It was a sunny day as James moved into the university, the sun heating his skin and the touch of breeze helping him cool down, the birds tweeting made him feel a bit calm.
This was a big step for James for he didn't really like leaving his home, people would stare at him for the way he dressed, which was mainly baggy tracksuit bottoms with normal short sleeved shirt and a big jacket along with a black cap ontop of his shoulder-lenght black hair. James didn't have much money so he couldn't buy new clothes, he saved his change for food and soaps to keep him and his clothes clean. He made sure not to spend all of his change so that he could save it for later, he had a tin under his bed which he kept change in to keep them safe, he didn't really like to carry change around.
He looked at the university building before him, it was big and castle-like. It had a lush green garden before it which had a pavement going through the middle where it met a mountain and carried on. There weren't many people outside which was good for him, making the box in his hands comfortable once more he walked along the stoned pathway and into the building, luckily the doors were open.
As he entered the building became more modern like, white walls and computers. In the middle of the room was a huge white desk with a computer which a woman was working on, you could hear her fingers tapping the keyboard gently. The women looked young, about in her twenties, her brown hair was pulled into a nicely tied bun which also had a white flower clip holding the hair in place. Her black glasses were pushed up as she began to type again, her hazel eyes focusing on the screen. James didn't want to disturb her but he needed to get the number and key to his room, he wanted to be alone. He walked to the desk and cleared his throat, getting the lady's attention.
"Excuse me ma'am, I'm moving into this university but I'm not sure what my room number is"
"Oh, I can help you with that" she smiled as she looked up at him "What's your name?"
"James Barnes" The women nodded and typed his name into the computer, she did some clicking before finding the document.
"Ah here you are, you're in Building A, floor 3 number 25. Building A is on the left of this building, it's got a big green sign so that you don't get lost" the women replied "These are your keys and here is a leaflet about the campus and your timetable, you'll begin tomorrow so you can rest for today or make friends" she put the keys and leaflet on the desk infront of James which he immediately picked up and put in his box.
"Thank you, sorry for disturbing you"
"Oh not at all, I'm happy to help" she said with another smile "I hope you enjoy your time here "
James nodded at her "Thank you" holding his box tightly in his hands once more he walked out of the building and looked for building A, it only took the turn of his head to the left to see the green sign. He walked into the building to find a lot of students, some were walking about or standing near the walls talking to one another, James ignored them and walked up the stairs until he was on the third floor, he walked through the hallway until he got to his room number. Taking the keys from his box he put the key in the hole and turned it, making the door unlocked. He turned the knob and opened the door, when he walked in his eyes scanned the room.
It wasn't big but it wasn't small either, infact the size was perfect. The walls were painted a light grey, there was a double bed with a white duvet cover and four white pillows, two stacked on two. On the wall to his left and beside it was a small table with a lamp on it. On the opposite wall was a wooden desk which had a desk lamp. Some pens and pencils along with both plain and lined paper on the sides, it also had three draw's on each side. On the wall opposite where he was standing was a medium size window, it opened from the middle. The curtains where matching his walls, there was an open door on the wall which is bed was on, it lead to his own bathroom.
There was also an open plan kitchen near his desk, there was about 3 cupboards, a row of 3 draw's, a washing machine and an oven which made up the countertop which had a sink, kettle and toaster on. There was also a fridge besides the end of the countertop.
James liked this, it was much better the the apartment he stayed in, that was a messy old place. It had no wallpaper or paint, just wooden walls to which the wood started to peel off. His room was very small, he didn't even have a bed, just a mattress. He slept in his clothes to keep him warm, he didn't have any pillows either, he got newspapers and scrunched them together to lay his head on, it's wasn't comfy but it was better than nothing. He did have a fridge which worked well, he put drinks and food in there to keep them cool and fresh, he also put a lock on the fridge doors so no one could steal his food, he would be able to hear them if they tried by fumbling around with the lock.
He walked in leaving the door open and put the box on the bed, he breathes in the cool and refreshed air in the room. Yes this was definitely better than his old home.
He then heard footsteps, they were little and soft. He turned his head to see a golden furred puppy running into his room, the pup went to his legs and jumped up and down, his tail wagging fast.
James was shocked and surprised to see a dig in the building, instead of getting angry or getting the pup out of his room he crouched down onto his knees and patted the pups head gently. The pup seemed to enjoy his touch as he jumped to his knees and licked his face, James smiled at the pups affection, he patted it's head again and stroked his fur, he couldn't shrug off such a cute animal.
Just then a man with short blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a grey short-sleeved shirt and jeans stopped at James's doorway, a relieved look came to his face. However that was quickly replaced with a flustered look, just taking one look at the new student (who's shirt now had paint on) made him blush. Now normally seeing a man playing with a pup was cute but it wasn't enough to make this man blush, however now this happened to this new student it made him feel red. He didn't know why, maybe because he found him cute?
Shaking his head, the blonde haired man walked into the room and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Sorry about that, Peg loves people" he chuckled nervously "I'm Steve" he said sticking his hand out, james looked up at him and shook his hand.
