"Sunflower. Tell me what's the cosmic energy of Taramont University? Is it a sense of happiness or are you drowning in all the laziness and negativity, emitting off the rest of the students? Also, you made sure that there's a good vegan place around campus, right? You're not going to cleanse your soul by gobbling down fattening take-out."

Biting a huge chunk from my Mac Donald's burger, I raised an eyebrow as my eyes crinkled in amusement. If only my health-obsessed mother could see me now.

I had to endure hour calls with my parents every two days as promised and judging by this first call, I could tell that I needed much more than a Mac Donald's burger to keep me sane.

My mom's strange questions, mixed with my dad yelling words of wisdom in the background, automatically made me question how I still remained angerless in the past 20 twenties. The two nature investors were in an environmental science lab, probably working on some crazy method to turn the world green.

Honestly, I didn't know what their profession really involved since the mere search of the definition on google sent me to sleep.

Mom continued on her little interrogation, it was already difficult to concentrate on her words so when some random guy appeared out of nowhere and waved at me, you could understand the immense frustration that chipped at my soul.

With a grim face, I swallowed my food and flipped the green-haired boy the middle finger. I smirked to myself as he scurried off.

In complete opposite to my non-surprisingly sour mood, the morning rendered to be filled with gleaming sunrays that shone both happiness and warmth over everyone on campus...Except me of course.

While I showered in the fact that I felt like an old grumpy dog, people indirectly mocked me by their bright smiles and slight waves of cheery greetings.

"Lily blossom? Are you there? You're not answering! I'm giving you five seconds to reply because I know that sometimes you have trouble responding to me. It's either that or you're dying of laughter somewhere, you always find us funny..." My mom paused and only for pastime, I began counting in my mind while I proceeded to snack on my fries.

"Seed! Our daughter is gone! No one is answering on the other line...What was that? You think it's some technology take-over?"

I stifled a laugh as my parents blabbered back and off about their ridiculous conspiracies.

They believed that one-day technology would become so advanced, it would take over the minds of every single human being. Despite my definite annoyance for my parent's attributes, I couldn't lie and say they weren't talking complete and utter nonsense.

Proving my thoughts, I scanned the lush green surroundings and nodded when almost everyone had their eyes glued down on their screens.

What was even the point of hanging out if the only sort of interaction occurring is the nod of one of your friend's head when you ask if the snap chat picture was good or not?

Meh... It's humanity's own fault for their decrease in brain cells. This is exactly why I would choose to hijack some alien's ship and say bon vogage to planet Earth.

"She's still not answering Seed! You're getting the car ready? Okay. Grab the-."

"Mom." I raised my voice a little bit since my surroundings were getting noisier by the minute. Shaking my head in distaste, I realized that I should have thought twice about my decision on having the call with my parents outside. See what happens when I want to get in tune with nature.

"You've always taught me not to chew while I speak so that explains my silence," I replied lazily. "There's literally no need for the two of you to travel over here in your protective hazmat suits. I do not desire my parents trending on YouTube." I muttered under my breath as I grabbed all the Mac Donald's trash.

Hearing my parents blow out a sigh of relief, I playfully rolled my eyes and dumped the trash in the recycling labeled dumpster.

"Anyway, those questions are quite thinking-induced, so me answering is even less likely to happen than seeing good old me in pink."

Quickly glancing at the time on my phone, I realized that I had about twenty minutes to kill before my 1'o clock environmental science lecture. I dreaded it as it involved a fifty-year-old professor who kept on calling me, Pauline.

How the two names even related to one another was still a mystery that I would leave someone less lazy to solve. It didn't help that each time she called me Pauline in such a sickening manner, that I took satisfaction in the thought of pulling her wiry grey hair, and bashing her head on one of the desks.

"Fine, there's no winning with you. At least tell my old beating heart that some handsome guy has piqued your interest?" Mom inquired and I could hear the spike of excitement heighten her already sing-song voice.

I grumbled in response. I had to undergo the same cycle in every new school I attended. From my kindergarten days, I've been interrogated on my supposed crushes. This college experience proving to be nothing different.

Mom queried, "Okay... Beautiful girl then?"

"Mom, no one has caught my attention," I answered, my actions following my angered driven words as I furiously shoved my belongings into my bag.

Dad chuckled, probably taking the phone away from mom, "Sapling, lying won't stop destiny. I know one lucky man has caught your attention."

Before I could respond, I felt warm pressure on my bare ankle. As an ear-wrenching scream left the safe hold of my mouth, I looked down frantically, and honestly, I didn't know how to feel about this weird predicament.

It was one of those moments when my normally bizarre whirl of thoughts disappeared and in its place, were a bunch of funny minion memes that I somehow remembered from my childhood.

Basically, Red Austen had his hand clasped around my ankle, stopping me from taking the next step. If he didn't let go in the next ten seconds, my butt would become accustomed to the slightly damp green grass.

"Freckle boy! What the hell are you doing? Let go of me before I use that foot you holding, to kick you in the mouth. You better do what's best before you resemble a six-year-old kid with no front teeth." I seethed with a clenched jaw. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my anger in place.

