CHAPTER 2

The rest of the trip was caked in silence. It lingered in the air, thick and heavy like a blanket. No one bothered to speak or reminisce about the contention some hours ago. It almost felt like Jace hadn't misbehaved, dad wasn't just about rebuking him and the car hadn't at all broken down for the umpteenth time but when I closed my eyes and opened them, I am once again reminded that we were on our way to college in a cab without dad.

Mum went back to scanning the pages of her magazines and Jace threw his head out the window. I did the same with folded arms. Sometimes, I'd feel his gaze on me but I never bothered sparing him a glance. I was still mad at him and I wanted him to know that. My phone settled comfortably on my lap till it beeped indicating the arrival of a notification. Social media and I were so many miles apart. Confused, I glanced at it. It was a text message from Jace. Unveiling the content of the message, it read, 'I'm sorry'. At a stroke, my stomach knotted into bits as I ignored the text and flapped the phone over.

A shaky breathe passed through my lips. I squeezed my eyes, the tears I had been holding back finally cascaded down my cheeks. Ekdam, I looked the other way. Jace and I rarely had any dispute and when we did, it always-always got to me. He is my kid brother and I loved him to death. Any form of tiff or disagreement with him crumbles my heart but this time, he was on the wrong and it was best he realized that. Dad needed a sincere apology from him as well as mum and not me. Facts.

Soon, the car pulled over at the campus. I snuck my head out to stare at the tall and huge building in front. It was so beautiful, vast and modern. It was nothing I had seen on the internet or the college handbook. I couldn't still believe I was going to be a part of the best colleges in the country-the most sought after. Finally being here was a great privilege for me.

I finally stepped out, still blown away by my surroundings. The campus was pulchritudinous. The field was huge and the gardens were well maintained. The building was picturesque. Exotic cars littered the campus. Posh and expensive vehicles in which parents dropped their kids in. Some I noticed were owned by students as they conversed and laughed with their mates. It was a child's play distinguishing the freshmen from the returnees. The former were more guarded, less relaxed and accompanied by their families. They possessed more luggage with them to add to that. However, it wasn't same for the older students as they appeared more matured, confident and in control. It was obvious they knew their ways around.

I grabbed my bags out from the boot of the taxi as mum paid the driver. Was it just me or had my bags increased in weight? It was unusually heavy and bulky, surpassing my level of strength and vitality. I was pondering on how I had managed to drag it out from the house on my own as I slung the lightest over my shoulders and proceeded to take on the next but someone else beat me to it.

"Let me help." It was Jace.

"No, I've got it." I wasn't ready to speak to him.

He snorted. "Are you sure? Because it seems like it's trying to lift you up instead." A small smile found its way to my lips but I concealed it and chose to scowl at him in replacement. Refusing to swallow my pride, I pulled at it and began staggering away with mum by my side and Jace behind.

With the help of the school map, we were able to find our way through. Considering the number of students I had encountered on the way, I could confidently say the college was densely populated. Students were everywhere and I was positive I had not seen the entirety.

Mum turned to me, "What did they say is the name of your hall and room number?" She was referring to the handbook in my hands.

I glanced at it for accuracy. "Crawford Hall, room B36."

"To save time, I think it's better to get some help. The drive back home wouldn't be easy."

I snapped my head to her immediately, "You'll be going back?" I asked in surprise. I glanced at the black leathered watch strapped to my wrist. It was screaming 6:40pm.

"Yes dear, I have to get back to your father. I just hope he was able to get the car back in motion."

I gazed at her, concuring. I had almost forgotten about dad and the car. Sighing, I replied, "Yeah, that's true."

We got into the lobby and halted in front of the huge, rectangular mahogany desk. On noticing us, the lady at the other side smiled our way, acknowledging our arrival. Strawberry blonde haired with an overly caked face, she was cladded in a blue, sleeveless, turtle neck camisole over a short black skirt. I smiled at her, inwardly suppressing the urge to sneeze due to her excessive fragrance.

"Welcome ma'am, I'm Claire Hampson. How may I help you?"

Mum spared her a light smile. "Crawford Hall, room B36. What's the location, please?"

I scanned the hall, my arms hugging my petite body frame. It was freezing in here. Some women seated by the side were dressed in different colours of blouses with absent sleeves and knee-length skirts and pants shortened at the ankle. The rest were in silk made clothes and what not. Yet, they didn't seem perturbed by the cold. I had on my favourite thick, ankle-length, straight, olive gown with sleeves stopping at the elbow. At the top were white buttons clasped all the way to my neck but still, in a matter of time, I am sure to freeze to ice. Back at home, we didn't have an air-conditioner. The few windows were usually opened to let in some air. This was a little bit unusual for me but I am sure to get used to it.

I turned my head here and there, taking in what I could with my eyes till they came to rest on a girl. My jaw instantly hit the floor at her appearance. Blinking, I gazed at her in admiration-her features were exquisite. She was gorgeous, slim and tall. Her clothes were oozing with the latest fashion. Rich taste gripping her body firmly as her long black curls bounced with each graceful step taken.

Mere looking at her, I suddenly became conscious of myself. Just a stare, just one look and my confidence went down the drain. She struck me as a famous fashion model from those popular magazines with those long, fine legs of hers as she sashayed her trimmed waist towards the exit doors.

In slow motion, just like in the movies, someone pulled the doors open. A foot coated in obviously expensive black shoes slipped in. Followed by half of the body before the rest accompanied. My jaw hit the floor for the third time in awe of the newcomer. Strikingly good looking and well built, he had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks, nothing like the boys in my old school. His face was strong and defined, his features moulded from granite. He was manly and when a smile etched on his face on sighting the girl, a frisson of tingles shot through me.

