I tried to stick to myself over the next two weeks. Aside for a shopping trip Blanche and Serenity dragged me on, I somewhat managed it. With more and more students returning to campus, it became easier for me to avoid Dominic and his two right-hand men. That being said…there were still several times, when I was out and about, that I caught sight of Parker and Jaxon tailing me.
I felt like I was under Witness Protection.
I also felt like I wanted to scream at them to back the hell off.
Come the first day of classes, I was already feeling stressed, and I hadn't even gotten a lick of homework yet. I forewent the expensive, flashy clothes that Serenity and Blanche bought me and went with comfort instead. The red, stretchy tank top, jean jacket and black jeans I picked were among my best clothes and were still comfortable to be in. I threw my hair into a ponytail, grabbed my bag and headed out.
My first class of the day was Calculus.
I wouldn't say that math is my favorite class ever, but I had a knack for it. It was why my grandmother had me handle finances at home. She hated math and all the forms it came in, while I didn't feel strongly about it one way or the other.
I avoided the dorm kitchen on my way, where many of my fellow dorm inhabitants gathered in the morning, and headed for the door, snacking on a honey bun from my snack supply. The moment I stepped out the door and onto the top step, I caught sight of Dominic across the way with Parker, Jaxon and a few other students. Dominic's eyes locked on mine, and he opened his mouth like he might call a greeting to me.
I instantly turned, took the steps two at a time, and hurried away. The last thing I wanted was to draw unwanted attention to me because Dominic insisted on walking me to my class. I got that he was supposed to be my sponsor and all, but, in my opinion, he took it way too seriously. I felt smothered. I wasn't used to someone being right there, breathing down my neck with every step I took. After all, both my mom and Granny had given me the freedom to make my choices, mistakes and all, on my own. They would only step it if they thought I had gotten too far in over my head. Which, thankfully, I never had.
I didn't slow my pace the whole way to my class. I was sure I looked like someone fleeing the Ghost of Christmas Past, but I was more concerned with out pacing Dominic with his forsaken longer legs. When I finally reached my class, I heaved a sigh and pulled open the door. Only one other person was in the class so far and seeing who it was had me stopping in my tracks.
"Serenity?" Serenity looked up when I called her name in surprise. "I didn't know you had this class."
"Yes, I do. Good thing, you're here. Come, sit." Serenity pat the open seat next to her. I was hesitant to sit simply because I didn't want to be delayed in leaving after class and give Dominic a chance to catch up to me. Apparently, my thoughts were clear on my face. "You don't have to worry. I won't feed you to the wolves, so to speak. Sit."
I lowered myself into the seat, raising an eyebrow at her. "You won't?"
"Don't get me wrong. Nico is my friend and an old one at that. We've known each other since we were toddlers. He honestly means well and is just trying to help you, but he can be intense in his sincerity, sometimes. If you feel uncomfortable with his attention, well…I'm all for helping my fellow ladies. Besides, you're cute. I have a weakness for cute girls."
For a moment, I could only blink. "You think I'm cute?"
Serenity laughed. "I basically out myself to you and you're more focused on your insecurity?"
A frown tugged at my lips when she continued to laugh. "Well, yeah! It doesn't matter to me if you're lesbian, bi, straight, what have you. Only a homophobic bigot judges a person by what gender they fall in love with."
A true smile curled Serenity's lips. It made the woman even more beautiful than she already was. "If only the world saw it as you do." There was a wistfulness, a longing in her tone that suggested there was someone in her life, an important person, who didn't accept her as she was. "Well, this just solidifies things for me."
"What things?"
Serenity laid a hand on one of mine. "You and I are going to become good friends, and no, that's not me coming on to you. I don't have nearly enough friends who accept my sexuality as I would like. If that means helping you escape unwanted attention, then you can count on me."
Relief washed over me, my shoulders relaxing as an easy smile appeared on my face. It was nice to know that my possible friendship was valued above already existing friendship. "Thanks, but I though Dominic was an old friend."
Serenity waved a dismissive hand. "Nico knows I value certain people. He would not hold a grudge against me for favoring a new, budding friendship over him if it means I have another friend I can trust."
"What about Blanche?"
"Blanche…" Serenity heaved a sigh. "Blanche doesn't know about my sexuality. I'm not sure she would be as accepting as you. We've been friends since middle school, but I've never had the courage to tell her."
I was being nosy, but I couldn't help my curiosity. "Why not?"
"Blanche's father and mine are close friends and business partners. I haven't told my family yet and I'm afraid if I tell her, her father will find out and then…"
"Your father will find out." Serenity nodded. It was a tough situation to be in. I couldn't say I understood because I wasn't even sure what I liked. I did know, no matter what my sexuality, that my grandmother and brothers would accept and love me regardless. "I'm sorry. That's a tough place to be. Personally, I don't see the point of sharing info that isn't mine to share. Not even when angry with that person. Nor do I see the point in letting what a person likes to decide if I like them."
"Then that makes you a minority around here. Here, a trump card is a trump card, no matter what."
I made a disgusted sound deep in my throat, filled with all my derision for that comment. I started pulling supplies out of my bag. "Just another thing to hate about this place."
"Not everyone's built for this place. Trust me, I would be anywhere else if my father wouldn't cut me off for it." Serenity replied. "What about your parents?"
Here, my frown deepened just a bit. "My dad died before I was born, and my mom passed five years ago. It's just my grandmother and my younger brothers and I."
Serenity winced. "Sorry."
"It's fine. We manage. My brothers are good kids and my grandmother and I have things worked out where it works for us all."
"And now? With you here?"
"They live in town. Part of my enrollment included a house for them and for me on weekends and holidays."
Serenity nodded. She didn't say anything further as the professor and other students begun to file in. Calculus passed quickly with the professor going back over basics to make sure everyone was on the same page before we jumped into the hard work.
Serenity helped me escape afterward when Dominic showed up outside the math building. I made a mad dash for the Science building, where I had back-to-back classes, Computer Science Theory and Design Physics. Once they were done, I had the rest of the day off. My stomach demanded to be fed the moment I got up to leave my last class.
I didn't see Dominic, Parker or Jaxon anywhere as I exited the building and quickly made my way to the café. I ran out of luck when I entered the café and found Dominic waiting. I quickly turned to leave and ran right into Parker and Jaxon.
"Holy cowbells! You two are like ninja!" Smiles appeared on their faces at my spitted remark. "What the hell?"
"Nico wants you to join us for a late lunch." Parker informed me, crossing his arms over his chest with a grin.
"Well, he can-" I cut off when I felt a chill down my spine, followed by a light hand on my lower back. Lips came to my ear before he spoke.
"I can, what, Aurora?"
I whipped around and away from Dominic, backing up to give myself breathing space as one hand flew to the ear he had been too close to. "Must you get so close!?"
Dominic chuckle. "To see your reactions, yes." It took every ounce of self-control I possessed to keep from throwing my book bag at him like a child in a fit. "That aside, please join us for lunch. You must be hungry."
"I only came to get something quick to go. I have homework to do." I retorted. It wasn't a lie. I really had been intending to grab and go, though it was more out of a need to distance myself from him than to do homework.
"Nonsense. A smart girl like you should be able to finish her work after taking time for a proper meal." Parker and Jaxon crowded close behind me, cutting off my retreat with smiles. I didn't have much choice but to concede unless I wanted to cause a big scene. Not really on my list of things to do.
"I can go do my work after?"
"Of course."