Will You Still Love Me? (MAHTW Sequel)

Chapter 28: Claire

28:

Austin had the day off at home but I had class so I set out early in the morning and promised to be home as soon as I could so we could spend some time together before his next tour.

It wasn't anything fun, I just had math and a public speaking course, both required of me in my first year of college. Math was never my strong suit and public speaking always gave me anxiety so I was looking forward to getting home.

I walked into the lecture hall a few minutes early as usual and took my regular seat in the back and waited for my math teacher to appear. I didn't really have any friends in this class, in fact it was generally a quiet class where everyone kept to themselves except for a few in the front.

I took out my notebook and a pencil and got ready for class to begin when I noticed a new girl walk in. She had short, curly, bright red hair with black bangs and bright blue eyes and wore a coffee shop uniform. I watched her eyes flash with uncertainty as she looked around searching for a chair and her eyes finally landed on the one next to me. She lifted her shoulders up high and sighed but put on a confident exterior. She was tall and awkward looking as she walked up the steps to the top row where I was and smiled a bright toothy smile at me.

"Mind if I sit?" She asked confidently.

"Of course, go ahead." I said, smiling in return. She slid into the bench next to me and began unpacking her things.

"I've always hated math..." She sighed, "once you get to college you should really just be able to go into classes about your major."

"I couldn't agree with you more." I chuckled, "it's such a waste of money when we already got our general education from high school. Plus I really hate math as well."

"Maybe we'll boycott it together one day." She chuckled.

"Fight the power." I joked making her laugh.

"I'm Claire." She said, flashing me another bright smile.

"Evan." I replied, reaching my hand out to her. Instead of shaking my hand she laughed and grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a big bear hug.

"Sorry I'm a hugger." She smiled, quickly releasing me.

"It's alright. It's kinda refreshing to meet such a friendly person. Everyone here is kinda caught up in their own world." I said.

"And missing every good bit of life in front of them because of it!" Said, laughing to herself. She was surrounded by this infectious happy energy that I hadn't seen in someone in a long time. She just made you want to smile and laugh all the time just by being with her.

"So what is your major?" I asked.

"I'm an art student." She announced proudly.

"Oh really? I'd love to see some of your stuff." I smiled, I loved seeing people's art work. She instantly whipped out her phone and showed me an album of photos. I could tell she had a unique way of looking at the world. Everything was light in both application and subject but still beautiful regardless.

"I have to work a little on color contrast but I know I can improve, I hope to make a living off of art one day." Claire said, a happy distant look on her face. It was clear art was her greatest joy and bringer of peace in her life, she seemed to lose track of the world when thinking of it.

"They're all beautiful," I remarked, "I love your flowers."

"Thanks." She smiled, "what're you in for?"

"Um therapy and phycology. I want to help and work with troubled teens one day." I said.

"That's amazing, that's a great dream." She replied, "maybe we'll collaborate one day and save the world together!"