I watched as he hugged the model-like female tight, his hands wound around her waist and hers strapped to his neck. They hugged for some seconds before pulling away. He was grinning like a Cheshire cat at her and her cheeks stretched so much, I feared it'd snap. They conversed and laughed with each other before he reached for his rear pocket and dug out a little white, transparent nylon and handed it over to her. She received it. When he leaned in and pecked her cheek, a slight pang of jealousy unleashed inside of me.

What was that?

She laughed at something he said, hitting him on the arm playfully. I watched as he dissolved into fits of laughter as well. They seemed really close. I couldn't help but dig my nose into their type of relationship. It was very obvious they were together. She was strikingly gorgeous. He himself looked not less than a movie star from some block buster movie. They were a great match. The odds were insignificant.

Then, she twirled around and walked away, a big grin plastered on her face. Even after she had left, his gaze still followed her till she was out of sight.

Out of the blue, he looked my way, his eyes locking with mine. It was so sudden and unexpected. I gasped sharply. My head spun as I glanced away, goosebumps taking over my skin.

Lord, he saw me shamelessly staring at him. What's wrong with me? What exactly is wrong? I have never acted this way in front of any boy in the past so why now? What's so special about this one?

Someone grabbed me by the waist and pulled me in, my sides crushing against his front as his nose nuzzled my neck. Forthwith, I recognized the scent. It was recognizable. I mildly pushed him away.

"What's the meaning of this?" I scowled at Jace.

"He was staring at you." He pointed at the boy I had been ogling. My eyes followed his direction and there was no one there. However, the doors juggled in one accord indicating someone had just left or come in.

My breath got caught in my mouth, my heart racing so fast, "A-and what's that to you?"

He frowned, "You're still upset with me? C'mon, it's been hours already." I softened, my heart melting as I looked away. I couldn't stay mad at him forever. Having nothing to say, I accompanied mum and the Claire lady as she led the way to my dorm room.

The long flight of stairs harboured students both new and old pacing up and down. Some lingered, conversing. The halls were dressed in black and white and the tiles were a checker board with humans as the pieces. It was crowded with people, the chaos so perfect, just like a movie. Laughter sounds penetrated the air, joined with excited conversations and shouts.

Model-worthy girls perching like exotic birds, giggling and gossiping, couples making out at the left side of the hall about ten feet farther down the cliquey girls as a soccer ball flew over their heads by two senior guys in varsity jackets parading their toned muscles and that's when it hit me. I roamed my eyes to confirm my suspicions and more testosterone engulfed the halls. They exchanged pleasantries with one another, laughing, chatting amongst themselves.

I gasped loudly, my eyes widening like I had just seen a ghost. Mum looked at me in concern, her perfectly arched brows furrowing in confusion. We stopped the short trip pronto.

"It's mixed." It came out more like a question instead than some sort of confirmation.

"Wh-what's mixed?"

"The dorm." I gaped at her. "Male and female...together...in the same room." I replied mum, my eyes were as wide as saucers. On realizing, she turned to face Miss. Hampton. She began nodding her head, verifying my suspicions.

"Yes ma'am, our dorms are fused. We operate on mixed genders. We believe these children are old enough and could take care of themselves responsibly. We are entrusting some kind of liberty into their hands, giving them the chance to co-exist amongst themselves and under strict supervision of course." She explained. A question immediately popped into my head and I decided to clear all uncertainties.

"W-would I be sharing a room with a boy?" I couldn't hide the fear in my voice.

"Of course not. The rooms are occupied with all males. The rest with females all in the same building. We have other dorm buildings within the school premesis with the same co-ordination as well. We do not accept the idea of the two genders sleeping in one room. That is vehemently against our code and conducts." The information conveyed instant relief through me. I wouldn't want to share a room with the opposite sex. The thought of him in the same room as me, present as I leave the shower sheathed in a towel is something I wouldn't want experiencing at all.

No. Not at all

We finally reached my dorm room. My heart began pulsing. It was really happening. I was presently a full college undergraduate. I would be attending college classes and all, meet new people and make new friends. I would experience the infamous college life. I was at the start of the race. I could already hear the whistle being blown. This was it. A huge grin stretched my lips. I turned around and met my brother's eyes. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

The doors pushed open and we sauntered in. For a split second, the air around us shifted as sheer silence covered the atmosphere entirely. The only sounds within earshot emanated solely from the long, low moans and groans expressing deep sexual pleasures. They were erupting from the two individuals performing some deep sensual activity on top of the already sobbing bed.

With the unknown girl on top, she hopped and bopped on her sexual mate, her arms swaddling his neck and her legs on his either sides as his ripped, toned arms swaddled her naked body in reciprocation. They guided her hips as she moved in an up and down movement. Their moans fused together, becoming one. They seemed oblivious to our presence. I stood immobilized, transfixed and shocked to my bone marrow. Mum's face fell faster than a corpse in cement boots. Her mouth hung open and her lips parted in stunned surprise. Her eyes were as wide as they could stretch. Amusement lingered on Jace's face.

The spell instantly shattered the moment Miss. Hampson coughed and cleared her throat, rather too obviously. Gaining knowledge of our presence, they instantly whipped their heads at us, pure shock and nonplus etched on their faces. In an instant, the air knocked out of me as I took in the girl's identity. Every muscle in my body froze, my face blank with confusion. I gaped at her, eyes stretched as shock took whole possession of my body.

It was none other than the pretty model from the lobby....and my roommate?