Uni {2}

It was late. Or rather early. Remarkably early as the humming of the slow laptop at its budget brightness remained open; shining its stifling light upon a very helpless uni student.

Said helpless student remained slumped, squashed up against her keyboard as her baggy top that hung loosely creased.

Hair, greasy as the filthy pan stewing away in her kitchen, struggled to stay upright in a sloppy bun while her mouth hung slightly agape.

Her strained eyes were shut tight while her tired mind had -against her will- succumbed to the calling of sleep and left her sitting on the creaky desk chair trying to catch at least a few hours of rest.

Her room was dim, the only light source being the disregarded laptop as it shone over text books that lay scattered open on her chronically messy bed.

No matter her numerous attempts to clean and sort it all out, it, like magic, had always returned.

A tiresome essay that she had masterfully procrastinated was due tomorrow... or more accurately... in 5 hours time. Which is why the idiot with her head in the clouds, dreaming of being free, ended in this predicament to begin with.

~~~~~~

The sound of an alarm clock rung deafeningly throughout the room, instantly jolting the stiff student awake from her slumber. Now back to consciousness, she realised her position she slept in and groaned internally.

"This is gonna hurt" she murmured through closed lips, gathering her strength to move and open her eyes. As she did, they burned at the sudden stream of light emptying into her tiny room through the open windows situated behind the desk, causing them to immediately shut once again.

Swearing to herself she breathed, "Forgot to draw the curtains..."

Scowling at her now stiff neck while trying to massage it, the student sat upright in her chair, reaching for her phone. She still couldn't completely keep her eyes awake, so she relied on her sense of touch to scout out its location.

Her mind ignored her stiff back, now aching with the pain of a curved back that she stupidly slept in.

Finally grabbing her phone, she turned it on, wincing as the light blinded her. However, through her blurry sight she could make out the numbers 7:13AM...

"Shit!"

Her tiredness left her system at the realisation... the memories flooding back from last night. She stared at the empty wall in sheer horror.

'It was late, who cares? Just eat and relax from a stressful day, then finish the essay. It wont take that long... right?'

"Oh god!"

Cupping her forehead, she stood in an instant, staring at her nearly dead laptop that had frozen on the word document holding her essay. "I fell asleep! Shit I didn't realise I'd actually fall asleep!"

The student hastily and incredibly clumsily left the desk, scavenging any decent clothes in her sights. Ultimately deciding with a huge baggy shirt from the charity shop that went to her knees, denim blue jeans and an old -still usable- pair of trainers.

A string of curses blessed her and her neighbours ears as she lunged for the loaned laptop, trying desperately to recover her essay and shoving it into its travel case.

Within a few minutes of hectic running and faffing, the student was leaving the room; her dorm, to head to the dreaded university where she undoubtedly would get scolded for being late.

Today has not been a good day for Skye...

-

The auditorium was loud, students collecting in from various dorms, and the lecturer was not in a good mood.

Eye bags were his main feature, black rimmed glasses on the high bridge of his nose; tan skin, and his eyes, glued to the door as he waited for the new arrival today.

The chatter was dispersed between the blue carpeted seats, bags all huddled at the students feet with some form of note taking in their hands.

The bell above them rang and those doors situated to the left of the lecturers podium remained closed.

"What a shame..." He began, the class instantly hushing and paying him attention. The lecturer shook his head. "Not a very good first impression"

A few snickered, some held back a smile. Their lecturer was never one for lates, absolutely despised it- even if you're new, or heck, first time being in England, that was no excuse for tardiness.

And Skye... well she'd learn that the hard way.

"Let's begin" he ushered, the PowerPoint bringing the room to darkness while slides on medical assessment came on.

A slight noise caught the rooms attention as he turned, back facing his students.

It was the squeak of the heavy fire doors opening and a head poking through it.

Skye.

"Well well you finally decide to show up Miss-" he drawled on for an answer.

"-Skye, just Skye" she answered, voice a little shaky.

He sighed. "Skye"

She froze at his tone. The bag fell around her front, pulling the shirt lower, almost to her shins.

Her blonde hair was still in that messy bun, strands falling to her face that she resisted the urge to pull back behind her ears.

A youthful smile trying to ease the whip cracking on the 19 year old girl that this teacher was currently lathering her with.

She certainly was beautiful, but by the look on his face... he didn't care.

"Why are you late?" He exclaimed, arms crossed. "Unlike others I don't accept excuses"

God he was laying it on thick.

"I'm sorry sir, I had laptop troubles this morning"

"I said no excuses. That's not good enough."

The man swivelled on his heels, addressing the class.

"This goes for all of you" his voice turned stern, face matching. "I expect you to crawl here if you can't walk, the only reason I would allow is if you're on your death bed. Understood?!"

The auditorium echoed with the mumble of agreement. Skye joining them.

It was an effort to keep her voice steady, already writhing under the stares of her fellow classmates.

Clearing her throat she proclaimed "Sorry sir, it won't happen again"

"Good. Don't make this a habit"

She nodded peevishly, adjusting her bag and finally brushing the excess hair out of her blue eyes.

Taking her leave of the spotlight, Skye trotted quickly to her seat. Sat next to no one.

She wouldn't sit at the back, refused to, she'd be near the middle where she could see others and others could see her.

