Morning. We all know what that means. Waking up, which wouldn't be a problem had I not spent the previous night coding until 3AM.
The light was beating down on me, even through the curtains. I slowly sat up in my bed and put my face in my hands. I was sitting like a really stupid depressed statue for at least 10 minutes. I searched for my glasses on my table, can't really see anything without them. Finally getting out of bed I picked up my clothes, towel and body wash and went to the bathroom. I took a quick shower, dried off and dressed in the privacy of the bathroom. That's not the hard part, it never is. I walked over to the sink, and there it was, the hard part. Having to brush my teeth while looking at the creature that stares back in the mirror. "Oh, Courtney, you're always so cute!" Yeah right. You say that, but I simply do not believe you. I don't want to think others are lying to me, but I also really can't believe it. I finished my business and left as quickly as I could.
I walk downstairs. No one. Naturally. I grabbed my stuff for the day and left the house. Alright, time to put on a smile for every one. My mouth already tilted upwards, standard procedures. I head to the bus stop, other people already gathering there, some adults going to work, some students of variying ages. I've got a long hour long commute ahead of me. My mind is empty for most of the journey, but I also have to come up with an excuse as to why I can't hang out today, just in case anyone asks me.
My route consists of three seperate buses, the final of which is the worst. Why? Well this is the bus that goes straight to campus, which means now there will actually be people that might recognize me. Don't get me wrong, I obviously don't hate these people, I don't think I have the capacity to hate anyone. But it can just be really tiring you know?
"Hello, Courtney." I hear a familliar soft and quiet voice. I turn my head around. "Oh, hi Luna! Didn't see you there, sorry." I respond to the voice. It belonged to my good friend Luna. She is a tad different to most of the other people around here. She has cat ears and a tail. She's a catkin, I think the proper term is. I don't usually really bother with that though, she's just like anyone else to me, better actually, because unlike most people I actually really like her. We talked a little bit at the station and on the bus. Not much, neither is really the talkative type. We arrived on campus and I walked Luna to her faculty, least I can do for her.
I absent mindedly walked to my own faculty and by extension class. When I entered the building O heard some murmurs. Apparently the problem child of our faculty, Amy, actually came to school this time. I didn't really pay attention, I never really do, but today my mindless walking would face some concequences. I was looking at the ground, pretending like I'm lost in thought, when suddenly I walked into someone. It was her. "Oh my gosh, I- I'm so sorry I was lost in thought and didn't see you there." I stammered out as the person turned to look at me. The person staring back at me had, well I wouldn't call them striking, I'd call them dead or hollow actually, green eyes with huge bags under her eyes. Her golden, almost white hair looked beautiful on the first look but then you'd look at her bangs and it screamed that they were done by someone who had no idea what they were doing. She looked me up and down before answering, "Whatever." and leaving. I didn't even have the time to reply or anything, she was just... gone. I decided that I'd rather just disappear and so I quickly headed to my class.
There I was, minding my own buisness when I suddenly felt something hit into me. I turned around and saw a girl. I looked her up and down. My height, looks scrawny, could probably beat her up if I wanted to. Her outfit was a bit odd to me. White Button-Up Shirt, a red tie, black skirt, black stockings, black loafers and a red hoodie? Are you trying to look formal or not? Light brown hair thats fluffy too, I envy you. My eyes locked with her blue ones. I could have made it into a problem, but I ultimately decided against it. "Whatever." I just replied to get this interaction overwith as soon as possible, turned around and went to class.
I entered class and took a seat next to a purple haired catkin. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence." the catkin said with a snarky tone. "You shut up, Vex, I don't want to hear shit from you." I replied. The catkin just smirked and went back to her drawing. This was my friend Vex. The two of us go way back. The teacher arrived late and immediatly started droning on about some nonsense. I don't know, I didn't pay attention, I didn't care, I never did. I spent all of class scrolling on my phone. At least I think. I wasn't particularly concious. The bell rang and I let out an annoyed sigh.
"What are you sighing about? You don't even pay attention to anything." I hear from the fammiliar voice to my right.
"What am I sighing about? Just being here obviously."
"You're not going to get very far here with that kind of attitude."
"Do I even want to?"
"Are you asking me? How should I know? Get up lazyass."
