A/N: Olivia Meyer's aesthetics.

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Olivia's POV

"First day back at college, Liv. Don't stress, everything will be fine!" I tell myself in the mirror on my dressing table. "Chill, it can't be as bad as last year."

I curl the last strands of my waist-length brown hair and quickly apply makeup, hoping to push away the ever-present anxiety twisting in my stomach.

With a sigh, I grab my glasses and finish getting dressed. I glance down at my outfit: black ripped jeans, a white t-shirt, a denim jacket, and my Adidas Superstars. Hopefully, it's good enough for the first day back.

In case you're wondering, I'm Olivia Meyer, arguably the quietest girl you'll ever meet, especially if you don't know me well. I don't get involved in much, nor do I stand out like most people. And honestly? I like it that way.

My favorite thing in the world is painting. It's the only thing that keeps me sane. Painting is a way to express your innermost thoughts, no matter how abstract they may be, and it has been my main focus for the past four years.

"Olivia! Time for you to get going!" my grandma calls from the kitchen. Her kind, soothing voice calms my nerves almost instantly.

"I'll be right down!" I shout back.

My grandma has been my rock ever since I was born. For most of my seventeen years, she's taken care of me, giving me everything I needed when my own parents couldn't, or wouldn't.

Where my parents failed, my grandma made up for it. Every primary school play, every art show, she was always there, cheering me on and being my biggest fan. She has a heart of gold, and words can't even begin to describe how much she means to me.

"Olivia, my dear, you look as lovely as always." Grandma hugs me tightly as I head out the door. I feel her slip a small bag of cookies into my bag, making me laugh.

"Grandma, if you keep feeding me like this, I'll never make it out the door!"

She winks. "Well, at least it'll be for a good cause! See you later, love. Have a good day. Oh, and don't forget to bring home that beautiful painting from art class. I want to hang it in the living room."

I nod happily, wave goodbye, and head out to catch the bus to college.

***

Onboard, I spot my best friend, Tom McKenzie, waiting in the middle of the bus and take the empty seat beside him.

We've known each other since we were about five, and he's the only person who truly knows my history, what I've been through. Others know bits and pieces, but only Tom knows everything.

Even though he's the captain of the rugby team, he's not the kind of person you'd expect. He's kind, caring, talented at photography, and much to everyone's surprise, very intelligent.

He's also incredibly popular, which is something I can't relate to. I prefer to keep to myself.

But he's always been there for me, and for that, I have no complaints. Today, though, he looks a bit different, and I catch myself staring at him longer than I should.

"You okay, Liv? You've been staring at me for a while." His brows furrow in confusion, and I quickly look away, embarrassed.

"No, I just thought you looked... different today."

He laughs and sweeps his golden hair back from his face. A few girls nearby sigh in admiration. He has that effect on people, I guess.

"Well, I did get my hair cut differently, like you suggested last week. Is that it?"

I think for a moment. "No, that's not it. But it does suit you. Anyway, are you still free to help me with my art project today?"

"I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'll meet you in the workroom at 12. That's my free period." His emerald-green eyes meet mine, and I nod.

"That would be amazing. Thank you."

We chat all the way to college. Not seeing each other daily over the summer holidays left us with a lot to catch up on.

I tell him about being accepted into the local gallery's art exhibition for one of my pieces, and he tells me about his long-awaited trip to Australia, which he returned from just last week.

His bronzed skin is a clear reminder of how much fun he had. He's only just started showing me pictures from his trip when the bus pulls to a halt outside our destination.

I grab my bag, say goodbye to Tom, and step off the bus, keeping my head down to avoid drawing attention.

With my art folder in hand, I walk straight into the art workroom. My classmates acknowledge me with little more than a nod.

So much for this year being different from the last...

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Author's Note: So, what did you all think of the opening? This is my first ever story, and I'm hoping that you'll all enjoy it once I get into the swing of things. If you want another chapter make sure to vote, comment and follow!