Chasing The Sun

chapter 5

"Nova, working that hard really isn't good for your soul," Aspen told me one Thursday afternoon. I had just gotten back from a lecture and I was finishing an assignment that I had due for the following week.

"If I don't my father will kill me."

"Your father isn't here, Ms Goody Two Shoes," she replied, rolling her eyes. I could see a bit of concern in them though. Aspen was worried about me and it made me feel incredibly bad.

I had been working pretty hard the past two weeks and hadn't really made time for my friends. While they were out having fun, I was pulling all-nighters. My father was constantly calling me and pressuring me. Telling me I had to do well or else I would be forced to come home. I didn't want to go home. That was the absolute last thing that I wanted to do.

I was under so much stress and it was really starting to get to me. The bags under my eyes weren't even Gucci. From lack of sleep and using coffee as a meal replacement, I was starting to look like complete and utter shit. I needed to get out and have some fun.

"Did you want to do something tonight?" I asked.

Aspen's eyes lit up. "Yes! Charlie has been bothering me about seeing you again. Are you avoiding her? Like you see her on campus but you always run away."

I had been texting Charlie. Not as much as I would've wanted to, considering how busy I had been. The fact that she thought I was avoiding her caused me to frown. My attraction towards Charlie was undeniable. Anybody could see it. I couldn't tell people otherwise. I always wanted to be around her. Even though I didn't know her that well, I missed her company.

Aspen told me that she was going to call Cameron, Charlie and Damien and tell them to come over so that we could discuss the plans. Alex and Marcus hardly ever chilled with us. I had learned they didn't actually attend campus and were rather taking a gap year. That didn't stop them from attending every single college party though.

I jumped up from our little coffee table, closing my laptop and made my way over to the bathroom. I had to make myself look somewhat decent if Charlie was coming over. After applying a little bit of moisturizer to my face and wetting my hair, I was satisfied. I didn't look like that much of a zombie anymore.

Walking out of the bathroom, I found Charlie already lounging on my bed. I hadn't been gone for more than five minutes? When did she get there?

"Hey Sunshine," she winked at me.

"Hi Charlie," I greeted. "When did you get here?"

"I just finished a lecture, so I was in the area. Aspen messaged me and I came right over. Are you okay? You look tired."

I laughed slightly, agreeing with her. "I look tired because I am, but it's okay."

"What are we doing today?" Aspen asked. Her eyes were full of excitement. She leaned forward, grinning like a child on Christmas morning.

"I wanted to go and get my septum pierced," Charlie said.

Aspen looked at her like she was crazy. "You already have nose piercings on either side. Why would you get another one?"

"I think it would look nice," I commented, already picturing the septum piercing on her.

"Of course you would think that," Aspen said, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Why don't you get something as well?" Charlie asked, ignoring her.

My eyes widened, "I cant. My dad will kill me."

"You could always get it somewhere he can't see," she replied, looking me up and down and winking at me.

My cheeks instantly reddened and I looked away from her. What she said sent shivers down my spine.