From strangers to penguins

1

I walked up to my car with Andy and hopped in while he put his bike in the back. I started my music as I pulled off campus grounds. I put my sunglasses on as the wind blew my hair around and I could feel my shirt flying up. I pulled up to the skate park and pulled into one of the shady spots. "Why do I keep getting dragged here?" I asked him, and he smiled. "Oh shut up, like you dont love it here." I smirked. "And because you have a topless jeep which is the best summer car." I nodded and climbed out and waited for him to get his bike out. "Actually, its fall. And the fact that its still topless is insane." I stated. 

"Its still in the 80s, why wouldnt we have the top off?" I shook my head and kept walking. When we reached the edge of the skate park some guys came over to say hi to us. I climbed up one of the ramps and took my usual spot on the bench in the corner. I said hey to some of Andys friends and then got my camera out to start taking pictures. After about half an hour I got bored of that and set the camera next to me. I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lighter. As I lit it up Andy immediatly noticed and took a couple of hits and then went back to riding and left me to smoke. I was mid inhale when someone walked over to me and leaned on the railing. "Hey. Arent you in my Psychology class?" He asked me, and I looked up to see who it was. "Lexie, right?" I nodded and exhaled the smoke. "Can I have a hit?" I handed it to him and watched as he smoked. "Im Cayden by the way." He said as he handed the joint back to me. I smiled, "Lexie. But you already knew that." He smiled, and looked out at his friend who was trying to leave. "Well, I'll see you around Lexie," He told me as he got on his skateboard and road away. 

I leaned back against the railing and finished smoking. I was watching the guys skate but my mind could only think about Cayden. Everyone knew who Cayden Adler was. He was the quaterback on the football team. The college hottie that every girl wanted. He frequented the frat parties and was the most popular guy in school. Why was he at the skate park? And since when did guys like that smoke? I was pulled back to reality when Andy rode up to me and asked if I was ready to go. I nodded and got up from my spot, and headed back to campus.

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Monday morning I heard my alarm start beeping and I shoved my head under a pillow as I snoozed it. When it went off the second time I heard Kristy yell at me. "I swear to god Lexie if you dont get the fuck up I will shoot you." I groaned and rolled out of bed. I rummaged through our closet and landed on leggings and a crop top with a flannel in case it was cold. As I walked into the bathroom to do something with my hair I heard Kristy crawl out of her bed and get ready. I quickly brushed through the tangles and straightened my wavy ends. I shut off the straightner when Kristy walked over and observed the way I looked in the mirror.

I stared at the way my stomach looked where the crop top didnt cover it. I pulled up my leggings a little higher and sucked in it as I faced to the side. I look at myself with disgust and then faced forward again. I grabbed the black snapback from the counter and put it on backwards as I watched the auburn hair tuft out of the front. "Hey. We don't have time for you to obsess over your appearance. Your gonna be late for class." I rolled my eyes at her and went back to the sink, quickly applying eyeliner and mascara. With one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the apartment with Kristy. 

I explained to her yesterday at the skate park while we waited for my coffee to be done. When I told her that Cayden not only smoked and did all of that other stuff but he knew my name, she freaked out. "Oh my god! The most popular guy in school asked for a smoke? I mean, I know that your well known around here, but I didnt think Cayden freaking Adler knew your name!" I laughed "Kris. Try to remember that I was the head cheerleader. Of course he knew who I was."  She rolled her eyes and kept walking down the hall as I started to go into my class! "Keep me up to date on any Cayden releated events, ill see you back at the apartment tonight." Kristy yelled after me.

I settled into my usual spot in the back trying to tune out the miscellaneous conversations around me. I took out my notebook and started drawing when the classroom went quite. I looked up to see Cayden walking in, and instead of going to his usual seat he walked to the backrow and sat down next to me without seeing a word. I glanced at him and allowed myself to be mesmerized by his green eyes for a second before I went back to my notebook, trying to ignore what had just happened. 

Class began, and I tried to take diligent notes, but my mind kept wandering to Cayden. When class was over, I packed up my shit and he did the same. He turned to look at me one last time and then left the classroom without saying a word to me. I stood up trying to make senses of what just happened as I walked to my next class.

I went through the day like it was a dream. I couldnt recall anything that happened. The only thing in my mind was why did Cayden sit next to me in class? I got back to the apartment and quickly changed from my croptop to a hoodie and then climbed out onto the fire escape. I figured out my music and then pulled out a pack of cigarettes and started smoking. 

"I thought I would find you out here. Aren't you freezing?" Kristy said pulling me out of my thoughts. I gave her a half ass smile and pulled out another cigarette as she handed me a blanket. I lit it up and watched as she situated her chair and got comfortable. "Okay, whats going on. Youre never out here this late. Your always in bed by now." She asked me and I just kept my eyes of the cigarette, focusing on the smoke coming and in out of me. When I was done, I spoke. 

"Cayden sat next to me in psych today. Didnt say anything to me, but sat next to me." 

"Why?" She questioned and I shrugged. "He likes you." I laughed.

"The star football player does not like me. Your delusional." She shook her head and got up from her chair to head inside, waiting in the window sill for me to follow her.