Chapter 2

The next morning I woke up, a ray of sunlight peeking through my curtain and shining brightly at my face. I groaned, feeling irritated, and flipped to the other side, turning my back from the sunlight.

Annoyed that I couldn't go back to sleep, I lazily groped for my phone, my eyes still closed. I pressed the screen and popped one eye open. 7:30a.m. As I stared at my screen, I realized that today was Monday and my first class begins at 9a.m. After a couple of minutes going through the notifications, I finally decided to get ready. I sat up and stretched my arms up high like I was reaching for something.

I swung my legs off of the bed and walked to the bathroom. I stepped into the shower after throwing my clothes from yesterday in the laundry basket. The warm water felt cold to my skin, waking up all the nerves in my body. I closed my eyes as I let the water run down my body, feeling every drop of it.

After my long yet relaxing shower, I found some clothes neatly laid on my bed. Lydia, our housemaid must have prepared it again after telling her so many times that I can manage. I am not a child anymore who she used to tend to. I smiled at what she picked out for me to wear, she always knew my type. I put on a dark blue ripped jeans and a thin, black, v-neck, and fitted long sleeves for my top. After slipping into my black converse, I moved on to my now dry and wavy hair and decided to wear it down. I preferred casual clothing for my everyday outfit but dressed up fancy every now and then. I stared at the full body mirror, looking at my own reflection. Somehow I felt that today was different. What could this day bring? I wasn't sure why I felt that way and yet I pushed that thought to the back of my head. Being satisfied with how I look, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.

I found my little cousin Drew, who is 3 years old, eating toast and egg. Aunt Claire is sitting beside him focused on her laptop and Lydia washing dishes. "Good morning honey" Aunt Claire said still looking at her laptop while sipping her coffee.

"Morning" I said as I reached for the fruit basket in the middle of the dinning table and grabbed an apple.

"See ya!" I bid before walking out the door and found Mr. Brown, our driver, standing by the car. "Good morning Miss Callie" he smiled and opened the door to the passenger seat. I smiled and nodded before entering the car.

While walking the halls of the campus, I realized I came in early. It was only 8:30. I let out a deep breath and decided to head to the rooftop to kill some time. It's the only place in the campus where I mostly spend my time at.

Just as I turned the corner, I bumped into someone making me take a step back. Damn! How unfortunate could I be right now? The impact wasn't that hard it just felt like I collided with a wall instead of an actual person. "What in the name of .... h-how? .." I looked up to see who it was.

Double damn!

She had a sculpted figure. One that a professional model would have but hers is way way way beyond that. She's a little taller than me. Her red hair plunged over her shoulder. Her pale white complexion shined under the light. Those ocean blue eyes gazed at me with a mixture of amazement and shock like she had seen a ghost. She scanned me by repeatedly running her eyes up and down my body.

"Excuse you" I said while straightening myself and upon thinking that she wasn't going to apologize.

"A-A-Are you alright? Are you hurt?" she stuttered, a hint of concern came with her voice. "I am sorry." she continued. Now I felt guilty for my attitude towards her.

"My name is Octavia" she introduced, extending her hand to me.

"Callie." I replied and took her hand.

"Nice to finally meet you. See you around" she showed a genuine smile before walking away.

Finally meet me? What did she mean by that? Did she know of me? I was about to stop her and ask but when I turned around, I could not see her anywhere. Strange. Still confused, I went on my way to the stairs which led to the rooftop.

The cool breeze enveloped me as soon as I opened the door. I walked towards the end and placed my hands on top of the concrete railings. I closed my eyes inhaling the cool and refreshing air. I found out about this place half way through my first year. The door was once locked but after picking it, I was the only one who came here except when Ronny felt like having a fresh air off course. This place is calm and quiet, just as I wanted, with the absence of anyone but me .... or so I thought.

I shot my eyes open almost instinctively as soon as I felt a presence behind me. It came with a certain scent - rosewood and patchouli with a touch of mint.

Despite that, I remained very still. What I could not fathom was that my heart is beating erratically that it would soon jump out of my chest. I felt weirded out since it didn't feel like fear or nervousness ... it was something else. Something I have never experienced or rather felt before.

That presence and the scent still lingered. It was a presence not familiar to me. I clutched my bag and mentally cursed at myself upon thinking that I didn't have anything with me to use as a weapon. But then again, it was a university, who would harm someone inside the school? I tried to calm myself to steady my heart beat by breathing deeply and slowly, but it does not seem to be working.

I turned to find out who it was yet no one was behind me. I searched the rooftop with my eyes but nobody was around. I could not feel the presence anymore, the scent slowly fading. I brought my hand to my chest and found that my heart was slowing down and eventually returning to its usual pace.

"Are you just going to day dream there? Come on, class is starting soon." Ronny looked at me confusedly, her brow raised.

"Were you here just now?" I asked.

"Uh yeah I just opened the door" she said questioningly pointing at the door. So it was not her. Then who was it?

She was holding the door open ushering me to go back in. I ignored what I had just felt and walked towards her. I, once again, roamed the surroundings, that weird feeling resurfacing. I had a strong feeling that someone is watching me however, I couldn't find who it was.

"Are you coming?" I averted my attention and closed the door.

_____