Hidden

Chapter One,

College, the disguised word for Prison. How many days had I been trapped in this forsaken place? I'd lost count. But with the passing of each day, it made the thought of graduation so much more intriguing and that's what I was really looking forward to. The life after collage, entering into the world with my degree in hand and being able to make something of myself— not just in the workplace, but being able to contribute to society as well. It was the second semester of my final year in 'Early Childhood and Primary Teaching,' I'd already been offered to work at and ELC locally and having completed two years placement there, I knew the staff and the children quite well. I'd just entered building 515 for my morning lecture and was struggling to hold my books, computer and drinker bottle when 'THUD.' The next minute I realise I'm on the floor, my books scattered all over the carpet and my drinker bottle bracing the fall for my laptop (thank god.) "Ouch" I say. "I'm so sorry" A male voice responds. "I wasn't watching where I was going, I'm actually running late for a lecture myself." "I'm not running late" I replied. "My lecture doesn't start for another 15 minutes." "Right" He says. "I apologise again" Offering his hand to help me up. At this point, I hadn't looked up to see who had taken me out. But when I did, I'm physically stopped in my tracks. The way his hair caught the sunlight. The way his lips pulled back into a perfect smile. His legs giving him the perfect height and his arms, the perfect muscle definition. This was honestly the most gorgeous human being I'd ever seen in my life. "Hi" He smiles, as I take his outstretched hand. "My names Jackson, I'm studying my 'Diploma of Building and Construction' here at RMIT." "Hello" I say as I gather my belongings, clearing my throat. "My names Samantha, I'm studying my 'Early Childhood and Primary Teaching' degree." "Very nice to meet you" Jackson replies. "Oh crap! Look at the time" He says glancing at his watch. "I better head off, otherwise I'm going to be even later then anticipated." "It was nice meeting you Samantha." And before I could even reply he was off running down the hall and eventually, out of sight. "Wow" I thought to myself. "I'd never seen him around campus before, he must be a mid-semester transfer." Once I realised how much contemplation I was putting into this, I shook the thought of Jackson from my head, balanced my books, computer and drinker bottle in my arms and made my way to my lecture. Today we were learning about the Pedagogical Framework for Teaching and after class, our professor would be handed us one of our final assignments before the commencement of our exams. "Exams, ew." I scrunched up my nose and pulled a disgustful face. "What are you doing?" One of my friends giggled as she stood next to my desk. "Just thinking about exams. What else would I be thinking about?" I pushed Rebecca softly. "Duh! How about the ridiculously hot guy you were talking to this morning?" "I saw him talking to you and offering to help you after you fell. Good time to be clumsy hey Sam?" She laughed again. "Well actually..." I readied myself to correct her. "He literally took me out in the hallway, mentioned something about being late for a morning lecture for Building and Construction." "Oh sure sure, your such a liar." "If I saw him running in the corridor, I'd pretend to fall over to." When Rebecca thought she was right, there was often no point trying to convince her otherwise. Especially if it involved a boy she could 'potentially' hook me up with. "Ok ok, you win." I surrendered. "I knew it!" She squealed and did a little victory dance. "So, when do you think you'll see him again?" "To be honest, I'm actually not sure." I answered, hoping to cure Rebecca's curiosity (which I knew wouldn't.) "Seriously Sam? Give me the details!" "I'm keen for a distraction from our upcoming exams." "That's exactly what I'm talking about!" I said. "What do you mean?" She replied, with a tone that indicated Rebecca was about to get serious with me. "Well, exams are too close and I don't need a so called 'distraction,' it will only add to my already existing stress." She rolled her eyes. "You need to chill." "I know the majority of your life evolves around school, but lets be realistic.. you are entitled to a little fun. Right?" "I guess so." I gave in. "That's my girl! Now, I got to go. I'll catch up with you later?" Rebecca said shouting down the corridor. "Sure thing" I shouted back. "See you later."