"Fuckin' whatever, fine." I get up out of the chair. "I have better things to do than sit all day in class, like standing around all cool and smoking behind the building."
"You don't smoke, who are you trying to fool here?"
"..."
"Now come on, wanna grab a bite to eat before next class?"
"With you? No? The less time I spend with you the better."
"Aww. Is that right? And I just got some money from a comission I just recently finished and bought a bunch of cheep booze to get hammered on, but if you don't want to, thats fine too I guess." Vex spoke in a falsely sad tone.
"Fine, if you insist, I'll come to your place to drink later. Happy? I'm still not getting breakfast with you though."
Vex stuck out her tongue and flipped me off. "Fine, I know I can't force you regardless, see ya later then." and with that she left.
I followed closely but we split in the halls. Two whole hours until the next class. I can just sleep in the library.
I just split away from my best friend Courtney and carefully walked over to my classes. You can never be too careful if you're someone that doesn't quite fit in. However college is a huge melting pot of all different kinds of people, so its not all bad.
I sat down in my favourite seat and waited. Slowly but surely the students started to trickle in. Come to think of it I don't really know anyone here. I don't ever talk to anyone and no one really talks to me. I think I like it this way however. Soon after everyone else the professor also arrived. He started his lecture and I of course listened intently. I'm afraid he doesn't like me very much though. Whenever he glances at me I always feel like he has a particularly judging look in his eyes. I can't really prove it however. Not sure I'd even want to. Other than that, not much really happened for this class or the other one.
Over my lunch break I hide out in the study room or the library. Its quiet there. I decided to go to the library. In my time there this girl just, bumped into me. She was a bit taller than me and had this sweet smile on her face that looked normal from a distance, but close up you could tell something was off.
"Oops, sorry about that." she said the lack of remorse in her voice evident.
"Um... its okay." I squeaked out quietly.
If I was stronger I'd have confronted her on her behaviour. This wouldn't be the first time she pulled this trick and anyone who would get an apology from her would immediatly know how fake it is. But I'm not stronger, so all I can really do is let it go.
As the mean girl was leaving I saw the blond haired girl that was sleeping there lift her head. I fully expected her face to be angry because I disturbed her sleep, after all, I know who it was, her reputation preceded her, but she wasn't angry. She just looked at me with a sense of understanding and went back to sleep.
My poor heart decided it had enough and I had to leave the library as soon as possible after all that.
"Good morning." I greet the librarian as I enter our college's centre of knowledge. I have a lot of studying to do. My extra exams are coming up after all. I start browsing through the scriptures which I want to borrow. I'm doing my thing peacefully when it walks in. This thing. It looks human enough at first, long black hair, dressed like a student, but there's something wrong with it. It has cat ears... and a tail.
It starts walking towards me. Is it trying to attack? No. She looks way too meek to do that.
Regardless, I need to show her where she belongs. I take the scriptures I needed and walked by her, bumping into her on purpose. "Oops, I'm so sorry, didn't see you there." Yeah, right. She'll probably buy that.
I checked out the books at the librarian and headed off. I've got some time left before my next class and the room should be empty at this point so I can head straight there without anyone bothering me.
Just as I had expected, the class was empty, perfect, as always. It really helps out to be on top of the schedule of every classroom you go to.
I was reading peacefully when the other started to trickle in after a few minutes. Can these people be any louder? People are trying to read here. Some girls waved to me. I smiled and waved back.
One of them sat in front of me. "Hey Sarah. Did you watch the new episode of Beloved Island?"
Who is this? Did I ever say I would to this person?
"I'm sorry, I've been too busy studying for my extra exams."
"Aww, you're no fun, but I understand. I wish I had even a fraction of your drive to study. Do you promise you'll watch at least one episode when you're done?"
"Uhm... yeah sure."
"Great! I can't wait to hear what you think."
And just like that she turned away from me and started talking with her friends.
God, can some of you be any more annoying?
I stayed on top of my classes that day, as usual. One of my evening classes has another one of those things. I went into the class expecting her to be there, but she wasn't. Not that I care, but at least she seemed like an academic rival unlike most of these degenerates. Part of me can't help but wonder where she went.
