Chapter 4

I had insisted on my parents letting me choose my own course. Although if they had had their way, I wouldn’t have done. I chose English literature. I knew they thought it was a boring choice, but I really wanted to be a teacher, not that I had told them that. They barely let me leave the house. I could hardly announce I wanted to be one day working with a room full of tiny humans. They would have been horrified by the thought, no doubt.

Although it was a university, it was also a college and so much more. As such, the age range of the students was much larger than a normal university. As I walked up to the main campus, there were huge planters of wild grasses and flowers. Each one had a ledge all the way around and had students sitting on practically every inch of them, plus loads stood around in the middle too. It was so intimidating, the idea of walking directly through so many people. 

I suddenly felt a wave of danger and turned. There was a large group of people all gathered together. Ranging from about sixteen up to early twenties, and they all clearly knew each other very well. As I passed by, they all turned in my direction, looking at me as though they knew what I was and they didn’t seem overly happy that I was there. I hurried on past and headed inside, wanting to be away from their intent glares. 

Once I had collected everything I needed from the very helpful and kind receptionist, I was feeling much more confident and headed toward my lecture hall. I was late for the lecture because I had stopped to get my paperwork, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. 

I opened the door as quietly as I could and was greeted by an overwhelming amount of purple chairs filled with people. Every single one of them was staring at me and I just wanted to flee. The power of someone’s glare was a feeling I had never felt before, and I wished it would stop. 

“You’re not in school anymore. You either come on time or don’t come at all.” The professor looked like a gruff old man and he sounded like it, too. I could feel my face reddening even more from his accusations.

“It’s my first day. I had to go and collect my paperwork. It won’t happen again.” My voice seemed to wobble with nerves.

“Find a seat before I change my mind.” I nodded politely to him and started to climb into the wall of purple chairs. Each time I made my way to a vacant seat, someone blocked my way, making it glaringly obvious they were opposed to me seating anywhere near them. I would have loved to have sat completely away from everyone else, but they were all spread out. So, no matter which seat I took, I would be sitting next to someone. 

“It really doesn’t matter where you sit, but I would like to continue, so if you could speed up, I’m sure everyone will be grateful to get back to work.” I wanted to scream already. How was it my fault? 

I moved for another seat beside what could only be described as the most gorgeous creature I had ever seen. Just as I went to sit down, he shoved his legs up on the seat beside him, unnoticed by me. I sat down, only at the last moment realising my mistake. I jumped back up as soon as I made contact with his legs, over-correcting and nearly falling down the steps. My stumble brought about an eruption of laughter and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. 

I quickly ducked into the next row and sat on the nearest seat, hoping beyond hope that everyone would just ignore me for the rest of the day. As I looked down towards that spectacular man, the girl beside me nudged me with her elbow. “Don’t mind, Brodie, he’s a jerk to everyone. His entire group are jerks to everyone. They seem to think they run the place. I’m Cassie.”

“Thanks, Cassie, I’m Esme.” We both turned our attention back to the professor as he cleared his throat. I knew I had made a terrible impression on just about everyone, but at least one person didn’t despise me already.

I had expected to have felt Pip at some point that morning, but I didn’t and it annoyed me. I could feel him in the woods, yet not there. He must have been close enough to feel. I wondered if he could stop me from feeling him. Maybe he didn’t want me working out who he was. I understood the way he felt about it all, but I could have done with the reassurance of knowing there was someone there who was on my side. 

The rest of the lecture went without a hitch and as soon as it had finished, Cassie invited me for coffee. I agreed. I wasn’t ready to lose the friendly interaction. As I descended the stairs, I saw the most beautiful blonde girl smiling up at me and I smiled back. I felt like everything was looking up as her piercing blue eyes followed me. That was until at the last minute she stuck her leg out and sent me rolling down the rest of the steps, landing in a heap at the bottom. 

That was when I felt him. I could feel his anger. He had been hiding from me, but at that moment, he was using all his control to keep his temper in check. I looked at each of the lads there, but none of them seemed to be bothered at all by my predicament. I was still lying in a heap when the girl raised from her seat and took Brodie by the hand. The pair practically stepped over me and she was quite clearly enjoying the result of her actions. 

By the time I was standing again, Cassie was by my side. “Ignore Rachelle. She’s such a bitch. Come on, let’s go grab that coffee.” I took the hand she held out to me and allowed her to guide me out of the throng of people waiting to exit the room. The day had started out so badly, but I prayed to the Goddess that it would improve.