I meant my thoughts on wanting to keep his face pretty but the more he did crazy things like crouching on the grass and holding my ankle in mid-air, the more I wanted to go against my initial thought.

Red looked up at me with a shy toothy smile, "I-I wasn't g-going to c-come to you....I-I promise. I mean, I really really tried to stay away. That is actually an understatement-."

I crossed my arms, "Just let me go!"
Red sheepishly smiled and softly pushed my foot back before removing his hand. Once my foot made contact with the ground, I wanted more than ever to know what that was about.

It's official, he's weirder than a squirrel high on coffee.

"I-It's just that you were about to step on this small flower." He muttered quietly, still crouching on the floor, his blue stormy eyes trained on the tiny blue plant.

I couldn't stop the frown that sketched over my forehead as I inspected the ground before me, trying to figure out what was so special about the damn flower.

Special enough for the Red to hold my foot in the air before I could squash over it like a female Godzilla.

After both Red and I spent a couple of minutes blatantly staring at the poor thing, my mind conquered a result.

"I don't get it." I simply stated, my eye's narrowing as Red slowly stood up. Seeing his full height mentally sent a blow to my face as I took a step back.

Why did he have to be so damn tall?

Red shrugged, his eye's settling on everything but me while he took a step back as well. "You were about to step on a small flower. You were about to unintentionally kill a living thing."

Should I mention that I managed to kill about five plants a day? Probably not... He might cry but it is tempting to gauge his reaction. Either way, it not's my fault my parents put plants and flowers in very sittable places all around the house.

"Damn Freckle boy. You are one weird guy," I affirmed and shook my head in disbelief, "So you telling me that you just stop random people from stepping on flowers? How the hell did you even get to me so quickly?"

No Pierson, Red's not an alien but say he is...Where do you think he would keep his ship?

His blue eyes darted from the grass beneath his feet to the small blue flower and finally he set on my face. Red attempted a soft smile, his pinkish lips tilting slightly while a frown graced the space between his eyebrows. The goofy and shy expression that painted over his face made the deep dimples visible in his hardened cheekbones. I couldn't get over how sharp his jawline seemed, I couldn't get over how soft his hair looked.

"Uhm... Is there something wrong with my face? My hair? I knew I looked stupid. It was my sister -."

"No Red." I sighed, shifting my weight over to the other leg, "I was checking you out."

Red's facial expression didn't change which was surprising, he only nodded in a calm and collected way. Why was I expecting him to transform into a blushful stuttering maniac?

For the first time, having nothing to say, the ground seemed to catch my undivided attention. Wait...

"You are aware that we stepping on the grass right now, right? I think you forgetting that grass is a living organism as well." I couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping through my lips.

Red's eye's widened and instantly connected with the ground, his face actually had a flash of sadness consume his regularity of goofiness, "Well now I have to rethink my life choices."

I was about to continue this surprisingly interesting conversation, but before I could utter another word, he swiftly turned around and walked off, leaving me to resemble a gaping fish.

I shook my head in annoyance as he continued to tread lightly over the moist morning grass. "Hello! I don't know about you but walking off right in the middle of a conversation is not normal."

Red paused, his body becoming rigid as he turned towards me, the distance between us further than a few feet. Despite his taunt body and faraway tilt in his blue iris's, Red softly smiled and looked down, "I'm sorry but yesterday when you were so annoyed with me, I figured that my existence angered you. Besides, you told me not to touch you again and I held your ankle, I went against your wish."

Damn him for having such a husky and soft voice. Damn me for feeling so ... Guilty.

"Wow, you're actually speaking sense for once. I don't want you to touch me and you do annoy me. You can go." I snapped and turned my head away from his penetrating gaze.

Maybe this is a sign.

A sign simply stating that I should just stay away from the strange guy. From only knowing him for less than merely two days, I gathered he was far too good for me.

Red didn't say anything back. I looked up and watched as he met with some raven-haired girl and once they walked completely out of the campus gates, I knew it was a good thing, even if it made me feel...Some sort of strange emotion.

It's probably the Mac Donald's burger. That was it. Mom was right, I needed to cleanse my soul...Fried chicken would definitely do the trick.

"Sh*t." I cursed under my breath, remembering that I was on a call with my parents before Red's whole ankle clasping catastrophe. What happened to my phone? I scurried around, trying to find my fries before guy's phone case.

I blew out a sigh of relief as I caught sight of it on the grass. Instantly grabbing it, I wondered how I haven't even recalled dropping my phone on the ground in the first place.

After examining my phone for a few more minutes, I knew luck was on my side as the grass prevented any sort of damage from prevailing. I was about to drop my phone in my bag before my parent's familiar laughter stopped me in my tracks. Wait, they were listening the whole time?

"Told ya there was a guy. Destiny as spoken." Dad cheered.

Oh, kill me now.

●●●●●●

"Pauline!" Mrs. Greggory called out through the large auditorium. Her voice like daggers pierced my ears to an extent where I had to dig my nails into my palms, to calm myself from pulling her squirrel-like hair off.

"This isn't high school. You can't be zoning off every few seconds. If you don't want to be here then leave, Pauline."