I actually look around a bit more. I see the blond haired girl. She’s not usually here. Did hell freeze over? Well whatever. Today is the day we get sorted for our group projects for the semester. I can only hope I get someone halfway responsible.
I thought the teacher would choose right here and now based on our seating like most of them do, but surprisingly he already had the groups prepared.
He called our names one by one, told us to stand up and then rearrange ourselves together. He called my name, so I stood up, bracing for whatever awful partner I get.
The next person he called was “Vex”. No one stood up. Wait. Was I paired with the purple cat creature? I suppose it could be worse. Her entire existence makes me icky, but at least she seems competent.
Then he called the other name. And the blond haired girl stood up. My heart sank. Her? Of all the people here, I get partnered up with the delinquent?
I had to sit next to her.
“Hey-” she started talking.
“Shh… do not disturb the professor.” I whispered back. I really did not want to talk to her. She seemed to recoil back a bit, seemingly surprised, but then her face returned to her regular impassive mode.
After class she tried talking to me again. “Hey, should we exchange contact information?”
I cut her off immediately. “Let's wait for the other one to get here, then we’ll decide, alright?”
She backed off. “Uh… okay, sure.”
I left the classroom as fast as was possibly dignified. How will this go? I can only hope well, otherwise, some people might not be ever found again.
"Why am I even here?" I thought to myself. "I'm only here to make the old man shut up, Why don't I just skip all the time?"
So there I was sitting angrily in class, drawing like usual when a certain blond girl walked in.
"No way, she actually came to class for once."
As she sat next to me, it was obvious to me that I had to tease her about it. I even invited her to my place after school. Been a while since we last hung out. And since she barely responds to messages, this was the best chance I'd probably get in a while. We split up after class, Amy probably heading off to the library to catch more z's. I was hungry as I had to skip breakfast due to early classes so I got a bite to eat. I considered skipping my one evening class while eating. I can just excuse myself for not feeling well since I usually arrive on time and actively participate. Model student looking in from the outside here. Okay well yes, I spend a good chunk of class just doodling in my "notes", but I at least pay attention to the professors and the occasional slide, so it's all good, right?
I got through the rest of my classes with a great amount of agony. I ultimately decided that yes, I will be skipping my evening class. Instead, I went to the store to get some booze. I don't actually have any at home anymore and I invited Amy over on the promise of it.
I arrived home from the store and changed into something more freeing. I have some time before Amy arrives, so I might as well continue drawing. If she arrives at all actually and doesn't cancel at the last minute. It was 6PM by the time Amy arrived.
"Yo. I'm here." she announced casually.
"Surprised you didn't bail out. Come in."
Amy walked in, kicking her shoes off in the hallway and immediately headed for my room.
"Damn, this place is a total shithole." she said when she arrived in my room.
"Projecting much?"
"Hey, I never said my room isn't a shithole either."
"So what, you actually gonna drink like a proper adult? Or will you chicken out after sipping one shot and giving up like usual?"
"Well, maybe? I'll see."
"Suit yourself, more for me."
I pour Amy a shot, she takes a sip and her face scrunches instantly. I throw my shot back myself without any sort of reaction.
I turn around to pour myself another shot when I hear Amy cough. "God. How do you people drink this stuff? It tastes awful."
"I don't think many people actually like the taste. We drink it to get fucked up."
"I-Isn't that a little irresponsible?"
"Oh, here we go again. You can stop trying, you won't get me to change my ways."
"I'm just concerned you'll get yourself really sick one day, Vexi."
I sigh. "You make it so hard for me to counter you. Look, I'll be fine. No need to worry about me. Do you trust me?"
She ponders on it for a bit. "I mean, I do, but... Alright, I trust you won't hurt yourself."
"There's a good girl. Now do you want another shot?"
"Hell no!”
“Oh, yeah, by the way.” Amy continued. “I went to class today. I took notes for you, since you weren’t there.”
“Thanks, appreciate it. Did we get sorted into our groups? I kind of forgot that was today when I excused myself. So, did you catch who I was paired with?”
“Hehe, me of course.”
“That’s great! You pay me in booze and I’ll be sure to do your part as well. Who’s the other one?”
“A girl named Sarah, I think? She looked a bit stuck-up to me.”
Sarah, huh? She’s definitely smart, but there’s something off about her…