ALEXANDER

Chapter 30

The flight was tiring for Cassidy. She tried to sleep to get some rest, but her damn mind was thinking about the ring.

Alexander bought it for her when they’d gone on a trip. It was their six weeks being in a fake relationship and it was one of the happiest days of her life.

No matter how she tried to forget, she still remembers that day clearly...

They were on a yacht exploring the island when Alexander surprised her.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.” Alexander demanded while his arms embracing her from behind.

“OMG! Is this for me??” A surprised look on Cassidy’s face had Alexander chuckled.

He turned her around to face him.

“Yes, moya milaya. And I want you to wear this... right now.”

Alexander took the ring and put it on her finger.

She smiled as she said, “Thank you. This is so beautiful.”

“Just like you.” Alexander responded while staring at Cassidy with admiration.

He kissed her hand before giving her another passionate kiss on the lips.

.....................

After several hours, the airplane has finally landed.

It’s Cassidy’s first time in Georgia and she’s all by herself now.

“Alright, Cassidy. Let’s get it on!” She says to herself after heaving a deep sigh and sauntered towards the exit.

She hailed a cab to the campus where she’ll be studying and staying for a year. She already secured a slot in the Centennial Hall, but she’ll be sharing the room with another student, which she doesn’t mind.

An hour later, she reached her destination. She’s been staring for roughly two minutes at the beautiful entrance. In fact, she’s been in awe as the cab approached the premises earlier. The trees and open field were so fresh in her eyes. And the structures of the buildings were another attraction that caught her attention.

A woman just passed by, so she hurried.

“Excuse me...”

“Yes?”

“Do you know the way to the Centennial Hall?”

“Yeah- Um, Go to the first right corner then take a straight walk for about five to ten minutes and you’ll see the building beside a statue. That’s the centennial.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Cassidy proceeded to the direction the woman told her. In just less than ten minutes, she reached the Centennial Hall, where the resident assistant was already waiting for her. The resident assistant guided her to her room and explained to her the do’s and don’ts inside the dormitory and school premises.

Her whole day summed up talking with the resident assistant, signing some papers, and getting to know her new roommate, Gabbie.

Then she also met Gabbie’s friends, namely Rachelle and Tiaunna.

She learned Gabbie has the same course as hers, which is the Bachelor of Arts. Whereas Rachelle and Tiaunna have the same as well, Bachelor of Music.

While deciding to unpack her thing, Tiaunna and Rachelle walked inside the room wearing a party outfit. Rachelle and Tiaunna are sharing the same room, which is just next to their room.

“Hey, girl. Ready?” Tiaunna asked Gabbie, who just got out of their bathroom.

“Yup! Um, wait a sec.” Said Gabbie. She walked towards Cassidy.

“Hey, do you have something to do?” Gabbie asked as she sat next to her.

“Uhm, maybe taking some rest.”

“Well, if you have energy to go out, you can go with us. We’re going to a party in the other hall.”

“Oh- but that’s not allowed, right?”

“That’s why we’ll do it in discreet.” Rachelle said as she encouraged Cassidy to go with them.

“Maybe some other time.” Cassidy refused. She’s too tired to go out and party.

“Okay. But if you’re hungry, go to the pantry on the ground floor left side.” Tiaunna said while holding Gabbie’s arm towards the door.

“Yeah, thanks.”

It’s past twelve midnight when she’s finished unpacking her things. Her roommate hasn’t gone back yet. She called it a night after making sure her alarm was on.

She plans to tour the campus tomorrow since her class will not start in the next two days. She still has enough time to get herself familiarized around the campus. Because she’s too worn out, she fell asleep instantly.

It was almost lunch that Cassidy woke up.

“Hey, good morning sleepyhead.”

“Good morning.” says Cassidy. Checking her phone to know why it didn’t alarm. But it surprised her to see the time.

“Why did I not hear the alarm?” She mumbles to herself.

She took a shower after fixing her bed. When she got out, Gabbie was not alone. A guy was with her.

“I’m sorry.” Cassidy immediately apologized. The two were kissing when Cassidy got out.

“Oh no. It’s okay. By the way, Cassidy, this is my boyfriend, Denver. Babe, this is Cassidy. She’s my new roommate.”

“Hi.” says Denver.

“Hi.”

Cassidy excused herself and did her thing. After making sure she forgot nothing, she went out and headed to the pantry to have her brunch. Leaving the two on eat face again.

Just like her plan for today, she checked the library after having her brunch, she also went to check the wide quadrangle field. She also explored the amenities of the campus, from the gym to the swimming pool.

While enjoying the view under the tree tunnel, Cassidy got a phone call.

“Hi, mom.”

“Hi, Cassie... How are you?”

“I’m good, mom. I’m actually exploring the whole campus right now. God! This is so beautiful! I like here, mom.”

“That's good to know, Cassie. I'm happy knowing you’re okay there. Don’t skip your meal, okay, and call us if you have time. I know you haven’t started your class yet.”

“Don’t worry about me, mom. I should be the one telling you that. You shoul eat healthy food, okay?”

“Of course...”

“Anyway, I’ll talk to you soon, mom. I just need to do something.”

“Alright. Take care. I love you.”

“I love you too, mom.”

Cassidy saw someone she thought familiar. She went to the corner where she saw the guy. And there she saw him talking to a professor at the end of the stairs.

There are already students going in and out and walking around the campus because some classes have started early.

As she walked closer, the guy turned around, which immediately noticed her.

“I’ll submit it tomorrow, Mr. Harris. Thanks.” The guy said and left the professor. He walked over to Cassidy.

“Hey... small world, isn’t it?”

Cassidy didn’t know why she followed the guy and now that he’s in front of her, she suddenly felt embarrassed. She excused herself and walked past him.

“Wait! Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” Cassidy quickly responded as she walked fast.

The guy followed her. “I’m Lance. And you are?”

“Cassidy.”

“Nice to meet you, Cassidy. I’m sorry if I started at a wrong foot when we’ve met yesterday. I did not intend to scare you. Believe me, I’m not a bad guy.”