Vicky

I end up reaching my faculty. Not because I asked anybody, but because I walked and listened to people. There was this group of girls heading towards my direction so I subtly followed them. It took forever because these girls were determined to go everywhere else first.

“Film And Multimedia Studies” is written in capital letters. I stare at it, marvelling at the beauty. It's so surreal. I take a picture to send to dad eventually.

“The angle isn't right," someone behind me says. What was it with people talking to me? I turn around to see a blonde blue eyes guy smiling at me. He looks so beautiful if mom saw him, she'd take him home and lock him in the cupboard.

“Huh?" I want to say more intelligent things but I was asking too much from my brain. That is the most it can procure.

“The angle isn't right. If you're trying to get the whole thing, try taking your phone down a little."

I'm embarrassed as I take his instructions. I'm glad I did it because the picture does actually come out better than the previous one. “Thank you."

“I'm Zebedee. Photography major. But you can call me Zee. I don't know why but it's a nickname that's staying." He laughs so I have to laugh in order to not make him look like a fool. I don't find his sentence funny so my laugh is a little bit confused.

“Hey Zee. I'm Vicky. Film major"

Next thing this golden retriever does is to pull me into a hug. I squeal out of fear and not the excitement he thought I had. "We're having like two classes together. You're a freshman right? “

I nod and it's only when I literally make an effort to push myself away, that Zebedee lets me go. "I'm sorry. I get too excited easily. If I cross your boundaries, do well to let me know. “

I nod again even though, deep down I know I'll never tell him that. Many people have crossed my boundaries. He's not the first or the last.

“Do you have a class now? Our shared class isn't for another two hours. “

" I'm to go in and do some registrations and all that. I don't really know what I'm to do there to be very honest.“

Zee reaches for my shoulders. I unconsciously flinch and he backs away. "Sorry. That makes you uncomfortable. “

I shake me head. "No that's not it. You just caught me by surprise. I'm sorry. “

He beamed. "I'll ask next time then. Can I hold your hand?“

I nod. This feels really like an interaction between kindergartners. Zee holds my hand and we're headed inside. There's a crowd of people I wasn't ready for. I had assumed that since I resumed late, there would be almost nobody there. I am so wrong.

Zee doesn't sense my panic because he's still wading through the crowd.

“Zee!", someone from the crowd shouts. We both turn to see a guy and two girls waving.

He doesn't for a second think to use his free hand, so I'm subjected to also waving at complete strangers. “Come let's go say hi."

We do some more crowd wading before we get to these people that must be so important. “Hey guys. This is Vicky. Vicky, this is Aubrey, Timothy and Charis."

Aubrey is tall and has black eyes, Timothy is blond like Zee but has green eyes and Charis is black and had hair so thick animals could hide in it. I wave shyly.

While they talk and bond over what doesn't concern me, I look around. There are different offices with names of Professors on them. The course they take is written under their names, but I can't see that far.

“Hey Vicky. Aubrey and Timothy are also film majors like you. In case you need more friends." I want to tell him I don't have any friends but I don't.

“So," Aubrey says leaving Timothy and clinging to me. I don't flinch and for a second, I see disappointment in Zee's eyes. It's brief, but it's there. “How was Mrs. Anya's class? And be very truthful."

“I-. I don't know who Mrs. Anya is. I resumed yesterday."

“Oh. Why?"

The correct answer is because my therapy session wasn't yet concluded. Instead, I say, “I was sick. My parents were too worried to let me go so far away."

“Oh my goodness. I hope you're fine now. You are right?"

I nod and smile.

" I'm craving a slushie. Can we go buy one before ist time for our lectures?" Charis asks.

For a second, I think they're going to leave me but when Aubrey starts pulling my hand, I can breathe a little. We don't go round the campus and I'm already exhausted. Timothy tells me we haven't even covered a third of the place. Why again are colleges so big?

We pass by the basketball court and my legs freeze in place. I must be the unluckiest person on earth st this point because Archer Matheos is playing basketball there. He dribbles the ball and as he shoots it, spots me.

The others stop also but cheer for Archer when he scores.

“Archie is so amazing. He's so hot." Aubrey is the one gushing. Timothy nudges her slightly and she pecks his nose. “Not as amazing as you of course."

I want us to leave. I need us to walk away before Archer reaches us. It's if no use. He's standing right in front of me. Staring me down.

"Vicky. What are you doing here?“

Aubrey gasps. "You know Vicky?“

" Yes. If it's okay with you guys, can I borrow him for a moment?“

I wished they said no. Or we had a class. Anything. They don't say anything negative. "You can have him. We have a class in a while though, “ Zee offers.

"We'll be done before then. Come on Vicky. “

Archer drapes his arm across my shoulders. He leads me towards the basketball court. "Hey, pass me the ball.“

My heart is beating and my palms sweating furiously. I want to turn and run away. But this isn't highschool. I'm I'm college. I'm older, more mature, but still scared out of my skin. "I don't want to play. I'm not in... a playing mood.“

Archer takes a good look at me before shrugging. He throws the ball back to the others and snatches his bag from the floor. "Let's get something to drink then.“

He tries to touch me during our little walk to the store. I walk a distance. "Have you seen Ander?"

I don't know why he's asking me that question so I shake my head no. “I'm just resuming. He goes here?"

We stop at some snack shop. Archer orders a coke for himself and nothing for me. Not like I'd even be able to put anything in my system. “What's your major?"

“Film."

“I don't think a film student needs to be near a journalism student for anything. Stat away from my brother. You understand me?"

I nod and Archer continues. “I'll tell him to stay away from you too. That messy past stays in the past. Understood? “

Again I nod. "Well go away. What are you still waiting for?“

As I walk in a vain attempt to look for the people I was with, my mind roams. I cross my fingers hoping I never have to see Archer again. He's bad news, not Anderson.

Zee spots me before I see him but Aubrey is the first person to walk up to me. "Oh my god what did he say to you? How do you know Archer? “

" N-nothing. He mistook me for someone else. Let's go for drinks mhm?“

They all accept my half assed explanation. I hope it'll be the last time I have to give it.