C.A.L.M

Working for Harvard

The next week went by as a social dud. I shouldve saw it coming. Work started piling up in school so I had to confine myself to my room or a corner in order to stay in Australia. Every time I'd get lazy I'd just remind myself of how deprived I would be of all the amazing things that went on in my school. I didnt see Michael,Luke or Calum much out of class. I was busy studying and shooting hoops and they were busy jamming out. I'll admit I somehow felt uncomfortable after the whole music room scene. 

It was October 3rd and we had a day off for God's no what reason-the Aussies knew but I was just too buried in my book to ask around. To me it was a day to maybe take a break and maybe make some memories. Since it was a Friday we ended up having a long weekend and most of the dorm girls went out to get "shitfaced". I don't drink and i don't do drugs and was very firm on holding ground on these two attributes. 

I sat infront of the mirror and literally just stared at myself. Dead straight blackish-brown hair that fell down to my last rib,dark brown-not too huge,not too normal sized eyes and somewhat tanish skin. Apparently one of my ancestors was Pakistani and hence the somewhat tan skin and dark hair. I then moved my attention to my figure. I was what they called "healthy".Not slim,not fat-healthy. But we all know "healthy" is just a polite way of saying "lose some weight honey." I had never been happy with my body and I mean who could blame me. I ended up having stretch marks all over my body and they werent the usual white deep lines over your body-they were either bright red or maroon and all over my lower body. They covered my inner thighs and my ass. My hips were victim too. It looked like a wolf had tried to grab my hips and slow dance. It was not pretty. All those and my stupid glasses always made me feel ugly. I used to complain but now I had made peace with the fact that,that was just part of me now. While I was ever so lost in gazing at the way my hips curved,my phone began to ring. 

I didn't recognize the number but then again I didn't really have any ones number besides Nicole's. She gave me her number in case I ever needed a friend or had "girl emergencies". She would usually text me asking what outfit Luke would like and i just formed a pattern pick the 2nd one on one day,the 3rd the next time she asked and then the 1st. 2,3,1. 

"Hello?'

"SALLY! HI!",came a joyful voice from the other side. There was no forgetting that voice-like I said it omitted positivity for miles. I didnt know him for long but talking to him made me feel like I was at home not a foreign country with no family or friends.

"Hey Ashton,howre you?"

"Im fine thank you very much! Whatcha upto?"

'Having a ball staring at myself like a maniac'

'Uh not much.Hey Ashton,if you dont mind me asking-where exactly did you get my number from?"

"Oh I asked Calum. He gave it to me. I hope thats not a problem." 

Calum? Where the fuck did Calum get it from? Nicole. God. She was probably playing a stupid set up game by giving him my number. 

'No not at all. I'm glad you called. So,whats up?"

"Well! I have good news my lady.", Ashton said in a ever so Ashton way.

"Ahan and whats that?" 

My heart started pounding and all I could think was- what the fuck Sally.

"WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING NEIGHBORS!"

"Uh.."

"THE BOOKSTORE NEXT TO WHERE I WORK HAS A OPEN SPACE FOR YOU!"

"Holy shit! Thats awesome,thank you so-"

"SALLY. CHILD WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THANK YOUS." Australians accents slay,to be honest. 

"Oh shit,right. Can I say god bless you?"

"Hahaha yes you can maa lady. Any plans tonight?"

"Not really. Might read a bit."

"God. Sally. We dont want thicker glasses do we?"

'No we do not.", I chuckled. 

"Good. I'm coming to pick you up. Me and the lads are camping out near the beach. And no-you dont have a choice."

"Haha okay. See ya I guess."

"Bye Salster."

I didnt bother talking my way out of it because A)He said it so nicely B)It would be rude to decline and it I might end up making my only friend think I'm a bitch C) I was always talking about how I wanted to make memories and if not now then when. It took me by surprise at just how nice he was. I was scared of going yeah but Ashton was just a reassuring friend. He treated me like we've been friends for ages. In a total frenzy i brushed my teeth,combed my hair and put on my old basketball practice shirt with my favorite grey hoodie on top. I put on a random pair of your everyday jeans and my most prized possessions-my classic and only pair of Chucks. Everyone back home would roll their eyes and "say stop dressing like a fucking hobo" if they saw me. But hey I was a comfort before anything tomboy-what exactly did they expect. In 10 minutes i was ready. After 5 minutes at about 7:40,Ashton texted that he was outside. Before proceeding outside I told our floor incharge- Ms.Parrish that I was heading out. I told her where I was going and that I'd be back before 11 and she nodded and told me to take care. A very small but ever existent part of me hoped that she would say no and then I wouldnt be a 7th wheel with the guys and whoever else would be there but there was no escaping fate was there?