You can't throw your shoe at a professor. You can't throw a shoe at a professor. Don't do it, Pierson. Don't do it, Pierson.

I just knew the crusty old bat had some type of vendetta against me, ever since I've walked into this class and laughed at the giant mole situated on her nose.

Honestly, I knew my actions were not accounted for but I'm human. I would expect anyone to be an alien if they don't so much as snort.

Mrs. Greggory knew Pierson was my name though she continued to call me Pauline with an intense amount of disgust in her voice. Biting my lip, I stuffed my notebook and pen inside my bag and loosely slung it over one arm.

The scrawny eagle-eyed guy beside me instantly made space so I could walk past him. I muttered a quick thank you under my breath and continued to ball my fist until I had to grit my teeth due to the pain.

I walked down the steep stairs while everyone either muttered their thoughts or watched eagerly. Rolling my eyes, I could tell what they were thinking.

I wasn't doing this for attention, only to prove a point.

"Where do you think you're going, Pauline?" Mrs. Greggory yelled as her snake-like eyes scowled at my presence. I really tried not to roll my eyes but my restraint was being tested immensely.

"Pauline, answer me." She continued and by the mention of that name, I snapped.

Oh, forget it.

I rolled my eyes and glared at the professor, "Isn't it obvious? You said if I don't like it here, I could leave. Well, I'm doing just that Sherlock!"

Turning my back towards everyone, I sauntered out of the room and sighed as a gush of air consumed me once the large doors shut. I was thankful that I didn't have to suffer another thirty minutes in that stuffy classroom. I'm trying to better myself but it's hard and my short temper and mild anger issues only added to the level of difficulty.

On Tuesdays, I only had about 4 classes and since I just walked out of my third one, I had half the mind to ditch the last. It was only my third day here and I was already sick of this place.

I needed a breather, a way to release all this pent-up anger and emotions. The more interesting question was how? I didn't know what I was up to, as I somehow found myself five minutes later dragging a box from inside my closet.

Quickly slipping out my pocket knife from my back jeans pocket, I sighed as I stabbed the blade through the hard duck tape. Once the box was officially opened, I dug between all the teddy bear foam, my hands trying to reach for the familiar feeling of the squishy stress balls.

"Ah-ha!" I exclaimed in a self-proclaimed victory as I pulled out a small plush black ball.

Stress balls really seemed to give my hands a work-out but at this point, I didn't mind, as I dug my nails into the foam and squeezed the soft object like my life depended on it.

Before I left my dorm room, I decided to throw on a pull-over, wanting a quick walk through nature to ease my battling thoughts. I grew more and more proud of myself since I continued to stick to my therapist and parent's advice on dealing with anger in a peaceful way.

I guess this was better even though it was less fun than smoking joints, taking pot, or hijacking some random dudes bike to ride around town. I found myself smiling at the stupid memories.

I was a better person now, right?

I mean, here I am, Pierson Carmicheal resisting the urges to use violence or intoxicate myself and instead, I'm squeezing a ball. I had to forget the fact that I'm ditching class...

With similar thoughts occupying the empty space left in my mind, I continued on my little walk around the campus grounds as I tried to familiarize myself with the place.

Who knows?

After this first week, the work might be intensified and I wouldn't even be able to catch a breath. Now that I think about it, that isn't good for my stress and anger levels.

My head was in the clouds so when some rude ass person knocked against my shoulder, it took me a couple of seconds to come back down to Earth.

After narrowing my eyes, I sharply turned around on my shoes and spotted Megan Fords smirking at me.

"I knew that would be one way to catch your attention." She chuckled and before I could even react, she continued, "I saw what you did in class, cool. A bunch of the gang and I are going to this pancake place we hang out at. You should come."

I did like pancakes and I've been dying to try that place out, however, despite Megan and her friends being cool company, I couldn't ignore the fact that they were clear distractions.

Shrugging to myself, I wondered why I'm thinking so much about this. All I needed to do was go, stuff my mouth with pancakes and leave. It's not like I'm going to end up behind prison bars...

"What the hell, why not?"

Megan grinned knowingly, tilted her head to the side while she busied herself by taking a cigarette out of her purse, "You better be okay with Dominic coming as well. He is my half brother after all and mother says I need to spend more time with him even though his one stuck up asswipe."

Shocked, my eye's widened, and automatically, my hands clenched tightly, "Wa-."

"Also, you know that-" Megan paused to take a drag from her joint, "-Guy who wanted to meet up with you... Joe. He's also going to be there."

Oh, so that meant I accepted an invitation to hang out with a prick who continues to eat his own ego and a guy that proved chivalry died a long time ago. On the other hand ... Pancakes.

"Some cute guy's coming too. His name is Red and guess what... That's my favorite color." Megan smiled to herself while her hand tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

If I didn't know better, in a few minutes, I'm about to walk into a war zone.

Can't wait.

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Hey
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!! I'm sorry for the late update but life happens!!❤
What did you guys think of it?
The next chapter is going to be something😂😂👌

The next chapter would be up hopefully soon...

Until then
CharnayMarie