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RIVER
It's been a couple hours.
After personalizing our dorm the way we want it, me and Sabrina finally decide to go look for our friend. Luckily, we don't get lost.
The outside of campus is a lot easier to manage then the inside, especially when there's so many buildings around. Even so, we ended bumping with another familiar faces before we get to Theo.
"I've been looking for you," Vance flashes me a lazy smile when he seems me, hugging me by the waist before nodding at my best friend, "Hey, Sabrina"
She returns the gesture, "Hi."
"River!" one of Vance closest friends as well as one of my favorites of his rushes to us, "I thought you were only arriving tomorrow."
"I didn't want to miss the first day, after all this is when everyone gets to meet each other," I say truthfully.
"Honestly, I feel like I've never talked with so many people in such a short time," Gisele waves her finger around the crowd behind us.
Mason appears behind her, "What's up?"
"Look at those brand new tattoos, i swear you make me want to get more everytime I see you," I shake my head at the guy, biting my lips with envy.
He chuckles, "Give me a call and we will do it."
"You guys realise that it's dangerously bad for your skin, right?" Vance's gaze dances between the two of us.
"I don't know, V, you'd look good with some of that body painted in ink," I wink at him, expecting his reaction of an eye roll.
Vance is a medicine student, therefore he's pretty serious when it comes to health. Nothing too extreme— I couldn't handle being around someone like that for too long— but he's... wary.
Although I'm simply joking, I know exactly why he never let Mason get near him with the ink needle. Every two months he donates blood and for that he can't have any tattoos.
"I prefer leaving that for the two of you," he scrunches his nose and I decide to drop the matter before he gets uncomfortable.
"You're talking as if River's were fully on display, I swear I die with curiosity every time," Gisele presses her lips together.
It's true, mine are pretty well hidden. They're not a lot but it felt exciting to have something in my body that only a few people get to see.
"What about you, Sabrina, have any tattoos?" Mason lifts a brow, welcoming her into the conversation which warms my heart.
Sab shakes her head, "Not really."
"She's more the type of person to do a sketch for someone else than actually get a tattoo," I supply, knowing how well this woman draws.
"Art major?" Gisele questions.
My best friend nods, "Yeah, you?"
"She's in computer science but I am on the same as you," Mason steps in, grinning at her, "It's good to know I will have a familiar face around."
Vance whispers in my ear, "New couple?"
"I've had peaceful two minutes with my best friend and yours is already trying to steal her away" i tsk with a shake of my head.
His low chuckle vibrates against my back and I can't help but watch the interaction happen before me. It sure seems like there's some chemistry between them but I'm just not sure.
Perhaps it's just my bestie side being a little cautious. I'd feel the same if it were anyone else, after all she's way too good to just say yes to any guy who gives her attention.
Then again, I shouldn't be worrying about that too much. Sabrina is almost untouchable lately, being too busy with her future to think about the male gender.
I'm sure when the time is right she will open up her heart to a man who deserves it. Meanwhile I will just honor her with my incredible presence— better than any man's.
"Oh, look there they are!" a sudden voice makes my neck snap to the side and that's when I see the familiar blonde, "Missed me, ladies?"
Sabrina smiles, "Hey, Theo"
"I was starting to wonder what was taking you so long to come and find your favorite person, I see you bumped into old friends," he tilts his chin at the rest of our circle, "How's everyone?"
"It's good to see you man, did you get into the hockey team as well?" Mason gives him a bro hug, patting his shoulder.
Theo grins, "Hell fucking yeah."
"Speaking of, I heard the figure skating ice rink is closed, that sucks." Vance rubs his thumb against my waist, checking if I'm okay with that.
"Yeah, but they can still train on ours, though it will be hard to focus when hotties like this one over here are around," Theo points at me with a smirk.
"Sabrina, you skate too?" Mason asks.
"Me? Gosh no, that's all River. She's perfect at it, but I'd probably fall on my feet," my best friend shakes her head with a smile.
"Just like I would totally offend every art god if I ever picked a paintbrush," I point out.
Theo snorts, "I'd pay to see that," though it'd definitely be hilarious I still poke my tongue out at him.
"You're all focusing on the wrong part, we will have future hockey starts around, some pretty hot ones may I add," Gisele smirks wickedly, "Where they at by the way?"
"Actually I was just with them, cmon there's a few people I want you to meet," Theo claps his hands together before guiding us into the crowd.
From the moment he says that, it's like my whole body heavies with realization. He might not have said it word by word, by I know exactly who 'them' are.
More precisely, I know who is included on it. Truth is, it's been three whole months since I last saw Nash Kingston, apart from random posts here and then on Instagram.
Our last encounter was on the last game night, which I haven't thought off in a long time. Okay, maybe that's a tiny white lie. Sometimes I relive it all in my mind until I remind myself it's better not.
The closer we get, the faster my heart beats. As much as I'd like to deny it I've missed messing with him. Believe me when I say I've tried finding someone to torment so I get the same satisfaction, yet fail everytime.
