The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 5

Re-Edited

-CFF 

__________________________ 

Three weeks later, I take off my motorcycle helmet and shake my hair back into place. Having short hair makes it rather easy to put back into place with a shake and a few comb throughs with my hands. Removing my earbuds from my ears, they are tucked into my pocket along with my mp3 player for a later us. Keys are pulled from the ignition of the cycle. As I walk to the front doors of the university's administration building, the keys are deposited into the front pocket of my jeans, prepped to be forgotten about immediately. 

A marble sign engraved with the words The University of Southern California greets me when I climb stone steps in front of the building. The fact that I am finally here at my dream school makes me feel like I'm floating. Years of devoted studies and endless waiting has finally paid off. Within the main hall students clamber about getting last minute preparations completed for the year. 

This is the final day for all students to deposit required housing fees at the administration. Classes begin next week, but with the amount of students milling about in front of me, I understand why official business is happening today. There will be a campus tour soon for freshmen, but first I know I'm supposed to check in at the main office. Although; I have no idea which direction to head in. A group of females are leaning against the eastern wall, looking like my best option.

"Excuse me!"  I call out, approaching. One turns around, revealing a perfect cheerleader body. She has long and wavy blonde hair, with what appears to be fake highlights streaking through the locks. Her choice of outfit, tacky to be sure, reminds me of high school. Knee high boots, a high top and a mini skirt. My thoughts immediately drift to a dress code. Raising an eyebrow, her eyes roll over me, sizing me up like fresh meat. No one told me college students can be like high schoolers. The barbie doll has two sidekicks with matching outfits. For a moment I wonder if I'm actually at the wrong school.

Wish a stereotypical valley girl accent, so perfect I wonder if she practices, the blonde offers a response to my interruption. "Yeah? What do you want?" Her tone registers me in a class that screams lower life form. I take a breath before I speak, determined to not make enemies on the first day. "Can you tell me how to get to the registrars office?" Exchanging looks with her fellow barbies, a grin forms on lips that seem unnaturally thick. Neither companion addresses me, allowing what I assume to be the leader to take initiative in this conversation. "You're one of the new kids. I thought you smelled...off."

Immature is the only adjective that comes to mind as she continues. "Here's the thing. If you want to survive at USC, you need to stand on your own. So find your own way." Her smug face registers surprise as the only response that seems logical is to look at her and allow the laughs I feel to surface. "Really? Well. That was unexpected." She only frowns, disliking my response. Bullies are everywhere and college it seems will be no exception. However, I've had my fair share of people who like pushing others around, and know how to handle them. The best tool is to show them that nothing they do truly gets under your skin

I give the girl a once over, chuckling again. "Nice outfit." I couldn't resist giving a little remark before I would go to find the office. The blonde's eyebrows furrow, and she raises a finger in my direction. But before either of us can say another word, a voice calls out, "Bethany!"

Behind us approaches a girl of Asian heritage, with black hair in a braid that bounces as her little lithe body hurriedly comes to stand by us. "Bethany. I see you're helping a new student. Good for you." Straight sarcasm rolls off every word, with the blonde glowering at each syllable. Bethany. I'll have to remember that. The new girl turns to me, extending a hand. "Hello. I'm Wakako."

I gladly shake, smiling softly. "Nice to meet you. My name's Evangeline. Can you tell me how to get to the office? Bethany," I smile bigger, deciding to share in Wakako's sarcasm, "got confused when giving me directions." If Barbie Bethany were a teapot she'd be steaming.

"Absolutely." Without another look back, Wakako steers me down another hallway. She has a friendly disposition that continues as she carries conversation. "Glad to see a newbie with spunk." I shake my head, annoyed at those types of people. "She's such a Barbie, it's ridiculous." Wakako's sudden loud laughter takes me by surprise, though I'm glad she finds it funny. "How about that, Nickname Queen has one of her own."  Pretty sure I'm following along, but wanting confirmation I inquire, "The cheerleader?"

"Right. Bethany Dowd gives everyone a nickname. You'll probably have one before long, knowing her." I have something to look forward to. Wonderful. "What made you want to come to USC?" Wakako changes the topic, and I am glad to have a question that I can become excited about. "My dream is to act professionally. USC has a fantastic drama program, and I can look for an agent while getting my degree."

"Someone with a plan, wonderful. Not many students know what they want to do with their lives. Where I've always had a plan. I'm going to design video games one day."

"That sounds awesome. Good luck with that."

"I don't need good luck, I just need good grades." Coming to a halt in front of a crystal door, Wakako gestures to the front, "Here we are. Office. Good luck!" She grins, quoting my earlier expression. With a wave we depart from each others company.

Necessary paperwork takes little time, and I leave the office around twenty minutes later. The worker behind the desk informed me that the campus tour would begin outside of the admin building, and apparently would be led by an older student. I really hope the older student isn't Bethany.

 Since I have yet to memorize the ins and outs of the on campus buildings, I simply take the way I came earlier. Outside the doors, I see the freshman crowded around, waiting for the tour to start. At the end of the crowd stands the leader. I find that it isn't Bethany. In fact, its much worse. Alexander Kingsman is standing by another student, discussing places to take us freshman. I had no idea he went here. Does he have to follow me everywhere?