| When Words Fail | Jesse Swanson x Reader

College [1]

  Claire looked up at the large building in front of her as she scratched at the scar on her left thumb. She wasn't fond of the idea of going to college, but it's what her grandmother wanted for her, so she was willing to do it. Besides, it's only four years. Just like high school. She thought as she let out a sigh and glanced around the wave of college students. Just, bigger.

 

  Claire's eyes darted every which way, trying to take in the scene around her. She just wanted to find her dorm, but instead she found herself in the middle of an activities fair with her suitcase rolling behind her as she walked. Booths lined up on her left and right side while different groups of students sat in groups on the extra room on the grass. People were shouting in preppy voices, asking for other students to join their club or even to pay attention to them momentarily. A girl with wavy orange hair locked eyes with Claire, and she shot her hand forward with a bright smile.

  "Hi, you should totally consider joining the Barden Bellas, we're one of the four A Capella groups at Barden, and we're the best!" She chimed. A taller girl with equally wavy blonde hair smiled at Claire, but she could tell that it was forced.

  "Oh, sorry," Claire smiled awkwardly as the orange haired girl shoved the paper in her hands, "I don't really, uh, sing."

  "Oh, well, we can help you out with that!" The blonde smiled.

  "Yeah, you're totes pretty enough to sing." The orange haired girl nodded with a smile, and Claire mentally cringed.

  "Thanks?" She smiled fakely, her new mission being to escape the grasp of the girls in front of her.

  "You're welcome! I'm Chloe, and this is Aubrey." The orange haired girl chimed, the grin still shinning on her pearly white teeth.

  "Will we be seeing you at auditions tomorrow? It'll be in the auditorium." Aubrey asked before she glanced around Claire's shoulder.

  "I'll try to make it." Claire lied with a nod. She didn't have any interest in being part of any clubs, and these girls didn't seem like the kind of group she'd hang out in anyway.

  "Awesome!" Chloe giggled. She nodded back before gripping her suitcase again and hurrying off, not looking where she was going as her legs moved.

 

  Claire sighed as she closed her laptop and threw her bag over her shoulder. She was forcing herself to get back outside and see what was going on, since she knew that she would stay inside on her laptop all day if she didn't get out. Jogging out of her door and down the stairs, she pushed the door to the outside open, a wave of heat hitting her like a truck. A group of students weaved in and out between her as she threw her headphones on her head, leaving one ear exposed.

  "Woah, you okay?" A boy asked as he approached her with a warm smile. He wore a white shirt with a type of print, dark blue jeans, and black and white converse. His black hair and brown eyes complimented each other as his perfect teeth glistened in the sun.

  "Well, I'm not dead yet, so, yeah, I guess I'm fine." Claire responded with a side smile, shoving her phone in her back pocket.

  "Good, you look like a freshie, so I didn't want them killing one of us on the first day." He grinned, tilting his head slightly. He licked his plump lips as she chuckled.

  "You're a freshman too, awesome. I-I'm Claire, by the way." She smiled as she held her hand out for him. He shook it as he nodded his head at her.

  "Jesse, pleasure to meet you. You here for the activities fair, too?" He asked with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

  "I guess I am now." She chuckled, him smiling in response.

  "Well, shall we?" He asked as he held his hand out in a posh manner.

  "We shall." She smiled as she placed her hand in his with her eyes narrowed and a grin on her face.