Eva's PoV

I checked Maya's timetable and noted she had Psychology. The classroom for that wasn't too far from mine, so I'd waved her to follow me and walked slightly in front of her in silence, earphones in but no music playing.

"So I assume the horrible comment that guy made was because you walk around with headphones in?" Maya asked, speeding up to me to watch my expressions. I sighed heavily and nodded. I pulled an earphone out to make a point of saying to her that I didn't like to be disturbed.

"I don't like interacting with college kids. I listen to music and I do my work. He thinks that's something to joke about." I said flatly, gave her a quick glance and then put my earphone back in. I hated myself for acting like this in ways; I thought back to when I first started college and how frightening it was, yet here I was being rude and not wanting to talk to her. She probably hated me already but that was better than me having a friendship that could be destroyed and ruin my chances of getting into university. Between that and the fact she reminded me of the girl I fancied at school, my head told me to steer clear of this sweet lady.

"You shouldn't let them get to you." Maya continued, clearly not taking the hint I gave her earlier - unless she did and was choosing to ignore it. "You seem nice." I stopped outside her classroom and took an earphone out again.

"Look, I don't need you analysing me like something in your psych class. I'm happy like this. Just leave me be. I'm happy to answer your questions about college but other than that, leave me alone." I whispered harshly. Again, I didn't want to be mean to her but I literally couldn't afford to let my walls down now. It was bad enough that I was getting involved with Ashton and letting myself slip in front of him and his friends. Very soon I'd probably slip up so badly that Ashton would know I was the one texting him. I had to get my head in gear and there was no way I could do that if I had more people to watch my mouth around. The best thing about me was that nobody knew me enough to care about me and ask about my past or anything I'd gone through - which meant I could just carry in living in the present and not worry. As soon as people knew what Lina had done to me or why I became a loner, it'd be non stop; I'd be talk of the class, they'd be making fun of me more, it'd be awful.

"Not everyone is trying to bring you down, Eva. Not everyone is your enemy." Maya said simply before breaking eye contact and heading into class. She sounded exactly like I had when I had been speaking to Ashton. For a moment, I stood in shock. No one ever bothered once I'd told them to leave me alone yet here she was saying inspirational quotes and getting in my head. Was it her though or was it because I was letting her words get to me? I sighed heavily as I shut my mind down before it started whirring with things that would send me in a downward spiral. My earphone went back in and I turned my music on, selecting my favourite metal band, in flames, to drown out my thoughts as I then headed to class myself, ready to focus on healthcare.

The day seemed to drag, but luckily before I went insane it finally hit lunchtime. I headed to my usual spot, an out of the way part of the field, to sit down and enjoy lunch by myself with my music in. I had just bought my lunch from the canteen and as I exited the building to get to my spot, a hand gripped my arm tightly as they yanked me away from the canteen and towards a temporary cabin that had been put up to accommodate some of the new students to study away from the noisy zoo that was the main building. I was shoved into a chair in the corner before someone sat opposite me, their back to everyone who was in the room. Their hood was up and their face down so I couldn't see who it was. I had an idea though. How many people wearing hoodies were going to come and yank me away and hide us in a remote building that no one would have noticed we went in to?

"Ashton?" I whispered, leaning forwards so I could finally catch a glimpse of his face from beneath the hood. He looked downtrodden again, but his face hardened as he looked up at me, trying not to show emotion. I paused my music and removed an earphone.

"Why did you stick up for us?" His voice was raspy and seemed full of hatred.

"What? Why?" I was caught off guard and didn't quite know how to answer.

"You told Mr Williamson that we helped you when you got robbed. Why?" He explained a little more, his voice desperate to sound scary but cracking with every word.

"Why not? I was hardly going to tell him what really happened." I said quickly, unsure as to what he wanted to hear.

"We don't need your fucking help. We could have got through it without you lying for us and making us look weak." The anger was back in his voice, like he'd summoned the strength to carry on the act.

"It probably didn't occur to you guys but I lied to save my own ass too. I never skip class or get into trouble. I have a reputation to uphold for uni." I huffed, picking my earphone back up to put into my ear. Ashton opened his mouth to say something but then hesitated and stopped himself.

"Whatever." He huffed as he stood quickly and rushed out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. I put my music back on and started my journey back to the field to try and enjoy what little lunch break I had left. Just as I sat and finally relaxed, taking a large bite of my sandwich, another person decided to interrupt me.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Maya stood over me, her shadow covering me. I hesitated as I looked up at her, wanting to give her an evil glare but fighting myself not to. I looked away from her without saying anything as I took another bite of my sandwich. Maya took that as a yes and sat beside me without another word, giving me half a smile as she took a bite of her food too. This was going to be a long and confusing day.