NATASHA EQUINOX COLDWELL's POV
"Here we go again," I whispered and sighed to myself as I stopped the car in front of the mansion. I would go home from the condo once a week. The helpers one by one came to me as they greet me and took care of parking my car and getting my bag. I gave them a small smile.
"Hey, it's okay. I can handle it on my own." I finally told them.
I went to the dining table and saw my mother talking on the phone. I assumed that it was Dad based on the manner of her speech. I bit my lower lip and looked down at the floor. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder if they even loved each other. I haven't seen them smile at each other for once. I thought, maybe they just married for their own convenience and future. I shouldn't have come home. I decided to go upstairs but my mother heard my footsteps.
"Natasha, aren't you going to greet me?"
I took my seat and greeted them. "Good morning Mom." I smiled, still not looking at her. She waited for me as we started eating breakfast.
"Natasha, how are you?" Mom asked me in a sarcastic tone. I sighed and looked down at my plate. For all my life, my Mom was always angry at me. We never had a normal conversation unless Dad and my older sister is around. Until now, I still don't know why she is angry with me. Did I do something wrong? If so, why won't she tell me? I forced a smile and looked at her.
"I-I'm fine. I'm doing well at uni." I gripped the table cloth and tried to explain calmly.
"Of course, you must be." My mom replied sarcastically. "You're a Coldwell, you must aim for the best. Don't disappoint us. Your father is the mayor!"
"I'm sorry," I lowered my head. "I'll try to do my best."
"Don't try, do it." She scoffed. "If you're doing 'fine', then I assume you already have friends?"
I stopped eating and focused on my plate. Friends, huh? I have no friends and I don't need it in the first place.
"See? You're not fine." She shook is head while laughing, a reason for my forehead to wrinkle. "Can't you move on from him? You're always overreacting." She suddenly stood up, using the table napkin to wipe her mouth, and left me at the breakfast table. "Pardon me, I lost my appetite."
With my thumb, I repeatedly wiped the tears from my eyes like a crying child. I may be cold as ice on the outside but I'm very sensitive on the inside. I forced a smile again.
After that, I went back to my condo unit to change my clothes. Being away from the mansion was my only escape from reality. Of course, I didn't have friends at all when I was in my first year here in Coldwell U. I don't even know some of the names of my block mates. I would talk to them if it's about the lessons or sometimes casual conversations. A lot of people said they are a lot of plastic and fake people in college. I shook my head. I don't need to look at their fake smiles. In conclusion, I'm not interested in making friends. It's not like I have a reason to have any. I don't need friends.
My second year in Coldwell U was really bad, actually. There were a lot of workloads or requirements to pass. I barely even sleep but I somehow got used to it. I liked school days more than semester breaks because I would be forced to go home.
I wore a white tank top with a navy blue colored jacket and partnered it with just a pair of white denim pants. I just let my hair out on a loose and carried a tote bag on my shoulder. I decided to walk to school since it was just a short distance. I smiled. This is my second escape. I went on the elevator and looked at my reflection.
It was a good decision for me to study Medicine rather than following my father's words. I knew he only wanted me to be a politician so I can take after him. I looked at myself in disgust. Sometimes I would always see rallies in front of the mansion, protesting with all their might. I also watched videos that would go viral in the news of people against my father. He is the current Mayor of Coldwell Streets.
"No!...No! Please stop! My plates!"
I saw a woman maybe about my age outside the condominium, sitting on the gravel pathway. She was panicking when a guy threw some papers to the ground while smirking. I was surprised when she suddenly covered her face and cried loudly.
"I'll let you pass this time," He pointed at her. "Let's call it quits," He said arrogantly. "But I won't let you pass the next time you oppose my doings," His voice threatened. He got on his motorcycle and left.
That's why I immediately panicked because it was embarrassing. I unconsciously covered my face with my hand and tried to walk past by but the neighbors started to mumble words and glared at me! What am I supposed to do, huh?! I'm not some kind of superhero.
In the end, I helped her stand up as she fixed her clothes. She is wearing a black graphic shirt and high-waisted jeans. I also picked the papers on the ground as my mouth parted when I saw her sketch of the condominium. It was really good if I were to judge. She has the talent.