"James, it's alright, I love dogs so she's alright" he said with a sight smile "Her name is Peg?"
"Peggy but i call her Peg for short" Steve replied "Sorry for the mess of your shirt and floor, she must of stepped into my paint. I'll help clean up and buy you a new shirt, promise"
"It's fine, really it is" James insisted, however he can see that Steve felt bad, but he won't allow him to spend time and money on him "OK if you really feel bad then how about a cup of coffee instead, I haven't had anything to drink today"
Steve was a bit surprised by this but he agreed "OK, if that's better then a new shirt"
"It is" said James "It'll help me wake up and get active, need that for lessons"
Steve chuckled "I hear ya, lessons can be tiring" James allowed a small smile on his lips.
"I'll just wash up, is that ok?"
"Of course, my room is next door number 23, just come in when you're done" Steve smiled, he then picked up Peggy "Come on missy, lets get you cleaned up" she replied with a happy 'woof'.
James went to his box and pulled out a dark maroon short-sleeved shirt, he took off his dirty and put it on. He put the dirty one in the box, going to clean it later. He walked out of his room and went to Steve's room which was on his right, he poked his head through the doorway to see a lot of art supplies on the floor. Not wanting to step on and breal them he took a few steps into the room, he saw Peg, who was now clean, run up to him. He smiled and patted her head.
"Hiya girl" Peg barked happily, Steve then walked into view, he was holding a tray which had two cups, a bowl of sugar with a teaspoon and some biscuits.
"James, come on in" he said warmly "Sorry about the mess"
"It's alright" he said, he followed Steve to a couch on a small wall which separated the bedroom and kitchen, Steve placed the tray on the coffee table infront of them and handed James his mug to which he thanked him for.
"That's a lot of art stuff you got there"
"Yeah i know, all artists have more then they need"
"Your an artist?" James asked a bit surprised, though he shouldn't be from seeing Peg having paint on her and seeing all the supplies.
"Yeah, wanna see some of my work"
"Sure" James was now interested, Steve went to his desk which was placed where James's was, he pulled out a black book and went back to the couch. He sat down and gave the book to James, he opened it and flipped the pages carefully. With every drawing he saw he got more and more impressed, there were mostly drawings of circuses and war but there were some drawings of Peg which made him smile.
"Sorry for the bad work, I'm still learning"
"Your kidding right?" James was shocked to hear him say that "Steve these are good, really good"
"Really?"
"Yeah, what a way to make the new kid jealous" James smirked, Steve blushed and chuckled. Why was he blushing? He gets compliments from people about his art a lot but it doesn't get him flutered like this.
"Thanks, what do you do James?"
"Me? Ah you'll probably laugh"
"I won't"
"Promise?"
"I promise, scouts honor" Steve said jokingly as he held three fingers to his head, James smiled and let out a breath.
"I'm a dancer" james now waited for the laugh and jokes
"Really?"
"Yeah"
"That's cool!" James looked at Steve surprised, it was cool for man to be a dancer?
"What? You really think it's cool for a 17 year old man to be a dancer?"
"Yeah, why not?" Steve asked "I've seen plenty of men your age and above who do dancing"
"You do?" James was really surprised by this, he has never seen or heard of other men dancing.
"Yeah" Steve replied "Men here do dancing, this school isn't judgemental"
"That's...nice"
"I know, it's the best" Steve smiled "You know I used to dance, I was more bad then good"
"Do you still wanna do dance?"
"A bit yeah, it was a lot of fun even though I was bad at it" Steve chuckled while running a hand through his hair.
"Well…" James started "If you want, I could teach you some stuff"
"Really? You would?" Steve's eyes were now sparkling in excitement, James though he looked like an anime character with his eyes like that, but he found it...cute.
He smiled "Sure, and maybe you could give me little art lessons"
"That sounds good" Steve smiled back, they then began to talk more, when they finished their coffee Steve made more. Peg came and climbed onto the couch and sat on James's lap as the two men talked, seven coffee's later the two knew a lot about each other and what they have in common.
They both love dogs, people in their family have served in the war (which explains the art pieces of war in Steve's book), they like the colours blue and red, they like to read, both love hot chocolate etc.
"It's late, we better get some sleep for tomorrow" James said as realized the time by looking at the digital clock on Steve's bedside table, he didn't realize that the time went by so fast.
"Course" Steve said, as he picked up the ray with their cups on and placing them in the sink.
"Need any help?" James asked, Steve shook his head and smiled at him.
"No I got this, go and get some sleep, I'll come by in the morning to help you around here if that's ok"
James nodded at him "It is, thanks"
"No prob" he smiled.
James stroked Peg's fur once more and went to the door "Night Steve"
"Night James" he called out from the kitchen, he saw Steve lean back and smile at him, giving him a little wave to which James returned. He shut the door quietly and went back to his room, he put the box on his desk and took off jacket, shoes and socks. He went to his bed and layed under the cover's, he pulled them up to his chin.
"I guess I could get used to this school" he muttered before falling asleep, hoping to have a good day tomorrow.
