Chapter 13

To live synonyms To breathe ---- so keep breathing slow and steady and enjoy!!!!

 I took a deep breath as I finish the final touches of my make up.

To go to school back after thrilling holidays especially with your group of friends like mine would be as boring as interesting it is to go to a new college. I do agree a bit of nervousness but since I have Joshan with me, I am fine. I am getting so emotionally dependant on him that it is scary sometimes. But as they say “Live for the moment”

Yes!!!! I did put up some make up today. Done with the high school, I was a college student now. How I had dreamt since my child hood to become an engineer and this was my first big step towards my dream. The best part being my best friend too was accompanying me to the same college.

You picked it right. Joshan and Deren are in the same college. They made it through. So I have to bear him a gain and his porn gossips too. Yeah a bit of exaggeration but he is still the same Casanova stud and always sharing his date details with me.

 Deren and Joshan were picking me from my house. We all needed each other. We were doing something big at least bigger than our high school. We were shaping our future.

I kept my dressing simple with a pair of jeans and a green tee. Both Deren and Joshan were also dressed in denims other than Joshan was looking ultra hot with his perfectly shaped body as he had spent extra hours in the gym after his break up last week.’. To look for a new one was a little difficult during vacations and I am sure he was waiting to try his luck or may be his charms in the new college.

After we reached the parking lot a new sense of responsibility touched us. The lush green campus was filled with students few nervous, few excited and few lost as if hunting their classes. The infrastructure was huge with number of blocks for different categories. Students were looking through the notice boards checking something out. Few were sitting in groups and chatting with each other.

I was feeling a bit unnerved as I was heading towards our classrooms. I was missing Stacie and Cairo. Joshan squeezed my hand for comfort and I winked at him with a smile. He understands me very well now. Deren continued blabbering in his usual sense of humor.

“Do you expect any hot teacher?” Deren asked.

“Student/teacher…Gross!!!!!” I said hitting him on his broad shoulders hurting myself.

“Before that ‘Girls beware Joshan’s here” Joshan said in a cute flirtatious style with a semi spin.

That was enough to attract all the girls present in the class who now started to smirk at him giving glances and gestures telling, “come on we are ready to be F##ked”.

I hope all are not like this. We need friends after all. It was like even boys were all over me asking for introduction which I could not deny with me remembering only a few names, Spark, John, Peter especially Macen who I felt was extremely good looking and handsome.

First period we had the same class but in the second we had to segregate due to different classes. I was left alone and sat in my favorite first bench. I guess all others were afraid of first bench so I was left sitting alone till a blue eyed girl with golden brown hair entered the class. She looked very simple in her yellow casual tee and denim shorts. She saw first empty seat and bumped into it. I believe she got conscious of all the poking eyes.

“Hi I am Pearly” I offered my hand for a shake.

She thought for a while and extended her hand “Hi I am Essme. I am new here. We just shifted from California. So I don’t now much about here so a bit nervous you see.”

“No problem. I am a local resident and can guide you any time you need.” I said

“That would be lovely as I do not know much people around here.” She thankfully uttered.

Somewhere I felt we would do great as friends. We spent rest two lectures together before the lunch break. I accompanied Essme and met Joshan and Deren on the entrance of the canteen. Canteen here was more like a restaurant with selfservice thing. The walls were pale yellow with one huge wall painted will multi colored human figures animated like cartoons. The surrounding as very refreshing especially after you have sincerely attended your classes without any pranks. First day I did not feel like entering into any.

I introduced Essme to Joshan and Deren who were equally pleased to meet her.

While Joshan and Deren were flirting with Essme I went to get lunch for myself.  I was feeling starved.

As I was standing in the queue to wait for my turn, a spoilt brat kind of guy who was standing ahead of me with his group of friends turned towards me. He was extremely broad built with dangerous height probably 6.5. He had a huge tattoo of some devilish figure on his shoulder. The ring on his right eyebrow added to his evil personality.

“Hey beautiful chick” he addressed me.

“Who me?” I acted to look behind me or here there as if I was not the one he was trying his luck with.

“Little chick I am talking to you sweetie” he came to me as he caressed my cheeks with his pointer.

“Excuse me” I kicked off his hand, “whoever you are. Stay away from me. I am nevertheless interested.”

“Fresher baby. After a month every girl seems to get interested in me” he turned around me moving in circle and licked his lower lip irritating me to the most.

“Whatever.” I said “try some other ass you assh###e” and headed to get my food.

“Smart hoe” he said but I passed him ignoring him which I think really hurt his ego as I heard his friends mocking at him’ “Man this fresher has really put you down”.

To which  he answered, “Wait and watch I am Jules ‘Jules the one who rules’ she will learn about it”.

