Chapter Two
My cell phone blares a loud metal song as my alarm startles me awake. My tired fingers shut it off as my eyes adjust to the morning light. I stretch my arms before pulling myself out of bed.
It's still pretty early. I think I'll walk around the campus to see where everything is. After slipping on my white hoodie and black tennis shoes, I stuff my phone, wallet, and dorm key into my jean pockets before heading out the door.
The sunlight almost blinds me when I exit the dormitory. Holding my hand over my eyes, I start walking around the campus, seeing the different facilities and departments scattered all around, making mental notes as to where everything is..
I notice some other students gathered at the cafe near the center of the campus, chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Many of them look slightly older than me. I wonder how long they've been here.
I grin as I pass by, watching the other students enjoying themselves. These are going to be some of the best times of my life before I enter the “real world.” I swear, I will live the time I have here to the fullest.
Before I turn my eyes back to the walkway, I hear a loud thud. Looking ahead, I see a brown-haired girl, face down in front of me.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I rush over to her, offering my hand.
She slowly brings her head up to me, tears forming in the corners of her emerald green eyes. She rubs her nose as she takes my hand in hers.
“Yeah, I'm okay.” she says as I pull her upright. “Thanks.”
She quickly pulls her hand away as her eyes shift to the ground, her fair skinned face turning a light shade of red as she fiddles with her fingers. Is she actually blushing?
“I'm sorry,” she says, her gaze still facing the ground, “but do you know your way around here?”
“I'm just looking around the place. It's my first semester.” I ask, scratching the back of my head.
The girl jerks her head up, her eyes wide in surprise before immediately turning back to the ground.
“I'm so sorry!” she says. “I thought you might know your way around here!”
She must be new here as well. I do not see why she's apologizing for asking for directions. Wait… is she crying?
“Hey, there's no need to be sorry!” I say, lightly placing my hand on her shoulder.
She looks up at me as she wipes her eyes with the long sleeve of her black shirt.
“How about we look around together?” I say softly.
She beams a big smile as she pulls me into as tight hug. My lungs tighten as she squeezes my back. She certainly got over that quickly.
“Thank you so much!” she exclaims, squeezing harder. I grunt in pain, immediately being released from her grip.
“Sorry!” she says, waving her hands wildly.
Again with the apologizing. Although, this time she did actually hurt me. Not badly, but still. This girl seems… “interesting,” to say the least.
“It's no problem.” I say between coughs, trying to catch my breath.
“I'm Cayne, by the way.” I say as I offer a handshake.
“I'm Angela.” she says as she takes my hand in hers, shaking it lightly with light blush on her face.
She jerks her hand back to her side. I clear my throat as my own face starts to feel warm. Wait, why am I blushing? Sure, she's cute, but I just met this girl.
“So, shall we get started?” I ask.
Angela smiles, nodding her head before moving next to me.
“Lead the way.” she says with a small giggle.
Adam's comment regarding the girls on campus repeats itself in my head. Angela does seem a little strange, but she does seem like a decent person.
Angela and I walk around for a good while, talking the entire time. We learn a lot about each other. To my surprise, Angela and I are not only Computer Science majors, but we even share the same programming course, which starts tomorrow.
For some reason, Angela is really easy to talk to. The two of us go on about our time in high school, our friends, our hopes for after we earn our degrees. From what she tells me, some of her other friends are moving into their dorms later today.
She laughs hysterically when I tell her about Adam and some of the antics he pulled in high school to hit on girls.
“He sounds crazy!” she says between laughs.
“He is,” I say, “but he's the fun kind of crazy.”
Angela and I eventually decide to sit in the courtyard for a while. I try to decline when she offers to buy some drinks, but she insists it as her treat.
She's buying a drink for a guy she just met. She's really thoughtful, and cute.
Wait, what am I thinking?
Cayne, you just met her! You can't be falling for her yet!
My phone vibrates in my pocket, interrupting my internal rant. My eyes widen in shock as I read a message from Adam.
Cayne, where r u?! U said u wud help me out today?!
I shoot up from the bench as Angela comes back with two bottles of soda.
“Are you alright?” she asks with concerned in her eyes. I let out an agitated groan as I shoot her a small smile.
“Yes, I'm fine, I just remembered I was supposed to help Adam move into his dorm today.” I say with an small, sad smile.
“So you have to leave?” Angela's lips form a small pout as her eyes start to grow narrow. She looks like a puppy! Well, maybe she won't mind coming along.
“Well, do you want to meet him?” I ask, “I think you'll like him.”
Her pout instantly turns into a smile as she hands me one of the bottles.
“Sure, I'd love to.”
“Okay, then lets hurry!” I say as I unscrew the cap of my drink before dashing towards the dormitory.