised the second I walked in and smelled that old antique smell which filled the whole room and the dark shadows that came into sight above the old bookshelf, I knew I'd be spending an awful amount of time in the library. As I walked deeper into the library, the soft glow of energy-efficient LED lights cast a warm, inviting light over the dark oak tables and ergonomic leather chairs scattered throughout. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate carvings and frescoes, depicting scenes of scholarly pursuit and classical mythology, now highlighted by discreet lighting that emphasised their details. Every aspect seemed to whisper of the countless minds that had sought knowledge within these walls, now enhanced by the conveniences of the present. To my left, a series of tall, arched windows let in slivers of daylight, their stained glass filtering the sun into a kaleidoscope of colours that danced across the floor. The heavy, velvet drapes were drawn back, allowing a gentle breeze to stir the air. It was a tranquil sanctuary, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world outside, yet equipped for the demands of contemporary scholarship. The silence was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of pages being turned or the soft beeps and hums of digital devices. I made my way to one of the long study tables, running my fingers over the smooth surface of the wood, worn by generations of students who had sat there before me. Each seat was equipped with a brass reading lamp, now fitted with adjustable LEDs, and a charging port for laptops and tablets.

"SHhhhh." After my third Shhh I said goodbye to my mum and texted Victoria about meeting for lunch.

I was wearing my favourite dress, it was not a particularly special day. Although I did have my Tutor group in the afternoon. It was not like I was dressing up for anything or anyone- it just so happened that a certain pen borrower might have been around too. I felt the Butterflies rise in my stomach and had to push them down. I had only been in Uni precisely two and a half hours and by then I felt drained and tired. And ready for a nap. I assumed since most nights I'd spent were late nights. Everything was getting a little too much for me. I was anxious in University, with the talk of the all boys society. Plus having to be on my best behaviour was veering on tiresome. Meeting new people and socialising was mentally draining. And trying to avoid Daniel Dickhead was hard enough. Victoria and I would laugh at how sometimes we felt like we were wearing masks. Masking part of ourselves for another more positive surface that we gave out to strangers. 

Every night I had been attending or rather..enduring my piano lessons whilst being overloaded with coursework. Lastly, we had an extremely large second reading list that has been assigned to us all just in our first term too. I pulled off my coat sluggishly, as I ambled towards Victoria. We signalled to each other with just one look, then within moments we were both heading towards the toilets, to do a full mirror check.