The Rainbow at the end of my storm

•5•

"I've been trying to contact you since you arrived yesterday, are you okay? Is everything going well? Have you had your first class yet?"

I was still seated in the lecture hall when my phone had buzzed. My stomach sunk at moms words, I hadn't phoned or text since I got here; I got too caught up with all the excitement.

"Sorry mom, I've just finished my first class. I'm still in the room."

I was actually the only one left. Even Mr Bennett had left. I'd intentionally waited till everyone had gone, but mainly because I wanted no where near Mason. He'd taken off as soon as Mr Bennett had stated we were done for the day, and to say I was glad wouldn't be a lie. I was thankful.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I'll call you back?" She sounded slightly hurt but understanding too.

"No, no. Don't worry, It's finished" I stood, my phone balancing between my shoulder and ear, as I placed my books back into my black bag.

"Okay, well, is everything going well?" She asked.

"Yeah mom, it's great. I've settled in well and I've brought some things for my room. It's perfect." I began walking down the middle of the chairs, heading for the door.

"And your roommate?" She sounded hopeful, worried in case I said something unsettling.

"She's amazing mom, she's nothing like the girls back home and I actually feel like I have a friend for once" I'd paused as I spoke, smiling to myself. Bree really was great.

"Oh, I'm so happy, Vi" I heard the smile in her voice.

We continued talking as I approached the double doors. Mom was missing me just as expected, where as dad didn't seem slightly bothered; he hadn't called or text. I don't know why I was so bothered, he made it clear all he was interested in was how his money was spent.

"I'll speak to you tomorrow sweetie, enjoy your day"

"Bye mom. I love you" I felt more emotional than I did when I left, I hadn't realised I'd missed her so much. She was always there for me.

I carried on strolling towards the library, when a familiar face jumped in front of me.

"Hey! Victoria, right?"

Johnny.

"Hi!" He leaned in and gave me a hug.

"These are my friends; Pippa, Marc, and Daniel" he gestured to the three individuals sitting at the round white table.

I introduced myself and found myself sucked into an hour long conversation with them.

"So, once, Marc had tried to talk this girl into a date with him. It went horribly wrong" Pippa was laughing as she explained. "She gave him a fake number and everything, when he turned up at the restaurant her dad was waiting for him"

Laughter burst from my lungs, my hand instantly flying up to cover my mouth. I was enjoying myself, forgetting all about the assignment Mr Bennett had given, as well as forgetting about Mason, when those familiar eyes came into view again. It was like a nightmare that happened each night; he was everywhere.

"You know Mason?" I hadn't realised I'd been staring back at those hypnotic brown eyes until Johnny asked me that.

"What?" I looked at him, shocked that I'd been caught. "No. I don't know him"

He chuckled. "Sure looks like you do"

"Well, I don't" I shrugged, not giving eye contact. He knew I was lying.

"He's bad news, Victoria-"

"I just said-" I interrupted, looking at him, but he interrupted me back.

"I know, But actions mean more than words. I'm also just stating facts" he gave my should a squeeze before standing to depart with his friends.

"We got class, see you round"

I was left by myself, thoughts spinning round my head. He's bad news. I know all about 'bad news' and I didn't need anymore of it. Unfortunately, I had no choice to be faced with it as he strolled towards me. His walk was calm, sexy, and he was clearly aware of his effect on people.

Slumping down onto the chair in front he spoke. "I was a little disappointed when you said no earlier"

Ignoring him sounded like the best bet right now. I gripped the strap of my bag and stood, only his fingers gained control of my forearm again. A tingling sensation burnt through my skin where his hand laid still.

"Vicky, I just-"

"Don't call me that!"

The whole room went silent. Being in a cafeteria meant that my voice echoed off the walls, springing from ear to ear. Everyone was staring.

"God, just leave me alone. Please" tears threatened to fall as I spun in the opposite direction. Mainly from embarrassment but also because I couldn't control how my body reacted when Mason got near. I'd met him less than twenty four hours ago and he was already getting under my skin.

The look of shock on his face should of been enough to convince me he'd leave me alone from now on, but he didn't. He followed me outside the cafeteria, all the way to my dorm.

"Victoria"

I passed a group of girls, noticing their seductive smirks and tiny waves as he passed them. Girls loved him, just like Kieran.

I stepped through the doors of my building, heading straight for the stairs. I didn't want to wait for the elevator.

"Victoria"

He was still trying to get my attention, but I didn't understand why. I'd screamed at him, embarrassed us both, and asked to be left alone. Was he crazy?

His foot steps got louder as he joined me on the hallway for my dorm. I turned to see he was definitely following me, desperate for my attention. I couldn't give in; I needed to get away.

The situation felt way too similar, but it was far from it. The walls felt like they were closing in around me, suffocating me. If I didn't get away it would happen again. I started to panic.

I reached my door, the keys jingling as I pulled them from my bag, and rattling against the door as my hand shook. I was having a panic attack, something I hadn't suffered from in months. Since I was put on antidepressants, I hadn't had one. Yet I was suffering extreme sharp pains in my chest, and panic circulated through me.

"Victoria, stop, please" his hand fell on the door in front of me as he spoke down my ear.

I pushed the door open, ignoring him. But my head began to go dizzy. Everything in front of me became a blur, fuzzy even. The pressure became too much and all of a sudden everything became black.

-

"Your such a little slut! A bitch! Do you know what you've done to me?"

A familiar face came into view, but I couldn't recognise it. I was there, wearing a white dress with a boy in front of me. But I couldn't recognise him. He grabbed me, tight. He was screaming at me. Everything was a blur.

"Victoria?"

"Victoria?"

A voice called out, but it wasn't him shouting me. It was someone else-

All of a sudden I was back. It took a while to adjust, but I could see clearly in front of me now. Dark hair, brown eyes, slightly tanned skin, a hand behind my head. I sat up, but he gently placed me back down. What had happened?

"Mason?" My voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper. I couldn't remember what happened and he was staring at me dumbfounded.

"You fainted"

I didn't know how to respond. Never in my life had I fainted or collapsed, causing a gush of panic to swim through me again.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here. You're fine"

But I wasn't fine. I'd fainted, my head was hurting, and he was touching me. Holding me. He needed to leave.

"But I have to ask, who's Kieran?"