Scholars | c.s

2

Unpacking is up there with Partying on the list of things that I hate to do. "So are you thinking of coming to that mixer thing tonight?" Fliss asked me breaking the silence. I take a moment to consider it whilst taking out and sorting all the jeans in my suitcase.

"Hmm, nah I think I'll give that one a pass."
"What? Why?"
A group of sweaty people that I don't know. Unsupervised. Alcohol.
"It just doesn't really sound like my type of thing." I shrug.

Fliss looks at me like I'm an alien. "You know I wasn't actually asking," She laughs. "I was only making sure. You're definitely coming."
I stare at her blankly.

"You know, this is actually kind of cute, I feel like I'm taking you under my wing." She adds

"No offence Fliss but I don't think you could even fit me under your wing until you grow a little taller," I smirk.
"Look in my defence," I continue, "I'm not proud but I'd be lying if I didn't tell you my family is extremely middle class."
"How middle class?"

"They probably attributed to Brexit. Anyway my point is, I know for a fact that I wouldn't fit in at event that is only hosted so that everyone can get drunk. In our house it's definitely champagne over fruit flavoured cider." I reply.

"Okay fair enough. But it's in a club so you can order the champagne you like, and literally everyone is going. I would never forgive myself if I let you miss it.

I snort at her over-enthusiasm but eventually roll my eyes as I give in.
"You strike me as very over dramatic." I giggle as I get up and head towards the bathroom.

"Well I mean, I'm studying performing arts so I'll take that as a compliment. She replies and we both laugh.
"I'll give you an A for effort. But all jokes aside, I'm leaving by 12."

"Wow, okay sure Cinderella." She laughs back.

                                     ******
I take one step into the dimly lit club and I turn on my heel ready to leave as soon as I get a hit of the sweaty BO in the air. Fliss grabs me by the arm and drags me into the club with surprisingly strong grip for a girl so small.

"Ew Fliss! This place is disgusting." I grimace, "If I wanted to be man-handled and forced to speak to people I would've stayed at home - with my mother. What even is this place?" I ask ungripping her hand from my arm.

"All I'm hearing from you right now is yak-yak-yak." Fliss snaps, "This goes for both tonight and university as a whole; It's only going to be as fun as you make it. So please for your own sake, go and socialise or something." She babbles hastily as she begins to speed off leaving me standing awkwardly and abandoned.

All of my basic intelligence is urging me to leave here and now but I push those thoughts away and decide that I've come all this way so I may as well at least order a drink, plus I do look really good, if I say so myself.

I saunter over to the bar and order a Prosecco as I'm pretty sure people around here drink it and I won't look too pretentious. I fish into my bag, searching for my note book; I went through a lot of stress attempting to slip it into my bag without Fliss seeing, because from what I've gathered so far, she seems likely to have yanked it from my hands and ripped every page into shreds in a bid to 'get me to socialise.'

I'm in a midst of thoughts which are suddenly interrupted by a voice behind me.
"Prosecco on your first Freshers night out? Weird but interesting choice. You seem wild." Says the male voice behind me.

"I'll just have a Jack and Coke- on the rocks." He speaks to the bartender. The Eton College warning signs are flashing loudly in my mind.
"Excuse me?" He says as he taps my shoulder.

With an exaggerated sigh I turn around.
"Can I help you?"

"I was just going to say, your Prosecco looks like it's getting flat." He nods to my glass with a smirk. A kind of cute smirk. However, I'm not feeling his ego at all and it's probably not a good idea to swoon over the first guy that hits on me. In a kind of creepy way actually. I'm definitely not drinking from that glass again.

"You look like you don't want to be here." He continues.
I shut my notebook and look up.

"What gave it away? My excited body language or the huge smile on my face?" I ask sarcastically.

"Neither. More so the fact that you're dressed up way too classy for this place so you probably had no idea where you were actually going and I feel like you're equally as pessimistic as me if not more which pretty much confirms it." He says taking a sip from his drink.

I snort at his cheesiness but a small smile manages to sneak away.
"What, do you think you're Sherlock Holmes or something?" I ask.

"I'm Raphael, but you Moody, can call me Raph. And you?"

"Ursula." I respond bluntly.

"If your names Ursula then mines Stupid."
"Hmm, am I supposed to argue with that?" I snigger back. "But fine, I'm Val."

"Just Val?"
"Val short for Valentina. I'm assuming you want my full address and date of birth too?"

"All in due time Valentina."

I take a look at my watch. Ha. So much for 12, it's only 10.49pm yet I feel like I could sleep for an entire decade.

"Let me buy you another drink Valentina?" Raph offers looking me straight in my eyes making me feel kind of flustered and uncomfortable.

I consider for a moment and then finally come to my senses. "Normally I'd at least concoct some type of lie to excuse myself, but tonight I'm way too tired to do that so I'm just going to kindly say no." I say standing up.

"Cold." He replies slowly taking a drink. "I'll see you around Valentina." He adds as I pick up my bag and leave.

*******
Up until the point that I'd tucked myself into bed, I hadn't realised how late it actually was.
I'm just about to switch the light off when I glance over at Fliss's empty bed and debate about whether I should wait up for her. Although she seems nice enough, I only
just met her and I'm pretty sure she can take care of herself. Not to mention I definitely didn't see this same amount of concern when he left me alone in that club. On that thought I switch the light off.
A/N
Sorry for the lack of action in this chapter but chapters are about to take off!! Thanks for reading and don't forget to Comment and Vote if you liked it
                                   xoxo