Chapter Two
The short walk from our house to the campus took less than ten minutes when you cut through the park directly behind Kella's place. There were plenty of students scattered around the sprawling green lawns that surrounded the large buildings, which surprised me, considering it was Saturday afternoon. I followed the signs to student services, my stomach fluttering as the realization I was about to start college hit me again.
I’d taken some classes over the summer in order to try and catch up some of the year I’d missed. As a result, Kella and I would actually be in a couple of classes together. I’d cross checked her schedule with mine to make sure they matched up where they could.
I pushed my way through a heavy wooden framed door, marked ‘Student Administration’, and into the small lobby, which contained a few seats, a vending machine, and a table scattered with out of date magazines and brochures for campus clubs I had no intention of joining.
Ahead of me was the reception desk. I took my place in the line, which consisted only of me, standing directly behind a cute guy who was leaning against the desk, his elbows on the counter.
“Mr. Hanson, regardless of the classes you took over summer, you will still be four units short of graduating this fall,” The lady behind the counter looked sympathetic, but her voice was firm.
“That’s not fair! I’ve worked my ass off in order to catch up. I’ve done everything my guidance counselor said needed to be done in order to advance this year, and now you’re telling me I’m stuck as a sophomore for another year? Fuck that,” He kicked the bottom of the counter, showing his frustration.
I tried not to eavesdrop, pretending to be overly engrossed in my transcripts, but I couldn’t help but look at him. I could only see him from behind, so I didn’t have much to work with, but he was the type of guy you couldn’t not look at.
He was tall, a good few inches taller than me, his shaggy brown hair had a slight curl to it and looked in dire need of a cut, but it didn’t detract from his appeal at all. He wore a black leather jacket over a grey shirt, and worn denim jeans which framed his ass beautifully. That’s where my eyes were. This guy’s ass was mesmerizing. You could have taken a picture of his ass in those jeans and used it on a billboard, that’s how good it looked.
He stepped back suddenly, catching me off guard. I was so focused on his ass I didn’t have time to side step out of his way.
“Ouch!” I gasped, as he fell back into me, his foot crushing mine. “Shit!” I winced in pain, letting myself fall onto the ground to relieve the pressure on my foot. Suddenly, my strappy heeled sandals didn’t seem like such a great idea. Pain ripped through my big toe as he crouched down beside me.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry,” He gasped, his eyes wide. “Are you okay? I didn’t even know you were there!” My back tingled where he’d placed his hand to support me. He was even better looking from the front. His unruly hair fell across his forehead, and his ice blue eyes felt like they were invading my soul. His face was creased with concern, concern that maybe he’d really hurt me.
“It’s fine,” I gritted my teeth, managing a smile, knowing it was completely my fault, but not about to admit why, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have been standing so close to you…”
My voice trailed off as I remembered why I didn’t move. I’d been so engrossed in my perving session. A blush spread across my face. I forced myself to stand and bear weight on my foot. Fuck, it hurt.
“See? All good,” I smiled, ignoring the pain that radiated through my entire foot. I looked down. God, it was starting to swell. He smiled back, still looking unsure.
“Okay. Can I help you somewhere?” He asked. Why wouldn’t he just leave? I was embarrassed enough as it was!
“Uh, no. I have a friend picking me up. I’m fine. I promise,” I added. He waited a moment longer, before nodding, and backing toward the exit.
/> “If you’re sure…” He raised his eyebrows, giving me one last shot to go with him. Me being the nerd I am around guys, waved him off.
“Are you sure you’re okay, honey?” I turned to smile at the lady behind the desk I had forgotten about. I blushed. Knowing she’d just witnessed all that made me feel even worse.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Who, uh, was that?” I asked casually. She smiled knowingly. Okay, maybe I wasn’t acting as casually as I thought.
“Dane Hanson,” She replied smiling, “Nice young boy, but he’s had some issues…” Her smile faltered, her voice trailing off as she realized she shouldn’t really be talking to me about a fellow student, “Can I help you, dear?” She asked, her voice clipped.
“Right, yes.” I handed her my transcripts, and my enrolment form. She looked over her glasses at me, her eyebrows raised.
“That’s quite a big study load, Ms. Somerton.”
I nodded, “I’m very keen to catch on the year I missed,” I smiled, bracing myself for the prying questions that came naturally with a missed school year.
“Ah, what was it, travel? A year working?” She shook her head, pursing her lips as though she’d heard it all.
“Something like that.” I nodded, not really wanting to get into the whole twin dying, mental breakdown, world falling apart thing. I stood by the counter awkwardly as she tapped away at her computer. I lifted my foot so I didn’t put pressure on it. Fuck, it hurt like crazy. After what felt like hours, she handed me a form.
“Your class schedule. Good luck,” She said it as though she thought I’d need it. I flashed a fake smile, instantly disliking her judgment of me. Why did she think she could lump me with every other student she’d enrolled? She knew nothing about me.
Outside the office, I began the limp back home. I walked through the pain, trying not to concern myself about the numbness that was starting to set in. The sun was beginning to set, which had caused a change in the wind. I shivered, wishing I’d taken a jacket with me. I pulled my long blonde hair back with my hands, wrapping it around itself into some sort of knot. It stayed put, but threatened to unravel at any point.
I glanced down at my thin pink shirt and my cotton shorts. I made a face as I caught sight of my foot. I’d managed to block out the pain pretty well, all things considered, but seeing the blue green discoloration spreading across the joint of the big toe made me feel queasy. Maybe I should’ve called Kella.
I limped inside the house, kicking the sandal off on my good foot, and gingerly easing it off the other. My first stop was the kitchen, where I grabbed a bag of frozen beans. My second stop was the sofa.