Tap right. Tap right. Swipe right. Be careful not to like, share or comment. Wow Facebook stalking really takes a lot of effort. One slip of the thumb and your life can be ruined forever. Right before the end of class, I had a quick meet up with makeup girl and the hot guy who I now know as Lauren Mallory and Edward Cullen. Even his name is perfect. Anyway, As soon as I got home I'd whipped out Facebook and got to work. How old is he? Who are his friends? Is he single? (most important question). A semi private profile shields a lot of this integral information but I can feast my eyes on his photos. There's one taken with a girl but that was a year ago and there's no sign of her since. Could just be a friend right?
I pause at the next photo. He's standing beside a railway track. Navy parka. Holding a camera to his face with his manly hands… So he likes photography. Interesting. Screenshot.
I open up WhatsApp and start typing a new message to Angela. I caption the photo: "How can I concentrate in college when this guy is in my class lovehearteyes"
I stare at the photo a little longer and I'm actually on the verge of sighing. My phone buzzes, snapping me out of my trance.
WhatsApp now
Angela: WTF he is such a babe
I'm about to reply in agreement until I'm interrupted by another message.
WhatsApp now
Angela: So guess what? I've been talking to Emmet a bit and he's actually really sweet! So not what we thought
I pause in disbelief. Emmet McCarthy was a complete jerk from what I remember. Your stereotypical jock, new girl every week, shallow, and cocky…. I could go on. Why on earth would Emmet want anything to do with Angela? She's so sweet and he's… not?
Really? How'd that happen?
Angela is typing
Angela: We were partners in class for an assignment and it just really went from there! He's sooooo hot though Bella I can't believe he'd even say hi to me?
My heart's hit with a pang of sadness. I don't want Emmet to hurt Angela like he hurt so many girls before. He's probably just checking more names off a list. She doesn't deserve that. But who am I to say anything? If I've learned one thing in my nineteen years it's that you have to let people figure things out on their own. So I decide to be nice.
Of course he would, why wouldn't he? You're awesome! Keep me posted wink
Angela: I will!
I lie back down on my bed. A wave of nostalgia washes over me as I recall the excitement of high school. I want that again.
I go to take a seat near the back, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible by not making an obvious late entrance. My chair scraping viciously across the floor causes a few heads to turn and I blush furiously. You'd swear I want attention from the track record of my public embarrassments. I'm so conscious of remaining unnoticed from here on that I don't even register my company. Lauren is on my left smiling amused at me.
"I didn't make too much noise coming in did I?" I whisper.
"No you're fine. You're not even that late they started ten minutes early for some reason" she laughs.
At least I'm not late to class. I've just walked into my first newspaper meeting for Goldsmith's student paper, The Leopard. Doing a journalism degree and all I figure this is the best way to hone my writing skills. I was features editor of our school paper in Forks. Somehow I think I won't acquire a monthly column so fast this time.
Yep The Leopard is a lot more professional than The Sparta. They're passing around clipboards to express our interest in writing for different sections. I sign up for all except Sport.
The main speaker—I presume he's the editor, he has that authorial stance about him— raises his voice to make an announcement.
"So to welcome all of our freshers and new members, The Leopard staff are heading to Bar Story at 6 for happy hour! We're all just gonna have a few drinks so feel free to come along, it'll be a great way to get to know everyone!"
He grins scanning the small room of people making sure his smile reaches every single one.
"Oh and my names Jasper Whitlock for anyone who might have missed the intros."
Was that pointed at me? It was wasn't it. I need to stop being late.
There's a buzz in the room as everyone turns to their neighbour chatting excitedly.
"Well what do you think Bella, should we go?"
Lauren is scanning the room warily. Just like this morning, everyone here seems to already know each other. But I feel braver not diving into this alone.
"Yeah I'm down! I think it could be fun!"
She looks as relieved as am I. I'm extremely thankful to finally make progress in the friendship department.
We swap numbers before parting ways and agree to meet at my flat at 5:30 so we can walk to the tube together.
My skin is shockingly pale. Not the nice kind of pale you long for that the models with long legs and elegant posture have. I'm the sickly, almost albino type. You wouldn't know I'd spent 14 years in a desert. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, holding a shirt in either arm. I alternate holding them up against my chest. The wine one's a bit cleavagey but its also extremely flattering on my waistline… Yep, priorities. I toss the navy halter top on to my bed which is piled high with my clean laundry for sorting. I don't really know what people wear out here. I could be overly casual. Compared to Siobhan and Jess I must look like a nun.
Last night they staggered in at 4am. The clunking of stilettos was impossible to sleep through. I actually thought that one of them had died after the big thump outside my door. Sure enough Siobhan had passed out. I doubt she remembers me dragging her to the couch.
I find a pair of black skinny jeans and pull on my black ankle boots. I should probably put on some make up. I check the time on my phone. Concealer and lipgloss will have to do.
I make myself presentable and then I'm out the door. But not quite.
"And just where do you think you're off to missy?"
Siobhan is sitting at the kitchen table with a mug of tea and pile of text books. It's the first evening I've seen her home all week—a week that's obviously taken its toll on her as shown by the dark circles around her eyes.
"Bar Story. Have you been?"
She considers this, a confused expression on her face.
"You know I haven't but I'm pretty sure I've heard of it. All good things."
She looks at me expectedly. I really do not want to be associated with my crazy house mates but I'm too nice to say otherwise.
"Would you like to come with me Siobhan?"
Her face lights up.
"Right well lets see. Mam's sending money on Thursday, I need twenty for food… Yep I think I can manage!"
"Right so I'm leav-"
"JESS DO YOU WANT TO GO TO BAR STORY WITH ISABELLA?"
"It's actually Bella."
She doesn't register my correction whatsoever.
Jess comes bounding the hall.
"Bar story?"
"You heard me," says Siobhan.
"Yeah just give me five minutes."
I'm just about to take a reluctant seat at the table when I hear a rap on the door. Lauren.
I run over to answer it and breathe an internal sigh of relief when I see her attire is as casual as mine. I usher Lauren to come in and guide her into our filthy living room.
"Ready to go?" she asks.
"Almost."
I look left and right before lowering my voice.
"I hope you don't mind but my room mates are gonna tag along."
She smiles earnestly.
"Oh not at all! More the merrier."
I snort.
"Jess and Siobhan are definitely 'merry'.
Their names have just about left my lips when the pair come crashing through the door. Hardly dressed for this weather but thankfully no stilettos tonight. I don't want to be making a D-tour to A and E.
So off we go. My first night out in college.