People either think I'm being serious or see it as something it's not. Kingston hates me so there's no chance of him misunderstanding. Besides it's exactly that dislike that makes it so much more fun.
Though I can't lie and say I don't wonder if he still shares those feelings towards me, or if he's finally grown up and decided to put it behind us.
I was never close enough to know, but I remember Sab telling me how different he used me. Less of a stuck ass and more of a loosened up guy. Ironic, cause he's the last person I can imagine as that.
Either way, the ponding question is quickly answered when our gazes meet. I don't even realise who's by his side— though I assume it's Dex— too distracted by his sore expression.
Narrowed brows, jaw locked, impenetrable eyes that are as cold as ice. The same stare Nash has given me all his life. A part of me believes I should be special, I'm the only one who gets a specific look from him.
His hair as gotten even darker since the last time, I swear it's going for black, which matches the rest of his clothes. Except for the white shirt his wearing and snickers, everything else is pure black. From the leader jacket to the slightly baggy jeans.
It's not until Vance kisses my cheek that I realise he was still by my side the whole time. He doesn't steal much of my attention as everyone move over to greet or introduce each other.
Forcing myself to look anywhere other than the grumpy Kingston— who's brow have furrowed even more— I take in the rest of the group.
My face lifts up, "Malakai Moore."
"River Fontaine," the boy grins just as widely when he sees me, pulling me into a friendly hug.
"Hold up, what's this, I don't remember ever introducing you two" Theo eyes us with a suspicious lift of his brow.
"He was my tour guide, relax," I gently shove the blonde, before I'm the one to frown, "Wait, how do you two know each other?"
"My cousin and his sister are close friends, we basically grew up together. You didn't think you're the only one in my life, did you?" Theo taunts and I flip him off.
"Something tells me you two together can only result in chaos, I like it," Kai smirks, amused.
"Oh wait until you see this little spitfire with my man Kingston over there," the blonde waves behind himself, my gaze darting to see my best friend with the two boys.
"You and Nash are dating?" Kai raises a brow.
"He might as well wish," I wink.
"They have a weird relationship, but it's entertaining as fuck, some will even say it's hot. No one bickers like these two." Theo shakes his head, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, "But in the dating department, she has Vance."
"We're not dating." I clarify.
Kai shifts his gaze to me, "Why not?"
"Cause she's River Fontaine, the last person on earth you will expect to get in a relationship. She never gets attached, she simply lives in the moment," my best friend muses.
"And I stand by that." I grin.
Malakai bobs his head as if to say 'very well then' and I silently appreciate the non-judgment. Usually, if it's a man it's okay to not want a relationship, but if it's a woman...
Brushing that thought away— not the time to ruin the mood— I decide to go over Sab. It's a bold move, I should just stay on my side while the guy stays on his. Not turn this first day into an arguing mess. But since when do I do what I should?
That's right, never.
"Having a secret party over here and didn't call me over, I feel betrayed," I pretend to be hurt as I'm greeted with a softened gaze of Sab.
"You were better away," Nash grunts.
There it is, seems like the grumpy personality hasn't left at all. Oh what a shame, I'm afraid my role as Kingston number one nuisance is back.
"I don't know, Casanova, you might just be saying that because it's torture to have me this close yet so far," my smirk grows when his eyes flare.
Whether at the nickname or the hidden provocation behind my words, that only he knows it's there, I'm not really sure. But it works and that's what matters.
"Will you two ever be over this nonsense?" Dex sighs, but I focus on the way his body slightly moves closer to my best friend.
"I don't know, Dex, as long as your best friend keeps up with this prolific hate towards me," I shrug, my tone innocent as I bite back an amused grin.
Nash scoffs, "If you weren't so annoying,"
"You certainly don't expect me to just keep quiet while you access me with these glares and grunts, do you? I mean, what would be the fun in that?" it'd be like silencing me, the tragedy.
"Are you always this irreverent?" he argues.
"Are you always this overbearing?" I retort.
Adrenaline rushes through my veins, having missed this back and forth far too much. More than that, I've missed having in the palm of my hand. I'm totally winning here.
At least I thought so until he simply takes a step back from where he stands— which is a lot closer than he was before— and simply stays quiet. His hands have moved to his pockets and pretty sure his fists are closed, but he doesn't say more.
I frown, confused at the whole situation, he was supposed to fight back. That's what we do. So why the sudden change? This makes no sense.
Before I can find something to say, we're interrupt by the rest of the group welcoming us back to their bigger circle. I glance at Sab, as instinct, but she simply presses her lips together and gives me a shrug.
"Hey guys, we were just talking about this party happening tonight, you're all coming right? Sab don't even think of finding an excuse," The accesses her with a warning stare.
Riley grabs her arm, "I will make sure she goes!"
I didn't even realise our newest friend had arrived, but I'm happy to know we have one more fighter when it comes to convince Sab to be more out there.
Whenever I feel like she actually doesn't want to go out, I don't insist but there's time that there's really no reason. It pains me that my best friend is wasting opportunities of enjoying herself for whatever it is that's going on inside her brain.
Then again, aren't our brains our biggest enemies?
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