Joshan and Deren as usual were busy flirting around and Essme was bugged so I told her to get her lunch. Joshan and Deren followed after.

Day went as cool as the first day of college could be with we landed making new friends and playing some pranks with the faculties as later in the classes me ,Joshan and Deren were together not to forget Essme who was now a part of our small group.

The prank was passing chits in language other than existing in atlas and deliberately letting it caught by teachers who would be wondering to their bed what was in the chit. The answer unknown to the writer itself. The disturbance and wastage of time, not to forget the message which twisted M\s Hugh’s tongue while unable to read was enough to amuse the class and conveyed the message, “No room for boredom”.

By the end of the college everybody was aware of Joshan, not only because of his looks but also for the piece of entertainment which was to be followed throughout the year.

We carried our books and headed towards the locker to dump them before leaving home. Joshan was supposed to ride us home. So I was waiting in the corridors till he finished introducing himself to a hot and sexy babe from the college. She looked like a senior and Joshan looked thrilled as ever. Deren was also enjoying with him. Essme had left a little early to settle something with her accommodation. She also asked me to help her settle down with new place and shopping the essentials. Though she had a lot to manage on her own she was cheerful all the while.

Tired waiting for Joshan and his flirtings to end, I left to explore the college specially I would die if I do not get to see the library and reading room of the college. Till now all I knew were the locker rooms, my classes and the canteen.

 With guys as friends how can one not know about Canteen!!!! . Even before when we came to fill the documents both Joshan and Deren had lead their way to the canteen and filled themselves with their delights.

 These guys are such foodies!!!!

It took little bit of walking and couple of asking to the senior students to finally locate my favorite place.

The library was wonderful with huge shelves and compartments loaded with books each separated according to their classifications and authors. The room was well lit and nicely ventilated. The book records were connected to computers so as to easily locate the availability of the books. The librarian in his early forties looked like a nerdy but turned extremely cheerful once he realizes that we are serious readers.

With me he was impressed when he noticed my choice of book which was latest copy of Rhonda Bryne and Neggille Goddard. I also picked one of Nicholas Spark’s novelties. I got them registered and left to explore the reading room.

The reading room was heavenly with pin drop silence. It was my personal cathedral. The room was centrally ac with white walls and knitted curtain which gave lively and brightened impact. I knew this is surely going to be my favorite place especially when Joshan gets too cheesy with his girlfriends. I now do not have Stacie and Cairo too. I am gonna miss them badly.

As I was about to sit to read my picks I got a text from Joshan to leave. So instead I left for the main building area

I was hurrying as I knew we were late because of Joshan’s stupid flirting. I was taking fast steps lost in my own speed.

A huge barrier struck me and blocked my way. I got a sudden jerk and was stopped on my tracks. I came to my senses as I stretched my neck at the tall figure standing in front of me

 “I am ‘Jules the one who rules” I heard as my vision reached the face of tall figure standing right in front of me who was blocking my way. He was munching his snickers as he was bragging about himself.

To say I was not scared would be untrue. But I was Pearly Mathews so I cannot get intimidated by his Bad Boy looks. So I stood strong and sturdy staring right into his hazel eyes giving ‘I ain’t scared’ looks to him.

“Excuse me” I said boldly.

“Squeeze me” he said as he brushed his body against mine and moved slightly right. “Baby lost. Need help”.

“No thanks I am all trained since infants” and I bent to pick the wrapper of his snickers and threw it in the waste bin.

He was shocked as I could see his mouth open when I surpassed him and left.

“Are you fine? Is he troubling you?” Joshan asked concerned.

“Let’s show him some hard core muscles.” Deren said pulling up his shirt sleeves.

“Wait  Deren. Stop Joshan “I yelled. I grabbed Joshan’s wrist and made him face me. Deren also halted behind to listen. “Look this is college and I am grown up enough. I can handle it. It’s fine. Don’t create a scene. He is no trouble to me.”

He cupped my right cheeks in his right palm, “you know I care”

“I won’t let him harm me. Trust me I’ll call you first if I fall into trouble. I am fine.” I winked my eyes slowly at him. He also nodded in understanding and we left home.

Jules was grinning and smiling in amusement when I saw him from corner of my eye but I completely ignored him. I think he to maintain his intimidting personality.

“So first day of college was not boring” I shared with Joshan.

“What entertained you?” Joshan asked his eyes on the road. He’s a responsible citizen who obeys traffic rules, wears seatbelt and so on. Day by day as I am knowing him I am starting to like him more. Who knew the stud of high school will end up being my best friend. He’s going to spread his charm here too as I could see girls in the college were already drooling over him and giving me death glares. Soon they will know we are just friends. A frown crosses my face. I do not understand why?”

