Finding Amity

Chapter 8

After only an hour and a half of rest, my alarm screamed from beside my ear to tell me it was time to get ready. It was 6:00, two hours until my first class started. But I needed to pick out an outfit, get dressed, do my hair, and I wanted to go out to one of the cafes nearby campus to get a coffee and some breakfast and I had to allocate time for walking to class.

My brain buzzed with a million thoughts, most of them discouraging. I tried to block it out as I stared at my closet. Pippa seemed to just grab random items and make them work, I did not have that ability.

Speaking of Pippa, she, surprisingly, had left before I woke up. Although, her school book (a single ratty notebook with water damage) was sitting atop her desk.

I settled on some jeans, a black tank top, and a green plaid button up over the top. Summer had ended but it was still warmish, so I didn't have to rug up just yet. Grabbing my book bag and taking one last look of my outfit, I hurried out the door and toward the campus gates.

I stumbled upon a cute rustic-style coffee shop called Bluebird Cafe and stepped inside, the scent of freshly baked croissants wafting up my nose seduced me. I quickly ordered a croissant with raspberry jam and a caramel latte, and waited patiently. My phone buzzed from my pocket, a text message appearing on the screen.

"Good luck on your first day!" Cooper had messaged. I sent back a quick thank you as my take away cup and paper bag appeared on the table I stood beside.

I looked up to say thank you, but the server had turned around and was rushing away. I recognised his soft brown hair immediately.

"Isaac?" I asked.

His shoulders tensed as he faced me, an annoyed glare on his face. He wore his seemingly signature white shirt and dark jeans, only a sage green apron was tied around his waist.

"I didn't know you worked here." I admitted. To be fair, I didn't know much about Isaac at all.

"Not anymore, I have to quit." I cocked my head in confusion, and he explained himself. "I work here because no one I know would ever step foot in this place and if anyone knew I had a job they'd bully the shit out of me."

I never would have pegged Isaac to be the type to worry about what other people have to say.

"So you're going to quit because I know your secret?" I chuckled. He nodded, completely serious. "You don't wanna just ask me to keep it to myself?"

"Why would you?"

Isaac had some weird trust issues.

"I don't mind." I shrugged. "You can trust me." I beamed. The more Pippa warned me about Isaac, the more I wanted to get to know him and test the waters. I really am drawn to people with bad reputations that I could disprove.

"Thank you." He growled before speeding away to the back of the store.

Picking up my breakfast, I left the cafe and headed back to campus. I found my lecture hall and sat on a picnic table just outside, enjoying my flaky croissant and scrolling aimlessly through my Twitter feed.

A dark haired, freckly boy appeared in front of me. "Is this seat taken?" He asked, a charming smile on his face.

"No," I smiled. "Go ahead."

He sat opposite me, his fingers tapping at the table. "I'm Dustin."

"Amity." I replied, taking a sip of my warm latte.

"Are you a Sophomore?" He asked. I could tell by the way he studied my face he was trying to figure out if he recognised me.

"Freshman." I corrected. I always felt like I looked even younger than I was. It was rare someone guessed older.

"Oh, so this is your first day? Are you nervous?" He questioned.

"A little bit." I admitted.

"I get it, It's my first day as a TA."

"Let me guess," I laughed. Of course this would happen. "Neuroscience TA?"

"Yeah." He looked a little confused at how I'd guessed it.

"You'll be my TA." I noted.

He nodded his head in understanding. "Of course the pretty girl I meet outside of my first lecture is one of my students." He chuckled.

I felt my blush prickle on my cheeks. I don't think anyone has ever called me pretty.

"Does that mean we can't be friends?" I asked innocently.

"Well," He started. "I am just a Junior TA, so I don't think any rules are being broken. Unless you were to ask me for test answers."

"Damn it!" I snapped my fingers jokingly. "I was just about to. Now how am I going to pass."

He laughed, a light hearty chuckled. It was sweet, he was sweet.

He looked down at his watch to read the time.

"Well, I have to go meet Professor Langford and help set up." He explained as he stood up from his seat. "It was really nice meeting you, Amity."

"You too Dustin." I grinned.

I watched as he walked away, smiling to myself. All I had to do now is make a friend in my own year and I'll be set. A warm feeling settled in my chest as I thought about Cooper. He would be proud of me making friends and putting myself out there. I didn't just want to leave behind my high school life of being the lonely quiet orphan girl, I needed to. I wasn't that Amity. Not anymore.

I was Amity 2.0. Happy, confident, and no longer afraid of people knowing I exist.

The Amity I would be if my parents were still here.