College Experience

Chapter 2

Nick woke up to the silence. Usually, he heard Anna snoring away. He looks over to her bed to see it empty.

"God da-" He slowly gets up and throws on a hoodie and sneakers. He jogs to the beach and sees the fire out and a person passed out on a blanket. Nick sprints over and sees a few empty bottles and Anna on her side on the ground.

"Bellbell wake up..." He shakes her shoulder and she groans. He bites his lip thinking on what he can do, and decides the best thing to do would be to carry her back. He wraps an arm around her knees and her neck, lifting her up and walking across the beach. Jumping onto the path he makes it back to the dorm and puts her on her bed. Her makeup was mostly wiped off already, so he just took off whatever was left softly. He took our her 3 earrings in each ear, as well as her necklace. He left the anklet since she never took that off since it was her mother's. 

Thank god it was Saturday now, so at the least she would get today and tomorrow off. He knew her body was going to be hurting. She always overdid it. He took off her shoes and then draped the blankets over her. She could change out in the morning from her outfit. Nick looked at her innocent face for a moment, sighing a little. He rests his head against's her's for a moment, then throws his hoodie and shoes off and jumps back into his bed. It was 2 am and he had fitness training yesterday which drained him enough and he had more today for hockey. He closed his eyes, trying to see if he can drift back into a peaceful sleep. He tosses and turns a few times, but finally reaches a peaceful bliss and slips into the darkness.

Anna groans, having the light being seen through her eyelids. She tucks her head under her pillow, then realizes she's no longer on the beach.

"The hell...?" She sits up a little and sees Nick passed out on his bed with his shoes and hoodie on the ground. He would never normally put them there. She groans and flops back down. He found out. She got really messed up last night. I mean, who can say no to free alcohol? Actually, a lot of people. One day she knew Nick wasn't going to be there to save her and she hated that idea. Anna looked over at him, watched his breathing. They had been best friends for years. She remembered the first day they met.

It was a few weeks since the beginning of 8th grade. Anna had made a few friends and noticed there were bullies who liked to pick on the kids. She avoided them easily, she took mixed martial art classes, so people knew not to mess with her. When she was walking out of the ladies room, she noticed the bullies kicking a kid around. Anna ran over and punched one right in the nose, breaking it. The bully fell on the ground, and the others took off in fear of getting beat up. The bully chased off after their gang, holding their nose.

She turns towards the kids that was still on the ground. Anna kneeled down next to him and held out a hand.

"Here, let me help you up. Those guys are total cakeholes." The kid raises his head and hesitates to take her hand, but eventually takes it. He stands up slowly, limping. 

"Are you okay...? Where are you hurt?" Anna begins to worry, holding the kid up.

"I'm alright. I think I sprained my ankle when I tripped... I was trying to run from them but that didn't work. Thank you for saving me." He smiles brightly.

"Of course. I am totally gonna teach you how to beat them up though! My name is Anna. What is your name?" She smiles back brightly.

"Nick. My name is Nick." He giggles and she helps him slowly to the nurse's office.

She smiles at the memory, still watching over him. She gets up, wincing as she hits the ground. Her body aches from so much physical activity last night. She shuffles over to Nick's bed and shakes his shoulder softly. He groans a little, but rolls over and looks up at her.

"Hey Bellbell. How are you feeling?" Nick moves his hand to her arm.

"I'm alright. Thank you for bringing me home last night." She smiles, but sighs.

"Yea, even though I told you not to go again" Nick huffs loudly, "You could have been seriously hurt, Anna."

"I... I know Nick... I'm really sorry..." She closes her eyes. Suddenly she gets pulled down so she is on his bed. He holds her close in his arms, not wanting to really let her go.

"I swear to god if anything were to happen to you..." He has his eyes closed tightly. She's shocked for a moment but then hugs tightly back. She closes her eyes and relaxes into his arms. They stay like that for a few moments, then she slowly let's go, and Nick follows her lead. 

"I got hockey today so I'll be gone for a few hours okay?" He clears his throat for a moment, "Will you be okay on your own?"

"Yea, I think I'll be fine. Thanks." She smiles at him. He nods once, and then gets up and then grabs his clothing and changes in the bathroom. He walks back in and notices shes sitting at her desk, massaging her shoulder. Nick smiles a little and then grabs his bag and walks out the door, shutting it behind him. He blushes deeply remembering the hug, but begins his walk towards the rink. 

As Nick adjusts the collar of his shirt, someone walks by and slams their shouldering into his. He looks up quickly to see Chance take a few more steps before turning and leaning against the wall.

"What the hell do you want Chance." Nick growls out, his jaw clenched tightly.

"You shouldn't go near Anna. She was and never will be yours." He shoots at Nick, giving a pointed glare.

"Is this all about the kiss yesterday? The fact is Chance you lost your 'chance'" He smiles at his own pun "And a deadbeat like you never deserved a beautiful and talented girl like that." Nick fires back fast, making Chance feel threatened, but he quickly recovers. 

"Please, at least I could make her feel good in multiple ways." Chance smiles cruelly. 

"Dude, you have more dick in your personality then whats your pants." Nick smiles back, and laughs as Chance can't think of a comeback. 

"Watch is Nick. You better make sure you don't lose that girl of yours. One day, you won't be there for her." Chance walks off, stepping into his room and slamming the door. Nick gulps a little, but shakes his head softly. He didn't mean anything by it. Right...?