The College Story

The Ungraceful Entrance into College

The door was in sight-or as it could be when rain fell from the sky, as it splashed in my eyes. I blinked rapidly as I reached my hand out for the slick metallic door handle. My fingers wrapped around the handle, but as the cool rain splashed the handle, my fingers could not just get a good grip on the door. I was in so much of a rush to get inside the warm dry building my feet was running faster than my mind. All of a sudden my fingers slipped from the door as I swung it open and my feet fell out from under me.

My back slammed down on the wet cement sidewalk, for a second I had troubles breathing but I pushed myself up on my arms. I felt dizzy cold and wet. The door swung back hitting me in the waist but the door was the least of my problems right now. I propped myself up all the way to see dozen of pairs of eyes staring at me and the whole building so silent you can hear a pin drop.

I rubbed my forehead as a girl jumped up out of her booth rushing over to me. She had short dark purple hair that curled right under her ears. Her deep brown eyes made the color of her skin pop, seeming lighter. The girl wore a small silver nose ring but despite her looking different when she smiled she seemed like the nicest person in the world. She wore a sweatshirt that I couldn't quite catch the lettering and black leggings and wearing red rain boots. The girl reached out a hand to me. Without thinking I grabbed her small hand as she helped me to my feet.

The door slowly closed behind me as I took a few steps in the building. I looked around me as a puddle quickly formed around me. I didn't take the hood off of my rain jacket as I wanted to remain hidden.

"Are you alright?" The girl asked concern stricken over her face and especially in her eyes first breaking the silence. "Um yeah, thanks." I muttered as I quickly darted my eyes to the cream colored tile floor.

I felt a hand wrap around my wrist. Foolishly my eyes darted up to meet the girl who came to help me after my embarrassing accident. She smiled that lifted up to her eyes. "Hey, my name is Ashauntae."

I smiled and nodded my head as I quickly walked away. Great it's just the first day and I already made a big fool of myself. Just my luck. I shuffled my black boots across the dining hall, opting for the shortest line; the salad bar. Of course it would be the salad bar. I didn't want salad, not today, not on my first day but when the whole building knows you made a fool of yourself, the wisest thing to do was get in and get out of there as fast as possible.

As I reached for the ranch dressing, drizzling it across my salad two guys got in line behind me, muttering something about football-which I never cared for.

"Yeah, coach mentioned that he wants us eating healthy to be in shape for the season." One grunted.

Another snorted. "I don't get it. It tastes like grass, flavorless and gross."

I slid my plate along the counter as I grabbed crackers then quickly leaving to fill up my glass with water next to the vending machine. I tried not to think about their conversation but the thought that one of them ate grass before nauseated me.

"Too bad we weren't here earlier." I heard a voice say as the water fizzed into my drink.

"Yeah I would have liked to see who slipped. Too bad it's on the first day. We don't know everyone yet."

"I heard it was a freshman and the only girl who talked to her was a sophomore."

"What did they say she wore? A gray rain jacket and rain boots, black?"

I froze as I began to walk away. 'Run!' my mind screamed, but my feet sticked like glue. The one time I wanted to run I couldn't.

"Like, her?"

Once I was called out, my fingers almost slipped out from my plate and cup, but I managed to hold onto my drink and plate. But I didn't more than just holding onto my food, I clenched them; my knuckles turned white but I felt my face heat up, turning red. I slowly turned around, mustering up all the courage I can to face them, but I knew my hands shook.

I gave them a pointed look, "yes I'm the girl that slipped and fell, the girl that everyone got a good laugh at. It was quite a hoot." I grumbled but my tone was not humorous.

One; who was a little shorter and a little lanky with dust blonde hair and light brown eyes with freckles on his cheeks and nose laughed, the other; who was taller had dark brown hair, darker tan skin and brown eyes that were almost as dark as Ashauntae's just smiled, amused. He folded his arms looking at his friend. I studied him for a second longer. There was something familiar about him but I couldn't place my finger on it. I walked up to the cash register where I gave her my card. She swiped it and walked away to a table, not looking back at the two guys I ran into.

I briskly walked to a table in the corner, facing the wall. I grabbed my fork, digging into my salad. So maybe it wasn't the best idea to go to a school where no one else from my school went to. I was thinking it would be a fresh start but it would have been nice for someone to comfort me, or even sit with me.

Then Ashauntae grabbed a chair across from me sitting down across from me with a half empty drink of pop. "Hey, girl what's up?" She spoke in a bubbly tone it took me by surprise.

I gave her a look as I dogged my fork into my salad, not getting any croutons this time as I shoved a way too big of a bite into my mouth. Okay so I wanted to take back what I said.

"Woah, easy, don't choke."

I swallowed seconds later but that was still a too big of gulp but I wouldn't admit it to her. She handed me my water, the ice floated at the top. I hesitantly took the drink as I lifted it up to my lips, the cool water flowing through my mouth as I gulped it down. I offered her a smile, showing my thanks.

She placed an elbow on the table, she opened her mouth to say something then closed it. Curiosity pricked at me like an itch that burned with each passing moment that you can't reach. Damn it, curiosity was my weakness.

"What?" I asked, honestly intrigued but against my better judgement.

"It's not high school."

"What?" I asked but this time I kept my eyes down pushing around the remaining leaves and bits of tomato. I shook my head, hating myself for digging my whole further.

"College, it's not like high school."

"I know that." I snapped at her quickly, too quickly.

Ashauntae sat back in her chair as she folded her hands, placing them on the table. I had the sudden feeling I was at job interview. Each minute that passed by got worse and worse.

"I'm not just talking about the classes but the people, too."

I glanced up at her. "Oh yeah?" I asked just for her amusement, I was less interested than sounded to be.

"Whatever happened in high school, and whatever social interaction you had, you need to let that go."

I pursed my lips and nodded. I didn't need some lecture from a girl who's been a freshman who thinks she all high and mighty. Besides she couldn't possible know what I was thinking and what I've been through.

"Sorry for wasting your time," Ashauntae mumbled, snatching her cup as she stood. "I was just thinking, this poor girl slipped and might be hurt. No one came to help her so why not me? I thought maybe we could have been friends. I guess everyone is like me."

"I can look after myself," I spoke with more edge in my voice than I wanted to.

I watched her walk away, pushing the doors open glancing back at me. I didn't have enough strength to hold her stare as she left. My head darted down and my fingers tapped on my thigh. My mind often betrayed my heart, and today was one of those times.

+***+

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for looking into this book. Any thoughts or comments on the first chapter? I hope to update every Friday, but I can't promise that with having a busy schedule. Thanks for your patience and understanding. 

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