Chapter 1 : First Day of College

Rayline. 

It was my first day at college. 

Yes, that's right, I, Rayline Hale, was now officially a college student. Just a few months ago, I celebrated my 18th birthday with my parents and my best friend. A month ago, when I walked through the gates of this college for the first time, I felt an unstoppable mix of excitement and anxiety. 

I knew this was the beginning of a new adventure in my life. High school was in the past, and now I was entering a new chapter. My day began with mixed emotions. In a panic, I shuffled my desk and quickly grabbed the books and pencils I needed. Then I checked myself in the mirror, hoping my hair wasn't too messy. Satisfied with my appearance, I quickly slung my college bag over my shoulder and hurried down the stairs to the front door. 

"Mom, I'm leaving now!" I called as I made my way to the kitchen counter, where my mother was busy working on her laptop. 

"All right, honey! Take care!" I heard my mom's warm reply, but she continued to work on her laptop. 

With a burning excitement, I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. The warm spring airbrushed my face as I made my way down the stairs to where my best friend, Darren, was waiting at the front gate. Smiling, I approached Darren, who seemed to be shaking his head a little. 

"Morning," he greeted me, still smiling. 

"Good morning." I smiled back at him. 

"Ready for your first day?" he asked as we opened the gate and walked down the sidewalk. 

"As ready as I can be," I replied confidently. "I hear college is a lot more relaxed than high school. No stupid gangs, fewer mean girls, and no drama." 

"I guess that's true," he agreed with a smile. 

"Well, we've been through it a few years now, so you should know," I said as I bumped my shoulder against him, who just laughed. 

Darren was currently a junior and a freshman just like me. Although a little nervous, we both felt that this was a new beginning, with new people, new surroundings, and yet unlimited possibilities. 

"I'm a little bit anxious about making new friends. I'm not a very social person," I admitted, and he nodded with a smile. 

"I know that," he admitted, revealing his friendly smile. "But don't worry, you'll meet lots of people. This campus is huge." 

"Right," I replied, but there was still some hesitation. I prayed that my awkwardness wouldn't cause any problems on this new campus. 

Darren Gray had lived in the same neighborhood as I had since we were kids, and until very recently, he had been my only real close friend. Although I've had a few good friends over the years, nothing compares to the relationship I have with him. He has always been a loyal listener and accepted me for who I am, even when my parents were initially worried that our friendship would interfere with my social life. But they couldn't resist his good-natured charm either, and eventually, they grew to like him. Sometimes I feel like my mom is still hoping deep down that he and I will end up together because I've never been in a relationship. He was tall, handsome, with dark brown hair and prominent dimples, and one of the most intelligent people I've ever met. However, our relationship remained within the confines of a casual friendship. 

Over the years, he had been in a variety of relationships, from serious to just friends with benefits. He was always telling stories about his relationships, which he often called "innocent crazy". It wasn't a lack of interest or confusion when it came to relationships, but at my school, none of the guys seemed to be interested in me or to have caught my eye. So part of me was hoping that college would open the door to new experiences. 

"Stop looking so nervous," he tried to pull me out of my daydream. "You're smart, you're beautiful, you'll be fine." I just shook my head with a smile and walked steadily toward the campus field. 

"I know you tried to look better today." I was wearing an adorable top with a short skirt, complemented by some jewelry and a little bit of makeup — not too much, but enough to show that I was trying. 

"Well, it's the first day. I don't want people to think I'm sloppy or anything." 

"But you're kind of sloppy," he joked, and I responded with a punch in his arm. "Well, not all the time, but you're not exactly sloppy lady." 

"But people don't need to know that," I glared at him, and he just laughed. 

Meanwhile, other students began to appear around the two of us, and I caught a glimpse of the new faces I would probably recognize. 

"What class did you take first?" he asked, and I looked up the schedule on my phone. 

"Um, Metaphysics," I read the class clearly on my phone screen, and he frowned. 

"Why did you choose to take that class?" 

"It's a general class," I just shrugged. 