Skye did not want to stand out, not one bit.

Sitting comfortably, she pulled her knees into her chest and hugged them, taking a deep breath at the shambles that was her initiation. She didn't even want to be a doctor, only here to look after the one she fell for. Literally.

The scars on her back prickled at the thought, where her wings should be.

Why do you think she always wore such baggy clothing that covered her... to hide the abnormal scars slicing down her back.

She shivered at its memory, at the top covering them.

From Skye's seat, she turned her attention to her human... well, the one who was her human.

Lev Milos.

He was one of the students that didn't go on their phone the entire time, instead, he actually focused in the lesson; taking notes, chatting every now and again, because well.. no ones perfect.

Skye sighed and closed her eyes contently as she ran the words through her head that she had heard over a million times.

The night everything changed materialised right in front of her eyes. The cold snow, the warmth of holding him for the very first time...

And the words uttered from her lips as she felt that tear over her thumb. Her promise.

"I'm here to protect you, no matter what, no matter what lengths I have to go to, I will forever be your anchor and hold you stable"

She smiled as her lips mouthed the words.

-

The class went on as proceeded, students yawning. The usual.

Skye had dozed off half way through, earning a few curious stares her way.

Even as she was now, she still wasn't human- nor angel. She was somehow stuck in between.

And the struggle to get to where she was... it was pure luck she was offered a place. An angel she knew pulled strings for Skye to attend, but refused to help her further.

She couldn't say she didn't disagree either- Skye knew she was on her own. Felt it too; without her human.

But now the trouble remained. She had to keep her position here in order to stay close to him. That was going to be the hardest challenge Skye in all her years had ever faced. Survival.

Angels never needed bother themselves with food, housing, basic human needs... they also shouldn't be able to feel emotions... so much for that.

Walking was very tiring too, so used to the wings that used to soar above the clouds, that for the first time since loosing her wings, her legs had ached terribly.

A small price to pay for being his guardian.

"Hey, check her out, she's Skye, the new student right?" Someone two seats behind her whispered. Not that they needed to, Skye was fast asleep; as silent as night.

"Yea, shall we introduce ourselves? I was entirely alone on my first day"

Shuffling of feet could be heard, until a gentle tap awoke the sleeping angel rubbing her eyes.

"Hey- uh, sorry to awake you"

"Wh- what.. ah no need to apologise" She murmured, stretching her stiff limbs in the process.

The said two people sat adjacent to her, smiling eagerly. It was an awkward silence.

"I should probably introduce ourselves" one pointed out, gesturing to his friend in a black, buttoned up top who ran a hand through his dark brown hair. It was short, but long at the back, cushioning his ears that housed a small piercing.

His eyes were a golden brown, almost like caramel in the sun.

"Hi! My name is Chongan, I actually used to be afraid of blood- ironic now huh- and I'm also Chinese but was born in England" he outstretched a hand in politeness. "That's why I don't have an accent as many people would think- but explains the features"

Skye graciously took it, smiling at the pair with a warm gaze. She laughed slightly at his remark, she already liked his personality.

Her attention fell back onto the other.

"-uh and I'm Damon, met Chongan a while back and hate the cold" he spoke with a chuckle, undermining the nervous feelings.

Damon had the usual undercut of blonde hair, slightly bleached from the sun; he wore a brown shirt with a thin cream blazer.

It certainly made her feel under dressed.

Skye couldn't help but stare down at her clothes... sighing lightly at the embarrassment. First impressions were key.

Chongan caught onto her worry, reassuring her with a gentle reach of his phone.

"Honestly, my first day outfit was dreadful" he laughed, flicking his phone on and bringing out a photo. Skye leaned closer to see it, and, low and behold, there he was, in such causal wear it was almost a crime.

"So don't worry about what you're wearing, we've all been there"

"Agreed" Damon added, nudging his friend, "most people don't judge here"

His voice lowered. "Most"

"Thanks for the warning and re-assurance guys" She chuckled, brushing her top to seek a little more presentable.

By now, the lecture had finished, and people began to clear out, but the three of them stayed, along with the scattered few typing up their hand-written notes.

For once, in her entire month of fending for herself... perhaps she didn't have to do it alone.

"It's nice to officially meet you Chongan, Damon. As you know my name is Skye and I um.."

She froze. They both looked at her expectantly, but with a gentle approach that didn't make her feel rushed to answer.

What was something she could say about herself? That she was an angel?? Nooo.

"-I also hate the cold." She blurted quickly, un able to think of anything else. Damon beamed. "But I do like the snow"

She flashed a bright smile, hoping to brush off the ice breaker and forget her sudden stillness.

"Good to know" Chongan smiled, coughing at Damon for something. His eyes lit up in remembrance.

"Ah yes; well now that we've introduced ourselves, why don't we head to the tech office?" Damon suggested, reaching for his bag two seats up.

Stashing the laptop into its compartment, he added "You did mention that you had laptop troubles"

"Oh yes! Yes I did. Thank you! I wouldn't be able to find the tech office without you guys" Skye reached for her laptop carrier, standing up quickly and wrapping it around herself. Because of how she sat, her baggy top was crinkled horrifically, and a part of her smooth collar bone was on show.

The two boys didn't notice, but one person did...