Updates will be on Mondays, hopefully, I will be consistent with the schedule and working on other books. Enjoy! A dedication to knightsrachel for recommending my story for the month and her amazing stories that inspired me and just being an all-around wonderful person! <3 <3 <3 <3

Chapter 2:

I left class at last, the breeze hitting my skin leaving the building. Our homework assignment: study the morals of both Plato and Socrates. I let out another yawn as I stretched my arms above my head. It's 11:50 a.m., from what I saw on the clock in class before leaving. I pulled out my schedule for the week:

Monday:

Philosophy 101 10:00 a.m. Prof. Kirby

English 301 12:30 p.m. Prof. Stanton

Wednesday:

World History 101 2:45 p.m. Prof. Diaz

Biology 102 5:00 p.m. Prof. Adefemi

Friday:

Film 9:00 a.m. Prof. Plum

Calculus 12:00 p.m. Prof. Mendoza

Spanish 101 3:00 p.m. Prof. Lopez

All of the classes were in different buildings on campus, some close, some I had to take the bus for. Folding the paper, I placed it inside the side pouch of my backpack. Both straps were on my shoulders, I stepped down the short flight of stairs until I reached the sidewalk.

I knew my way around the university but the map on my phone was still helpful whenever I got lost. "Roomieeeee!" I heard the familiar voice of my bubbly roommate Penny scream my name from behind me. I met her during freshman week, we got along speaking about our favorite show, Pretty Little Liars, and debating how the writers rewrote most of the storylines differently from the book series.

We still loved watching anyways, a benefit and coincidence that she's now my roommate. Turning around, her strawberry blonde hair swished back and forth as she ran toward me, pale skin glowed from the Sun. "Roomie!" I tried to say in the same tone but my voice cracked, I coughed the phlegm formed in my throat, blocking the germs with my elbow.

"So glad I caught you before class." She linked her arm with mine, "time for our tradition of afternoon ice cream."

"That's not our tradition. And in the afternoon?"

"Anytime can be ice cream time." I nodded in agreement. She pulled me behind to follow and we reached the road. Then a car came, speeding past us like NASCAR. Startling both of us, we let out shrieks and fell backward, landing on our butts on the pavement. The person didn't stop to apologize or notice.

"What the hell?" Penny muttered angrily sitting up.

"DUMBASS!" I cupped my hands around my mouth, yelling loud enough for them to hear, I hoped they heard me. I let myself up and then helped Penny too

The black car disappeared into the corner. I didn't get a chance to read the license. Asshole. I groaned, pissed off and drowsy, I brushed the dirt off the back of my jeans.

"Whatever happened to courtesy on the road?" Penny asked.

"They weren't raised that way, probably." Unzipping the front to bring out my hand sanitizer, a few drops in my palms. Penny held out hers, I shared some of the sanitizer.

"Now ice cream," she said, taking a hold of my elbow again. I almost protested but went along, The cold dessert might jolt my senses up.

***

Penny flirted with the hot cashier in glasses after we got our cones. She asked what major he was studying and if he lived on campus. I watched the whole exchange silently between two of them with amusement. He was obviously vibing on her, he kept fiddling with his glasses when she inched closer to him. He gave us a few free scoops and her number before me and Penny headed our separate ways. I headed straight to the English class. The lecture consisted of the definition of literature, we introduced ourselves to each other. Our assignment was to read Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven to discuss it next week.

I took the time to collect my belongings. The day felt too long, sluggishly I walked out to the next building for support group therapy. The support group assisted and discussed any kind of issues: Depression, insomnia, anxiety, stress, relationship, eating disorders, self-harm, abuse, etc.

Chat rooms were available online for late nights to help one another without self-medication. I had to come here every day after classes. I've been in denial of my insomnia and stress for a long time, my parents begged me to get help before it got worse. I signed on the clipboard on the desk, the group already sat in the well-lit room chairs in a circle and all eyes on me. I smiled tightly, the looks made the hair on my arms stand. I took the empty seat by the heater.

"Welcome," the woman's soft voice said to me and grinned. I waved and placed my bag on the ground, crossing my ankles behind each other. She was sitting right in the middle so she could get a view of everyone. "This is the first session for the year. My name is Ms. Donavan and we will be introducing ourselves, getting to know each other." She scooted up closer, adjusting her headband over her frizzy black bob.

"Don't be afraid to speak up if you're new but it's your choice to observe and listen-" The door opened, interrupting her, and it slammed against the wall outside. Everyone turned their direction to who came in: his hands were in his black hoodie pocket, bags were under his eyes, jaw clenched, blue eyes, hunched shoulders, messy brown hair, and a blank expression.

"Mr. Damien hello," Ms. Donavan said in the same tone but the affliction sounded annoyed. He grunted in response, walking to the far corner of the room and plopped on a seat. "Would you rather join us?" She gestured with her hand in a circle.

"Not really," he replied, shrugging and leaned back on his chair. I raised an eyebrow at his rude behavior, we're all here for a reason. Was he the guy that sat behind me in Philosophy? Damien looked in my direction, his eyes were hard yet tired. I slowly turned away to pay attention but I felt his eyes on my back.

I glanced over my shoulder for a peek if he was looking at me and he was. Clearing my throat I licked my dry lips and sat straighter as Ms. Donovan began.

Damien has arrived!