RACHEL'S POV

Waking up, I heard the faint hum of the shower running as I pried my eyes open. Rolling over, I realised that I had a good hour before my first class. I threw the covers off and groaned as I took to my feet. Lazily strolling over to the drawers, I pulled out some skinny jeans and a band top before plopping back down on my bed and waiting for Beth to get out of the bathroom.

Hearing the water go off, I reached under my bed and grabbed my toiletries bag before bundling up my clothes and going to the door, resting against the wall as I waited for her to exit. 'That showers great,' she sighed, coming out with a cloud of steam behind her.

Smiling, I slipped past and entered the hot room. I placed all my things on the side before stripping down and entering the shower. I turned on the water and my skin was soon being pounded with roasting hot water that trickled down my body. Once I'd washed my hair, I covered my body in a Strawberry scented scrub and watched as the bubbles ran down my body, partially covering my tattoos.

'Hun, you've been in there for 25 minutes!' Shouted Beth through the door. Thanking Beth, I quickly turned off the shower and hopped out into the seemingly cold air that had suddenly filled the room. I dried myself off before tugging my clothes on and applying deodorant. I then put on my make up - winged eyeliner, mascara, a little foundation - and stepped out of the bathroom.

'15 minutes,' stated Beth, briefly glancing up from her phone to look at me.

'First class?'

'Music,' I said as I began to pack my bag, 'you?'

'Medical science lecture,' she said, sounding terribly uninterested.

'Right, I'm off. See you later,' I exclaimed, taking my bag off my bed and hurrying out the door. As I made my way down the stairs (I was not facing the elevator alone), I made sure I had everything. 'Phone? Check. Keys? Check. Purse? Check. Books? Check. Pencils? Check.'

Following the signs, I exited the dorm building and made my way across a grassy patch before entering through a small door which lead to a large corridor full of people. I took a left and found myself, thankfully, in the music department. Reading the classroom numbers, I soon found mine. Opening the door, I walked into a room full of people who were choosing their seats. I noticed the professor sitting in his seat, looking over his lecture notes, and I tried to concentrate as I picked my seat. Noticing an empty one up the back, I hoisted my bag up and rushed towards it.

Diving into the chair, I took out my notebook and pencil case before looking up to the professor who was scanning us all. 'Okay,' he announced with a raspy voice, 'let's begin.' As he began to talk about Beethoven, I took the opportunity to glance around at my classmates.

Two boys who were sitting midway caught my eye - one was small and had hair down to his shoulder, and another had hair that fell across his face and large plugs. I smiled a little as the two leaned towards each other and discussed what the old man was saying. They both looked extremely excited by every word the man said - scribbling down notes and whispering constantly. Turning my attention away, I tried to catch up with what I was suppose to be writing. 'You,' he said, pointing towards the boy with the plugs. He stood up, hands holding on to his desk and waited for the professor's next words. From the back the guy looked attractive - his jeans fit nicely and I could see a lot of tattoos due to the fact that he was wearing a tank top.

'Beethoven's first public recital?'

'March 26th, 1778,' stated the boy shyly but quickly.

'Sit,' exclaimed the professor, motioning his finger downwards. As soon as the boy touched his seat, he was off again on another rant about composing. 'And that, dear students, was the life and achievements of Beethoven.' The professor, Mr Mosby, dropped his chalk and turned to us. He waved his hands around in the air, 'pack up, go on.'

With a small laugh from everyone, we packed up as the man took to his seat and gulped the last of his water away. Lifting my bag over my shoulder, I watched as everyone began to mingle. I wasn't very good at that, and in all honesty, I was sort of wishing I had Beth with me. I decided that I had to do something - I looked ridiculous just standing there.

Weaving through the desks, I approached the boy who had spoken earlier. Spinning around, he and his friend looked at me. At first, they looked a little uneasy but then their eyes fell to my shirt and they seemed to relax.

'Good band,' said the small one, gesturing towards my top.

'Thanks,' I mumbled. 'You were really fast answering that question,' I said, letting my eyes fall on the other boy. He was adorable and hot at the same time - his tattoos made you want him to strip, but his face may you want to melt.

'Uh, thanks, just a lot of free time.' I laughed, although I wasn't sure whether it was a joke or not, but I was nervous.

'I'm Vic,' said the smaller guy, extending his hand out towards me. I shook it briefly before turning to the other who was already looking at me.

'Tony,' he said quietly, almost as if it was a secret.

'Nice to meet you guys, I'm Rachel. Is this your first year here too?'

'Nah, second,' said Vic politely. 'Well, we better be off. Got food to eat,' he smiled, looking to the taller guy who's eyes were staring at the floor.