"Hey, thanks!" Her voice broke as she shouted. She smiled at me. "Is my sketch, okay? I need to pass it later." I nodded at her and gave her the papers. I was about to leave when she tapped my shoulder like a child.
"Hey, are you from Coldwell U?" She asked. I looked at my I.D lace. Isn't it obvious?
"Yes," I answered fastly so I can end the conversation.
"Me too! Architecture. Hello, my name is Clyzyll Joice Allister. You can call me Clyzyll or Zyll." She handed me her hand. I didn't even ask for her major nor her name. I grabbed her hand and shook it fastly. "And you are?"
"Natasha Equinox...err," I winced and hesitated to say my surname. People thought it was great to have a surname that is known to people but for me, it was just embarrassing. "Coldwell." I looked away to avoid her expression but I'm surprised that she didn't pay attention to it. "Nyx."
"Wow, outer space! Are you going to be an astronaut because of your name Equinox?" She asked me a useless question. I shook my head and replied.
"BS Biology." She looked at me in awe before answering her phone when someone called her. I tried to leave for the nth time but she won't let go of her grip.
"Yes, mom. I'm already walking to school. Yes, I ate the breakfast you gave me." I sighed heavily and looked at my watch. I still have an hour for me to be late. "I also found a friend, her name is Nyx!" She put her arm around my shoulder as if she was introducing me to an invisible person.
My mouth parted in surprise when I looked at her as she ended her phone.
"Friend?" I whispered in astonishment but she heard it. Why friend? We barely knew each other! We just met like a few minutes ago.
"Don't you like me?!" She complained. "I-I can eat with you during breakfast, lunch, and dinner....and..and I can help you with your problems! I can sing and dance for you! I can draw you. I can even sketch your dream house!"
I don't know how will I process everything she said. Why...why does she want me? "I'm 20. Dean's Lister. Loves the color pink especially pastel. The guy earlier is actually a good person, but how I wish his motorcycle will run out of gas. No that's just mean. My goal is to be his friend! And you're already my friend!"
"W-why?" She just smiled at me as she patted my head. We started walking as I was there, still confused about what just happened. And after that....she never left by my side.
***
"What?! You're going home already?" I hurried out the gate until I heard Clyzyll shout, waiting on the side.
"Yeah..."
"Okay! See you tomorrow!"
Tomorrow? Will we meet again tomorrow?
I hurried back to the condo just in case my parents will ever visit me. Just in case.
I spent almost 3 hours laying down on my bed, thinking about having friends.
Should I trust Clyzyll? No way.
But what if good things will happen?
But what if history will repeat itself?
I sighed. You can call anyone your friend but at the end of the day, it's just a label.
I brushed my teeth and studied before going downstairs to a convenience store dressed in my sweatshirt and pants. My eyes narrowed when I saw a guy laying on the ground.
"What the.." I hurried over to him and looked for the guards but there was no sign of them. How useless. I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm. "Hey! W-wake up! Wake up!" I shouted over and over.
He has minor wounds on his elbows and arms. I was even more worried when I saw the wound on his shoulder. It surely bleeds a lot so I quickly took off my sweatshirt and then pressed it to his wound to put pressure on it. His eyelids move as his eyes opened.
"H-hey, I will call for help, I'll call for an ambulance." I would have taken my phone not until he immediately gets up with his eyes wide open.
"No! D-don't call the doctors, they shouldn't know....Arrgh!" I immediately supported him on his shoulder.
"Are you crazy! Huh?! I'll call an ambul-"
"No! Please..." Weakly, he tried to cut me off. What should I do with him? I could see tears brimming in his eyes.
I sighed again and looked at him straight in his eyes. "Look, do you want to die?" I spat when he tried to glare at me.
"O-of course I don't." He whispered as blood spew out from his mouth.
"I should take you to my condo unit." I know I sound stupid but what the hell should I do? He doesn't want me to take him to the hospital! "Just stay awake huh? I'll call my sister, she's a doctor."
"J-just stay with me..." He whispered weakly and looked at me in my eyes.
"I will."