"Mhm, you'll probably meet different people from different years there," he gave me a look. Then he looked at his watch. "I have to go to class. You'll be okay, right?" 

"Yeah, I'll be fine. See you later, yeah?" 

"All right, bye!" he turned and started walking down one of the crowded campus walkways. 

As I tried to find the building where my class was being held, I was stunned by the complexity of this huge campus. Maybe I should have asked Darren for directions before he left. As I tried to look for signs or clues, I wandered aimlessly. However, I accidentally bumped into someone, causing them to drop the book they were holding, and I quickly turned around to help. 

"I'm sorry!" I quickly bent down to pick up the fallen book and swept it a few times. "I didn't see where I was going." 

"Don't worry," a deep voice said, and when I raised my eyes, I saw a very attractive man standing in front of me. The man may not have been very tall, but he had charm with his blond hair and pale skin. A small smile appeared as the silence continued and I shook my head. 

"Sorry, here," I said as I held out the book, and the man took it. "Sorry again." 

"It's okay." The man quickly looked at his book. "Are you a freshman?" he asked, and I nodded. "Did you get lost?" 

I looked around for a moment, then sighed, feeling a little awkward. "Yes..." I admitted, and the man chuckled. 

"Which building are you looking for?" I quickly pulled out my cell phone and read the screen. 

"Yeah, you're a little off," he grinned, and I grumbled. 

"Want me to drop you off?" 

"Oh, I don't want to bother you or anything." I raised my hand and offered a handshake, but the man smiled. 

"I have some free time now. No problem." 

I paused for a moment to consider his offer. I didn't want to inconvenience a stranger, but I couldn't be sure I wouldn't get lost again. Even though I didn't know this person, it was one of my goals for college. Finally, I nodded. 

"That's very good." The man smiled and began to lead me to one of the large buildings on campus. 

"Oh, by the way, I'm Rayline." I took his hand and shook it. 

"Nicolas, I'm a senior on this campus." He took my hand and shook it as we both continued walking together. Maybe meeting new people wasn't as hard as I thought. 

As we walked together, he started asking questions about my classes and interests. It was a relief for me to talk to someone who didn't know me at all. There was no one to judge. As we approached my lecture hall, he stopped in front of the entrance. 

"Here we are." He turned to face me. 

"Thanks a lot, really." 

He just laughed and shook his head. "No problem." 

My eyes began to wander around the area, scanning the large buildings and the open field across the way. I opened my mouth to say something but was suddenly startled when I saw a boy sitting on the grass, his back leaning against a tree. He was holding a small notebook and seemingly drawing. He was very attractive. He was dressed all in black, with his earrings dangling down the side of his face, black hair, dark eyes, and a very delicate-looking face. I found it hard to tear my eyes away as I watched him scribble in the notebook before turning the page. 

"Cole Spencer," Nicolas said, trying to distract me from him. 

"Huh, What?" I turned to him and he shook his head. 

"That's Cole Spencer, a sophomore." 

I nodded and looked back at him. "Is he nice?" I asked, trying not to sound too enthusiastic. 

"Mmm, he's not the 'nice' type." 

I tilted my head curiously. 

"From what I hear, he's pretty quiet. He has a couple of friends, but it is rare to see him hanging out with any of them other than during class time. Girls can't stand him." 

"Why?" I asked again. 

"Because he lets them all down," he laughed, and my eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I swear he can get a whole line of them, but he turns them all down," he seemed to be able to read my confused thoughts, and he continued, "I wouldn't get involved if I were you. Not worth it." 

I turned my eyes back to Cole. This time he was looking at me too, his dark eyes locked sharply with mine, and I felt something strange in those eyes as he looked at me and Nicolas. It made me pull away immediately. 

"I don't think I will," I laughed softly, brushing my hair out of my face. "I was just wondering—" And he gave me a skeptical look, but then he straightened up. 

"Anyway, maybe we'll meet again sometime?" 

"Yeah, I hope so, and thanks again." 

"Bye." Nicolas walked past me and left the place down the path.