~9~

I walked into my first class of the day—- the best seat opened that I could find was towards the middle of the class.

As we sat and waited for the professor, I turned my attention to the window next to me—- The rain drops sliding down the glass window.

Today was more of a gloomy day so I had on a black tank top, light washed jeans and a white cardigan.

I hoped today was an easier day because I didn't get that much sleep last night—- I was knocked out of my thoughts when I heard a sharp voice.

"Books out please" Avery said as she shut the wooden door, walking to her desk and sitting her bag down.

" We are going to start a new lesson, the new book is 'The Great Gatsby' " she explained as she wrote it down on the board.

Just as she went to speak again the wooden door creaked signaling that someone entered— all heads snapped towards the door to find a new kid walking in.

"Who are you and why are you interrupting my lesson" Avery snapped as she turned to face him anger flashing through her eyes.

"I-I'm sorry ma'am—- my name is Nicholas Kennedy I just transferred here" he explained as Avery kept her heavy glare on him.

" your still late" she pointed out— I could see a flash of nervousness flash through his eyes.

" I apologize" he said as he played with his fingers. " have a seat" she said sharply before turning back to the board.

He quickly went off to find a seat and of course the only one opened was next to me.

He sat down before looking around, I realized he didn't have a textbook yet so I slid mines towards him a bit so we could both read from it.

" Hey, don't let her get to you— it's your first day" I smiled making him nod. " thank you that really means a lot" he smiled back before playing with the few rings that he had on his fingers.

"My name is Arabella" I said making him nod. " Nicholas but I'm sure you heard that already" he said before we both laughed quietly.

"Hey— quit talking" she glared at the both of us earning an eye roll from me.

I could tell she was getting mad at me but I don't care she had no reason to be so harsh on him when it's only his first day.

After she let us start our assignment, Me and Nicholas started chatting again.

"So where are you from" I questioned as I leaned my head on hands. " I'm from Oregon" he explained making my eyes widen.

"Wow, that's far did your family come here with you" I asked curiosity getting the best of me.

" nope just me—- fresh start, so do you think we could be friends" he questioned. " of course" I smiled.

My eyes quickly traced the classroom before I saw Avery glaring at us from her desk.

I rolled my eyes at her before engaging back in a conversation with Nicholas.

" We can maybe grab coffee after this class if you're free, and I can introduce you to my best friend Scarlett" I said making him smile with a nod.

" okay that sounds great" he agreed before we both started working on our assignment.

******

As class was dismissed I heard Avery ask me to stay back. "ignore her" I told Nicholas as we continued walking out the door.

Me and Nicholas headed up to the library in search of Scarlett and grabbing him a textbook.

"Hey Ms.Graham do you have an English 101 text book" I asked as I walked up to her desk.

" Yes—- I'm pretty sure, hold on while I go check" she said as she walked to a nearby room.

A few minutes later she came walking out with 2 textbooks , one for what we are learning right now and another for later in the year.

"And there you are" she smiled as she handed them to Nicholas. " thank you" he smiled. " you are so welcome".

" Have you by any chance seen Scarlett" I asked the librarian. " yes she should be sitting towards the back corner" she replied making me nod.

" thank you" I smiled before I turned around walking towards the back.

And sure enough there was my best friend sitting there indulged in a study book.

" Hey, who's this" Scarlett asked once she looked up from what she was working on. " My name is Nicholas" he smiled as he held his hand out.

" Scarlett—- Scarlett Topaz" she smiled as she shook his hand. " come on loser let's go grab a coffee" I said as I helped her pack up her work.

After everything was in her bag we made our way down campus and towards caffeine oasis.

*****

After a long time of me, Scarlett and Nicholas chatting, Nicholas had to go and meet with his roommate.

I made my way down the long streets of Pennsylvania, Scarlett right beside me as we made our way to my parents house.

" I haven't been over here in awhile, I've missed your mom" she smiled as we walked up the cobblestone driveway.

I grabbed my keys out my purse before unlocking the door I was instantly met with Kaelynn, the family cat.

I rubbed behind her ear a few times before I made my way further into the house.

" Hi mom!" I said excitedly as I pulled her into a tight embrace. " Hi guys what are you doing here" she asked before also pulling Scarlett into a hug.

" we haven't seen you guys in a while, we missed you" Scarlett explained just as my dad walked in.

"Hey kids, how have you been" he asked making me roll my eyes. " Dad, we aren't kids anymore we are adults" I said making him shake his head in disagreement.

"Whatever" he said. " we've been good, how have you been" Scarlett asked as she started talking with my dad.

" Where's Peyton?" I asked realizing I haven't seen her yet. " she's at a friends house" my mom explained as she walked towards the kitchen— me following not to far behind.

" oh wow staying the night on school days? I never got that treatment" I said making my mom roll her eyes.

" that's because you were a bad kid— you would've showed up to school tired still" my mom glared at me making me laugh.

" yea yea whatever me and Scarlett are gonna head up to my room" I told my mom before grabbing a bottle of water out the fridge.

****

" it won't be weird if it's coming from you" Scarlett said as she laid on her stomach.

She got this bright idea that I should follow Avery on instagram.

" Scarlett she is my professor we aren't allowed to do that" I explained making her shake her head.

" no, the way she looks at you is no way a professor should y'all are way beyond that" she said as she unlocked my phone opening instagram.

" Look her account is private so this isn't a good idea" I told her once she found the account.

" Exactly so we just request it and see what she does with it, it wouldn't be on you she's the one who accepted it" Scarlett shrugged making me sigh.

"okay , fine but just send the request don't say anything" I said with a glare making sure she understood what I was saying.

"Now we wait" she said after she clicked the button.

" while we wait let's post a picture on your story" Scarlett added making me nod in agreement.

We decided to post the picture me , her and Nicholas took earlier at the cafe.

About 15 minutes of waiting Avery finally accepted my request, then followed me back.

"oh my— she messaged me" I said nervously as I opened it.

Avery.Dakotaa: stalker much?

Arabella_lucyy: You wish🙄

Avery.Dakotaa: why did you ignore me when I called you back earlier.

Arabella_lucyy: you did? Sorry I didn't hear you.

Avery.Dakotaa: I know you heard me Arabella.

Avery.Dakotaa: you were to busy going to hang out with your boyfriend.

Arabella_lucyy: he's not my boyfriend, I already have my eyes on someone else.

Avery.Dakotaa: who?

Arabella_lucyy : none of your business.

Avery.Dakotaa: okay. goodnight Arabella.

Arabella_lucyy: don't be mad at me, Goodnight.

***

"Great she's mad at me" I groaned as I turned over making Scarlett look at me.

"Why" she questioned. " she thinks I like Nicholas" I said making Scarlett laugh.

"Does she not know he's gay?" She said as she laughed some more. " no , and I'm not going to tell her it's not my business to" I shrugged.

" he is literally gay in every way you can tell by his voice" she said. " yes I know, but Avery is a little slow sometimes" I replied making Scarlett nod in agreement.

*****

Posted this so you can see a little more of Avery and Calistas life since I haven't done an Avery POV in a while.

Nicholas Kennedy

22

Penn state student.