'Yeah,' said Tony softly. 'Bye, Rachel.' Our eyes met for a slip second and I felt my cheeks go red as we did so.

'Bye,' I said, grabbing my phone from my pocket and pretending to be busy.

---

Entering the canteen, I joined the reasonably short line for a panini. Taking my purse out, I looked up to the queue and noticed the two boys (Jack and Alex) standing a few people ahead. I lowered my head again, not wanting to be spotted, and shuffled behind a tall ginger girl who was drumming her fingers on her shoulder as she waited impatiently. Handing over the required money, I slid the tray off the counter and looked around the crowded room for a spare seat, I couldn't see Beth anywhere.

'Rachel, hi,' said a confident voice, I turned to see Alex. 'Come and sit with us, babe,' he said, ushering me to the free seat at their table. 'Oh hey, where's your friend?' asked Jack, winking as he took a bite of his sandwich. 'I don't know,' I sighed, opening my juice. 'Aw don't be sad, you've got us,' said Alex, nudging me. Scrunching my nose up at him playfully, I turned my attention to my cheese and ham panini which was begging to be eaten. Unwrapping it, I began to devour the delicious meal as I listened to the conversation. As I chewed, I was introduced to the rest - Zack, Rian and his girlfriend Cassadee. They all seemed nice, but I didn't feel like I fit in.

'So,' said Alex as he faced me, 'how you finding it so far?'

'Alright,' I said, 'I've not met as many people as I thought I would though.'

'Who have you met? Just new starters?'

'No,' I said as I swallowed, 'I met two pretty nice guys who are in their second year. Vic and Tony they're called, pretty smart pair.'

'Oh,' he chuckled, 'mm.'

'What?'

'We,' he signaled towards the four boys with his free hand, 'don't really get on with them.'

'Why?' I asked.

'I don't know, man. We've just had a few bad moments at parties. Fights and stuff, y'know what I mean.' Nodding understandingly, I wondered how anyone could fight the lovely, gentle guys I'd met at the end of my lecture. 'I mean, they were just stirring shit. They said I was cheating on my girlfriend, but I wasn't, I swear I wasn't. They were just determined to break us up, assholes.'

Suddenly, Rian caught on to what we were talking about and began to interject his own comments. Before I knew it, the whole table was talking about it. My head was swirling at their words - they called Vic a dickhead, and called Tony a 'weirdo'.

'I need to go,' I blurted out as I jumped from my seat, 'thanks for inviting me over, see you around.' I stumbled out of the seat and binned my rubbish before rushing out of the canteen. I didn't want to be associated with people like that.

As I strolled aimlessly through the halls, I bumped into an acquaintance I'd made in History. 'Hey,' I said, catching the girls attention. She was referred to as 'Kat' - she had dyed black hair that went down to her boobs, a Monroe piercing and the smallest face tattoo.

'Hey, what are you up to?' she asked, fondling with her keys as someone (her roommate I suspect) was knocking about in the room.

'Just wandering,' I said, feeling rather silly. It was midday, the sun was shining outside, and I was aimlessly strolling around indoors by myself.

'If you want, you come outside with us?'

'Us?' I asked.

'Me and Chris,' she smiled, pushing the door open a little wider to revealed a tall boy, dressed head to toe in black, who was tackling a backpack. 'We've packed a little food.'

'I won't be a trouble?'

'No way, and it'll be good to get to know each other better,' she ensured. Chris exited the dorm and nodded at me before swinging round and locking the door.

'I'm Chris,' he began, 'I like dark things, piercings, music and Kat. I'm in a band-'

'Motionless In White,' finished Kat, speaking as though he always introduced himself in that way.

As I followed behind the couple, we made our way out to the grassy patch I'd crossed earlier and took a seat under a shady tree. Removing the bag, Chris laid out a sheet and the pair began to unload the contents of the bag. They'd brought fruit, crackers, cheese and an assortment of hams. 'Tuck in,' announced Kat.

As I sat there, a blue cheese cracker sandwich shoved in my greedy mouth, I watched the world go by. I liked Chris and Kat, but I had a feeling that these were just another group that Alex would have something against. I brushed the small ounce of hatred I was beginning to feel off, knowing no good would come of it. We spoke a little about college before falling on to the topic of music, to my delight. They both had a great music taste and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing bands with them. After a lengthy conversation on the topic, I knew it was time for me to leave. I had one more lecture (English) and I didn't want to be late.

'Thanks for the great food, guys,' I said as I stretched out, 'nice to meet you, Chris.'

'And you, Rachel. Have a good lecture,' he smiled, lacing his fingers with Kat.

Notes

another kind of intro chapter.. the good stuff is coming soon, I swear! thanks for reading. thoughts? predictions?