The Wall and the Flower

Chapter 4: First (Real) Day (Wanda's POV)

The weekend flew by faster than I would've liked. In about...an hour I would have my first class, and to say that I was nervous was a little bit of an understatement. I was already in terms of supplies since me, Claire, and Pietro took a ride to a nearby Staples and the campus bookstore to pick up supplies and out books for class. Sunday was more of a relax day. Me and Claire talked some more and even hung out around campus learning the lay of land and afterwards met up with Pietro after his run. He hung around a few other guys who were clearly athletes and wouldn't stop saying the word "bro." According to Claire, he's a "douche-bag bro boy," though I'm not sure what that means; all I know is that he started to annoy her with all the "bro-talk."

I stood by my desk, placing my notebooks and textbooks that I needed for the day into my bookbag when I heard Claire wake up and roll over, letting out a loud and sad groan that almost resembled a scream.

"Uggghhhh! Why is it so fucking early?! Why is it Monday?! Why am I here?!"

I chuckled at her as I continued to pack up my stuff, crossing the room to grab extra stuff that I might need and smacking her lightly with a pillow to make her get up. She muttered a guttural groan as she sat up and rubbed her face aggressively with her hands. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed and grabbing her towel and shower caddy, she left the room, groaning as she walked down the hall as she entered the communal bathroom.

I grabbed my bag and headphones and left the room, exiting the dorm. Walking outside, I pulled out my schedule and looked over my class list and the buildings that they were in. The air was cool, but still warm and the sun peaked through the leaves of the trees, casting bright yellow light on the white sidewalks.

The streets were filled with bustling students who were in a hurry to get their morning coffee before their class. I passed the campus coffee shop, and looking in the window, I saw the long line of tired and thirsty students and was grateful that the taste of coffee didn't agree with me.

I entered the class room and took a seat in the front though off the side close to the wall. There were already a few other students in the room, and not long after I got there, the professor entered and set up their stuff and engaged with a few students while they waited for class to start.

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"Hey! Wanda!" I turned my head and took out one of my headphones. I smiled when I saw Claire's familiar red hair running towards me.

"Hi."

Claire breathed hard as she caught up to me, slouching over to catch her breath. I chuckled at her and grasped her shoulder lightly. She looked up at me and let out a deep breath that was a mix between a laugh and a scoff.

"What are you doing here? Isn't it too early for you to be outside?" I asked her with a laugh. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You know it's after 1:00 right?"

I laughed and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. She blushed too and let out a nervous cough.

"Yeah it's just...you're more of a night owl than an early bird..."

"Actually, I'm more of what the memers call an 'afternoon pigeon.'" I shook my head at her as I laughed again and draped an arm around her shoulders.

"Where are you headed?" I asked her as we started walking. She returned the action and I felt her arm wrap around my back.

"I don't know. I'm finished with class so I was probably gonna grab another coffee or maybe lunch and head back to the room. Where are you going?"