Page 2 of Kalix
“I’ve been good. I visited my family, caught up on some reading, and finished some more commissions,” I say as I adjust my glasses and scan the aisle signs.
“Oh that sounds like fun!” She follows as I make my way to Aisle B.
“Yeah, it was nice.” I mutter, running my fingers over the spines of the textbooks until I find what I’m looking for and pull it off the shelf.
“Hey. So, I’m going out with a couple of friends to Rudy’s on Saturday night. You should totally come with us! We’re just going for a few drinks.” She wrings her hands nervously.
I don’t have any friends at school. I tend to keep to myself and try to stay invisible so that I can focus on my studies. I’ve always been an A+ student, and I feel like if I get too involved with other people, I won’t perform at my best. Lexie is the closest to what Iconsider a friend. We’ve shared a few classes together, she has always been nice, and we’ve helped each other study. She has tried to get me to go out with her several times, but I always come up with some excuse.
“It’s the first week of school, and I’ll probably be swamped with notes and studying. Maybe another time.” I give her a flat smile.
She responds with a puppy dog pout. “Pleeeaseee, Lainey? It’s just one night for a few hours. I’ll even come over the next day to help you study. You deserve to have a little fun every once in a while. You work so hard.”
I sigh. “I promise I’ll go with you some other time. Just give me a few weeks to settle in.”
She smiles politely. “Okay, I’ll take it!” She claps her hands like a giddy teenager.
I smile back and hold up my textbook, signaling I need to go pay. “Alright, I’ll catch you later.”
“Okay, I’ll text you,” she agrees before she scurries out the door.
I’ll give her the one night out, but that’s it. I can’t afford any distractions, not if I can help it.
CHAPTER 3
KALIX
Another day,another class to attend. I puff on the cigarette hanging between my lips, letting it settle some of the annoyance. It’s the only thing keeping me sane right now.
I’m in my third semester at this damn school and I’m counting down the minutes until I can finally escape this hell hole. The only reason I’m here is to prove that I’m something more than the egg and sperm donors that I came from.
Once I finish my cig, I head out the front door and stomp out the butt. The taste of the nicotine still coats my tongue as I jog down the stairs and back to my bike. I check my watch to see that I’m right on time.
Pulling out onto the street, I race down, allowing the vibration of my bike soothe my nerves. First days are always hard, never knowing how much of a dick the professor will be or what will come of the semesterwhile you’re there. Ihaveto finish, but I’m the first to say that school is not my forte.
While lost in my thoughts, I see the guys in front of me and rev ahead to meet up with them. Reed and Isaac have been my ride or die since I can remember. We went to all the same schools, and ended up together at the same college. Life wouldn’t be the same without them and I sure as fuck wouldn’t want it to be any different.
As I pull into the group, we all give a head nod to one another and my helmet connects to the bluetooth to join the conversation.
“Welcome, slowpoke,” Reed jokes.
“Not my fault you guys were coming in early. I was right on time,” I quip back, checking my watch again to make sure I’m correct.
“Ah, leave him alone,” Issac says.
The guys both laugh and I can’t help but shake my head. Despite how annoying they can be, they don’t normally piss me off like the rest of the world. Sure, we’ve gotten into it and punches have been thrown in each direction but once the fire dies down, we’re cool again.
They continue to joke, Issac even popping a wheelie to show off to some chicks in the car next to us, but I just tune them out the best I can.
When we pull onto campus, we all park and pull our helmets off before looking around. Reed says hi to some friends walking past as I dismount my bike, but I ignore them. They’re all much more social than I am. Ihave them and that’s it. Any more and I’m not sure I could take it everyday.
We all walk together to our first class, which, this term, happens to be biology. The first couple of years, they make us take some general courses in the midst of bachelors specific courses. I’ve found that science is okay, if I have to pick a random subject. Clearly my favorite, and the one I’m best at, is fine arts. I choose music every year and pass with flying colors.
My backpack is slung over one shoulder while the breeze blows the long hair on top of my head. The sides are buzzed short, allowing the tattoos I have there to show clearly. I stand out, but as long as people don’t bug me they can stare all they want.
Once we get to our class, we all sit in the same row. I pull out a notebook and pencil. I’m shocked at myself for being this prepared, since it’s not normally something I am. Scooching myself deeper down into the seat, I prop my feet up on the small space between the chairs in front of me, getting comfortable. The professor walks in and starts droning on, already boring me half to death. Here’s to another class.
I couldn’t be happier that biology is done. It’s normally something I can get into, but this professor is so boringthat I may drop out now. I would get my money back or I could even try to take something else.