“Hey what excited you today. That ruler Jules?” Joshan asked dragging me out of my reverie.

“That was quite an adventure a big bad boy of the college trying to mess with you. But I did like to study machines and motors. Who could have thought that an aeroplane flies only because of a motor engine?” I answered.

“Quite realistic. I think its going to be fun especially when an intelligent peer is present to train you” Joshan added.

“Joshan take this thing seriously. You shouldn’t miss classes now. Work your timings with your girlfriends.” I kind of lectured  and bit my lip. He gets pissed at my bossiness.

“I don’t have any” he pouted

“yet and how long are you going to remain single?” I said knowing he already had phone numbers of half the girls from the college.

“Not much” he smirked.

“That I know you will surely get some stupid dame to screw soon” I said switching his mobile to silent which displayed hot girl #3.

This was his code naming #1 to best looking, #2 to a better and so on as the quality deteriorated. My best friend is a certified jerk!!!!

“Oh it’s been long I haven’t kissed” he said.

“kiss your ass dumbhead” I hit him playfully

“I can’t reach my ass” he said making a serious face

“you are such a moron” I couldn’t help laughing at his liner.

“Why non morons can kiss their asses?” he asked innocently

“Shut –up” I hit him with the novel I just picked from the library.

“You can kiss yours?” he asked again. He loves to irritate me!!!

“Joshan!!!”

“I was checking whether you are a moron or not” he said happy about his success in bugging me.

We giggled, fought and laughed till I reached my home and Joshan left for his.

I was enjoying rest of the day reading and texting my friends and cousins. Stacie and Cairo also commuted only through messages. I think their courses needed lot of practical dragging labour and kept them busy. But they did enjoy partying and enjoying with their group of friends. They had made many new friends as their college started a week earlier than ours.

But what took my mind was a text from Dexter. He usually sent some casual and some teasing pranks type. This one was different. It said, ‘

Dexter: works doing great. M earning good. planning to propose’.

Why was he telling me? I don’t even know about his crush. Sometimes they say over stress boggles your brains. May be lot of studies and strenuous work load has wrecked his brains out. Whatever I decided to ignore and I answered back

Me: all d best. Try not to scare her.

I replied all my other texts with forwarded messages, smileys and lolls.

Next day I preferably took my personal ride to the university as Joshan had to leave early to meet some blonde trying to fill in vacant space of his girlfriend.

I also reached early to return the books to the library and get new one issued.

There was still time for the class to begin so impatient me started reading in the class itself. I am so lost when I am with my book that I forget the world outside. Nothing can bother me even if I get severe itching on my head. It’s itching less and hurting more. I have a strange pained sensation on my head. I loose my concentration and feel relaxed as I feel something falling on my shoulders reaching my waist.

“It’s surely got to be you Joshan”, I yelled in irritation as I could see him running with my rubber band in his hand. I can’t believe he actually untied my hair and ran away.

He and his pranks!! He should actually behave goddamm we are in an university now.

I ran after him swaying my long hair behind me.

“Ooouch. You hurt me. Trying to seduce me on purpose?” Jules said

‘oh no not again’ I muttered to myself. I was furious at Joshan and now I have to deal with him. “Sorry” I said coldly and walked away. But he blocked my path.

“Listen you. I am not in a mood to take your mess.” I changed my tone from curt to flirtatiously polite , “so pleaseee may I get your kind excuse”

He was shocked and lost in my sudden change of conversation that I took the moment and went to search Joshan where I expected him, in the canteen.

I saw him sitting with Deren smirking and teasing me with my hair accessory.

“Joshan you should grow up now” I warned him growling.

“You look pretty this way with your lovely long hair.” He started playing with curls of my hair which he normally does when we are together. I forgave them instantly as Joshan hugged me and sat besides them relishing their company.

“Wear a new color everyday. He’s going to open up an accessory gallery soon” Deren sarcastically remarked.

“Guess what his girl friends would do if he continued pulling bands” I added.

“Girlfriend he chooses are bitches won’t leave his mouth, so he cannot reach their hair on the head, others don’t need a band.” Deren mocked.

“Language Deren” joshan said embarrassed and mused.

“I do not pull everybody’s rubber band” Joshan snapped.

“Why do you have to keep me that special?” I elbowed him.

“Why were you reading on OUR time?” he coolly asked sipping from his glass of drink.

“Bullshit, you F##king asshole I was reading such an interesting book, the boy was about to propose” and I put my hand on my forehead.

“another chickflick” Deren hissed.

“ I left my book in the class shit!!” and I rushed to the class room in one breadth only to see it missing from my desk.

“I swear I am not going to forgive you if I don’t get that book” I told Joshan who also hastened behind me.