Taleela's POV The college grounds are bustling with activities, and as I walk through the gates with Susan skipping by my side like a little school girl, I am hit by the sheerness of everyone's dress-up. It seems like the whole university's participating in the fashion week because I do not understand why everyone is fucking dressed like there's a dinner party or a clubhouse close by. "Ouch, I feel it!" Susan exclaims beside me, and I honestly want to gag at her enthusiasm. "The whole school is in it today!" "Relax, Susan," I say to my friend. "Today will be over as soon as it begins." "But, it's going to be fun, so I am happy." She says in reply. "Hi, Taleela." Susan and I twist our heads in the same direction. We both frown when we see who's it. Susan immediately moves close to me and whispers. "I thought you both weren't on good terms? How come he's greeting you?" I shrug. "I honestly have no idea. Let's just stand and hear what he has to say." In no time, a tall dude is standing before me and, my friend. He nods at me in greeting, and I also do the same. "What's up, Trevor?" I ask in an unconcerned tone. He's going to get the memo and walk off, and that's what I really want. "Nothing much." He shrugs. "Just decided to greet you. It's been a while, and you look perfect." I scoff. "Thanks, Trevor. You don't look bad yourself. We have to go, by the way. Have a nice day." Immediately, I pull Susan by her wrist. "Why did you not spit in his face?! He deserved that and a kick in his groin." Susan says to me in a tone that I read as annoyed. "I do not have the strength for that. Let's forget about him, Susie." Susan stares at me for a long time before she nods and looks away, deciding to forget about anything relating to the bozo. But, it seems like every memory of that night comes flushing back immediately. I tell Susan to forget about him. I groan. Yeah, I was harassed late last year during Halloween. On that night, I was dressed as an Amazon warrior, and after everything, a party was held at the frat house, where we all assembled afterward. Around that time, I identified as a cool kid. I was beautiful, tall, and endowed in all places, and making it into the frat house wasn't hard for me. That was the night I met Trevor. We were all playing beer pong, and somehow, we both got paired. It was a fun night, and afterward, we hooked up. Nearly did. I was pretty drunk, so I had no idea what I was doing. But, between our kisses, I realized that I was in a strange environment and began protesting. I wasn't even attracted to the dude in the first place, and I don't have sex with people I am not attracted to. Trevor is a handsome dude. Tall, beautiful hair and blue eyes that would make you want to drop your panty in no instant. But that night, we didn't seem to have that connection. It was all laughs and vibes. I wasn't attracted to anything in his body. Just the pendant that hung around his neck to this day. Somehow, he took my fascination for his pendant as a come-hither invitation from me which was a wrong thing. Being a proud punk, someone who rarely got turned down by the opposite gender, he felt it was a massive punch in his face when I told him that I was in no way attracted to him. That was when his palm connected with my cheek, and he tore my precious panties away. I'll never forgive him for that. Before he could do any more harm, Susan was in his face with her DIY pepper spray can, which she sprayed generously on his face, directly into his eyes. He was writhing on the floor in no time, and Susan threw an oversized shirt she got from the closet on me before we hurried out of the frat house. Ever since then, I never stepped foot into the frat house. Alpha Chi, be damned. Trevor cornered me a few times, which surprised me. I had no idea that he still had my face pictured in my memory when I had totally forgotten how he looked. Well, he apologized and blamed it on his drunken state. I blamed it on his ego, but I did not mention this to him. I told him I had forgiven him when in reality, I hadn't. I just didn't want to be around him. And seeing him today, I do not know how to feel. I honestly don't want to be here again. "Taleela?" I turn my head slowly to look at Susan, who's frowning at me. "Yeah?" "What were you thinking about? You zoned out completely." "I'm hungry." I blurt out. "When are they starting?" I ask. "Soon." Susan replied and they began to walk further into the building. "Linda asked that we meet her in one of the class rooms." "When and why?" I ask, feeling uncomfortable about the whole idea. "A few minutes ago. That was why I was trying to get your attention. She texted. She wants to see you for some reason I have no idea about." "But, I have to eat. I am honestly hungry and craving chicken nuggets." Susan gave me a pleading look. "We waste time. In Fact, if she tries to keep you waiting, we'd inform her about you being hungry, I promise." "Okay, then. Lead the way." Thirty minutes later and two buckets of chicken nuggets, we're back at the University. The show has begun and right now, someone is on the stage making a presentation and talking about something related to culture shock. Something totally unrelated to why there is a fashion show being held today. I and Susan find a place to settle down. There are seats arranged in rows and that's because the bleachers have already been filled up. A few guys are seated close to where we are and a few of them turn to look at us both. "So, you say that Achilles will be here, right?" I ask Susan who nods in affirmation and goes back to watching whatever is going on in the fields. I hope his friend, Kal, or whatever he's called, doesn't tag along. They both seem to be really close and wherever Achilles is, you find Kal. Classes got canceled today. When I got the news on our department's group chat, I got pissed and happy at the same time. Pissed that I would have to go through today's show with Susan till the end and happy that I would enjoy the rest of the day in my room, binge-watching grey's anatomy again while I feast on several packets of Cheetos, which we both would get from the grocery store as we return home. "I just want to see what Linda has for us today." Susan chirped. "I had a sneak peek while we were in the classroom with them." Then a voice says from behind us both. "I wouldn't mind you seeing what I have for you today. I wouldn't only let you take a sneak peek. You'd be seeing it in all of its glory." Susan and I nearly roll our eyes to the back of our heads. These boys don't learn, do they? "Well, all we can do is wait." I say to her, suddenly interested in what she's saying and we both know it's for a purpose. We hear a few boos and sorry's from behind us. The boy must be feeling really embarrassed right now. I don't feel sorry for him, though. Next time, before he opens his mouth to throw boring lines, he'll have a rethink. Life is not TikTok. "He's here!" Susan cries and flies out of her seat immediately. I jerk a bit from the suddenness of her movement. "Achilles is here. Let's go get him." "Wait up." I bend and pick up her bag that has fallen to the floor, making sure nothing is missing. Then we begin to walk away from the field, our destination, the large parking lot of our faculty. "I hope he's parked correctly and you know where he is?" "You can stop acting like a grandma, girl." Susan laughs. "There he is." From afar off, we both could see a tall frame, dressed in a fitted suit standing behind a sleek BMW. Susan gasps. "He's this rich? I had no idea." She whispered. Just as I am about to reply to her, the driver's door is pushed open. Someone else comes out of the car. I freeze on the spot. "Uh-oh." Susan muttered. "He came along, as usual." With lightning speed, I turn on my feet and begin to walk away.