Chapter 6 - The Invite

Freedom.

Freedom is but a mere word when you have no idea what to do with it. You might as well be dependent or better yet imprisoned.

I have taken care of my mom. I locked her up in the cell just like she did me.

Oh my, how the tables have turned and it sure feels good. Now I can have all the time I want to take a shower and eat something deserving.

I head upstairs to my room and prepare to embark on a journey in the bathroom. Trust me, this is about to be a trip.

I strip off my clothes as soon as I get to my room and head over to the bathroom. I need to brush my teeth. Over the past month, I had to brush into a basin. I was treated like a savage in my own home by my mom but not anymore.

As I see my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I am caught off guard. I look crazy, my hair's a mess and I'm dirty. Sounds bad as it is but that isn't what startled me.

My eyes. They were glowing green. Literally. Very green. The greenest they've ever been.

I start to get nervous, what is wrong with me? Why me?

I quickly brush my teeth and step into the shower. While enjoying my hot shower, some images flash behind my closed eyes. Images I had seen in my dreams when I was in the cell. Images of lust and desire. Every time I see those images I can't explain how but it's as if I can feel all those feelings at once.

Lust, Jealously, and Desire.

I can't let these feelings ruin my mood. Can I? No. I push them aside and enjoy a long deserving shower.

After, I get into a shorts and long-sleeved shirt and lay in bed. I tie my hair to get it out of my face when I'm thinking. Right now I'm thinking of what to do.

What next?

I have the freedom I've always wanted but I'm struggling to find something to do. I would have started to clean the house if my mom wasn't such a neat freak.

So I just lay there.

**************************************************************

How is it that I'm lost even though I have a GPS? These campus buildings look the same.

After staying indoors for so long, I decided to go to the library. I might meet new people or get a headstart for my formula.

I took my mom's phone. She doesn't need it.

I stood in front of a huge building with an exterior that looked like it was from ancient Greece. It had a lot of pillars. Written boldly in front of it is 'University Center'.

The campus feels so alive and I feel very aware of myself and my surroundings. I haven't been in the midst of people in a while. This could take some getting used to.

I continue to follow the bloody GPS until I get to another building with a wide stretch of neatly mowed lawn in front of it. It looked a lot like the previous building but more modern. The same color though, concrete. Old concrete. I had lots of pillars also. In front of this building was inscribed the words 'Earl K. Long Library'.

Finally! I was on the verge of giving up.

I walk in hoping I'm not going to be singled out or asked for an ID. No one seemed to notice or care whether I was there or not. Everyone was minding their business which was a good thing.

As I enter, I realize that the exterior does no justice to the interior. This was a beautiful sight before me.

I only went to my high school's library and it was a public one but this was glorious. Okay, maybe glorious is a tad bit far fetched but you get the idea.

This modern-looking interior manages to have a vintage feel to it, making me feel at home. There were so many books on shelves that reached the ceiling. More books than I have ever seen in my life. The tables and chairs are organized, each table having between two and six chairs. There are large windows all around the room that almost reached the ceiling. The room before me is very spacious.

I could get used to this.

I look up and there are more books upstairs. I immediately go up the stairs to my left and find an empty table close to the railings. I want to be able to look at the people that come in and go out. This is a bad idea but I just don't know it yet.

I get settled and find books concerning anxiety and common chemicals that cause anxiety. I have decided to start here and then work my way up.

I spend about two hours reading and getting more books. I am so engulfed in the books that the sound of people laughing startles me.

I look down through the railings only to notice a group of people, 2 guys and a girl, enter. I choose to ignore them because they are being jerks by disrupting the calm air in the library.

I am about to go back to my research when one of the guys catches my attention. My heart skips a beat just for a second. I think my eyes are playing tricks on me so I look again. I get a full and long look at this person and my heart starts to race.

Avery.

That can't be. Did he go-ahead to go to this school without me? We planned to go together.

I am so engrossed in my thoughts that I don't realize that I'm staring at them until the eyes of the other guy meet mine.

I turn so fast, embarrassed, and mad at myself. Why did I have to stare at Avery like that? I'm mad at him and have nothing to do with him, I remind myself. Our friendship is nothing but water under the bridge.

I try my best to concentrate on my books without looking down through the railings. Bloody bastards decided to sit right in my line of sight. The other guy keeps glancing my way. Fortunate for me, Avery hasn't noticed I'm here.

Avery looks so different with his haircut and defined muscles. He looks good if I'm being generous. I'm not going to compliment him.

I try to steal one last glance down at them when I realize both guys have disappeared. I look around to find them when, out of the corner of my eye, I see them climb the last step and start to walk my way.

I attempt to look busy reading but I can sense them getting closer and my nerves start to act up. Why aren't they turning? I'm going to die of embarrassment.

I was busy trying to tell myself to calm down when someone spoke to me.

"You from around here ?"

I look up, startled, wishing it is all a dream but the look on Avery's face said otherwise. His eyes widen for a second and return to an emotionless blank face when he notices who I am. Giving away nothing.

"I...uh...Yeah", very unlike me to stutter, and who's dry voice is this, coming out of my mouth?

"Cool. I'm Chance by the way and this is Avery", he said as he stretches out his hand for a handshake. I accept the offer and shake his hand.

I haven't noticed how good looking Chance was until now. His light brown eyes; captivating. His arms seemed strong but his handshake was soft and gentle. I was dumbfounded. How could someone look that good? Only in New Orleans, I guess.

"Your eyes -", Chance points out but I didn't give him a chance to finish the statement when I cut him.

"Contacts...They're contacts."

"I see, well they look good on you. Makes you look unique."

Is he flirting with me? A little color rose to my cheeks and I look at Avery but he wasn't having it. Who cares anyway?

"Thank you".

He then elbows Avery in the rib, "Are you going to be rude and not say hi?"

"Hi", Avery snaps at me and I return the gesture.

"Hi".

"Wait, am I missing something here? Do you know each other?", Chance says as he steps back to examine both of us. "I sense tension here."

Tension is thick in the air with the death stares Avery and I are exchanging.

"Well, it's none of my business.", Chance continues.

My attention draws back to him.

"Are you busy this Saturday? We'll be going to a party. I want you to come with us.", he smiled at me.

Was that an invite? No one has ever invited me to anything.

"That won't be a good idea...", I start to say when I notice a smirk on Avery's face. That made me so much so mad. The kind of smirk that said 'Of course she wouldn't. Miss goody two shoes.'.

Who said? I can be bad. That's when the voice in my head said, 'Show him you can be bad'.

I stand up and lean closer to Chance and place my hand on his arm and say, "On second thought, I would be able to make it."

Chance was beaming while I smirk back at Avery. The look on his face was priceless.